U&Y 緬因貓舍・咖啡廳

Taichung City · 0.9 mi / 1.4 km

貓邸老咖狐獴餐廳 is a small cat and meerkat restaurant on Dongguang 1st Street in Taichung's North District, a 7-10 minute walk from Jingwu railway station, and the flagship of the Cat Boss (貓老闆) group. The dining area is split in two: an inner, fenced room where about four friendly cats, including an affectionate black cat, mingle with diners, and an outer section without cats. The meerkats live in an enclosure for their safety, though guests can still see them up close. Shoes come off at the entrance, and the rooms are clean and free of cat smell. Seats are few, so phone booking is strongly advised; reservations are held for only five minutes. The menu features risotto, pasta, Matsusaka pork, set meals and cat latte art. Children under ten must keep quiet and move gently.

Taichung City · 1.5 mi / 2.4 km

倫家Cafe Lun's House is a booking-only brunch cafe in a renovated 40-year-old house on Section 2 of Zhongshan Road in Taiping District, Taichung, near National Chin-Yi University and Pinglin Forest Park. Three very friendly resident cats share the space, mostly in the roomy upstairs dining area, and they are known for settling on tables, chairs and laps; a Ducati motorcycle near the entrance completes the look. The cafe does not admit children under 12 or pets, and reservations are required. The kitchen serves eggs Benedict, avocado dishes, honey apple chicken, garlic butter pork, house-made bread, desserts, and drinks such as osmanthus latte and Sicilian sparkling coffee. Street parking nearby is limited, so allow time to park legally.

• Booking required

Taichung City · 1.6 mi / 2.6 km

洄流餐食 Stream is a cat restaurant in a renovated old house down a lane off Shuangshi Road in Taichung's North District, close to the Yizhong Street shopping area. Around nine to ten resident cats take turns 'working' in the dining room; they are friendly and well groomed, and guests may stroke and photograph them as long as they clean their hands first and let the cats come to them. The kitchen is the other draw, serving brunch plates, bagels, karaage chicken, pork cutlet, salmon risotto and filet steak with carefully plated dishes and good-sized portions. The restaurant is also pet-friendly, so dogs may visit with their owners. Meals are generally limited to two hours, and table bookings are taken by phone.

Taichung City · 1.7 mi / 2.7 km

拾三貓舍 is a cat cafe and licensed cattery on Section 1 of Songzhu Road in Beitun District, Taichung, and the Taichung sister of Kaohsiung's 拾八貓舍. The ground floor and front of the first floor form the cafe, while the rest of the building houses cat grooming, boarding and the breeding cattery. The resident cats are mostly golden chinchillas and Ragdolls, and they are clean, gentle and happy to claim your seat or lap. Guests change into slippers, wash and disinfect their hands before entering. There is a minimum spend of NT$300 per person, with children under six exempt. The house asks visitors to respect the cats and the rules, and parents must supervise children. The menu includes pasta, tiramisu and other desserts and drinks. Weekends are busy, so book ahead by phone or Instagram.

Taichung City · 2.0 mi / 3.2 km

貓樂貓咖啡 LaLaport 台中店 is a cat cafe on the third floor of Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Taichung in the East District, next to Taichung Railway Station. It is run by a licensed pet business, and pedigree kittens and cats, including short-legged Minuet cats, are displayed and offered for sale. The bright room has window seating, and the resident cats, many of them short-legged breeds, can be stroked, though they tend to choose their own company. Visits are sold as packages: an afternoon-tea plan at NT$300 per person for one hour, or a meal plan at NT$500 for two hours. Guests wear shoe covers and wash their hands at the sink in the room. The menu includes pasta, risotto, fries and drinks. A sister branch operates at LaLaport Nangang in Taipei.

Taichung City · 2.1 mi / 3.3 km

森林小徑 健行店 is the Jianxing Road branch of Forest Path, a Taichung restaurant group whose dining rooms double as home to friendly shop cats. Located in the North District, it is a lively family restaurant where several cats wander between the tables and let diners and children stroke them; at least one has learned to 'shake hands', so keep play gentle. Pets are welcome, and the staff are attentive with families. The menu is broad: risotto, pasta with pesto or cream sauces, karaage chicken, milk and other hotpots, red-wine beef stew, pizza and volcano pancakes, plus coffee and desserts. Expect a busy, sometimes noisy atmosphere at weekends, and book ahead online for larger groups.