Last Updated on 31 July 2026 by Vanessa
If you’re exploring Cologne (Köln) in Germany, chances are you’ll already have the city’s famous Christmas markets, historic sights, and charming streets on your list. But after hours of walking around, a relaxing coffee break can be exactly what you need. That’s where Café Schnurrke comes in, a cozy cat café where you can slow down, enjoy a drink, and take a well-deserved break while spending time with their four adorable feline residents.
Café Schnurrke: a purr-fect coffee break to add to your cologne itinerary
Café Schnurrke takes its inspiration from the beloved Taiwanese and Japanese tradition of cat cafés, where people who can’t have pets of their own — often because they live in small apartments — can still enjoy the companionship of cats. As cat cafés became increasingly popular around the world, Café Schnurrke joined this growing trend and brought its own cozy version of the concept to Cologne.
In 2014, Sabrina opened Café Schnurrke, combining her passion for simple yet delicious vegetarian dishes, tasty breakfast options, and, of course, the joy of sharing the space with four wonderful cats. However, due to health regulations, only two cats could eventually live in the café.
After four successful years, Sabrina decided to hand over the café to Wolf and Alex in 2018. Under their new management, Café Schnurrke underwent a month-long renovation and reopened its doors on February 28, 2018. Since 2022, Wolf has been running the café on his own.
Cozy café atmosphere
Named after the German word for “purring,” Café Schnurrke is one of the coziest cafés you can go to in Cologne.
The café atmosphere is warm and inviting. With its vintage sofas, delightful decor, and a welcoming ambiance reminiscent of a cozy living room, it’s the perfect place to relax.
However, the true stars of the show are the four resident cats who freely roam around the “katzencafé. They definitely add an extra touch of warmth and joy to your visit.
Meet the cats of Café Schnurrke
Freddy is the most sociable cat at Café Schnurrke. Born in 2017, this adorable feline had quite the journey before finding his forever home: he went from being rescued from a dustbin in Sofia, Bulgaria, to becoming one of the beloved residents of this cat café in Germany.
Freddy quickly settled into his new surroundings and became an essential part of Café Schnurrke’s charm, happily greeting visitors and enjoying all the attention he receives. His adventurous personality also extends to food — don’t be surprised if Freddy decides to help himself to a tasty bite, even if it happens to be sitting on your plate.
With his friendly nature, irresistible charm, and love for meeting new people, Freddy brings an extra bit of joy to every visit at Café Schnurrke.
Lora: the playful kitten
Just like Freddy, Lora was also found inside a dustbin in Sofia. At first, she may seem a little shy, quietly observing everything around her before deciding whether she feels comfortable. But once she gets familiar with her surroundings, her playful side quickly comes out.
Lora isn’t looking for constant attention, though. Instead, she enjoys playful interactions and spending time with visitors on her own terms. She likes the company of adults, but children aren’t really her favorite.
Cheri: the elderly resident
Among the feline residents of Café Schnurrke, Cheri is the oldest. You’ll usually find her peacefully sleeping in the back of the café, behind the kitchen, where she can enjoy some quiet time away from the busy atmosphere.
Unlike some of her more affectionate feline friends, Cheri isn’t a big fan of cuddles and prefers having her own space. She’s perfectly happy relaxing undisturbed and enjoying life at her own pace.
Cleo: the restaurant outcast
Born in May 2014, Cleo (short for Cleopatra) once lived as a restaurant cat, but she was never truly accepted there — especially after she had a litter of kittens. Luckily, things changed when she found her way to Café Schnurrke, where she was welcomed with open arms.
Today, Cleo is treated like the queen she is, enjoying the loving atmosphere of the café and finally having a place where she truly belongs.
Food and drinks
The menu at Café Schnurrke is entirely vegan and inspired by flavors from around the world. Whether you’re in the mood for something comforting or simply want to try something new, you’ll find plenty of options to choose from. The menu changes with the seasons, the weather, and the café owner’s inspiration, but every dish shares a focus on regional ingredients and sustainability.
From homemade soups and hearty dishes to delicious cakes and sweet treats, everything is prepared with care and a commitment to ethical and environmentally conscious choices.
