Cat Cafes in Thailand

Chiang Mai

Kitten Home is a combined cat cafe and nail salon on the Chiang Mai outer ring road in the Chet Yot area of Chang Phueak, north-west of the Old City. Nine friendly cats live in the shop and wander freely between the cafe corner and the manicure stations, so visitors can play with them over a drink or while having their nails done. The cats are healthy, gentle and affectionate, with some napping and others ready to play. The cafe side serves coffee, other drinks, snacks and bakery items, and lickable cat treats are sold for anyone who wants to win the cats over. Gel nail colour starts at 150 baht, and nail appointments are booked through the shop's Facebook and Instagram pages, but cafe visitors are welcome to drop in just to see the cats.

Chiang Mai

Love Pet Cafe is an animal cafe on Mahidol Road on the southern side of Chiang Mai, where a large cat room sits alongside a pair of capybaras. The cat section is spacious and home to many cats, including fluffy Ragdolls, which tend to come over and ask for attention once visitors settle down quietly. Entry is charged in three tiers of 99, 159 and 199 baht; the basic 99 baht ticket covers both the cat zone and the capybara area, and the entry fee cannot be exchanged for a drink. The cafe also runs a full menu of coffee, other drinks, desserts and generous, well-priced meals, so it works as a lunch stop as well. It is popular with families with children, and the owner and staff are friendly and welcoming.

Chiang Mai

The Little Cat Cafe (เจ้าจิ๋ว) is a small cat cafe and pet shop in Chang Phueak, north of Chiang Mai's Old City, next to the Family Pet Hospital near Chang Phueak police station. The pet shop side stocks food and supplies for cats and dogs, while the cafe is a cosy, home-like room where a small team of affectionate, playful cats and kittens greet visitors as soon as they walk in. With fewer cats than the big tourist cafes, it is a calm place to sit with a drink and soft music, and the cats readily come over for attention and lickable treats. The menu covers coffee, matcha drinks such as a Biscoff matcha latte, cakes and other bakery items. The room is kept spotless, and there is parking in front of the shop.

Chiang Mai

Tipsy Cat Cafe & Bar is a small evening cocktail bar in the Santitham neighbourhood of Chiang Mai, run by a friendly Japanese owner who trained for six years in a bar in Japan. Nine resident cats live in the bar, and they wander among the guests, come over to say hello and settle in beside regulars. Cocktails start at around 80 baht from a long, well-priced list, and the kitchen serves fried bar snacks that go well with a cold beer. Huge 80-inch and 100-inch screens show sports and films, and the owner is happy to take requests. The atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming, which makes it a comfortable spot for solo travellers as well as groups of friends, and an unusual choice for cat lovers after dark.

Chiang Rai

Meow Me Please Café is a small, cosy coffee shop in a quiet soi off Rat Bamrung Road in central Chiang Rai, next door to a 10-baht boat noodle stall. It is home to two affectionate cats, Soyu and Soma, who greet customers at the door and are happy to keep them company over a drink, making it a gentle, low-key alternative to the larger cat cafes in town. The menu centres on fresh coffee, Thai milk tea, matcha and milkshakes at very reasonable prices, served with homemade cookies and other baked treats. Sachets of cat food are sold for 10 baht for anyone who wants to treat the cats. Soft music and simple, cat-themed decor make it a pleasant place to rest while exploring the town.

Lampang

Meow Cafe (มิตรรักแมวคาเฟ่) is a dedicated cat cafe in the Phrabat area of Lampang. Its cat zone is home to a lively group of well-fed cats, from a playful young Bengal to big, confident characters such as Turbo, and they are used to visitors and quick to come over for attention, occasionally with a playful swipe. Entry costs 100 baht and includes a drink and a portion of cat food to share with the cats. The owners are friendly and often stream the cats live online, but the house rules are taken seriously: children under 12 are not admitted, and visitors are expected to follow the staff's guidance on handling the cats. The drinks menu covers coffee, matcha and other cafe favourites, and it makes a good introduction for first-time cat cafe visitors.

