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Last Updated on 27 December 2025 by Vanessa

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in Bethnal Green, London, opened as the first cat café in the UK and quickly became a global favorite. Planning a visit? This review will walk you through what to expect and offer tips to make the most of your time there.

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The story behind London’s first cat café: Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium

The story behind London’s first cat café, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, starts with a rough day at work.

“I had a terrible day as a senior project manager in computer games,” founder Lauren Pears recalls in the book London Pubcats. On her way home, a stray cat’s affection lifted her spirits. “I realized everything seems better with a cat,” she says. By the next day, she had a business plan for Lady Dinah’s.

Pears wanted to create a space where people without cats of their own could spend time with them. In a city as busy as London, she saw the café as a place to slow down and enjoy the company of furry friends.

A hugely successful crowdfunding campaign brought the idea to life, raising nearly £110,000.

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium opened its doors in March 2014, becoming London’s first cat café.

A London favorite

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is a must-visit spot for cat lovers in London.

Some of the city’s pubs, like The Charlotte Despard, the Old Eagle, and Anglesea Arms have cats wandering around, but Lady Dinah’s is a space entirely devoted to feline fans.

The café is so popular that you almost always need a reservation, even on a weekday afternoon outside the holiday season.

So what makess this kitten cafe so special?

Purr-fect ambience

The café is designed for cats first, with climbing structures, cozy corners, and interactive toys that keep the feline residents engaged. You can enjoy watching them explore, nap, or play in a space built around their comfort.

The basement floor draws inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. It looks like a forest straight out of the story.

By the way, the name “Dinah” comes from Alice’s own kitten.

Upstairs, the setting is more neutral, calmer, and simple.

For the full experience, though, the basement “magical forest” is where the café truly comes alive.

The resident cats

Lady Dinah’s is home to a delightful clowder of resident cats.

What makes this cat café stand out is its focus on rescuing and adopting cats rather than buying them. Sometimes they even take in entire litters of kittens.

One memorable story is Coraline, who arrived after a cat lover found her wandering the streets of Ilford. Despite checking missing pet sites, no owner came forward, so Lady Dinah’s offered her a permanent home in the café.

The staff keeps a close eye on the cats’ well-being. If a cat seems stressed or unhappy in the café’s busy environment, they find a quieter home where it can thrive.

Lady Dinah’s also works with The Scratching Post Cat Rescue in Waltham Abbey, fostering cats and kittens to help them socialize and prepare for adoption.

So far, over 40 rescue cats have found permanent homes through the café’s efforts.

Through rescuing, fostering, and rehoming cats, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium combines a welcoming space for visitors with a meaningful mission to improve the lives of animals.

Some rules

At Lady Dinah’s, the cats’ well-being comes first, and your cooperation makes all the difference. Following a few simple rules helps keep the café a safe and comfortable place for both you and the cats.

Before you enter the cat area, wash your hands to keep things clean and protect the cats’ health. Also, don’t pick up the cats. They decide when and how they want to be touched. If a cat is sleeping, let it rest.

You can play with the cats using the toys provided, but keep your movements gentle and pay attention to how they respond. Every cat has its own personality, and some prefer to be alone. Respect their space and let them choose when to interact.

If you stick to these guidelines, you’ll help create a calm, happy environment for both visitors and cats.

Spreading awareness about cat welfare

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium also focuses on educating visitors about spaying and neutering, especially the benefits for female cats.

The café highlights how spaying can prevent uterine diseases and other serious health issues later in life. In case you’re not familiar, spaying removes a female cat’s ovaries and uterus, reducing the risk of infections like pyometra and preventing unwanted litters. Fewer unplanned kittens mean fewer homeless cats and less pressure on animal shelters.

Through conversations, educational materials, and partnerships with vets, Lady Dinah’s helps visitors understand the health benefits and the wider impact of responsible pet care. By promoting spaying and neutering, the café supports the long-term welfare of cats while encouraging thoughtful ownership.

Practical information

Address

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, 152-154 Bethnal Green Road, London, United Kingdom.

Opening hours

The cat café is currently closed. It will be re-opening soon. Check this page for updates.

Child policy

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium only admits guests aged 12 and over to keep the cats safe and the atmosphere calm. Cats can get stressed by loud noises and sudden movements, so the age limit helps create a comfortable space for them.

Younger children might be excited to interact with the cats, but the café prioritizes the well-being of both the animals and the visitors. Families with kids under 12 can ask the staff for alternative cat-friendly activities or suggestions to make their visit enjoyable.

Can you bring your own cat to the cat cafe?

No, Lady Dinah’s doesn’t allow visitors to bring their own cats. Introducing outside cats could stress the residents, who are territorial, and disrupt the calm environment the café works hard to maintain.

There’s also a health risk. Cats can carry illnesses that aren’t always obvious, so keeping outside cats out helps protect the resident cats and maintain a safe, hygienic space. Lady Dinah’s follows strict cleaning routines and ensures all the café cats are vaccinated and receive regular veterinary check-ups to keep everyone healthy.

How much is the cat cafe in London?

The pricing options are as follows:

Standard Reservation: For £10, guests can secure a reservation at the cat cafe. This fee is required to be paid in advance. With this reservation, you will receive one non-alcoholic beverage of your choice and enjoy a blissful 90 minutes in the company of the resident felines.
High Tea Experience: If you’re looking for an extra special treat, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium offers a High Tea option. Priced at £25 per person, this package includes a 90-minute session with the resident cats, two drinks per person (non-alcoholic), and a delectable high tea tier to share. The high tea tier is a delightful assortment of sweet and savory treats that exceeds expectations and ensures a satisfying culinary experience.

To secure your reservation at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, simply visit their website. The online booking system allows you to choose your preferred date and time slot.

How to get to the cat cafe of London?

The closest underground (Tube) station is Bethnal Green Station (Central Line). Once you exit the station, head east on Bethnal Green Road, and you will find the cat cafe on your left-hand side.

If you’re using the Overground rail service, the nearest station is Shoreditch High Street. From here, you can walk or take a short bus ride to reach Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium.

Live cat stream

Unable to visit Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in person? Don’t fret! The cat cafe has an exciting solution to ensure you don’t miss out on the daily (and nightly) antics of their resident cats.

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium now offers a live stream of their feline friends on Twitch TV. It’s like having your own personalized cat channel.

By visiting the following link, https://www.twitch.tv/londoncatcafe, you’ll have access to the live stream of Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium.

Tune in at any time to witness the charming activities of the resident cats. It’s a great way to experience the unique atmosphere of the cat café and feel a part of the feline fun, even if you can’t physically be there.

Final thoughts

Ready to visit London’s first cat café? Share this post with friends and invite them along for the experience!

Have you visited Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium before? What is your favorite London cat café? Share your thoughts in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

Other cat spots you can’t miss in London:

Must-read books about London and its cats:

A few other cat cafés we’ve reviewed:

Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan.

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