Cat Cafes in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Caturday Studio is a cat petting studio on the first floor of Block F at Lintas Jaya Uptownship, off the Kepayan Highway in Kota Kinabalu. The bright, spotless lounge is home to a large group of fluffy, well-groomed cats of several breeds, among them British Shorthairs, and the staff know every one by name. Entry is RM18 for adults and RM13 for children, which includes a free drink and unlimited time with the cats. Most of the residents are calm and curious, which makes it a relaxed place to read, chat or get some work done, and the studio also markets itself as a small co-working space with coffee. The business is run by a cat breeder: alongside the lounge it offers cat boarding, nutrition advice and cat treats, and it breeds British Shorthair kittens for sale.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Cat & Mei Cafe is a cosy, homely cafe on the first floor of a shop row on Jalan Tasik in Luyang Perdana, Kota Kinabalu. It is best known for its homemade cakes and bakes, from burnt cheesecake and carrot cake to its much-loved quiches, along with rustic comfort food such as nasi lemak, salads and pasta, and a short daily menu that changes often. The cats are the other draw: around five to seven resident cats live on the cafe's balcony, each with a name sign, and diners are welcome to sit out there, relax and play with them. Some are affectionate and approachable, while others spend the afternoon asleep. There is no pork on the menu, and whole cakes can be ordered in advance. It is a quiet spot for lunch, coffee or an afternoon of working on a laptop with cats nearby.