Cat Cafes in Turkey

Istanbul

Cafe ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​⁠Naftalin K is a vintage-style cafe on Yıldırım Caddesi in Balat, at the start of the Fener shopping street and across from Haliç Şair Nedim Park, a few minutes on foot from the Balat ferry pier and the Balat stop of the T5 tram. The small interior is packed with old cameras, records, antiques and retro furniture, and the toilet door is made from the door of an old orange fridge. The cafe's own cats, which it calls the Naftalin cats, live among the furniture and sleep on chairs and tables or settle on visitors' laps. There is no entry fee or separate cat room; visitors simply order from the menu, which covers Turkish breakfast, mantı, salep, Turkish coffee, cakes, baklava and cat-shaped cookies, with vegetarian and vegan options. It is open every day and gets busy at weekends.

Istanbul

Cat ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌⁠Museum Istanbul is a small cat art museum on Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi in Galata, a few steps from Galata Tower and a short walk from Şişhane metro station. Started by the Istanbul design brand Aponia, it shows cat-themed artworks, prints and objects about Istanbul's street cats in a studio space while its main exhibition building is being restored, with a gift shop at the entrance. A handful of rescued street cats, usually four to seven, live in the museum and move freely between the entrance room and the basement, where there is seating and a small coffee bar. Visitors pay an entry fee at the door, cash only, and children aged 16 and under enter free. Half of the museum's profits go to street animal welfare through the Goodcrowd initiative. The museum is alcohol-free.

Istanbul

Mitara ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​⁠Cafe & Art is a small family-run art cafe and bistro on Kaleci Sokak in Sultanahmet, close to the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque and about ten minutes on foot from the Sultanahmet tram stop. Owner and chef Nazan Bahçıvan opened it in December 2014, and the room is filled with wood carvings, sculptures and other art pieces. Around seven resident cats live in the cafe together with a large, elderly dog, and they wander between the tables, greet guests and settle beside diners. There is no cat room or entry fee: visitors come for a meal or a coffee and share the space with the animals. The short home-cooked menu includes mezes, stuffed aubergine, bulgur köfte, goulash and a wide choice of vegan and vegetarian dishes. The cafe is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Istanbul

Kedi ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌⁠Coffee & Cake is a small neighbourhood coffee shop and bakery on Mimozacı Sokak in Zümrütevler, Maltepe, on Istanbul's Asian side. True to its name (kedi is Turkish for cat), several resident cats live in the cafe and wander among the tables, often greeting guests at the door, so visitors with cat allergies should keep this in mind. There is no entry fee or time limit: guests simply order from a menu of coffees, homemade cakes, cheesecakes, brownies and sandwiches, and the cafe also makes celebration cakes to order. The quiet, homely room is popular with students and remote workers, and other pets are welcome too. It is open every day from morning until after midnight. A second branch with cats, Kedi Coffee & Cake Süreyyaplajı, opened near the Maltepe seafront in May 2026.

Istanbul

Kedi ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌⁠Coffee & Cake Süreyyaplajı is the second branch of a cat-named Maltepe coffee shop, on Serap Caddesi in Feyzullah, a short walk inland from Süreyya Plajı and the Maltepe coastal park. Opened in May 2026, it follows the concept of the original Zümrütevler cafe: resident cats live on the premises and mingle with guests, so visitors with cat allergies should take this into account. There is no entry fee; guests order from a menu of coffees including ube and matcha lattes, homemade lemonade, cheesecakes and other cakes made in house, bagels and toasties. With well-spaced tables, an open-fronted layout and a relaxed playlist, it is used as a study and remote-work spot as well as a place to meet friends. It is open every day from 9 AM until 1 AM.

Goreme, Nevsehir

La ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌⁠Petite Pause is a small family-run coffee shop with resident cats in Göreme, the cave town at the heart of Cappadocia. It sits on Kazım Eren Sokak, one of the quiet lanes that climb above the town centre, a short walk from the main street. The cafe describes itself as a cat cafe, and several house cats live inside, wandering between the tables and choosing their own sleeping spots among the vintage furniture, handmade decorations and a small shelf of books. There is no entry fee or time limit; visitors simply order at the counter and spend time with the cats. The menu is short: coffee made with Colombian beans, Turkish coffee, lemonade, salep and homemade desserts such as cheesecake, tiramisu and magnolia, all prepared in the cafe's own kitchen. It is open every day except Wednesday.

Izmir

Mola ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌⁠Coffee House is a small neighbourhood coffee and cookie shop on Cengiz Kocatoros Sokağı in Bostanlı, Karşıyaka, about ten minutes on foot from the Bostanlı seafront and ferry pier. Long established in the area, it is known locally as Bostanlı's cafe with cats: four resident cats live in the shop and wander freely around the tables and counter, and they are used to being petted by guests. There is no entry fee or separate cat room; visitors simply order at the counter. The menu centres on espresso drinks and filter coffee brewed to order, homemade cookies, toasted sandwiches, desserts, smoothies and, in summer, homemade lemonade. Instead of a tip jar the cafe keeps a box for the cats' food. It is quiet on weekday mornings and suits working or reading, though guests who are uneasy around cats should expect them anywhere in the room.

Didim, Aydin

Kedi ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌⁠Coffee & More is a small cat-themed coffee shop on a quiet side street off Yalı Caddesi in Altınkum, Didim, a short walk from Altınkum beach with a glimpse of the sea. Opened in June 2026 by two women, it takes its name from the Turkish word for cat, and the cafe's own cats, including young kittens, move around the cafe among the guests. There is no entry fee or cat room; visitors order coffee or tea and can spend time with the cats while they sit. The menu covers espresso drinks, Turkish tea, cold drinks and homemade lemonade, with handmade cookies, muffins and cupcakes. The owners also make and sell decorative candles, jewellery and small gifts in the shop. Music is kept low, which sets it apart from the busier bars along the beachfront, and the cafe is open every day from morning until late.

Mersin

Le ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌⁠Cafe de Chat Noir is a small vegan and vegetarian cafe on 1904. Sokak in the Güvenevler neighbourhood of Yenişehir, in Mersin's Pozcu area a few streets inland from the seafront. Also known as Kara Kedi Kafe, it bills itself as Mersin's first vegan and vegetarian venue and serves plant-based versions of local dishes such as tantuni, lahmacun and köfte alongside drinks and desserts. The cafe looks after cats from the neighbourhood, and a group of around eight cats lives in and around the dining room, sleeping on chairs and walking between the tables while guests eat. There is no entry fee or separate cat room; visitors simply order from the menu and sit with the cats. It opens in the afternoon from Monday to Saturday and from the morning on Sundays.

Alanya, Antalya

Alanya ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​⁠Van Kedi Evi is a hillside garden in Asmaca, about 15 minutes by car into the mountains above Alanya, where a teacher keeps and breeds Van cats, the white Turkish breed known for odd-coloured eyes. The owner has opened his home and garden to the public, with tables looking out over the valley, swings for children, wooden sculptures he carved himself, a small art gallery, a yoga area and a viewpoint at the edge of the mountain. Visitors can walk among the cats, which roam the garden during the day and stay in their own enclosure at other times; most are calm and happy to be petted. Entry is free and tea, coffee and water are offered without charge, with a tip box for the cats' food and veterinary care. Visitors may bring their own picnic. The access road has a few rough stretches.