The Cat Cafe — Restaurant in San Diego

I took my partner to this café the last day of Comic-Con and got free drinks and a food item with our reservation. The barista was plesant and the food was okay. The cat room was spacious and temperature controlled. The cats had plenty of spaces to climb and could enter and exit as they pleased, so that was nice.

Unfortunately, the problems we had were with the lack of education on proper cat etiquette and with the employee who monitored the cat room. He never introduced himself, wore any sort of uniform indicating his role as an employee or gave instruction on proper cat handling. A group of us were ushered in with food and drinks in hand and were told not to pick up the cats and that two of the cats in the enclosure were more sensitive to human interactions than the others (which was good on the employee's part). However, my partner was in the restroom and came in after me and was never met by the employee, instructed on which cats should be treated with extra care or told not to pick up the cats. One of the cats got too close to her iced latte, so she gently picked the cat up to move her away and was immediately scolded by the employee in the room for picking up the cat. Having been in the restroom she missed out on any instruction the group may have had (which was limited), so neither of us appreciated the intense reaction or the lack of instruction she was given. While that was an unfortunate experience, it's immaterial to the other issues we had.

One of the cats Daisy Mae (a kitten) was very friendly, but my interaction with her was cut short because the employee was too busy loudly scolding her for getting close. He said it was because she was after my food, but she never got close enough to even "bother" me. He smacked her on the head a few times then put her in a kennel in the back for the majority of the session "so she could learn her lesson because cats are like three-year-olds and should be treated as such". I did not appreciate his behavior nor his handling of this poor cat. Cats don't learn the same way humans do. It's not an animal's fault to be interested in food or whatever else humans might bring into THEIR environment. It's up to humans to be responsible for their behavior since we have the capacity for reason and logic. I would have MUCH rather been told before entering the room that there was a cat in there that was very food motivated and that I should hold off eating any of the food I brought in.

The San Diego Humane Society does an excellent job of educating people on how to interact with animals and they can provide single-page easy to understand documents with basic cat etiquette.

I implore the owners and operators of The Cat Café to invest in educating employees and patrons on proper cat handling techniques and cat communication. To do otherwise would be missing out on a great opportunity to support healthy cat/human relationships.

Unfortunately, I will not be returning nor will I be recommending this place to friends or co-workers.

TL;DR -Check-in was easy -The barista was friendly -Food was decent and reasonably priced -Showcasing art from independent artists is acknowledged and appreciated

-Employees tending to the cats in their environment need instruction in cat/human behavior -ALL patrons should be instructed on how to interact with the cats before entering their space -The Cat Café needs to make their rules clear...

We recently had the pleasure of visiting our very own San Diego Cat Cafe, and I can confidently say that it was a truly exceptional experience for our family (kids and grandparents). This place exceeded our expectations in every possible way, earning my heartfelt 5-star rating.

From the moment we walked through the door, we were enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff greeted us with genuine smiles and an obvious love for the feline friends who call this place home. The cafe itself was cozy and well-designed, offering plenty of comfortable seating areas where we could relax and enjoy the company of the resident cats.

Speaking of the cats, they are the true stars of the show at the Cat Cafe. The selection of cats available for adoption is diverse and well cared for. Each furry companion we encountered was friendly, well-socialized, and clearly enjoying their time in this loving environment. It was heartwarming to see how dedicated the staff was to ensuring the well-being and happiness of these cats.

The interactions with the cats were a highlight of our visit. Whether playing with a feisty kitten or cuddling up with a laid-back adult cat, every moment spent with these adorable creatures brought us joy. The staff members were always on hand to provide insights into each cat's personality and history, making it even more rewarding to connect with them on a personal level.

The Cat Cafe also offers a delightful selection of food and beverages. The menu features a range of tasty treats and drinks to satisfy every craving. The kids particularly enjoyed their cat-themed pastries, which were not only delicious but also added an extra touch of whimsy to the whole experience.

In addition to the incredible cat interactions and delectable refreshments, the Cat Cafe is committed to its mission of promoting animal welfare. The adoption process is well-organized, and the staff takes great care to match cats with suitable forever homes. It's truly heartening to see the positive impact this establishment has on the lives of these precious animals.

In conclusion, the Cat Cafe in San Diego is an absolute gem for cat lovers. The atmosphere is welcoming, the cats are delightful, and the staff is passionate about what they do. It's a place where you can unwind, enjoy fantastic company, and perhaps even find your purr-fect companion. Without a doubt, this establishment deserves every bit of its 5-star rating. I can't wait to visit again and bask in the joy that this charming haven brings.

Visited: May 2023 7 adults...

Cat Bite Resulting in Doctor Visit

I'd like to preface this review by saying I grew up with cats and have owned several rescues, including one with behavioral issues. I feel that I am knowledgeable about when a cat is demonstrating behavior that indicates that it is annoyed and would like to be left alone.

I visited the cafe with a friend on Monday 1/15/24 and was bit VERY hard by a calico cat who would NOT let go. This was without warning after I let it sniff my hand to ensure she was comfortable prior to me petting it. The bite resulted in a deep puncture wound and drew blood. The cat did not demonstrate any signs of aggression prior to this. Another guest stated she was bit by the same cat on her arm, but it did not break skin.

The bite resulted in me going to a doctor and getting a prescription antibiotic due to a skin / soft tissue infection. My hand is very swollen and was painful to the point where I was having a hard time even getting to sleep the night I was bit despite me taking antiinflammatories for it.

The gentleman supervising the visits seemed very unapproachable and I didn't bring it up to him because I felt like I would be reprimanded from what previous reviewers had said about their interactions with him. The man did not give any warnings until later that this cat liked to "nip".

I would think that a cat cafe would house animals that are better socialized. I understand that several of the cats were still acclimating, but staff should be more cautious about introducing them if they are known to bite. There were several children at my session and I am glad they didn't get bit.

I felt this was a very overpriced experience all things considered. I have been to several other cat cafes and this did not compare. The cat area did not have a relaxing / cozy atmosphere. There were not enough chairs and tables for everyone to sit at, resulting in my friend and I sitting on the floor some of the time. I felt that the ratio of humans to cats was off where it limited how much you could interact with the cats one on one. There were not many magazines, games, a TV, etc. that guests to engage with in the room either. If the cats were sleeping or uninterested, you basically had to twiddle your thumbs the whole time. We couldn't wait to get out of there!

That being said, I do feel like the cats are well cared for and it is good they are giving them the opportunity to get adopted. However, I think being more selective about which cats they bring in would be less of a...