Seoul is an enormous geographical metropolis and thrilling journey vacation spot with a lot to see and do.
From popular culture trendsetting Gangnam to buying hotspot Myeongdong to the humanities and leisure haven Hongdae, this fast-paced metropolis ensures you gained’t be bored.
With a lot territory to cowl, sitting down for normal breaks might be obligatory, however why simply decide any previous espresso store when you possibly can take pleasure in your brew within the firm of cats?
The Neighbor’s Cat lately visited all eleven of Seoul’s cat cafes with 5 standing out as among the many greatest.
4REST NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT CAFE & SHOWROOM
We discovered this cat cafe fairly by chance which is a contented coincidence as a result of it turned out to be the most effective.
I’ve seen plenty of cats in my travels. Properly over 1000 eventually rely, however these fur infants are among the many most beautiful I’ve ever laid eyes on– they usually comprehend it!
The cafe is dwelling to 10 adults and 4 kittens, all Norwegian Forest Cats. I’m a giant fan of cat cafes that serve rescue cats because the vibe is normally candy and heartwarming however this pinnacle of pedigree was truly fairly uplifting.
The cafe itself can also be handsome- glossy and spare, however properly complemented by heat wooden and rustic furnishings. The quirky collections featured across the room hold it distinctive and fascinating, as in the event you may presumably be bored on this Mount Olympus of feline gods and goddesses. They flirted and swished round for 2 hours earlier than we lastly dragged ourselves away.
The espresso, served by the pleasant cat-loving proprietor, was one of the best we had in Seoul, they usually additionally serve decadent desserts, so seeing because the cats aren’t the one indulgence right here, go forward and splurge. When you arrive on this Hongdae neighborhood gem, I predict you’ll be right here for a lot of hours and wish the sustenance.
Full cafe particulars right here.
CAT CAFE ATTIC CAT
Out of all of the cat cafes in Myeongdong, this one might be the preferred.
And for good cause, it does cafe in addition to it does cat.
I really like cats and I additionally love espresso. Whereas the candy fur infants ought to all the time come first, I additionally respect a terrific cafe expertise and really feel a cat cafe ought to ship on the naked minimal of what a restaurant is: a cushty place for dialog and a cup of espresso.
Cat Attic does simply that. With colourful but cozy nooks and respectable lattes to draw espresso addicts plus a trove of social kitties to fulfill cat lovers, it strikes the right steadiness of cat and cafe.
We visited on a busy day in Myeongdong and located it with out challenge, which was good since most of our cat cafe finding in Seoul proved to be troublesome. What I seen immediately was how a lot the proprietor and her husband know and love these cats. They spent quite a lot of time providing info on who likes a scratch behind the ears and who likes to hop up in your again. Between delivering drinks, wiping down surfaces and monitoring the wants of people and felines, I used to be impressed at their devotion… and multi-tasking!
Not like the pictures you would possibly affiliate with an attic, this cafe was vivid, clear and intensely nice with elegant wooden and slate decor, and pops of shade. Most significantly, the kitties appeared wholesome and well-cared for.
When visiting Myeongdong (through Metro Euljiro 1/Line 2 or Myeong-dong/Line 4), I extremely suggest popping in to this third flooring feline emporium.
PS. The situation in Gangnam can also be top-notch!
Full cafe particulars right here.
TABLE A CAT CAFE I
(146 WAUSAN-RO LOCATION)
May cats and raccoons be the best mixture?
Of the three Desk A cafes we visited, this one was far and away one of the best, and whereas the raccoons undoubtedly added a sure mystique, they weren’t the primary cause I appreciated it a lot. Spacious, sunny, clear, nice drinks and stuffed with mischievous kitties, this can be a pleasant cat cafe.
