UPDATE: I have just found out that the Gateria Cat Cafe is sadly closed. They still have an online shop where you can buy things for your kitty, and a Facebook page to adopt cats but the cat cafe is no more.
Know Before You Go to Mexico City
Before travelling to Mexico City, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
🛌 MY FAVOURITE HOTELS IN MEXICO CITY FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS:
$$ Casa Mannach – Excellent location in Condesa with a shared kitchen
$$ NaNa Vida CDMX – Lovely hotel in Roma Norte with a roof terrace
$ Hostel Home: I volunteered here for 3 months and loved it!
⭐ TOP 3 MEXICO CITY ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1. Mexico City: Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine & Tlatelolco Tour
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Want More Mexico Travel Ideas?
Check out these blog posts for your Mexico vacation inspiration, or click here to read all my Mexico blog posts.I’ve never considered myself as a cat person, but it seems that lately I have developed more affection for our feline friends. Perhaps it is the lack of close friends & distance from my family when I’m travelling, but there really is something therapeutic about stroking a cat. When I found a Cat Café in Mexico City just down the road from my awesome hostel I knew I had to check it out!
I have never visited another Cat Café but I’m told you usually have to book a time slot with the cats, or reserve a table at least. Not here, you just turn up. It is just a small place with 5 or 6 tables, so it does get busy in evenings & on weekends with eager Mexicans waiting in line to get their feline fix. During the week though it is much quieter, and you can easily get a table.
The menu is basic coffee shop fare, with coffees, frozen smoothies, cat shaped muffins and huge portions of cake. They also have a few more substantial savoury dishes like a veggie burger, but I only sampled the muffin & cake.
All the cats here are available for adoption, the café acts as a kind of foster home while they look for owners tempted by a visit here to take one of the kitties home. They also host regular special adoption days with more fluffy kittens and cats who are looking for homes. Al the cats seem very well cared for, have plenty of toys to keep them occupied, and places to escape the reach of over-eager strokers too when they need a break.
I made the mistake of taking my laptop here to work, as the café has wifi too. However, it seems that the cats don’t like it when you have your attention diverted, needless to say I wasn’t very productive with a cat sat on my laptop!
I have been back here a few times on stressed afternoons, or when I just need a friendly kittie to play with. Far less work than owning your own cat, but still helping with their upkeep, this really is a feel-good way to spend the afternoon.
If you have time while you’re in Mexico City, and fancy a break from the 22 million people here, escape to La Gatería and find your own little place in cat heaven. And next door to the café is a shop where you can buy all sorts of cat-related items to take home for your own cat, or your newly adopted one!
Address:
Tabasco 337, col Roma Norte, Ciudad de Mexico. You can find them on Facebook under La Gatería.
Where to Stay in Mexico City
Each area in Mexico City has its own distinct personality and vibe. Most visitors stay in Condesa, Roma, the Historic Centre, Polanco or Zona Rosa. My favourite neighbourhood in Mexico City is around Roma and Condesa. This area is full of cool bars and restaurants, leafy streets and a hip crowd, and is very safe.
You could also choose a hostel or hotel close to the Zocalo in the Centro Historico to get your fill of history, although the area is a bit dodgy at night during the day you are perfectly placed to explore the city.
Polanco is another option where there are more hotels than hostels, or the Zona Rosa which is traditionally a student area with lots of bars, although I’d say that is better if you are travelling in a group.
Hotels in Mexico City
Casa Mannach – Excellent location in the heart of Condesa with a shared kitchen to prepare your own meals and socialise. Choose from apartments or suites, some with balconies. >>>CHECK PRICES & REVIEWS
NaNa Vida CDMX – Lovely hotel in Roma Norte with a roof terrace, spacious rooms and helpful staff. >>>CHECK PRICES & REVIEWS
Kali Centro Mexico City – In the city centre, this beautiful hotel is close to the popular Mercado San Juan gourmet market, La Alameda Park, and many other sites. Enjoy the on-site breakfast and many other amenities offered. >>> BOOK NOW
Hotel Flamencos – Highly rated overall, but especially for its staff, this 4-star hotel is conveniently located near Zocalo Square, Metropolitan Cathedral, and National Palace. Their full suite of amenities make for a comfortable and memorable stay. >>> BOOK NOW
Hostels in Mexico City
Hostel Home
When I travel alone, I often prefer to stay in hostels so I can meet other travellers more easily. I loved Hostel Home in Roma, it really did feel like home.
