Hong Kong is likely one of the most fun worldwide cities on the planet. Regardless of the energy-sapping warmth and humidity, it teems with vitality, from ultramodern Hong Kong Island and its architectural skyline to mysterious Kowloon with its energetic neighborhoods and avenue markets.
Hong Kong is distinctly Chinese language, however feels extra international with a big expat inhabitants and British colonial period infrastructure. However the melting pot of crowds and sizzling local weather aren’t the one causes Hong Kong will get your pulse racing. Now, you may add cat cafes to the listing.
Identical to town, these feline emporiums are various and sometimes crowded- full of individuals, cats and sudden discoveries.
The Neighbor’s Cat visited eight Hong Kong cat cafes in Might, 2018 and I’ve profiled 5 of the most effective. One phrase of be aware if you happen to go to Hong Kong (or China) in search of out cat cafes. They typically shut with out discover, so double test Google (or The Neighbor’s Cat) earlier than making the trek.
Situated within the frenetic Mongkok neighborhood, Cafe de Kitten serves as a welcoming escape. Serene, vivid and clear with pleasant employees and memorable felines, it stands out among the many greatest cat cafes within the metropolis. Actually, it was my favourite.
After exiting Mong Kok metro station, I battled my means by a gauntlet of individuals on predominant thoroughfare Nathan Street earlier than turning onto Sai Yeung Choi Road and Pakpolee Business Centre, situated behind Sino Centre (a mall famed for anime merchandise). I caught my breath whereas ready in line for the elevator (tip: stand on the left facet) to the 14th flooring.
Regardless of the loopy avenue scene beneath, it was quiet Monday afternoon after I entered the cafe. I used to be greeted on the counter by pleasant faculty age host who defined the minimal order necessities. After ordering a floral inexperienced tea, I used to be seated in the principle cafe space.
There have been six cats on the premises, most with pedigreed backgrounds. I later found I used to be within the presence of two Hong Kong cat celebrities, as Egg Yolk and Pineapple Bun have starred in varied commercials and print adverts.
Even earlier than I used to be given the news, I positively picked up the vibe that these weren’t your typical felines. Pineapple Bun, a brown tabby Persian, hopped up on a desk close to me and stared intently, as if learning my options. Throughout the room, I did a double take as Egg Yolk, a cream coloured Scottish Fold, posed in a curiously languid place whereas gazing at me with piercing golden eyes.
His identify additionally impressed a listing of the coolest cat names from cat cafes all over the world.
It’s uncommon to expertise so many robust personalities at a cat cafe, a testomony to the love and care lavished upon these posh pussycats. These had been extroverted kitties- lively, inquisitive and sensible.
The cats are the celebrities right here, and motive alone to go to, however the pretty tea service, pleasant employees and pleasing house make a go to to Cafe de Kitten a fully unforgettable expertise.
Click on right here for full cafe particulars.
Situated in the identical constructing (Pakpolee Commerical Centre) as Cafe de Kitten, it’s unbelievable luck that each are such superb cafes. The vibe has extra of a correct restaurant really feel than cat cafe, however with seven spunky cats, Cafe Concept is not any slouch within the feline division.
It was a busy Saturday after I visited and after standing in a really lengthy line, discovered the steps to the fifth flooring. Trace: When you don’t wish to climb the steps, there are two elevator banks with the left facet for larger flooring and proper facet for the decrease. Stand on the suitable facet for Cafe Concept.
I used to be promptly greeted and after pondering the menu (there’s a minimal spend requirement) ordered a frozen strawberry smoothie with a texture extra like a daiquiri like than milkshake. There are a lot of superb meals picks available, together with appetizers, salads, pasta & rice dishes, in addition to a number of desserts and ice cream specialties.
A couple of sips later I turned my consideration to the cats, a mix of American Curls and British Shorthairs. The cafe began with three cats, the proprietor’s unique crew from dwelling, and has grown to seven.
My favourite was Silo, a rambunctious ginger Curl who entertained the cafe along with his run-around antics and Dow Dow, a curious silver shaded British Shorthair who perched close to my shoulder inside a wicker basket-type tower.
Whereas snapping images, I used to be capable of go to with the pleasant proprietor and employees in English, which I drastically appreciated. They had been capable of inform me tales concerning the cafe and the cats. Seems they’re an actual hub for cat lovers and in contrast to most cat cafes, let you carry your personal cats to the cafe for particular occasions, comparable to birthday events.
The cafe house is clear and colourful with vivid partitions and cat-themed accents and the day I visited, the ambiance was fairly jovial with most patrons smiling, laughing, visiting or enjoying playing cards because the cats frolicked close by.
I discovered my go to to be exceptionally pleasing and extremely advocate a cease when in Hong Kong.
Click on right here for full cafe particulars.
Situated a bit exterior Kowloon in Tsuen Wan neighborhood, on the finish of the crimson line, The Cats Tea Room is well worth the journey effort.
