Mew Haven Cat Cafe — Restaurant in New Haven

Majority of the cats were very agitated or fighting with one another. Employees came in at the end of the day with carriers and sat down in the middle of the floor between both rooms and loudly started talking and laughing about their day and the animals, drinking beverages from the cafe, and picking up the cats and holding them in front of customers who are told explicitly that you can’t pick up and hold the cats. They were treating them like they owned them. The employees also put the carriers/chose to sit down right in front of the door to leave. They were very nonchalant and loud, and not considerate of the 4 guests that were still there at the end of the day. These employees also didn’t do much when the cats were showing signs of agitation. There are way too many cats for such a small space- 25. No wonder they don’t get along. They’re forced to be pet all day and exist with one another in a two room building. The employees also didn’t watch as a younger child constantly went up to the cats and grabbed them and bothered them. This was my first time to a cat cafe and it was a very unprofessional and awkward experience. The only employee who acted considerately and professionally was the man at the cafe who checked us in. I’m not recommending this place which is unfortunate because I love cats. I grew up with them and always love being able to visit and support places like this that promote adoption and visitors to come give these animals company in the meantime. I understand not all cats are friendly and open to being touched/pet but every cat I approached bit me or batted a paw. I think coming at the end of the day when the cats are very tired of being touched and handled all day and the unprofessional employees feel the need to chill out and talk in the middle of the cafe was a mistake.

Edit: you literally addressed none of my comments or concerns in your reply. Regardless of you relationship with these volunteers, everyone I saw there acted unprofessionally in front of paying customers and none seemed concerned about the behavior of the cats that were literally fighting with each other and biting customers. I brought up how we’re told NOT to pick up the cats, which is fine, but there was a small boy doing it anyway even though that cat was clearly agitated- as they all were. Similarly to how your volunteers and employees acted, your response was just as...

It saddens me to write this as we used to live in Westville and previously had a great experience at Mew Haven, so my daughter wanted to go back for her 12th birthday and bring a couple of friends. I was thoroughly disappointed - we did not get what we paid for and the staff inside the cat area was rather rude several times. We arrived just after 11am on 9/13/25. We bought tickets for "50 minutes", and by the time we finished paying and taking care of the waivers it was about 11:15am when we got to the actual cat area...I didn't think anything of it. We enjoyed some great time with the cats. However, the staff member in the cat area was rather rude - one time she yelled at one of the other guests who clearly didn't understand that she was speaking to her. Another time my other daughter (15) was having a really sweet time with a rather shy (new) kitty in the bathroom where there was also another cat who was curiously trying to get into the closet area...a 3rd cat came in and came up behind the curious kitty and scared it causing it to hiss. Without any question as to what may have happened the staff member curtly told my daughter she needed to come out and give the cat space even though it had absolutely NOTHING to do with her. Even when we told her what happened she had a very negative attitude. Lastly, at 11:45, 30 minutes after we got to the cat space, the staff member announced that the session was ending in 5 minutes so we needed to wrap up and make our way to the door. Confused, I told her that we paid for 50 minutes and just got in at about 11:15. She shurgged her shoulders and dismissively said "The session ends at 11:50." Absolutely zero care. We were never informed upon paying for the tickets that there was a session end time regardless of what we were paying for. Had I known we wouldn't be getting the full time I would have come back at a later time (especially since my daughter was using some of her birthday money to pay for her friends). No one informed us and no one cared. The cats were sweet, and my daughter and her friends had fun, but I probably won't be coming back and I'd recommend people...

So fun!! Highly recommend!! My boyfriend and I went for the first time and purchased the 50-minute cat lounge tickets (you can buy extended time at a discounted price if available). Tickets sell out very quickly, so buying tickets online in advance is recommended.

When we first arrived, we sat down on a bench and 3 cats immediately approached us and sat on our lap (2 cats sat on my lap at the same time, it was the best thing ever). The lounge area consisted of two rooms and a bathroom (expect to do your business in the company of cats lol). There is an employee in the lounge area at all times who can answer any questions you may have about the kitties. She was very friendly, and she also asked that you do not pick up any of the cats without asking her first (to avoid picking up the cats who don’t like it).

Most of the cats were adoptable. Ages ranged from kittens as young as 4-months-old to adult cats. There were tons of cat toys you can use to play with them.

There was also a wall that was filled with each cat’s “profile” which included their basic information (name, age, gender, etc.), an “About Me” section, behavior towards others (other cats, dogs, children), any special needs if applicable (ie. another feline companion), a diagram that indicates where they like/dislike to be pet, and their adoption fee.

Outside of the lounge area is the cafe, where you can purchase hot and cold beverages, bakery pastries (ie. oreo cinnamon roll, cupcakes, etc.), cat-themed items, and Mew Haven Cat Cafe merchandise. This is also where you check in. You are able to purchase food and drinks before you enter the lounge area, and a staff member will deliver your drink order to the lounge area so that you don’t have to miss out on time with the kitties (the pastries are pre-packaged, so you are able to take them immediately after purchase).

Overall, it was such an awesome experience, and we would...