The Ultimate Guide To Cute Cat Cafes in London
Cat cafes in London? Is that a thing? Yep – they exist and they’re trendy af. If there’s something super interesting about living in London, it’s that you can find the best coffee shops, and they’re always different from one to the other. If you’ve been here before, you know I’m always on the quest for the best coffee shops, and that ranges from amazing cafes in Old Street to instagrammable coffee shops in Chelsea. I’ve even written about the best cafes to work and study for freelancers and students, because I know many of you are either students or freelancers. But if you have an open mind and love animals, visiting cat cafes in London is a real thing.
Londoners love stuff that’s different, avant-garde, creative. As such, it’s understandable why you would go get a high tea afternoon tea in London while petting cats (or dogs), right? Right. So I’ve set out to write the most complete guide to the best cat cafes in London. There are not too many, but the few that we’re lucky to have in the city really are the cutest thing. We’re talking about cat cafes in London today, but I’m currently working on the full guide to dog cafes in London as well, so keep your eyes peeled for that one too!
The Best Cat Cafes in London
I truly love a quality cafe hunt – as you well know – and here I am to tell you about something different; the best pet cafes in London… with cats. As you and I well know, there are some extremely cute cafes in London. Now we’ve found a way to have them even cuter thanks to the introduction of some adorable furry friends.
Fun fact: Before becoming really popular, cat cafes in London actually originated in Taipei, Taiwan. The first was called “Cat Flower Garden” and opened in 1998. When I first heard about them I wondered if there would be a similar pet cafe near me in London. And I was so happy when I found out that, when I was living in Bethnal Green, there was one nearby, right on the way to go to colorful Shoreditch and Brick Lane!
The Ultimate Guide To Cat Cafes in London
I was delighted to find some of these novel places on my doorstep while looking for a pet cafe near me. I discovered there is nothing sweeter than ordering my favorite coffee while playing with kitties. And since you’re here today, you can discover your own favorite cute cafes in London too! Of course, they’re instagrammable cafes, and of course, you’ll have the nicest time in those coffee shops, even if you just pass by for a petting minute and a latte.
As a freelance writer, I often head to cafes to work. However, I must admit I’m not so productive there because they are so fun and distracting. It’s better to visit really chill and laidback cafes in Stoke Newington, or quiet coffee shops in Shoreditch if you really want to get some work done. So let’s not waste any time! Here’s my latest guide to discovering the city, made to help you hang out in the best cat cafes in London.
If you’re feline ready to learn more, let’s leap together towards some of the most awesome pet coffee shops in London!
Best Cat Cafes in London: Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium
The first on my list has to be the infamously famous Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium London. Named after Alice’s cat in Alice in Wonderland, this is the first of the London pet cafes. I already mentioned in my post about the best things to do in Bethnal Green that afternoon tea at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium was definitely something to do. And here I am to confirm it. First off, let’s start by saying that most cat cafes in London are located on the “outskirts” of the city. Lady Dinah’s really is the most central of all, and a stone’s throw away from Brick Lane.
Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is a cat cafe like no other. You can escape the worries of everyday life in a basement forest surrounded by quiet, contented felines. Welcome to wonderland – word! At Lady Dinah’s, you can forget about the outside world and take a well-deserved break from reality. And we both know that’s something much-needed when you live in London. Another coffee shop that I love in Bethnal Green is actually one of the best Italian cafes in London, Quarantacinque – if you don’t have the time to sit and enjoy cats’ company, at least graba cuppa there sometime.
The rescue cats here have been delighting guests in London since 2014. The proof is in the many TripAdvisor Awards of excellence that Lady Dinah’s Bethnal Green has won. My favorite drink here: Agatha’s Brew. An Oat Milk Cafe Latte flavored with Pumpkin Spice and a kick of Coffee Liqueur.
An afternoon tea at cat cafes in London?
If you’re looking for the best afternoon tea in London, that’s a spot you should definitely not overlook. Isn’t it something otherworldly to be able to go to a cat cafe in London and enjoy a quiet moment with delicious pastries and tea? I mean… Afternoon Tea is £15 per person – that’s to say, one of the best options for cheap afternoon tea in London. Yet, please note this service is only available if pre-ordered in advance.