Seoul has a couple of animal cafes (pet, owl and sheep, to call a couple of), however I needed to do a double take after I noticed the image of a raccoon on the door. After we ordered our drinks (two sizzling teas for 10,500 SKW/$9.22 USD), however in any other case no entrance payment), I made my method downstairs the place three raccoons performed on a bigger model of a hamster wheel behind a safe space away from the cats. To make certain, they had been tremendous cute, and whereas it’s an fascinating gimmick, it didn’t appear to be a contented existence for the raccoons, sadly.
Again upstairs, the ambiance was cheerful, with loads of cozy corners and comfy seating that appeal to an honest sit-down enterprise of each locals and vacationers to enhance the brisk take-away service fueling Seoul’s rabid espresso tradition. However the cats are the celebs right here, a wide range of Bengals, Scottish Folds, Exotics, Persians and Maine Coons that, whereas not excessively affectionate, are moderately sociable. The employees had been pleasant and tea was good high quality.
Situated close to Hongik College metro (Line 2), this Desk A location is a good place to wile away a summer time afternoon.
Full cafe particulars right here.
CAT PLAYGROUND
The primary time we visited, they weren’t open, which is unusual as Google exhibits them to open every single day.
We returned to this busy Myeongdong location (through Metro Euljiro 1/Line 2 or Myeong-dong/Line 4) two days later and found the reason- a serious reworking undertaking.
Cat Playground is investing of their future with a contemporary, colourful and quirky ambiance. With 30+ lovely cats, starting from Norwegian Forest to American Shorthair to Persian and even a Sphinx, it’s one enjoyable cafe to hang around.
It was on the crowded facet the day we visited, however after being welcomed by the pleasant employees, we managed to snag a desk the place we sipped our iced teas whereas a number of cats got here to analyze our presence. Most had been extremely social and playful, however a couple of ran to the safety of the off-limits part below development to flee the cuddle seekers.
There are a number of cat cafes to select from on this neighborhood, however I discovered Cat Playground stands out for providing a clear, odor-free ambiance and joyful (albeit some fairly chubby) kitties.
Full cafe particulars right here.
Y CAT
Previously referred to as Gio, Y Cat Cafe is troublesome to seek out, however well worth the persistence.
I had seen three variations of the handle together with 12-6 Wausan-ro 21-gil, which is the place we initially set our GPS. It was not the right location, but it surely did get us shut sufficient to see the signal on Hongik-ro.
Situated close to Hapjeong metro (Line 2 & 6) on the third flooring, we every paid a 9000 KRW ($7.82) payment, washed our fingers and exchanged our footwear for slippers. As soon as inside, we ordered a few lattes (included within the entrance payment) from one of many perfunctory, but nice employees, and sat down at one of many many tables across the room. Whereas we sipped our drinks we seen the cafe is extremely spacious and properly appointed for each people and cats. I significantly loved seeing all of the cardboard cat beds which had been occupied by snoozing kitties, together with two candy grey infants posing as yin and yang.
Talking of cats, there have been a whopping 37 available, from Somali to Maine Coon to Russian Blue to Unique to American Shorthair, and I used to be involved it could be too many for the area, however the cats appeared relaxed. We visited shortly after the cafe’s midday opening and whereas most had been sleeping, the cats that had been awake had been extremely friendly- we had two cuties on our laps inside minutes- and the remainder posed for footage like seasoned fashions.
We had the place to ourselves for many of the hour we spent there, solely having to share the kitties with a two younger faculty college students and a French couple.
My solely nitpick is that whereas the employees work onerous to maintain the cafe clear, there’s a trace of urine odor, however general, Y Cat Cafe has a enjoyable ambiance and a great deal of furry felines to make sure a contented go to.
Full cafe particulars right here.
The Neighbor’s Cat is the alter ego of Paula LaBine, an itinerant cat lover who writes about cat cafes, rescue/adoption & TNR, and has been featured in Miau Journal, Katzenworld Weblog, The Catnip Occasions and Taiwan Scene. She is at the moment on a quest to go to each cat café on this planet, 217 in 29 nations thus far! Discover her at theneighborscat.com or on Instagram/Fb/Twitter @catcafeviews.
