Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Café Gateiro
Café Gateiro, nestled in the lively Barra neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, stands as the city’s first cat cafe, blending a love for specialty coffee with a mission to rescue and rehome stray felines. Founded in April 2022 by Clarissa Rios Lara, a physiotherapist and cat enthusiast inspired by similar ventures in Rio and São Paulo, this charming spot offers a dual experience: a cozy cafeteria with a menu boasting gourmet coffees, vegan-friendly savory and sweet treats like quiches and cheesecakes, and a separate “gatil” where visitors can interact with up to eight adoptable cats for R$8 per 15-minute session—all proceeds supporting their care. Partnered with the “Adote 1 Gato de Rua” network, the cafe ensures each cat is vetted and ready for adoption, fostering connections that have led to 71 adoptions since its opening.
Before you go
- Food & drink
- Serves meals
- Adoption
- Cats available for adoption
Based on the cafe's website and visitor reviews, checked October 2026. Policies change, so confirm with the cafe before you visit.
Reviews
Cat Cafes Nearby
Preta Cat Café
Salvador, Bahia2.4 mi / 3.9 km
Preta Cat Café, located in the vibrant Rio Vermelho neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, is a unique cat cafe that marries a passion for specialty coffee with a deep commitment to feline welfare. Founded by Nina Vieira and Pablo Brito, the cafe emerged from Nina’s dream to shift perceptions about cats and promote their adoption, inspired by the loss of her beloved cat, Preta, and united with Pablo’s love for coffee craftsmanship. Guests can enjoy a curated selection of high-quality coffee beans sourced from Bahia and beyond, prepared as espresso, filtered, or French press by skilled baristas, alongside a menu of comforting delights like the popular banoffee pie, honey bread cake, and vegan options such as tapioca beiju from Irecê. The cafe features a separate, thoughtfully designed cat lounge where visitors can interact with up to four adoptable felines—fully vetted and cared for in partnership with a local veterinary clinic—for R$9 per 15-minute session or a R$50 daily rate, fostering connections that have led to numerous adoptions.
- Adoptable cats
Meowccino Cat Café
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais596 mi / 960 km
Meowccino Cat Café is located in the Ouro Preto neighborhood of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Situated on Avenida Fleming, this café offers cat lovers a dedicated space to enjoy feline company in a relaxed setting. Specific details about the café's atmosphere, refreshment offerings, and adoption programs are not available at this time due to limited website data. For the most current information, visitors are encouraged to reach out directly or check local listings before planning a visit.
- Adoptable cats
Betina Cat Café
Brasilia, Federal District654 mi / 1052 km
Betina Cat Café, situated in Brasília's Asa Norte neighborhood, is the city's first cat café, offering guests a unique experience of enjoying beverages and dishes themed around cats, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. The café features a "Gatoterapia" area where visitors can interact with rescued cats available for adoption, at a rate of R$1.00 per minute, with proceeds supporting the cats' care. Additionally, Betina Cat Café houses Brazil's largest physical cat-themed shop, providing a variety of products for both cats and cat enthusiasts.
- Adoptable cats
Gato Café
Rio De Janeiro752 mi / 1210 km
Gato Café, proudly recognized as Rio de Janeiro’s first cat cafe and the largest of its kind in Brazil, offers a feline-themed sanctuary with locations in Botafogo and Barra da Tijuca. Founded by Giovanna Molinaro, an architect and self-proclaimed “cat lady” inspired by her first adopted cat and a transformative trip to Japan, the cafe combines a stylish, Instagram-worthy atmosphere with a mission to promote cat adoptions and debunk feline myths. Visitors can enjoy a creative menu—including cat-shaped “salgatos” with fillings like calabresa or cheese, the waffle “miauravilha” topped with chocolate and strawberries, and playful milkshakes—while observing resident cats through a glass partition or booking time in a dedicated feline playground filled with platforms, toys, and cozy nooks. Partnering with NGOs like Bigodes do Bunker and Focinhos de Luz, the cafe houses adoptable cats in meticulously designed spaces, with all proceeds from lounge fees reinvested into their care, having facilitated over 550 adoptions since opening in 2020.
- Adoptable cats
Vira Tigela Cat Café
Uberlandia, Minas Gerais765 mi / 1232 km
Vira Tigela Cat Café is a welcoming spot in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, where people and felines share a relaxed, harmonious space. The cafe pairs a friendly food and drink area with a dedicated cat lounge, giving guests room to enjoy a treat before spending time with the resident cats. Every cat in the lounge is available for adoption, making each visit a chance to connect with a potential new companion. The menu focuses on specialty coffees alongside light bites, including brownies and toast, served at comfortable tables that suit both quick stops and longer visits. The environment is often noted for its calm, cat-friendly atmosphere, whether you are curling up with a book, catching up with friends, or simply enjoying the company of the feline hosts. It is a genuine cat cafe experience rooted in community and adoption.
Cafémiau Cat Café
Sao Luis, Maranhao826 mi / 1329 km
Cafémiau Cat Café holds the distinction of being the first cat café in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. Located within the Galeria Appiani annex in the Calhau neighborhood, this cozy spot invites visitors to unwind in the company of resident cats. With a growing community of over 21,000 followers on Instagram, Cafémiau has clearly captured the hearts of local cat lovers. Specific details about refreshments and adoption partnerships are not available at this time. Follow them on Instagram at cafemiau_catcafe for the latest updates.
- Adoptable cats