First, there are SO many stunning cats. I counted over thirty, and whereas that may usually trigger me a little bit of concern, the house is so massive that it seemingly didn’t have an effect on the equilibrium. The house is about as much as encourage the kitties to have interaction with you with loads of small, low tables on the ground with pillows to sit down on.
The meals service was respectable and so is the room, which isn’t posh, however is vivid and clear save for a touch of cattiness. My recommendation is to come back right here strictly for the cats. With all breeds and personalities in attendance, you’re sure to discover a favourite. Mine was a blue-eyed Siamese with the sweetest temperament, however I additionally fell in love with cream coloured Maine Coon that was so massive, I assumed he had a little bit of a recessive lion gene occurring.
Some cats weren’t significantly social, however most had been affectionate with some even climbing into the laps of patrons, to their delight.
I want to give a shout-out to the employees, who’re pleasant, and the day I visited, so had been the patrons. We shared goofy grins and took turns taking every others images, together with one candy little woman together with her mom. She seemed to be about 2 or 3 years outdated and she or he had mittens on her arms which had been meant to maintain her interactions with the cats (like my little Siamese buddy) light. Genius!
The cafe additionally has partnered with the Stray Cat Dwelling Affiliation and seems to have some rescues in everlasting residence. In addition they promote rescue and adoption with patrons, which isn’t widespread in Hong Kong. Just one different cat cafe, Plum Cats featured rescue cats and promoted adoption.
Contemplate supporting these cat cafes for the nice work they do in selling animal welfare in addition to having a good time with the kitties!
Click on right here for full cafe particulars.
One of many oldest cat cafes on the planet, Cat Island Cafe (previously Ah Meow Cat Cafe and Cat Retailer) has been in existence 18 years.
The situation was a bit troublesome to search out (Po Ming Constructing, similar as Mr & Mrs Cat Cafe) however as soon as inside, we had been handled to heat and personable service. It was late afternoon, regular kitty nap time and just one cat was awake, glancing at us warily as he roamed the room, seemingly conscious of the longing stares directed at him. My associate and I made a decision to give attention to our espresso drinks and make amends for our sightseeing plans for the stability of our Hong Kong journey.
It was pleasantly busy on the cafe, a various mixture of vacationers and locals. Within the nook, a pair was having an intense dialog. Subsequent to us sat a gaggle of German women having fun with a cheerful catch up together with espresso and cake, whereas cross the aisle, two younger youngsters sipped milkshakes and tried to coax the awake British Blue of their path.
The cafe was snug and cheerful, however I significantly loved my espresso, which was higher than common for Hong Kong cat cafes.
All in all, an ideal selection when visiting Hong Kong.
Click on right here for full cafe particulars.
Mr & Mrs Cat Cafe shouldn’t be simple to search out, however this small feline emporium is delightfully quirky and well worth the effort.
Situated on Hong Kong Island close to the Causeway Bay metro cease, we stored circling Foo Ming Road and Lee Backyard till we decided we had been on the lookout for the Po Ming Constructing. The cafe is up one flooring from the bottom degree and of be aware, shouldn’t be the one cat cafe within the building- the opposite being Cat Retailer aka Cat Island Cafe on the third flooring.
We had been promptly greeted by the personable employees and seated at one of many cafe’s six tables. It didn’t take lengthy to see that the cafe’s predominant attraction is the bevy of lovely cats in residence.
From pouty Persians to severe British Shorthairs to mischievous Munchkins, the ten kitties of Mr & Mrs Cat Cafe all have outsized personalities, however Pineapple Child takes the cake.
We aren’t certain why, however cats named after meals are very fashionable in Hong Kong. I discovered the identify Pineapple Child tickled me a lot, that I snorted out loud after I learn the cardboard together with her photograph on my desk. Insulted on the implication, PB refused to look in my path after I stood as much as take her photograph. I assume I deserved it.
Her identify additionally impressed a put up concerning the coolest cat names from cat cafes from all over the world.
Meals-wise, we loved a gooey chocolate lava cake and lattes, all extraordinarily scrumptious. The espresso was the most effective of the eight cat cafes we visited.
The house can get a bit crowded, however the tight quarters means higher proximity to the cats. Total, it’s a good way to spend an hour or two getting your feline repair in Hong Kong.
Click on right here for full cafe particulars.
The Neighbor’s Cat is the alter ego of Paula LaBine, an itinerant cat lover who writes about cat cafes, cat journey and rescue/adoption/TNR. She is visiting each cat café on the planet, 197 in 28 nations up to now! Discover her at theneighborscat.com or on Fb/Twitter @catcafeviews.
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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 Instances and Taiwan Scene. She is at the moment on a quest to go to each cat café on the planet, 217 in 29 nations up to now! Discover her at theneighborscat.com or on Instagram/Fb/Twitter @catcafeviews.
