9 Cutest Animal Cafes Around the World

Jamie Ditaranto is a traveler in a love triangle with writing and photography. Follow the drama on Twitter @jamieditaranto and Instagram @jamieditaranto.

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Animal cafes are popping up in major cities all over the world, to the delight of travelers looking to get their fix of caffeine and cuteness. Featuring cats, dogs, woodland creatures, and farm animals, these animal cafes offer unforgettable experiences with the world’s cutest baristas.

Cute Animal Cafes

Harry Hedgehog Cafe in Tokyo, Japan

In Tokyo, the unofficial world capital of cuteness, you could spend all day hopping between the many animal cafes, but one you definitely shouldn’t miss is the Harry Hedgehog Cafe. This small cafe located in the hip Roppongi neighborhood lets visitors play and pose with adorable and prickly little hedgehogs. There’s often a line out the door, but you can make an advance reservation online to avoid waiting.

The hedgehogs are very friendly, though they might be a little sleepy since they’re naturally nocturnal. If you really want to get their attention, splurge on the “hedgehog treats,” small worms that will be sure to pique their interest and get them to pose for a photo.

Meow Parlour in New York, New York

On the global animal cafe scene, cat cafes dominate—and are becoming increasingly popular throughout the U.S. In New York, you’ll find one of the best and cleanest cat cafes in Chinatown at Meow Parlour. This cafe not only offers plenty of snacks for you and the cats, it also puts on special events like yoga and bingo night. And it has special hours for families with children under 10 when the staff can be extra attentive to the cats and the kids. Best of all, all cats at Meow Parlour are adoptable.

KitTea Cat Cafe in San Francisco, California

In San Francisco, get your cat-and-coffee fix at KitTea Cat Cafe. This cafe offers two options—one where you can play with the cats (reservations required) and another if you want to watch the playful pets from behind glass—a great option for any animal lover who also suffers from pet-hair allergies.

Look out for special events like “Mewvie” Night, Yoga Night, and Caturday Morning Cartoons.

Thanks Nature Cafe in Seoul, South Korea

Waffles are pretty good on their own, but add some friendly sheep for company and you’ve the one-of-a-kind experience that can only be had at the Thanks Nature Cafe in Seoul, South Korea. What seems like a perfectly normal cafe from street level is actually a sheep cafe where guests can sit-down for iced drinks and waffles while petting some lovely sheep. As you can see on the cafe’s Facebook page, the sheep are well-cared for and friendly with children.

Cafe Chat L’Heureux in Montreal, Canada

As the first cat cafe to open in North America, Cafe Chat L’Heureux in Montreal is a must-visit for cat lovers. Featuring a dozen cats from local shelters, this is a great place to hang out with felines and even do a little shopping for your pet back home. In addition to food and drink, the cafe also sells a variety of products that your cat might appreciate—that is, if you catch them in the right mood. The cafe itself is warm and inviting with modern design that’s sure to please both the cats and the humans who visit them.

Dog Cafe in Los Angeles, California

At Los Angeles’s Dog Cafe, the cafe experience is about more than just scheduling in some facetime with friendly dogs; it’s also about changing the way dogs are adopted. The Dog Cafe is part shelter and part animal cafe, offering an experience for visitors to connect with rescue dogs, help socialize them, and maybe even take one home. Like most animal cafes, you’ll need to make your reservation ahead of time.

Ms. Bunny Cafe in Tokyo, Japan

If you didn’t get your fill of cute at Tokyo’s Harry Hedgehog Cafe, head upstairs to Ms. Bunny, a rabbit cafe located right above the hedgehogs. Unlike the hedgehog cafe, you cannot make your reservation ahead of time, so you might have to wait for a table. This bunny cafe also offers the unique opportunity to take one of the rabbits for a walk around the Roppongi neighborhood by leash.

Purringtons Cat Lounge in Portland, Oregon

In Portland, you’ll find plenty of cat cafes where you can play with or adopt cats, but Purringtons Cat Lounge is the very first cafe that also serves alcohol. Order from the small menu of food and drinks, and then settle into either the cafe side or the cat lounge side. To make the cats more comfortable, the cafe only allows up to 15 people in the lounge at a time, so make sure you plan ahead and make a reservation.

Reptile Cafe in Yokohama, Japan

If hanging out with fluffy animals isn’t your thing, head south of Tokyo to the Yokohama Subtropical Teahouse, for a chance to sip hot tea with some scaly animals instead. This reptile cafe in Yokohama is home to different species of lizards, tortoises, snakes, and even some amphibians. Most of the reptiles are kept behind glass, but there are some tortoises roaming around. There’s no need to make a reservation and no price for admission, but you are expected to buy something in the cafe.

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Jamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer always looking for her next adventure, especially if it might involve an adorable animal. Follow her on Twitter @jamieditaranto.

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