Nakhon Sawan

Cafe Miao by Sanly (คาเฟ่เหมียว by Sanly) is a small, friendly cat cafe in Wat Sai, on the north-western side of Nakhon Sawan city. It sits on a main road and is easy to drive past, but inside is a warm little space shared with a group of fluffy, healthy cats that are calm and gentle with visitors. The cafe serves freshly made tea and coffee along with ice cream, at very modest prices, and sells cat treats so guests can feed the cats. There are tables for working or relaxing, plus cute photo corners for cat pictures. The owners are welcoming and chatty, and the cafe makes an easy, inexpensive stop for anyone passing through Nakhon Sawan who wants to spend some quiet time with cats.

Phayao

i-meow café is a homely cat cafe in Ban Chedi Ngam, Tha Wang Thong, on the outskirts of Phayao town. Run from the owner's own house, it has an arty, relaxed feel and a separate zone where a good number of friendly, fluffy cats welcome visitors, especially anyone holding a bowl of wet food. There is no entrance fee; guests simply order from a wide menu that includes coffee and other drinks, full meals, snacks, desserts, ice cream and fresh fruit. Clay modelling activities are also on offer for those who want to make something during their visit. The owner and her cats are known for their warm welcome, and the cafe feels more like visiting a friend's home than a shop, with good music in the background.

• Booking recommended

Phitsanulok

Groom Cat Craft Cafe is a cat cafe in the centre of Phitsanulok, tucked away off Borommatrailokkanat Road near the Nan River. Spread over two floors, it describes itself as a tiny cafe filled with cats and crafts, and it is home to a large number of cats of many different breeds, all clean, well fed and fluffy. There is no time limit on playing with the cats. Coffee, cakes and other drinks are reasonably priced, and the only treat sold for the cats is plain shredded chicken breast, which keeps their diet in check. The cats are good at entertaining visitors, though many like to nap through the afternoon. The friendly staff make it a popular stop for local students and visitors alike.

Phitsanulok

Ban Maeo Cafe (บ้านแมวคาเฟ่) is a casual, family-friendly cafe and eatery in Soi Sihara Dechochai 14, Ban Khlong, in the city of Phitsanulok. Its name means 'cat house', and a group of friendly, gentle resident cats share the dining room with customers, coming over to greet newcomers and keeping children entertained while they eat. The draw here is the food as much as the cats: most dishes cost just 29 baht, and the menu covers Thai rice dishes, spicy salads, fried snacks, children's meals, ice cream and drinks. The space is comfortable and clean, and the staff are friendly. It is an easy, budget-friendly place for a meal with cats in Phitsanulok, and visitors are asked to play with the cats gently.

Chiang Mai

Hello Māo Café is a cat cafe on Huay Kaew Road, opposite Chiang Mai University and close to the Nimman area. It focuses on pedigree cats, with many different breeds including short-legged Munchkins, and a mix of playful kittens and grown cats who are used to people and happy to be petted. Visitors pay an entrance fee to join the cats, there is no time limit, and drinks are very inexpensive, which makes it popular with students. The friendly staff are quick to help visitors find the most sociable cats and to explain the house rules. With a steady stream of local and international visitors, it is one of the busiest cat cafes in the university district, and a convenient stop between Nimman and Doi Suthep.

Chiang Mai

Niji Cafe (นิจิ คาเฟ่) is a spacious garden cafe in Ban Pa Daet Tai, Pa Daet, on the southern edge of Chiang Mai city. Its resident cats have the run of the whole property, lounging in the indoor rooms, on the lawn and up on the rooftop, and almost all of them are friendly enough to be petted. Visitors simply order one drink each and can stay as long as they like. The cafe is known for its homemade bakes and sweets, and it also runs craft workshops for those who want an activity. Families are well catered for, with a children's play zone, toys and plenty of outdoor seating, and there are photo spots throughout. Parking is easy, and payment is cash only.