They have a private room, a female dorm room, and two mixed dorm rooms to choose from, although they do fill up fast so book in advance if you can. There are plenty of bars and restaurants close by, although if you do go out alone at night, I still recommend taking an Uber home. >>>CHECK PRICES & REVIEWS
Other top-rated hostels in Mexico City Include:
Casa Pancha – This modern and chic hostel has a female-only dormitory and 24-hour reception and security making it perfect for solo female travelers. Plus, they offer free breakfast and a free city tour for those stretching their travel budget. >>> BOOK NOW
Hostal Regina Centro Historico Ciudad de Mexico – Offers a number of options for solo female travelers including a female-only dorm room and private rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Plus, an on-site restaurant and entertainment, and amenities helpful to solo female travelers like 24-hour reception and security. >>> BOOK NOW
Apartments & Airbnbs in Mexico City
There are also plenty of options for Airbnb in Mexico City too although I usually prefer to book apartments on Booking.com as they often have better cancellation terms.
Aww that’s so great! I went to the cafe twice and there were different cats there each time – I’m so glad they find happy homes! 🙂
I think that tabby orange cat is my cat now. Her name is Leslie and is the loveliest cat that I could have
OMG, this place is so cute! I love the first picture where it looks the cat is hi-5-ing!
Even I was not a cat person before but this summer I met so many adorable cats and fell in love. One of them even decided to live with us for 5 days but sadly we had to send her away because we travel non stop.
Cat cafes just seem to be everywhere nowadays! They were a huge thing in Korea (where they were first brought to my attention) but I have a pretty severe allergy to cats 🙁 Such a shame because that cat cupcake looks so darn cute!
Wow, this is so adorable!
I visited a cat cafe in Lviv and I wanted to cuddle with all of them!
And you are right, cats don’t like our attention diverted. We should belong to them hahaha
I like that the cats there are available for adoption. It’s a great way to meet a furry friend and then possibly fall in love and take one home. The cat cafes in Korea don’t need an appointment or anything either. You just turn up and play with the cats. They don’t serve food though… which makes sense I think. Just coffees and smoothies.
Wow looks really cool! I’ve seen a cat cafe in Italy too!
ooo I love those cats 🙂 I haven’t heard from this cafe before !! Thanks for sharing with us
Each to their own I suppose – may I ask what you didn’t like about your experience?
I cannot believe how popular cat cafes have become. We recently visited one in Chiang Rai and I have to say whilst the experience wasn’t awful I am not sure I would want to visit one again. I understand that people have really fell in love with the concept and ironically I am a cat lover but I just didn’t see it!
Hmm usually the cats would stay where they are & you would visit the cafe to see the cats there…but it’s an interesting idea having cat holidays! 😀
At the beginning, I thought that you’ll write about Macchu Picchu. But I am sure now that my cat would love this place in Mexico City. The only problem is how do I take it with me from Romania to Mexico? 🙂
Haha the are little horrors – they know when they’re not centre of attention & will fight for it 😀 You should definitely check out cat cafes when you’re away, to get your kitty fix 🙂
Hi Claire,
Awesome!
Stunned me and wifey have not been to a cat cafe during our travels. Especially because we both happen to be cat-obsessed. Def feel ya on the laptop thing too, as when the cat here at our house sit in NYC wants attention, many poor comments are left on blogs when she jumps on the laptop and accidentally hits the publish button 😉
Thanks for sharing.
Ryan
Aww you’re right, it’s probably not the best for allergy sufferers – as cute as they are! 😀
Since I am allergic to cats, I like them much better in pictures. Although, these kitties are too cute to pass up (and it looks like there is no horrible carpet) so I would probably stop in for a quick coffee and allergy medication.
Someone told me this kind of thing isn’t possible in the States due to health & safety regs – I’m glad they don’t apply here! 🙂
In NYC and Canada they have to keep the cats in a separate area, so there’s the cafe area and the cat area — so trying to work there is not an option. This sounds like a great spot!