紫藤花與貓薄荷 Wisteria & Catnip Bar

Miaoli City, Miaoli County · 1.5 mi / 2.4 km

臺鐵喵務處 (the Taiwan Railway "Meow Office") is the cat interaction hall inside the Miaoli Railway Locomotive Park, right beside Miaoli Station in Miaoli City. The park plays on Miaoli's old name, Maoli, which sounds like "cat", and the hall is home to around 17 friendly, well-groomed cats, many of them tabbies, overseen by the railway's "cat director". Entry to the hall is included with park admission (NT$100, or NT$50 for Miaoli County residents, with part of the ticket redeemable as a voucher). Visits run in short timed sessions with capped numbers, so book a slot at the hall as soon as you arrive, as they fill quickly at weekends. Next door, the cat-themed coffee car serves coffee, drinks, soft-serve ice cream and snacks. The rest of the park displays historic steam and diesel locomotives, a turntable and a mini train ride.

Toufen, Miaoli County · 12 mi / 19 km

猫啊！！ (formerly Green House) is an Italian restaurant and rescue cat halfway house on Zhongxiao 1st Road in Toufen City, Miaoli County. It works with a local volunteer cat rescue team to give cats in need a safe place to stay, and friendly, gentle cats share the dining room while guests eat. There is also an adoption area where visitors can meet cats looking for homes, and the owners are happy to talk about them. The kitchen takes its food seriously: pizza dough is made in-house with imported flour, and the menu covers pizzas, pastas, risottos, seafood paella and desserts, with lacto-ovo vegetarian options. Because the cats are sensitive to noise, guests are asked to keep the atmosphere calm, so it suits diners who are happy to keep children quiet and seated.

• Adoptable cats

Emei, Hsinchu County · 15 mi / 24 km

愛君堡咖啡 is a weekend cat cafe and hotpot restaurant on Zhongyi Street in Emei Township, Hsinchu County, a few steps from the well-known Da Gu Gu fried tofu shop and a handy stop on the way to Nanzhuang. The ground floor is a dining room serving hotpot and simple set meals, each with side dishes and a drink, with unlimited rice and noodles. The fourth floor is given over to the cats: a large play space where many friendly cats roam and guests can enjoy afternoon tea, either on its own or after eating downstairs, with no time limit. Desserts include waffles with ice cream, douhua and taro balls. Picking up the cats or rough play is not allowed, and visitors may not bring their own pets to the cat floor. It opens on Saturdays and Sundays, with last entry before 5 PM; groups can call ahead.

Hsinchu City · 20 mi / 32 km

招財咖啡 is an animal cafe in a detached white house down a small lane beside the Yingming Street post office in North District, Hsinchu City. Its split-level rooms are home to a group of friendly cats, including several large Maine Coons, and to capybaras, which have become the cafe's biggest draw. The animals wander freely and are well cared for, and there is a rug-sized cat or two to admire. Tables are by online booking only through the inline app, and a visit lasts 110 minutes. Parts of the second and third floors require shoes off and socks on, and bringing pets is not allowed to protect the resident cats. Close the door quickly when you enter so no cats slip out. The kitchen serves curry rice, fried pork cutlet, croissant sets and desserts such as tiramisu, with coffee and other drinks.

Hsinchu City · 20 mi / 33 km

The Secret 謐謐 x 貓嶼 brings together Cat Island (貓嶼), one of Hsinchu's best-known cat cafes, and its sister tart shop The Secret in a renovated old house with a skylight on Ren'ai Street in East District, Hsinchu City. A large family of resident cats, mostly longhairs and many of them Ragdolls, lounge around the bright rooms; they are well groomed, gentle and often snore contentedly beside guests, and the space is kept clean with little cat smell. The menu pairs hearty mains such as Japanese curry and karaage chicken with the house tarts, including lemon tart and seasonal melon yogurt tart, plus Basque cheesecake, matcha milk and the signature milk tea. Weekend visits are best booked in advance through the cafe's inline booking page, and there can be a short wait at peak times. Payment is currently cash only.

Hsinchu City · 21 mi / 33 km

若木書房咖啡廳 is a late-night bookshop cafe in a lane off Beida Road in East District, Hsinchu City, and one of the city's best-loved spots for studying or working among cats. The Christian bookshop sells books alongside coffee, herbal teas and light meals such as pizza, lemon tart and ice-cream croissants. More than 20 rescued cats live here, each with its own personality, and they wander freely and settle beside visitors as they read or type. The owner, a dedicated cat lover, cares for around 40 rescued cats across two shops. The minimum spend is one drink per person, which covers about two and a half hours; ordering two items lets you stay until closing. Hot water refills are self-service, and cups are returned to the counter. The ground floor has a large table for study groups, with more seating upstairs.