Discover the best spots around Orange County to share a cup of coffee with adoptable cats in need.
Cat cafes have been a staple in places like Japan for decades, but have only recently come to flourish in the United States. California has been instrumental in creating these cat-centric locales. The first American cat cafe was Cat Town up north in Oakland, and its success encouraged Southern California cat lovers to get involved in the cause.
What makes the cat cafes in the United States so special is that most, if not all, partner with rescues to help cats in need find loving homes. Even if you’re not in the market for a new best friend, no worries. Visiting these cafes is a great way to help socialize the adoptable cats.
Whether you’re seeking a good cup of coffee and hang time with friendly felines or looking to bring home your own furry companion, stopping at one of these cat cafes in and around Orange County is a purrfect way to support animal rescue.
Fluffy Tail Cafe
13562 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780
Fluffy Tail Cafe is Orange County’s top cat cafe. Located in Tustin, the business has been celebrated not only for its delicious coffee but also for the wonderful care employees give to the cats. Here, you can cuddle with adoptable cats while sipping on barista-crafted beverages, including a matcha pour-over.
This cafe calls itself a foster to the cats, meaning they provide a temporary home until the perfect family comes along. Every cat in their care is a rescue. They have a special cat lounge area where you can spend quality time with these adoptable cuties.
Fluffy Tail Cafe is open Monday to Friday 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and is closed the first Thursday of every month. They allow walk-ins, but your best bet is to book in advance online. For $22, you get an hour of cat time.
Cat Nap Hangout
6046 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
In Huntington Beach, Cat Nap Hangout is a non-profit cat cafe that relies entirely on donations. Each cat in their care is from a rescue, and they encourage interested adopters to visit the cafe to find their perfect match.
While enjoying the lounge is great, they also offer events if you’d rather hang out with cats in a different way, from cat yoga to movie nights and more. If you’re a true cat lover, you can have your birthday party or even your wedding on-site! Cat Nap Hangout has something for everyone.
To visit, you can book a reservation online. Adult entry is $20, while kids under 10 and seniors over 65 are $10. The cafe is open Thursday to Monday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Meows Rakuen
1601 W Redondo Beach Blvd #201, Gardena, CA 90247
Meows Rakuen is a non-profit cat cafe in Gardena that partners with local shelters to help alleviate overcrowding by bringing adoptable cats into their cafe. Rather than being in a cage, cats get to roam freely around the cafe. This is a more natural environment that allows future adopters to see a cat’s true personality.
This cafe is proud to be a relaxing environment for cats and people alike. Sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy the company of kitties.
As a non-profit, every dollar that goes their way is a donation to the cats in need. They are open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Prices vary by duration, with 30-minute sessions costing $16, 1-hour sessions costing $20, 90-minute sessions costing $30, and 120-minute sessions costing $40.
Feline Good Social Club
301 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
Located in Long Beach, the Feline Good Social Club often has over 40 cats and kittens on-site! They encourage guests to play with the cats, lovingly calling it “Getting giddy with a kitty.”
This non-profit cafe ensures every cat in their care is healthy, happy, and friendly. They partner with a local rescue, Long Beach Felines, and each cat is available for adoption, saved from the streets or other complicated or unsafe situations.
They are open Thursday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aside from typical lounge hours with cats, they put on special events like paint nights, open mics, yoga, sound baths, and crafting nights, all with cats! Prices vary depending on events, but a normal lounge session costs $19.99 for 50 minutes.
CatCafe Lounge
114 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292
When I first moved to Los Angeles, I volunteered and eventually worked at CatCafe Lounge. I can attest to the incredible care and cleanliness of the location. The cafe recently moved to a new and improved home in Venice, and it’s worth the quick trip up to visit.
CatCafe Lounge was Los Angeles’ first non-profit cat cafe. They have always partnered with local rescues to help socialize cats and kittens for adoption. At their new location, they have a room dedicated to kittens, which is purrrfect for those looking to adopt a sweet little friend.
While the kitten room is a separate area to keep them safe, entry is included with every ticket purchased. A 30-minute reservation is $20, and an hour session is $35. You can even book a three-hour work or study session for $85, so you can get your work done surrounded by cats!
Cats & Crystals
510 N Coast Hwy Suite B, Oceanside, CA 92054
Feeling a little bit witchy? Cats & Crystals is the spot for you. This San Diego County spot is a cat lounge and shop in one. You can browse their goods and go home with cat-themed goodies like candles, crystal jewelry, stickers, and more.
This cafe partners with Jitters Coffee to produce delicious drinks and snacks. They also work with a local rescue, Fairytail Rescue, and every cat in their care is available for adoption.
They offer two session lengths: 30 and 70 minutes. Prices vary based on when you visit, and weekends tend to be a bit higher than weekday tickets. 30-minute sessions range from $15-$20, and 70-minute sessions are between $20 and $25 per person. Cats & Crystals is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Cat Cafe
302 Island Ave #101, San Diego, CA 92101
Nestled in the heart of San Diego, The Cat Cafe is a wonderful and quick road trip for Orange County cat lovers. With an island theme, this destination creates a relaxing environment for visitors and the adoptable cats in their care.
What I love about this cafe is that they take in cats who may not fit the “aesthetic” of other cat cafes. They proudly provide a temporary home for retired street cats. Some may look a little rough around the edges, but they will definitely win you over. Who knows, you might end up taking one home!
Want to get a feel for the cafe before you visit? They offer a live stream of their lounge on their website! Ready to visit in person? They highly recommend making a reservation, which can also be done online. They are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry costs $24.38 for an hour-long session and comes with a complimentary coffee or snack.
