Catfe

Established in December 2015, Catfe stands as one of North America's pioneering cat cafes, located on the second floor of International Village Mall (Tinseltown) where Chinatown gracefully transitions into Gastown. The cafe operates as both a temporary foster sanctuary for rescue cats in search of their forever homes and a therapeutic refuge for cat lovers seeking animal companionship and stress relief. Partnered with Heart & Soul Dog & Cat Rescue in Abbotsford, Catfe sources all resident cats through established rescue networks, with approximately 20-25 adoptable felines rotating through the lounge at any time. Since opening, the cafe has been instrumental in finding loving homes for over 2,000 cats—a testament to the power of bringing cats into the community and allowing connections to flourish naturally. Beyond cats, Catfe's model proved so successful that the team opened The Bunny Cafe in 2021, extending the same rescue-focused philosophy to rabbits in need.

Visitors consistently describe the experience as deeply therapeutic and emotionally resonant, with Google reviews emphasizing the staff's genuine expertise and passion for each individual cat's wellbeing. One guest wrote that "all the stress and negativity from the day slowly disappeared" during their visit, while another praised the "amazing" staff as "incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and happy to share lots of information." The space itself draws repeated compliments for its cleanliness, organization, and welcoming atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the beautiful latte art from Moja Coffee and note how carefully the cats are matched with visitors—staff members function as genuine "cat whisperers," taking time to help guests understand feline body language through the "How to Speak 'Cat'" booklet and personalized guidance. One visitor was so moved by the experience that they noted their previously negative feelings toward cats were completely transformed by the gentle, healthy, and friendly residents. Another reviewer simply stated, "everything about this place is top tier." Guests often find themselves emotionally attached to specific cats and genuinely wish they could adopt them, testament to the authentic human-feline connections fostered here.

Located on the second floor of International Village Mall (88 West Pender St), Catfe operates daily 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM with a cat nap break 2-3 PM (lounge closed). A 55-minute cat visit is $17.80 CAD; weekday morning "Happy Meowr" visits (11 AM-1 PM) offer 30 minutes for $10.45 CAD. The fully vegetarian menu features locally roasted Moja Coffee and a curated selection of treats from Vancouver businesses: Mindblown vegan cookies, pizza pretzels, rotating meowcarons in various flavors, gluten-free bars and cakes, and seasonal rotating items. Catfe also hosts special experiences: Cat Yoga ($30.45 CAD for 1.5 hours including yoga instruction and feline playtime) and Watercolour Cats painting workshops ($26.25 CAD for 1.5 hours with artist Erin Green, including supplies and materials). Free 2-hour parking is available in the mall's underground lot (enter from Abbott Street between Pender and Keefer; scan QR code for free parking validation). Transit is convenient via Stadium SkyTrain station (northeast of the mall) or Pender Street bus stops. Children must be 5 years or older; ages 5-10 require one supervising adult (max 2 children per adult); no children under 5 in the lounge. Hand washing is required upon entry. Catfe's shop features cat-themed merch and supplies. Contact: (778) 379-0060, info@catfe.ca, or visit Unit #2035, International Village Mall, Vancouver, BC V6B 6N9