Cat Cafes in Miaoli County

Miaoli City, Miaoli County

臺鐵喵務處 (the Taiwan Railway "Meow Office") is the cat interaction hall inside the Miaoli Railway Locomotive Park, right beside Miaoli Station in Miaoli City. The park plays on Miaoli's old name, Maoli, which sounds like "cat", and the hall is home to around 17 friendly, well-groomed cats, many of them tabbies, overseen by the railway's "cat director". Entry to the hall is included with park admission (NT$100, or NT$50 for Miaoli County residents, with part of the ticket redeemable as a voucher). Visits run in short timed sessions with capped numbers, so book a slot at the hall as soon as you arrive, as they fill quickly at weekends. Next door, the cat-themed coffee car serves coffee, drinks, soft-serve ice cream and snacks. The rest of the park displays historic steam and diesel locomotives, a turntable and a mini train ride.

Toufen, Miaoli County

猫啊！！ (formerly Green House) is an Italian restaurant and rescue cat halfway house on Zhongxiao 1st Road in Toufen City, Miaoli County. It works with a local volunteer cat rescue team to give cats in need a safe place to stay, and friendly, gentle cats share the dining room while guests eat. There is also an adoption area where visitors can meet cats looking for homes, and the owners are happy to talk about them. The kitchen takes its food seriously: pizza dough is made in-house with imported flour, and the menu covers pizzas, pastas, risottos, seafood paella and desserts, with lacto-ovo vegetarian options. Because the cats are sensitive to noise, guests are asked to keep the atmosphere calm, so it suits diners who are happy to keep children quiet and seated.

• Adoptable cats

Miaoli City, Miaoli County

紫藤花與貓薄荷 Wisteria & Catnip Bar is a home-style cocktail bar with resident cats in the Xinying area of Miaoli City. It describes itself as a place for cats, drinks and shared stories, and visiting feels like having a drink at a friend's house. Several affectionate cats, including a young orange newcomer, roam the bar and take turns visiting guests at their tables. The owner specialises in herbal-flavoured cocktails and will create drinks from guests' ideas, and there are low-alcohol and non-alcoholic options. Food is vegetarian-friendly, with dishes such as spicy stir-fried dough drops, pizza and fries, and there are board games for groups. The bar runs on reservations: book at least a day ahead through its LINE account (@344plhvn); walk-ins are accommodated only if space allows. It opens in the evenings.