Last Updated on 25 January 2026 by Vanessa
Who doesn’t love the fairytale-like ambiance of Budapest? It’s easily one of my favorite European cities, and it has become even more intriguing thanks to the presence of… Cat Café Budapest.
Traveling Cats had a chat with Zoltán Szépvölgyi, one of the creative minds behind the cat café.
This is going to be a heartwarming read (with lots of cat pictures). So, grab a cup of Ginger Cat Spice Latte, and immerse yourself in the warmth of Cat Café Budapest.
It’s time for a visit that cat lovers won’t want to miss!
Welcome to Cat Café Budapest, the coziest stop on your Hungary itinerary
How it all started
“We were the second venue of this kind in Europe, with a cat café in Vienna opening just a week before us,” Zoltán explains.
“Inspired by the Japanese cat café concept and fueled by our love for animals, especially cats, the idea took shape.”
“Primarily, we focused on understanding the necessary regulations and permits, initiating a lengthy process that involved selecting a location, choosing cats, designing the space, and assembling the right team.”
“Today, we remain committed to continuous evolution and innovation, striving to meet evolving needs while consistently prioritizing the cats’ well-being.”
What sets Cat Café Budapest apart from other cat cafés?
“Situated in the capital, we are the largest café in the country in terms of area, and therefore the place where you can find the most cats,” Zoltán says.
“Of course, we are very happy to see similar initiatives in the countryside. We don’t view them as competition but as partners.”
Who’s behind Cat Café Budapest?
“We are two owners, Adam and myself,” Zoltán says.
“In addition to our other businesses, I am also involved with an animal welfare foundation, Macskavilág Alapítvány, primarily focused on rescuing and adopting cats.”
“This foundation has been in existence since 2011. During that time, we have rescued, neutered, treated, and adopted numerous cats. We truly have accumulated a wealth of success stories,” Zoltán says.
“Many of the cats at Budapest Cat Café also come from Macskavilág.”
Who’s the café’s ideal customer?
“Cat Café Budapest is for everyone who loves cats,” Zoltán explains.
“Our guests mainly include individuals who are unable to have cats at home, young couples on dates, groups of friends, and couples enjoying tea or coffee while engaging in conversations.”
“We’ve also hosted various hen and stag parties, as well as several proposals.”
Who are the resident cats?
“There are currently 15 cats at Cat Café Budapest,” Zoltán says.
“We have Maine Coon cats sourced from breeders, while the others are rescues, including some mixed-breed cats.”
Are the cats available for adoption?
“Essentially, no,” Zoltán says.
“However, we keep a close eye on the cats and regularly take them to the vet for check-ups. If we notice that one of them needs to retire, we will, of course, find a good owner for that cat.”
“We are currently in the process of doing this, aiming to rejuvenate our group gradually. We are actively searching for the ideal owner, and, naturally, the new kittens will come from our foundation.”
“A diverse selection of beverages is available, including several types of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, lemonades, long drinks, cocktails, and beer,” Zoltán says.
“There’s also always a selection of cakes and flatbreads to choose from.”
And definitely try our cat-centric cocktails: Cat Island, Catuila Sunrise, Meowito, Neko Libre, Pussycat Dolls, etc. We were looking for something funny and concocted these names with input from the entire staff.
What’s the best thing about having a cat café?
“The cats, of course,” Zoltán says. “And the experience they give us.”
Practical information
Address
Cat Café Budapest, Révay utca 3, Budapest, Hungary.
Directions
Cat Café Budapest is located in the city center of Budapest, adjacent to the Fashion Street and St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Nearest bus stop:
Bazilika (Bus number 9)
Nearest subway stops:
-
- Deak Ferenc tér: M2 and M3
- Arany Janos utca: M3
- Bajcsy Zsilinszky út : M1
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
Reservations
Upon arrival, you might notice a sign outside indicating full capacity. If that’s the case, wait for a moment, and once a table becomes available, you’ll be seated.
Alternatively, if you prefer to plan ahead, reservations can be made on the website.
Entrance fee
Contrary to most other cat cafés, there is no entrance fee. You only pay for your consumption.
House rules
The wellbeing of the cats always comes first. After all, this is their café. Here are a few house rules to make sure the resident felines are happy and healthy at all times.
- Sanitize your hands before interacting with the cats.
- Refrain from lifting or disturbing the cats, and avoid obstructing their movement.
- Do not feed the cats or allow them to serve themselves.
- No flash photography.
- Keep noise levels to a minimum for the tranquility of our resident cats and fellow guests.
Additionally, on weekends, an age restriction of eight years is in place to prevent unintentional rough handling. This maintains a calm environment, ensures hygiene, and upholds house rules to ensure the safety and well-being of both the cats and the young visitors.
However, on weekdays, children are welcome to visit the café from 10:00 to 18:00.
Contact information
You can reach Cat Café Budapest by phone at +36 20 617 3301.
Final thoughts
Have you had the chance to visit Cat Café Budapest? If not, will you be adding it to your Budapest itinerary? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
And when you go, remember to take a few photos and share them with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Check out this guide to the best brunch places in Budapest for even more establishments to visit (none of which have cats, though).
Read next => Hungarian cat names (with meanings) for girls and boys
Some other European cat cafés you might like:
- Café Schnurrke (Cologne, Germany)
- Java Whiskers (Stockholm, Sweden)
- Poescafé (Leuven, Belgium)
- Familie Snorhaar (Breda, Netherlands)
- Romeow (Rome, Italy)
- Chapristea (Toulouse, France)
- Gatuari (Barcelona, Spain)
- Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium (London, England)
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