Cat Cafes in Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen

Loading Matcha Cafe is a two-storey matcha cafe in the north of Khon Kaen city that doubles as a cat cafe. The ground floor is a quiet workspace with plenty of power outlets and Wi-Fi, popular with students reading and working into the night. The second floor is the cat floor, where a group of plump, affectionate, well-groomed cats nap among the seating and like to climb into bags; you can stroke them, but picking them up is not allowed. The upstairs room is kept clean and fresh, and there are cabinets where you can leave your drink so the cats don't knock it over. The menu focuses on matcha and hojicha in several grades, plus Thai tea, coffee and fairly sweet desserts, and you can even decorate your own glass.

Khon Kaen

Healjai Cat Cafe (the name means roughly 'heal the heart') is a minimalist cat cafe on Non Muang Road in Sila, just behind Khon Kaen University. The Muji-style space is clean, bright and free of smells, with photo corners and seating where you can work or relax while around 17 resident cats roam freely, including a Sphynx, a Maine Coon and several tabbies. Entry is 59 baht per person with no time limit, and cat treats are on sale for anyone who wants to make friends quickly. The cafe serves fresh coffee, fruit sodas, smoothies and other drinks, plus cakes and fried snacks, and the staff are known for being friendly and attentive. There is parking on site, and the cafe is a favourite hang-out for KKU students looking to unwind between classes.

Khon Kaen

Fluffy Plus Cafe is a cat and dog cafe on Rop Mueang Road in central Khon Kaen, run by Fluffy+ Farm, which breeds Munchkin, British and Scottish cats as well as Corgis. The cafe has separate rooms for the cats and the dogs, a seating area and a lawn where the animals are sometimes let out for play and photos. Cats outnumber the Corgis, and each animal has its own MBTI-style personality card so you know who you are meeting. To enter the animal rooms, order two drinks and one cake, which gives you 30 minutes of play time. Drinks come from the sister coffee bar Zync and include specialty coffee and hot cocoa, served with homemade cakes and bakery items. The owner and staff are attentive and happy to introduce each cat and dog, which makes it popular with families.

• Adoptable cats

Khon Kaen

Huskimo Cafe and Bar is a long-running dog and cat cafe on Sri Chan Road in central Khon Kaen. The ground floor is a regular cafe and bar serving coffee, Thai tea, honey toast, pasta and Isan dishes at normal cafe prices. The animals are the main draw: Siberian Huskies, Corgis, a Chow Chow and a Collie share the space with a big group of cats, close to 30 at last count, and there are even some exotic lizards. Playing with the animals in the upstairs rooms requires a ticket of about 99 baht, and free snacks for the animals are provided. The big dogs can be boisterous and occasionally squabble, so families with small children should keep a close eye on them. Staff are friendly and happy to take photos and videos of you with the animals.

Khon Kaen

The Base Cat Cafe is a small, friendly cat cafe on Soi Bun Me in Nai Mueang, Khon Kaen. It feels more like visiting a cat-loving friend's home than a big commercial cafe: a group of soft, fluffy and playful cats and kittens share the cosy room with customers, and the owner is welcoming and happy to introduce them one by one. There is no entry fee, and unlike many cat cafes you are allowed to pick the cats up gently. Drinks are tasty and inexpensive, with a small selection of snacks and sweets to go with them. It is a relaxed, low-key option for students and locals who want to spend an hour or two with cats without paying a cover charge, and a good place to come with friends or siblings.