Cat Cafes in Istanbul

Istanbul

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

Cat ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌⁠Museum Istanbul is a small cat art museum on Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi in Galata, a few steps from Galata Tower and a short walk from Şişhane metro station. Started by the Istanbul design brand Aponia, it shows cat-themed artworks, prints and objects about Istanbul's street cats in a studio space while its main exhibition building is being restored, with a gift shop at the entrance. A handful of rescued street cats, usually four to seven, live in the museum and move freely between the entrance room and the basement, where there is seating and a small coffee bar. Visitors pay an entry fee at the door, cash only, and children aged 16 and under enter free. Half of the museum's profits go to street animal welfare through the Goodcrowd initiative. The museum is alcohol-free.

Istanbul

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

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.

Istanbul

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.