Last Updated on 28 November 2023 by Vanessa
On my most recent visit to Pompeii and Hercalaneum in Italy, I took a slight detour to the city of Portici, just near Naples, all with one purpose—to experience the unique ambiance of Gattò Bistrot. If you’re a cat addict, this cat café is definitely the place for you. Curious to know more about this feline haven? Keep reading.
Welcome to Gattò Bistrot in Portici, Italy
Concept
Gattò Bistrot in Portici is a cute little establishment that combines the enjoyment of coffee or light meals with the companionship of resident cats, all former strays.
The cat café opened in March 2019 and was initially a hybrid choice between dining and bakery. It was born out of a simple need for a place where you could take a break and enjoy something delicious and fresh while cuddling a cat.
The name is a play on words between the Neapolitan word for cat, “gattò,” which resembles the French word “gâteau” (which means cake), the local Neapolitan dish “Gattò” (smashed potato pie), and bistrot.
Location
Gattò Bistrot is located in Portici, a town in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is situated in the Metropolitan City of Naples, which is in the southern part of the Italian peninsula.
Gattò Bistrot is the first cat café in Campania but not the first in Italy – Portici’s cat bistrot follows in the footsteps of others opened in different parts of the country, such as Romeow in Rome, Nero Miciok in Palermo, Crazy Cat Café in Milan, and MiaGola Caffé in Turin.
Resident cats
The cat café boasts a delightful family of five resident feline friends: Procolo, Sole, Ciancioso, Luna, and Perla. They are all former strays, found near the home of Gattò Bistrot owner, Valentina Cuomo.
While yet another cat, Piccolina, was once part of the charming crew, unfortunately, due to health concerns requiring a tranquil setting for recovery, it had to find a quieter environment beyond the lively atmosphere of the cat café.
Procolo, the orange cat, is apparently a customer favorite because he’s known to leap onto your table in pursuit of both cuddles and a snack.
If you want the attention of Ciancioso (the tuxedo cat), you have to give him tail pats. He adores it! Luna (the calico), on the other hand, will be happier with belly rubs.
None of the Gattò Bistrot cats are available for adoption. They have found a loving and permanent home within the cozy corners of the cat café, bringing joy and warmth to all who visit.
Menu
Gattò Bistrot’s uniqueness, apart from the presence of cats, is a carefully curated and extensive beer menu, which is experimental and always changing. To showcase this aspect of the cat café, several empty beer cans hang suspended from the ceiling, forming a quirky and charming decoration.
However, Gattò Bistrot’s offerings extend beyond the world of beers. The cat café presents a diverse array of beverages, including tea, coffee, organic lemonades, and wine, as well as a fresh mixology list with fun names inspired by their beloved felines.
To satiate your sweet tooth, you can try homemade vegetarian desserts such as tiramisu, pumpkin pie, strudel, and cheesecake with rainbow topping.
For those seeking heartier fare, Gattò Bistrot also features main courses, such as vegetarian curry with chick peas and sweet potato.
Everything on the menu is vegetarian, with vegan, lactose-free, or gluten-free options.
Practical information
Address
Gattò Bistrot, Viale Privato L. D’Amore, 29, 80055 Portici NA, Italy.
Opening hours
- Monday: Closed.
- Tuesday: Closed.
- Wednesday: 05:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Thursday: 05:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Friday: 05:00 pm to 00:00 am
- Saturday: 05:00 pm to 00:00 am
- Sunday: 05:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Reservations
We made a reservation beforehand since this is generally recommended before visiting cat cafés. However, there were only two other couples at Gattò Bistrot, and they both seemed to be regulars. This was on a Thursday around 06:00 pm.
The place is tiny, though – only a handful of tables – and I don’t know how quickly it fills up during weekends.
Website
https://linktr.ee/gattobistrot
How to get from Herculaneum to Portici?
My partner and I went to Gattò Bistrot after having visited Herculaneum, because the distance between the two is just a few kilometers. If you want to visit the cat café, than this neighboring tourist attraction is a good starting point.
By car
Here are detailed directions on how to get from Herculaneum to Gattò Bistrot by car:
- Start at Herculaneum, and head north on Corso Resina, which is the main road toward Portici.
- After a short drive on Corso Resina, you’ll reach the town of Portici.
- Turn right onto Viale Privato L. D’Amore, which is where Gattò Bistrot is located.
- There should be enough parking spots available right in front of the cat café.
The travel time from Herculaneum to Gattò Bistrot should be relatively short, typically around 10 to 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions.
By public transport
Here are the specific steps to get from Herculaneum to Gattò Bistrot:
- If you are at the Herculaneum archaeological site, start by walking to the Ercolano Scavi station. It’s a short walk from the archaeological site to the train station.
- Take the Circumvesuviana train in the direction of Naples.
- Stay on the Circumvesuviana train until you reach Portici-Bellavista station. This station is in the town of Portici and is only five minutes from Gattò Bistrot.
- Gattò Bistrot is located about a 10 to 15-minute walk from the train station.
How to get from Naples to Portici?
By car
The journey between Naples and Portici takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes by car. To get to Gattò Bistrot from the center of Naples by car, you can follow these step-by-step directions:
- From Piazza Garibaldi, which is a central square in the city of Naples, you’ll want to get on the A3 highway, also known as Autostrada A3, heading southeast toward Salerno.
- Stay on the A3 highway for several kilometers as you leave the city of Naples and continue in the direction of Salerno.
- Look for Exit 6, which is labeled as “Portici – Ercolano.” Take this exit to leave the A3 highway.
- After exiting the highway, follow the signs toward Portici. You will likely see signs for “Portici Centro.”
- Once you’re in Portici, you’ll navigate the local streets to reach Gattò Bistrot.
By public transport
To get to Gattò Bistrot from the center of Naples by public transport, you can follow these steps:
- Head to the Napoli Centrale, which is the main train station in Naples.
- Take the Circumvesuviana train line (usually labeled as the “Napoli-Sorrento” line) from Napoli Centrale Station. This line will take you in the direction of Sorrento.
- Your destination is the Portici-Bellavista station. This station is located in Portici and is only five minutes from Gattò Bistrot.
- The cat café Gattò Bistrot is located about a 10 to 15-minute walk from the station.
Conclusion – Is the cat café Gattò Bistrot in Portici (Naples) worth visiting?
Gattò Bistrot seemed particularly tailored for locals and regulars. The young visitors (early twenties) displayed a familiarity with the cats that echoed a sense of familial connection. They were unmistakably seasoned visitors, well-acquainted with the surroundings and feline residents.
For cat lovers residing in and around Naples, Gattò Bistrot could become your second home. It’s a cute and inviting little place.
However, for those contemplating a significant detour to experience Gattò Bistrot, it’s important to know that the venue is tiny. With only five cats on the premises, several will probably be sleeping or hiding. If you’re staying at the Amalfi coast, for example, I wouldn’t recommend making a detour to visit Gattò Bistrot.
On the other hand, since it’s only a few minutes away from Herculaneum and Pompeii (which is also teeming with cats, by the way), it’s an almost obligatory stop if you’re into cat cafés.
Text by Vanessa Morgan.
Photos by Vanessa Morgan & Gattò Bistrot.
English version / version française
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