Last Updated on 15 November 2024 by Vanessa
Belgium may be small, but it already counts two cat cafés. The newest one, Mangakat Café, opened only recently, in February 2015, in the Brussels’ borough Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. I stopped by yesterday and ended up reading cat manga the entire evening in the company of six adorable felines. If you are both a cat lover and a fan of Japanese pop culture, then Mangakat may be the ultimate destination for you in Brussels.
Equal mix manga café and cat café
As the name Mangakat suggests, this is not your usual café. In fact, it’s an equal mix “cat café” and “manga café.”
What is a cat café?
A cat café is a type of establishment where customers can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while interacting with friendly cats. It’s a cozy space designed to provide relaxation and companionship through the presence of felines, allowing visitors to experience the joy of spending time with furry companions without the responsibility of ownership.
The idea of a cat café originated in Taiwan in the late 1990s. The first cat café, named “Cat Flower Garden,” opened its doors in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998. The concept gained popularity in Japan, specifically in Tokyo, around the mid-2000s and quickly spread to other parts of the world. The Japanese cat cafés played a significant role in popularizing the concept internationally, leading to the establishment of cat cafés in various countries, including South Korea, Europe, North America, and beyond.
What is a manga café?
A manga café, also known as a manga kissa or manga coffee shop, is a type of establishment popular in Japan. It is a place where people can read manga (Japanese comics) and enjoy various amenities related to manga and anime. They provide a convenient and affordable way to read a wide variety of manga titles without having to purchase them individually.
Mangakat Café offers an extensive collection of manga books in various genres, including action, adventure, romance, fantasy, and more.
Of course, Mangakat has its fair share of cat manga, too. They have my absolute favorite, Plum, but I ended up discovering and reading new ones, such as Oh My Cats! and Nyanpire.
You can grab a manga off the shelves and cozy up in one of the café’s comfortable seating areas to dive into your favorite manga series or discover new ones. You can read them for free while enjoying a drink and a piece of pie.
The location
The Mangakat Café is located on the first floor of a gorgeous heritage building, right above De Ultieme Hallucinatie, a restaurant famous for its Art Nouveau decoration and vintage train seats.
De Ultieme Hallucinatie holds a lot of cultural and artistic significance within the city of Brussels.
The restaurant was established in the 1970s and quickly became a gathering place for artists, musicians, and intellectuals. It was known for its bohemian atmosphere and served as a hub for creative expression and social interaction. Over the years, De Ultieme Hallucinatie has hosted numerous art exhibitions, live performances, and cultural events, further cementing its reputation as a center for artistic and intellectual pursuits.
The building itself reflects the architectural style prevalent during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to its historical ambiance.
Many people take an apéritif at the cat café/manga café first and then head downstairs for a meal at De Ultieme Hallucinatie. However, know that the food at De Ultieme Hallucinatie is not as good as the cultural reputation of the place.
Chances are you’ll want to spend your entire evening at the Mangakat Café.
Inside Mangakat Café
Mangakat gives you the impression that you’re in someone’s living room. It’s super cozy, to say the least.
The café consists of two rooms with a retro, old-fashioned decoration. And I mean “old-fashioned” in the very best way; there is a real atmosphere in this place, and it is very respectful of and complimentary to the Art Deco building.
A big library of mangas is at the disposal of the customers. There are comfortable sofas, tables and chairs to sit, and huge cat trees everywhere.
The cats
Mangakat Café currently houses six cats: Yomi, Luz, Yuki, Lord, Sophie, and Domingo.
All six cats were adopted from the local pet shelters Veeweyde and Animal sans logis.
They are a combination of young and old, but they have all been chosen based on their behavior. The resident cats are well-suited for the café environment and can comfortably interact with visitors. They are all in good physical condition, free from contagious diseases, and have received necessary vaccinations and regular veterinary care.
Food and drinks
In addition to the wide range of manga books and cats, MangaKat Café also offers a delicious selection of treats: freshly brewed tea or coffee, accompanied by scrumptious quiche and pie.
Tip: order quiche if you want some serious feline attention!
General information
Address: Mangakat Café is located in Rue Royal 316 in 1210 Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, within walking distance from the metro station Botanique and the center of Brussels.
Opening times: The bar is only open two nights a week: Fridays and Saturdays from 06:00 pm to 11:00 pm (but the owner comes every day to take care of the cats).
Admission fee: Mangakat Café is admission-free.
Conclusion
If you’re in Brussels and craving a cat and manga-filled experience, be sure to check out Mangakat Café. Immerse yourself in the world of manga, cuddle the cats, enjoy delicious treats, connect with fellow fans, and let your inner otaku (anime/manga fan) soar! It’s a haven for manga and cat lovers alike, and the ultimate destination for anyone who wants to experience the magic of both cats and manga in the heart of Brussels. Sayonara and happy manga reading!
2023 update
Although Mangakat was one of my favorite cat cafes, it went out of business rather quickly. However, the second cat cafe of Brussels, Le Chat Touille, is still going strong, albeit with different owners.
Meanwhile, several other cat cafes have popped up all over Belgium: Poescafé in Leuven, Chez Miss Miaouw in Namur, Puss and Books in Brugge, Mau in Genk, DreamCATchers in Ghent, Kuroneko in Kortrijk (now defunct and replaced by another cat café, B’aristokat), Lierse Aaikes in Lier, Kat op Schoot in Tongeren, and Merlin Cat Café in Liège.
More feline joy
My feline-inspired short story, Next to Her, is free on Kindle today. Download your copy at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, etc 😉
About Next to Her: For over two years, Maurice, an 84-year-old man, has dedicated himself to caring for his terminally ill wife, Yvonne. The immense burden of constant supervision has strained their relationship, blurring the line between providing care and causing unintentional distress. Can this elderly couple rediscover the tenderness that once defined their bond amidst the challenges they face? And how can their cat help them do this?
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