If you can’t wait until you schedule a visit, you can check out their live stream through their website. That’s something that the team Lady Dinah’s Cat cafe in Bethnal Green has put together to make us relax even if we can’t visit. Doesn’t all this undeniably earn a place at the top list of cute cafes in London? I think it does. And to be fair, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium definitely sits among the most instagrammable cat cafes in London. There – I said it.
Best Cat Cafes in London: Whiskers and Cream
Another one of the cute cat cafes in London is this place; Whiskers and Cream. Whiskers & Cream is a place you can unwind, de-stress, and relax in the elegant home of the beautiful company. It’s located in Holloway Road, in North London, where you can find some of the coolest charity shops in London and the Rabbit Hole Cafe, too.
Maybe you’ve read about it on The London Local before – the Rabbit Hole Cafe is one of the best places for a great halal breakfast in London. The food there is amazing, and it’s all decorated with rabbits – another one of those animal-themed coffeeshops slash restaurants in London where you can only have the nicest start of the day.
Aside from getting acquainted with some gorgeous cats, come for the indulgent cakes, pastries, savories, or delicious afternoon teas. There are vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options available alongside artisan coffees, specialty teas, delicious hot chocolate, and a range of soft and alcoholic drinks.
Best Cat Cafes in London: Java Whiskers
Looking for something closer to Central London? Then look no further than Java Whiskers on Great Portland Street. If you don’t really know where that is, Great Portland Street is located around Tottenham Court Road and Regent’s Park. It’s not exactly close to either one, and you have plenty of restaurants and coffee shops in the whole area. It’s quite posh, and super lively at the same time. A delish place to be in London.
Like the other cat cafes in London, Java Whiskers is a relaxing haven for everyone. Its mission is to raise public awareness about homeless cats and the importance of adoption, to find forever homes for as many cats as possible. So basically, that’s a London cat cafe where you can not only pet the cutest cats. You can also have a delicious hot beverage while doing a good deed at the same time. And that, my friends, is life.
Neighborhood feel in cat cafes in London: La Maison du Chat
One of the coziest and most friendly cute cafes in London is this Pimlico coffee shop; La Maison du Chat. I used to often go to Victoria and Pimlico at some point, and what a treat it was to have a pet cafe near me! La Maison du Chat serves a good smashed avocado on toast, fresh croissants, and ice cream sundaes every day. Or quite every day. If you’re looking for the best afternoon tea in London and you’re in the area, that’s definitely a place to try.
Because La Maison du Chat is a pretty small coffee shop, you can always get up close to the cats but something really unique is their ‘yoga with cats’. Whilst this was a cat cafe near me at the times I’d walk around Pimlico, I didn’t get to try this. However, attempting to stretch like cute cats sounds like extra therapeutic benefits of breathing together with those furry friends while you pose.
A Few Handy Tips Before Visiting Cat Cafes in London
- As cute and adorable as they are, like humans, cats need space. Only touch them if they look like they actually want to be physically touched.
- Don’t use flash photography as you might scare them.
- Use hand sanitiser before you enter the cafes and before you touch the cats.
- Call ahead in case you need a reservation to avoid disappointment.
- Some cat cafes don’t allow young children, so check their individual policies before bringing little ones with you.
The Ultimate Guide To Cat Cafes in London
So there you have them; all the best cat cafes in London. While I enjoyed visiting all of the above, I truly loved being able to visit a cat cafe near me while living in Bethnal Green, as I mentioned above. It’s the perfect way of destressing. I hope this guide has helped you find a cat cafe that you like the sound of. They’re amazing places to escape the hustle and bustle of London that I usually love, but that can prove sometimes really tiring.
If you love cats like I do and are looking to do something different this weekend, why not grab a like-minded friend and visit one of these cafes in London for a purrfect cuppa! Obviously, I will cover dog cafes in London very soon so do look out for this! I regularly add my recommendations for amazing restaurants, cheap shopping in London, and really cute cafes and I wouldn’t want you to miss out on them!
If you’d like to know more about the best coffee shops in London, here are a few amazing recommendations for you:
- The most instagrammable cafes in South Kensington
- The best cafes in London Bridge for breakfast and brunch
- And, how could I not mention the very best coffee shops in Covent Garden?!
Having previously lived in both Paris and Rome as a fashion makeup artist, she enjoys the freedom that freelancing offers and loves to spend her time seeking out new and exciting spots in London.