Cat Museum Istanbul

Istanbul · 1.3 mi / 2.1 km

Cafe Naftalin K is a vintage-style cafe on Yıldırım Caddesi in Balat, at the start of the Fener shopping street and across from Haliç Şair Nedim Park, a few minutes on foot from the Balat ferry pier and the Balat stop of the T5 tram. The small interior is packed with old cameras, records, antiques and retro furniture, and the toilet door is made from the door of an old orange fridge. The cafe's own cats, which it calls the Naftalin cats, live among the furniture and sleep on chairs and tables or settle on visitors' laps. There is no entry fee or separate cat room; visitors simply order from the menu, which covers Turkish breakfast, mantı, salep, Turkish coffee, cakes, baklava and cat-shaped cookies, with vegetarian and vegan options. It is open every day and gets busy at weekends.

Istanbul · 1.6 mi / 2.6 km

Mitara Cafe & Art is a small family-run art cafe and bistro on Kaleci Sokak in Sultanahmet, close to the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque and about ten minutes on foot from the Sultanahmet tram stop. Owner and chef Nazan Bahçıvan opened it in December 2014, and the room is filled with wood carvings, sculptures and other art pieces. Around seven resident cats live in the cafe together with a large, elderly dog, and they wander between the tables, greet guests and settle beside diners. There is no cat room or entry fee: visitors come for a meal or a coffee and share the space with the animals. The short home-cooked menu includes mezes, stuffed aubergine, bulgur köfte, goulash and a wide choice of vegan and vegetarian dishes. The cafe is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Istanbul · 10 mi / 17 km

Kedi Coffee & Cake Süreyyaplajı is the second branch of a cat-named Maltepe coffee shop, on Serap Caddesi in Feyzullah, a short walk inland from Süreyya Plajı and the Maltepe coastal park. Opened in May 2026, it follows the concept of the original Zümrütevler cafe: resident cats live on the premises and mingle with guests, so visitors with cat allergies should take this into account. There is no entry fee; guests order from a menu of coffees including ube and matcha lattes, homemade lemonade, cheesecakes and other cakes made in house, bagels and toasties. With well-spaced tables, an open-fronted layout and a relaxed playlist, it is used as a study and remote-work spot as well as a place to meet friends. It is open every day from 9 AM until 1 AM.

Istanbul · 11 mi / 17 km

Kedi Coffee & Cake is a small neighbourhood coffee shop and bakery on Mimozacı Sokak in Zümrütevler, Maltepe, on Istanbul's Asian side. True to its name (kedi is Turkish for cat), several resident cats live in the cafe and wander among the tables, often greeting guests at the door, so visitors with cat allergies should keep this in mind. There is no entry fee or time limit: guests simply order from a menu of coffees, homemade cakes, cheesecakes, brownies and sandwiches, and the cafe also makes celebration cakes to order. The quiet, homely room is popular with students and remote workers, and other pets are welcome too. It is open every day from morning until after midnight. A second branch with cats, Kedi Coffee & Cake Süreyyaplajı, opened near the Maltepe seafront in May 2026.

Varna · 160 mi / 257 km

Barat by Shtaigata is a craft beer and rock bar on Knyaz Boris I Boulevard, the main shopping street of central Varna, in the Greek quarter of the Odesos district. A sister venue of the Shtaigata pub around the corner on Stefan Stambolov Street, it is reached by stairs from the street and has a brick-walled room with rock and metal playing. Around five cats live in the bar and wander between the tables, and guests can pet and play with them while they drink. The bar pours Bulgarian craft beers from several taps and keeps a wide range of bottles and cans, along with spirits and bar snacks; there is no kitchen. There is no entry fee or separate cat room, and visits work as in any bar. It is open every afternoon and evening, until midnight from Monday to Saturday.

Izmir · 203 mi / 327 km

Mola Coffee House is a small neighbourhood coffee and cookie shop on Cengiz Kocatoros Sokağı in Bostanlı, Karşıyaka, about ten minutes on foot from the Bostanlı seafront and ferry pier. Long established in the area, it is known locally as Bostanlı's cafe with cats: four resident cats live in the shop and wander freely around the tables and counter, and they are used to being petted by guests. There is no entry fee or separate cat room; visitors simply order at the counter. The menu centres on espresso drinks and filter coffee brewed to order, homemade cookies, toasted sandwiches, desserts, smoothies and, in summer, homemade lemonade. Instead of a tip jar the cafe keeps a box for the cats' food. It is quiet on weekday mornings and suits working or reading, though guests who are uneasy around cats should expect them anywhere in the room.