Ranking the 8 Cat Cafes I Visited Around the World

Allison
May 17
7 min read

Travel can be exciting, inspiring, and life-changing — but it can also be exhausting. Long flights, packed itineraries, crowded tourist attractions, and constantly being on the move can leave travelers mentally drained.

That’s one reason I began adding cat cafés to my itinerary during my travels.

Growing up, I was surrounded by cats. My mother loved cats. My grandmother loved cats. When I found out cat cafes existed, I was motivated to visit them while exploring.

From Paris to Dubai and throughout Australia and New Zealand, every cat cafe offers something different: comfort, calm, connection, and a unique glimpse into local culture.

No matter where I am, these cafes create a calming atmosphere that feels familiar and relaxing. They give me a chance to pause during busy travel days and experience a different side of each destination.

I believe travel can be deeply transformative. Not surprisingly, some of my most peaceful and restorative travel moments happened while sitting in cat cafes.

For animal lovers, cat cafes are one of the most unique travel experiences you can have. Every cafe has its own personality, atmosphere, and resident cats, making each visit completely different.

Here’s my personal ranking of the 8 cat cafes I’ve visited so far:

Chat Mallows Café - Paris, France

RANKING SCORE: 10/10

France already has one of the world’s most iconic café cultures, so visiting a cat café there felt magical.

The chats were relaxed and content. Unique compared to many other cat cafés, Chat Mallows Café has a full menu including sweets, snacks, meals and beverages including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, for purchase. The food and drinks were delicious, and I was charmed by the atmosphere and the magic of Paris. In addition, there was no time limit to leave the café. Adoptions aren't accepted at this café.

The peaceful atmosphere, Parisian charm, and relaxing environment made it my favorite cat café experience overall.

Why I Loved This Cat Cafe

Full menu
No time limit
Beautiful Parisian atmosphere
Relaxing break from sightseeing
Unique hidden gem in Paris

Best For

Travelers looking for cozy, unique and memorable experiences in Paris.

Website

Chat Mallows Café

Cat Cafe Vibrissae - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

RANKING SCORE: 5/10

Cat Cafe Vibrissae is a chain with multiple locations in Dubai.

I visited Cat Cafe Vibrissae at its Dubai Creek Harbour location, which requires transport over the Dubai Creek if you're staying near the Burj Khalifa. I took an abra which gives a different perspective of Dubai. When I arrived at the cat cafe, it was clean and modern. Vibrissae offered a small selection of non-alcoholic beverages included in admission fee. The cafe also had small snacks available for additional purchase.

The cat's vibes seemed a little anxious and some were eager to leave and tried to get out the door when I entered after making my order. There was no time limit which was nice. Some cats were climbing on me when my food was brought to me (those cats sure wanted to eat my food). No visitors are permitted to bring their own food to feed the cats. This cafe allows cat adoptions too.

The contrast between futuristic skyscrapers and the calm atmosphere of a cat cafe made this experience unique.

It showed me that even fast-paced destinations can still provide moments of emotional wellness and relaxation.