Last Updated on 16 November 2025 by Vanessa
Meet the cats of the top cat cafés in Iowa! Are you looking for cozy spots where you can sip coffee, relax, and hang out with adoptable cats? Iowa has a few gems you won’t want to miss. Our comprehensive list includes everything you need to know: addresses, opening hours, reservation policies, and the unique charm that sets each cat café apart.
Iowa’s cat café scene began with Coffee Cats, which opened its doors on July 28, 2020, in West Des Moines. Since then, the trend has grown slowly, with just a handful of cafés popping up across the state.
While these spaces offer a safe haven for adoptable cats and cat lovers, their scarcity comes down to Iowa’s strict health and safety regulations. Running a cat café in Iowa means juggling zoning laws, maintaining separate food prep areas, and ensuring a stress-free environment for the cats.
Interestingly, Iowa is one of the states that needs cat cafés most. It has a significant number of stray cats that face harsh winters, food insecurity, and health challenges like disease or injuries. Cat cafés offer these strays a second chance by partnering with local shelters to provide care and find them loving homes.
The best cat cafés in Iowa you’ll want to check out
Books & Meows in Davenport
- Address: Books & Meows, 3719 Bridge Ave #2, Davenport, IA 52807, United States.
- Opening hours: Permanently closed!
Books & Meows in Davenport combines a second-hand bookstore with a cat lounge.
For a $10 donation, visitors can book a time slot with adoptable cats from the Scott County Humane Society This donation helps care for the cats as they wait to find their forever homes.
Whether you’re here to play with the cats, study, work, or simply relax and read, you’ll find a spot dedicated to your needs. There are work and study spaces with free WiFi, a casual sitting area for lounging, and even a children’s room. Bring your laptop, and a curious cat might lend a paw with your typing!
If you meet a furry friend you’d like to adopt, just let the staff know—they love helping cats find loving families.
Coffee & Purrs Coffee Shop and Cat Cafe in Sioux City
- Address: Coffee & Purrs Coffee Shop and Cat Cafe, 500 Nebraska St, Sioux City, IA 51101, United States.
- Opening hours: Permanently closed!
Coffee Cats in West Des Moines
- Address: Coffee Cats, 312 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265, United States.
- Opening hours: Monday, 10:00 am – 05:00 pm. Tuesday, 09:00 am – 02:00 pm. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 09:00 am – 08:00 pm. Sunday, 10:00 am – 05:00 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.
The first cat café in Iowa is nestled in the heart of historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines. It’s a great spot to enjoy a locally sourced coffee, tea, or smoothie while relaxing with 10 to 20 adoptable cats from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
You can reserve an hour-long session for a $10 cover fee, which helps care for the cats during their stay. With space for six reserved customers and two walk-ins per hour, you’ll enjoy an intimate and peaceful experience with the cats. Walk-ins are first come, first served, and reservations typically begin at the top of each hour.
No reservation is needed for the café itself.
If you’re heading into the cat lounge, be sure to sign the waiver and follow the lounge rules.
The team keeps the space sanitized between groups to ensure a clean and safe environment for everyone.
Lucky Cat Coffee in Grinnell
- Address: Lucky Cat Coffee, 619 5th Ave, Grinnell, IA 50112, United States.
- Opening hours: Permanently closed!
Press Paws Cat Cafe & Game Room in Burlington
- Address: Press Paws Cat Cafe & Game Room, 1109 Summer St, Burlington, IA 52601, United States.
- Opening hours: Tuesday, 11:00 am – 07:00 pm. Wednesday and Thursday, 11:00 am – 08:00 pm. Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am – 09:00 pm. Sunday, 10:00 am – 07:00 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Press Paws Cat Café & Game Room is a haven for cat lovers and gamers!
The cozy cat lounge can host up to 10 visitors at a time, making it an ideal venue for birthdays or unique events like paint parties and student study sessions.
They have two friendly resident cats, Smudge and Meadow, and a rotating cast of adoptable felines.
If you fall in love with one of the adoptable cats, you can complete an application to take them home through the Des Moines County Humane Society. Adoptions are processed with care, and the $130 fee ensures every cat gets the love and support they need.
Are you a gaming enthusiast? Press Paws offers a game lounge packed with options, including retro gaming systems for a nostalgic trip down memory lane. You can rent the space for private use or simply enjoy the games during your visit. Fans of Dungeons & Dragons will love the café’s cat-inspired campaigns led by a skilled Dungeon Master, where both new and experienced players are welcome. Don’t have a campaign? No problem—there’s room to bring your group and play in a cozy, cat-filled atmosphere.
With memberships available for regular visits, Press Paws Cat Café combines the magic of cats with creative fun for everyone.
Conclusion: Cat cafés in Iowa and beyond
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the cat cafés in Iowa! Have you visited any of these cozy spots? Are there some you can’t wait to check out? We’d love to hear about your experiences and favorite moments—share them in the comments below!
If you’re up for an adventure beyond Iowa, consider exploring cat cafés in neighboring states like Minnesota, Illinois, or Missouri, where you’ll find even more purr-fect hangouts.
For those inspired to make a difference for stray cats in Iowa, why not explore the idea of opening your own cat café? Check out our How You Can Open a Successful Cat Café, where you’ll find everything from regulations to tips for success.
Don’t forget to share this article with friends and fellow cat lovers—it’s a simple way to help rescue cats find their forever homes! Together, we can spread the word and create more happy tails.
