The Cosy Cat Cafe — Restaurant in Canterbury

Really lovely little gem!! My son (9) and I were warmly welcomed and introduced to all the cats and kittens. The rules were reinforced and a brief explanation of the space and also the welfare of the cats was given. It was great to hear the strategies used for the cats to be in control of their environment. The food was delicious - we had a brownie and a slice of fudge cake. I would have liked to have seen some simpler savory options for children such as a plain ham sandwich or something similar for more young/plain/anxious eaters, however this didn't effect our time. Prices were fair when accounting for the cats care in the bill. My son was allowed free reign of the space and outdoor area and quickly bonded with the cats and learned their names, helped along by the very helpful car 'nannys'. The cafe was exceptionally clean and tidy with no cat hair or mess anywhere to be seen which really is a testament to their attention to detail (I can't manage that with only two cats at home!!). There was no visual evidence of litter trays or digging space in the dining area and there was no negative smell. Again, testament to the care and cleanliness. As a disabled user, it was reassuring to find a ground floor toilet in place. They welcome wheelchair users and think ahead to groups of disabled visitors and how they will support them to access the space. The only area I couldn't get to was the outdoor space due to the steep steps however I could view from the doorway easily. At all times my comfort was considered. We had a really lovely hour and we're treated so kindly. My son came away beaming and begging to book again. He also asked to make a donation to the cats vet bills which we did. They are cash only but there is a cash machine literally next door so it's no bother. We will definitely be returning to this cafe and supporting their work. They clearly adore the cats and kittens who are in beautiful condition and very relaxed They partner with local rescues and all their cats and kittens are rescued and then spayed/neutered and cared for on site unless they do not adapt to cafe life - there are stories of cats in the walls who have gone in to be adopted for their welfare - again showing that the animal welfare is a priority here. All the cats are really healthy with lovely coats and clean eyes and paws. They clearly feel safe and secure even with full tables of diners. Thank you for a lovely morning. We...

From the get go the manager was very unwelcoming and made us uncomfortable. We arrived a tad late (notice was given and we were told it was fine) and when we got to the door we were greeted with a dirty look and an "are you sure you still want to come in". Once inside, we ordered from what little was left off the menu: a tea, a strawberry milkshake and two brownies. The tea was awful, full of limescale, the cup was filthy and it was just all around horrible. My boyfriend said his strawberry milkshake didn't even taste like strawberry. The brownies were dry and crusty and seemed as if they'd been sitting out all day.

Now to get to the cats: the manager was either sitting or standing in the way most of the time, playing with the kittens and telling people what to do with each cat instead of letting them sit there and pet them in peace. This would have been fine had she just been explaining what each cat likes and dislikes, but it was constant. My second issue with the cats is that they have two cats there who really shouldn't be in a cat cafe environment. One cat has autism and doesn't like to be touched or crowded, and the other was trying to recover from a broken back! Really horrible to see two vulnerable kitties in such a public environment, neither should be in a cat cafe, both should be in a loving home that can cater to their needs.

Lastly, the manager would not leave anyone alone. We had to hear all about the financial situation of the cafe, we were even told private details about the owner of the cafe! It was all a bit too much for a business, not really any sense of professionalism. The manager seemed very selfish and self centered, telling us repeatedly that one specific kitten was hers and hers only.

I would never go back to this cafe unless a few things changed:

1. the refreshments improve
2. new/better management is enforced
3. all vulnerable cats and kittens are put into a safe environment for them!

Overall, from the second we stepped in, it felt more like going to a crazy aunt's house to see her collection of cats...

On Saturday 18th June we had an enjoyable lunch for a birthday celebration. A pawsome experience. Friendly staff who are willing to take the time to chat to customers and offer flexible options with regards types of food and booking arrangements. The cats are looked after extremely well and it is lovely to hear how they have been rescued after an unpleasant start to their life. Affordable prices and good quality food served with a smile. You could also be joined by a special guest at your table. A birthday cake with a candle was brought out so we all could join in a verse of "Happy Birthday" Wonderpurr! :-)

A friendly welcome with flexibility in relation to the menu and arrangements for Afternoon Tea. Good selection of cakes and sandwiches. Also a selection of seasonal chocolate treats which was very nice. There was a concern that there were bowls full of dry cat biscuits left out all the time. Unfortunately there was an incident with one cat which the team in the Café cleaned quickly and were very apologetic. Shortly after the same cat started eating even more dry biscuits rapidly. One of the team removed the bowls as the incident was caused by that food. Working with animals is unpredictable. Important cats can get a drink when needed but the volume of food left out for them is troubling. The only other request would be to have an additional overall clean however empathise tricky with cats being star of show and going anywhere they want. Thank you to...