Cat Cafes in Hsinchu City

Hsinchu City

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

昭日咖啡 is a small animal cafe in a lane off Minsheng Road in East District, Hsinchu City, close to the Big City shopping mall. Cats of many breeds share the room with a family of meerkats, and the cats outnumber the guests on most days; they are relaxed, friendly and often curious about your plate. Shoe covers are provided at the entrance and must be worn, as shoes stay on. The minimum spend is one drink per person, table visits are 90 minutes, and the standing bar has no time limit. There are no reservations, so join the queue on arrival. Guests may bring well-behaved pets on a leash or in a carrier. Treat capsules are sold for feeding the animals on the floor, and young children must be supervised and not chase the cats. The menu covers coffee with latte art, cakes, cinnamon rolls, tiramisu and pizza.

• Walk-ins welcome

Hsinchu City

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.

Hsinchu City

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

遇見胖喵咖啡 (Meet the Fat Cat Cafe) is a cosy, pet-friendly brunch cafe on a lane off Guangfu Road Section 1 in East District, Hsinchu City, near the Hsinchu Science Park. Two friendly resident cats roam the cafe and happily keep diners company, though they come and go, so a sighting is not guaranteed on every visit. The relaxed room is popular with locals and park workers for weekend brunch and afternoon tea. Plates are generous and good value, with brunch platters of fresh salad, fried fish with tartar sauce, chicken, burgers and karaage, plus coffee and other drinks. Food is made to order, so expect a wait when it is busy. The cafe has short weekday hours and irregular closing days, which are posted on its Facebook page, so check there before making a special trip.