Last Updated on 6 January 2026 by Vanessa
Belgium recently welcomed its third cat café. Alongside Mangakat and Le Chatouille in Brussels, a new spot has opened under the name DreamCATchers. You’ll find it in the center of Ghent, close to the Korenmarkt and Saint Jacob’s Church. Since opening, DreamCATchers has drawn cat lovers and visitors who enjoy spending time with rescue cats in a relaxed setting.
🐱 If you’d like to visit more cat-friendly establishments, check out our complete overview of cat cafés in Belgium.
DreamCATchers: a cat café in the heart of Ghent
I visited the cat café DreamCATchers yesterday morning with my friends Ingrid and Lars, the authors of Go East!.
We arrived early, which meant the café was quiet and almost empty. We could stay longer than the fixed hour and take our time with the cats. The atmosphere was calm and comfortable, and the cats seemed equally at ease.
Around noon, the mood shifted. More people arrived, and the café filled with visitors on their lunch break.
Cat lovers took seats wherever they could, clearly happy to spend part of their day surrounded by cats. Watching people relax, smile, and interact with the animals made it clear why DreamCATchers has become such a popular place—for both its human guests and its feline residents.
A haven for shelter cats
What sets DreamCATchers apart from other cat cafés is its unique mission.
All the adorable cats that call this café home come from local shelters (Dierenasiel Gent,Kat Zoekt Thuis, CatPower) and are available for adoption.
This approach gives “unwanted” shelter cats a second chance at finding loving families. In the mere 14 weeks since its opening, DreamCATchers has already facilitated an impressive 14 successful adoptions, turning visitors into proud cat parents who fell in love with the charming feline residents.
Among the charming residents, one cat, Jelske, caught my eye.
At just one year old, she had already given birth to eight kittens. Jelske’s playful nature and willingness to pose for pictures made her an instant favorite.
Ingrid, on the other hand, found herself infatuated with a black cat called Mr. Darcy.
Shy little Jodie quickly sought refuge in the cat room, creating a perfect opportunity for us to explore the Petcube App and watch the cats’ restful activities from our smartphones.
Petcube App
Speaking of which… If you download the Petcube App on your smartphone, you can watch the kitties rest and play in this room.
Other cats were hiding there, too. Can you find them?
Capurrr-ccino or Latte Meowcchiato?
One of the most endearing aspects of DreamCATchers is its menu of cat-themed treats and beverages. Can you resist trying a Capurrr-ccino, a Latte Meowcchiato, or a Catspresso?
What’s even better is that all the treats and drinks served at the cat café are vegan, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences.
Also, if you visit the cat café, whether or not you choose to adopt one of the cats, you directly support their wellbeing, as the proceeds from the food and drinks are dedicated to providing them with organic cat food, toys, and medical checkups.
As my friends and I indulged in the soy Latte Meowcchiato, the delicious apple pie, the homemade Purrr-onade (a lavender tea-infused lemonade with a hint of ginger and agave), and the cat-themed beer Poezewoefke, we found comfort in knowing that our enjoyment was contributing to the well-being of these beloved shelter cats.
Adopt AND shop
DreamCATchers doesn’t just offer a memorable café experience. It also houses a shop with cat-themed merchandise. From quirky items like cat-themed lip balm and Cat Butt Gummies to practical cat food, litter, and food bowls, the shop has something for every cat lover.
I couldn’t resist picking up a few gifts for my own cat, Romero. With a bag full of Meowing Heads salmon & chicken kibble, Meowing Heads chicken & turkey wet food, Schemer Tuna & Whitebait, and Schesir Tuna & Beef, I couldn’t wait to spoil him with these treats back home.
In addition to these offerings, you’ll find a selection of cat-themed books, including titles like Metal Cats, Avalon, and You Need More Sleep: Advice from Cats, among others.
Getting to the cat café
DreamCATchers is located at Schepenhuisstraat 17, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, and it is easily accessible by public transportation.
Ghent boasts a well-connected bus and tram system, , with tram lines 1 and 2 stopping at Korenmarkt, and bus lines 3, 38, 39, 55, and 58 stopping near Sint-Jacobskerk, all within a short walking distance of the café.
If you prefer to get around on foot or by bike, Ghent’s compact center and historic streets make the trip straightforward.
Opening hours
- Monday: 01:00 pm to 06:00 pm
- Tuesday: closed
- Wednesday: 11:00 am to 06:00 pm
- Thursday: closed
- Friday: 01:00 pm to 06:00 pm
- Saturday: 11:00 am to 06:00 pm
- Sunday: closed
Entrance fee
A reservation lets you spend one hour with the cats. The entrance fee is €3 per person for one hour, and the full amount goes toward the cats’ food and care, including litter and vet costs. Members pay a reduced fee of €1.50. A membership card costs €15 and can be purchased on site.
Enjoy the cat café!
Final thoughts
DreamCATchers appeals to cat lovers in general and anyone considering adopting a shelter cat. The café focuses on adoption, serves vegan treats, and sells cat-themed merchandise, all in a relaxed setting. If you’re in Ghent and enjoy spending time with cats over coffee, it’s well worth a visit.
P.S. While in Ghent, make sure to pay a visit to De Poezenboot, a unique cat shelter housed on a boat, to extend your feline-filled adventures.
Ten other must-visit cat cafés in Europe
- De Spinnerij in Tilburg, Netherlands
- Kattencafé Familie Snorhaar in Breda, Netherlands
- La Ronronnerie in Nice, France
- Café Schnurrke in Cologne, Germany
- Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in London, England
- Shakespaw Cat Café in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England
- Le Café des Chats in Paris, France
- Le Chat Mallows in Paris, France
- Espai de Gats in Barcelona, Spain
- Chapristea in Toulouse, France
Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan
English version / version française
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