Kokoro Cat Café — Restaurant in New York

I've visited many cat cafés around the world, but this was by far the worst experience for me and my whole family. We were all very excited to come here based on the great reviews, but what we got was incredibly disappointing. They charge $20 per person to sit in a small, bare room with virtually nothing to do and almost no meaningful interaction, as the grand total of five cats slept nearly the entire time. Maybe if we had gone there when the business opened with over 15 cats (iirc) we would have gotten some semblance of a proper cat cafe experience. For a place calling itself a “cafe,” there was no atmosphere, no refreshments (except a vending machine outside), and no activities except a single sketchbook they handed our large group to share and draw cats inside (seriously?). Within 5 minutes, the cats had either gone back to sleep or hid from us, understandably, since they probably spend the entire day being prodded and annoyed by strangers. We wanted to go home or get a refund but instead we politely sat there staring at the cats for over half an hour. A responsible business would either rotate the cats or have more cats available so they're not all sleeping at the same time, and offer other activities to engage visitors so we're not left feeling guilty for bothering exhausted animals just to justify the high price. Honestly, people standing outside the cafe looking through the large glass windows got the same experience as we did for free. What a joke. I don't know how the owners or employees can run a business like this and not feel bad for their customers. This was a complete waste of time and money. Avoid...

Nestled in the Tagram Mall in Flushing, Queens, Kokoro Cat Café offers a charming escape from the hustle of the city, transporting visitors straight into a serene Japanese-inspired haven—complete with purring companions.

From the moment you step in, Kokoro impresses with its minimalist, zen-like interior and gentle ambiance. The café strikes the perfect balance between cozy and modern, with tatami-style seating, soft instrumental music, and artful touches that reflect traditional Japanese aesthetics.

But the stars of the café? The cats. A carefully curated group of friendly, well-groomed felines roam freely, each with their own personality—from playful and curious to serene and sleepy. Staff ensure the animals are happy, healthy, and not overwhelmed, giving visitors a relaxing, respectful way to interact.

The menu adds to the experience with a selection of thoughtfully presented drinks and sweets. Try their vending machines that has matcha latte or sakura milk tea—each cup is a little work of art. Light bites and Japanese-inspired sweets round out the menu, perfect for a cozy 40mins surrounded by cats.

Kokoro Cat Café isn’t just a treat for animal lovers—it’s a peaceful, transportive experience that blends culture, comfort, and companionship. Whether you're looking to unwind, connect with animals, or explore a unique spot in Flushing, this café is a must-visit. Also Maggie your chattery guide. Is amazing and will help you thru...

I understand that this may be a sort of "luck of the draw" situation for whether the cats are awake or not, but I saw a total of 4 cats. Most stayed out of the reach of people, and those that walked by didn't want to be touched. I get it, cats can be moody, but I didn't expect a place calling itself a "cat cafe" and charging over $20 for admission would only have 4 cats that don't seem to like being around people. You can see more cats at your local bodega.

I took my 6 year old her who had been dying to go since we've agreed to get a cat, halfway through she asked if we could leave as the cats were not friendly, and really weren't anywhere where you could even see most of them.

As we left I complained about how there were only 4 cats in there and even my 6 year old wanted to leave. I thought I may be offered a raincheck, or maybe a refund, but I was told I should leave a review as the owner would read it. They also reached out to the owner about a refund, and they said no.

To the owner: you have a pretty sweet scam going here. I'm sure you get the cats for free, charge people to feed them, and are making hundreds of dollars every 40 minutes and don't have to provide any value or actual experience. Did you start with a flea circus?

We will be visiting rescues and shelters from here on out. They don't have the audacity to charge you for wanting to see adoptable cats and actually do some good around cat and...