Cat Cafes in China

Beijing

World’s End Girlfriend Cat Café is a whimsically romantic feline retreat tucked away in a quiet hutong lane in Beijing, China, redefining cat café culture with its full bar and enchanting ambiance. Far beyond the typical coffee-and-tea fare, this cozy spot tempts visitors with pretty cocktails, coconut flat whites (60 yuan/$8.70), and Honey Lemon Iced Black Teas (50 yuan/$7.50), all served amidst uber-girlie décor and soft indie rock tunes that earned it nods for “Most Romantic Cat Café” and “Most Original Name.” Home to four exceptionally friendly rescue cats—perfectly suited to the intimate space—this hidden gem offers a serene escape where felines with big personalities perch on the bar or cuddle up for lap time, charming guests like few others in the global cat café scene. Open for spontaneous visits—though a knock might be needed on quieter days like a random Thursday—it’s an ideal Beijing night-out spot for couples, where floral touches by the bartender enhance the vibe, and the cats just might turn a blind eye to a stolen kiss.

Luwan, Shanghai

Tono's Palace Cat Café is located in the bustling Tianzifang district of Shanghai, China, known for its vibrant restaurant scene. The café features a glass window display with two cats dressed in T-shirts, positioned along a noisy, crowded lane to attract visitors. Inside, the café boasts a modern, well-presented aesthetic with an upstairs area where patrons can enjoy lattes, including a unique Salt Taffy Latte for 45 yuan ($6.75), and indulgent Magic Ice Cream sundaes for 68 yuan ($10.20). On warm days, the upstairs area can become warm, and the resident cats are present, with water bowls available. The café does not require handwashing before interacting with the cats, and children are among the visitors who engage with the kittens. The establishment offers pleasant service and visually appealing food and drink options.

Dongcheng Qu, Beijing

Sirena Bar, located on Wudaoying Hutong in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, China, offers a cozy Mediterranean-themed retreat featuring a blue and white interior, cozy pillow-filled tables, and an upstairs restaurant with a scenic balcony. Known for its spontaneous feline residents—at least three street cats, including a white and ginger kitty and a skittish ginger companion—it functions as a "bar with cats" rather than a traditional cat café, providing a relaxed ambiance where guests can enjoy cocktails like Jack Daniels and vodka tonics (100 yuan/$14.50 for two). While confusion may arise due to nearby establishments like the cat-free Sirena Meow Inn and the defunct Sirena Cat Cafe, this Sirena Bar stands out as a charming spot for cat lovers and casual drinkers exploring Beijing’s historic hutong.

Shaanxi

Petit Cat Café is a charming and immaculately clean coffee shop located near the corner of South Shaanxi Road and Huaihai Middle Road in Shanghai, China, offering a serene escape on a quiet street, though it leans heavily toward café rather than cat-centric experiences. Founded by a kind and amiable owner, this sweetly decorated lane house café features a limited feline presence with just two resident cats: a lively young cat engaging patrons on the lower level and a shy ginger upstairs, where a surprising nail salon also operates. Despite the modest cat count, the café buzzes with activity, serving beautifully presented specialties like strawberry cake and café lattes, alongside a variety of hot and cold drinks, including beer, in a relaxed atmosphere. Open to visitors, Petit Cat Café provides a delightful coffee shop vibe, enhanced by friendly service and a pleasant environment, making it an appealing stop for those seeking a tranquil retreat, even if feline interaction is minimal.

