Cat Cafes in South Africa

Noordhoek, Western Cape

Curiosity Cat Cafe, perched in the scenic Noordhoek area of Cape Town, South Africa, offers a distinctive and enchanting experience tailored for cat enthusiasts and those seeking a tranquil escape. Housed within a 70-year-old Cape Dutch manor, this unique cafe invites guests to enjoy a high tea experience in a lush garden setting, surrounded by a dozen hypoallergenic Siberian cats known for their friendly, dog-like demeanor. For R350 per person, visitors can indulge in 90-minute sessions—available by appointment only—featuring home-baked sweet and savory treats like scones and tarts, paired with fresh-pressed juice, tea, or coffee, all while taking in sweeping views of Noordhoek Beach. The resident cats, bred and cared for by ArteKatz Siberians, roam freely, welcoming cuddles and play, though guests are asked to wear soft shoes and note that children under 12 are not permitted to ensure the cats’ comfort.

Cape Town, Western Cape

Cat Heaven Rescue Cat Café, located in Somerset West within South Africa’s Western Cape, proudly holds the distinction of being the first cat cafe on the African continent, established in early 2017 by retired academic Valerie Steinmann. This nonprofit sanctuary provides a safe and joyful home to 22 rescued, non-pedigreed felines, all adopted from Stellenbosch Animal Welfare, offering visitors a chance to enjoy their company in a serene, cat-centric environment. Guests can relax in the indoor cafe (R30 per hour, booking essential) or the outdoor courtyard (R20 per hour), savoring coffee, tea, toasted sandwiches, and baked treats like tarts and muffins, while interacting with the cats amidst a massive jungle gym and catnip-laden flower beds. Open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the cafe also features a continent-leading cat-themed gift shop and a unique “Paw Parent Program,” where supporters can sponsor a cat for R130 monthly, receiving updates and visiting rights. With a mission to boost shelter cat visibility and combat pet homelessness through education on adoption and spay/neuter services, Cat Heaven blends feline therapy with community support, maintaining impeccable cleanliness and a peaceful ambiance for all who step into this cat lover’s paradise.