I can’t tell you how happy I am that my city of Seattle is getting its first cat cafe, Seattle Meowtropolitan TODAY (that’s 12.26.15, Boxing Day). I first met the savvy entrepreneurs behind this, Matt and Andrew, about a year ago now, over coffee (of course) to simply talk cats. And finally the cafe is opening!!

Because we have been in touch ever since, to talk about rescue cats, my photography, and well, cats in general, I was lucky enough to get an early invite to check out the new cafe. I hope you can get a good idea as to how fabulous it is from my images…

There are several cities in the U.S. that have cat cafes (the closest to us is Portland) and I know that Seattle has been waiting with baited breath for this for a while now. No more waiting! I say bring it on…

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You must make reservations, so that the the main room with the cats isn’t overloaded with people, and the cats aren’t overwhelmed (the only waiting people may still have to do). The main area is fantastic: spacious, lots of light, with the beautiful center play column for the cats, with woodwork that I wish I could have in my own home for my cats. The carved-out silhouettes of cats and all the runways would have Jackson Galaxy so impressed. Even the flooring is beautiful, complete with a few painted swirling cats and the cafe logo. All I think they need now is some beautiful cat images on the walls (ahem!).

The adoptable cats come from Regional Animal Services of King County, and there were 3 kitties that were really busy when I was there (including the tuxedo model kitty you see, Penguin), and they are all free to move about as they please. Within reason… The front coffee ordering area and the main cat/play area is separated by double doors, so the old ‘I don’t want cat hair in my coffee’ is a moot point. I honestly don’t think you’d be coming there in the first place if that is your concern anyway. At this point in my life, who knows how much cat hair I’ve inadvertently swallowed!

My cat macaron was delish, my iced Americano with caramel (I drink iced drinks all year round!) tasted ‘Herkimer’ good, but what I mostly took away was that I wish the cafe was closer to me so I could make sure I can come more often. I’ll be back, and I hope all you Seattle cat fans get to go. I also hope it means some kitties get adopted through the cafe; the ones that I met that day were definitely working it.

And I don’t think you need to feel guilty about going to have your coffee and hang out with the cats. They are the most honest coffee date you will ever have, they are endlessly entertaining, and pretty quiet. Drop me a line if you make it in there!

The location in Wallingford is 1225 N. 45th St.; just off Stone Way. 

Open: 11 am – 3 pm, 4 pm – 9 pm  Closed Mondays 

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” ~ Sigmund Freud