Xian, Shaanxi

Momi Forest Postcard & Cat Café is a hidden gem of a cat cafe located within the historic Old City Walls of Xi’an, China, near the Beidajie metro stop (Lines 1 & 2), offering a delightful mix of feline companionship and postcard services. Part of the renowned Mo Mi Café chain, known in China for allowing patrons to purchase and send postcards into the future—up to five years—this location, named 猫的天空之城概念 (The Cat’s Sky in Between the City), uniquely blends a cat café experience, making it a standout destination for cat lovers. Housed in a small, intimate space with just four tables, the café features a dedicated wall of postcard slots and a “catty” atmosphere, ideal for those who adore felines but potentially unsuitable for individuals with allergies or sensitivities. The menu is concise, offering beverages like iced lattes priced at 70 yuan ($10.14), which, while premium for China, reflect the exceptional experience of interacting with approximately 15 affectionate resident cats. These well-cared-for felines, known for their friendliness, eagerly seek petting, lap time, or simply proximity, creating a warm and energetic environment, especially during the café’s mid-afternoon to evening hours. Managed by a welcoming staff, Momi Forest Postcard & Cat Café provides a memorable, cat-centric retreat in Xi’an’s vibrant cultural heart, perfect for travelers seeking both feline affection and a unique postal tradition.

Beijing

L’Infusion Café is a charming and cozy establishment located in Beijing’s Wudaoying Hutong, nestled between the Lama Temple (Lines 2/5) and Andingmen (Line 2) metro stops, offering a delightful blend of café ambiance and feline companionship. Formerly known as ‘Muming,’ this inviting spot features a warm, pitch-perfect atmosphere with comfy couches, lite rock music, and an extensive menu showcasing specialty coffee drinks, craft beers, wines, savory foods, and sweet treats, making it an appealing destination even without its feline residents. Home to just two adorable cats—one often napping while the other, a playful black cat, engages visitors—this café prioritizes its café experience but still delights cat lovers with its charming kitties. With easy access in a vibrant hutong lane filled with galleries, shops, and restaurants, L’Infusion provides a relaxed retreat where guests can enjoy a café latte (or a beer at 5:30 p.m.) and soak in the cultural charm of Beijing’s historic neighborhood, perfect for an evening of comfort and exploration.

Beijing

Cat World Café is a delightful, intimate feline retreat located in Beijing’s Andingmen district, near Jiaodaokou North 3rd Alley, offering a unique and serendipitous experience for cat lovers exploring the city’s historic hutongs. Discovered by chance via a sidewalk projection in the fading light, this small, cozy café—potentially named Cat World, though not officially confirmed—welcomes guests with the warmth of a family-run establishment led by a hip young mother with purple hair and her energetic daughter, who often plays with the cats alongside friends. Housing eight striking black-and-silver American Shorthairs—young, healthy, and playful, though some delightfully chubby—the café fosters a lively yet intimate atmosphere where visitors can enjoy green tea (40 yuan/$5.80) while interacting with the friendly felines, often entertained by cat toys wielded by the children. While its tiny size and living-room-like feel might feel slightly awkward for some, the café’s charm, hospitable owner, and beautiful cats more than compensate, making it a pleasant, if accidental, stop for passersby. Note that Cat World lacks an online presence on platforms like Google, and its status may fluctuate due to the transient nature of China’s cat cafés, so it’s best experienced as a spontaneous visit rather than a planned destination in Beijing’s vibrant hutong landscape.

Beijing

Cat Posthouse is a visually striking cat café located in Beijing’s historic Nanluogu Alley, Dongcheng District, a popular tourist destination known for its Yuan Dynasty-era charm, bustling with bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Easily identifiable by its eye-catching pink exterior, the café immerses visitors in a vibrant, Hello Kitty-inspired interior dominated by magenta décor, bright overhead lighting, and a playful, saccharine aesthetic. Upon entry, guests are required to wear surgical booties and wash their hands, reflecting a commitment to hygiene uncommon among Chinese cat cafés, and are greeted by friendly but occasionally distracted staff, including the proprietor. The café offers a menu featuring lattes and chocolate mousse cake (priced at 118 yuan/$17.10), though the coffee is pleasant while the cake may taste overly refrigerated. Housing approximately 30 cats in a relatively small space, the café features a mix of curious, youthful felines engaging with visitors and others appearing tired, often crowding together on padded window seats, alongside a noticeable cat box odor and one cat observed yowling in a cage. While the staff are welcoming and the cat population provides ample interaction, the overpowering décor, harsh lighting, and crowded feline environment may detract from a relaxing café experience, making Cat Posthouse a niche attraction for those prioritizing quantity of cats over ambiance in Beijing’s vibrant Nanluogu Alley.