There’s also a great selection of hot and cold drinks, including coffee, herbal teas, hot chocolate, and refreshing homemade lemonades.
During the Christmas season, Café Schnurrke adds even more festive flavors to the menu, with seasonal lattes featuring warming spices. My personal favorite? The comforting spiced hot chocolate — the perfect drink to enjoy after several hours of exploring Cologne and its Christmas markets.
General information
Address
Café Schnurrke, Ritterstraße 27, 50668 Cologne (Köln), Germany.
How to get to Café Schnurrke?
Getting to Café Schnurrke is super easy, making it a great coffee break during your day of exploring Cologne. The café is located close to the city center, just about a 15-minute walk from Cologne Cathedral. So after admiring one of the city’s most famous landmarks, you can easily pop in for a coffee, a bite to eat, and some quality time with the cats.
Opening hours
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
- Wednesday: Open exclusively for reservations or ticketed events.
- Thursday and Friday: From 10:00 am to 06:00 pm.
- Saturday and Sunday: From 09:00 am tot 01:00 pm and from 03:00 pm to 07:00 pm.
One thing to keep in mind: during the last hour of opening time, new guests are no longer allowed to enter. So make sure you plan your visit accordingly if you want enough time to relax and enjoy your drink.
You don’t always need to book ahead (except on Wednesdays), but I’d definitely recommend making a reservation. Café Schnurrke is a small and popular place, so tables can fill up quickly. Reserving your spot in advance means you can enjoy the cozy atmosphere without worrying about missing out on this unique Cologne experience. You can easily book your visit online through the Café Schnurrke website.
Entrance fee
Since December 2021, Café Schnurrke charges a small entry fee for visitors. This helps the café cover its costs while maintaining the cozy atmosphere that makes it so special — with only around 20 seats available, space is limited.
The current entry prices are:
- Adults: €8.88 per person, including two drinks of your choice during your visit.
- Children (ages 6–16): €5.55 per child, including one drink.
If you visit from Wednesday to Friday during the first hour after opening, you can also enjoy a 10% discount on your total bill.
Just stopping by for a quick coffee? You can still enjoy a short visit of up to 30 minutes without paying the entry fee. It’s a handy option if you’re looking for a quick break before continuing your Cologne adventures.
Final thoughts
After exploring more than 20 cat cafés around the world, I can confidently say that Café Schnurrke has earned a spot among my favorites. Even with Cologne’s famous Christmas markets vying for my attention — and despite staying at the gorgeous Maritim Hotel Köln — this little cat café ended up being one of the highlights of my trip.
The atmosphere is top-notch. The warm lighting, rich red tones, and cozy interior make Café Schnurrke feel less like a typical café and more like a welcoming living room where you can slow down, enjoy a drink, and spend time with the resident cats.
And then there are the cats themselves. It was impossible not to fall a little bit in love with Freddy, the café’s most sociable resident, who happily makes sure everyone feels welcome.
Next time you’re in Cologne, I’d definitely add Café Schnurrke to your itinerary. Whether you’re a dedicated cat lover or simply looking for a unique place to take a break from sightseeing, this café offers a lovely combination of vegetarian treats, cozy surroundings, and plenty of feline charm.
📍 Update: Café Schnurrke is now permanently closed. You can find other places like this one in our guide to cat cafés around the world and the best cat cafés in Germany.
A few more cat cafés
Can’t get enough of cat cafés? We’ve visited and covered many more feline-friendly spots around the world. Here are a few favorites to add to your list:
- Espai de Gats (Barcelona)
- Meowtropolitan (Seattle)
- Le Café des Chats (Paris)
- Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium (London)
- Kuro Neko (Kortrijk)
- La Ronronnerie (Nice)
2 responses
What a delightful cafe! I love this idea.
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My daughter would love your blog/posts because she loves cats! She has 2 little tiny dogs & her cat who she had many years, but that’s her baby! It’s black & it creeps me out! Siamese cats do too. I’ll take a good ol’ tabby cat any day! hahaha, but right now I have a black Labrador that turns all brown in the sun…. go figure. Have a nice day!