Meow Parlour

Meow Parlour holds the distinction of being New York City's first cat café, launching in 2014. Located at 43 Essex Street in the Lower East Side between Grand and Hester streets, the space blends adoption-focused rescue work with community gathering. All cats at Meow Parlour are rescued, spayed/neutered, tested for FIV/FeLV, and fully vaccinated. Kittens under 8 months are adopted only in pairs or to homes with an active resident cat. Visitors choose from multiple experience types: 50-minute regular visits ($23), half-hour sessions, 90-minute snack time experiences, and specialized offerings like yoga with cats and evening unwind sessions. The café operates daily from 11am–6pm, extending to 7pm on weekends.

Meow Parlour Cats, Inc., the nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating the space, emphasizes that rescue cats remaining in the café are given priority foster care if they show any sign of stress or discomfort—a welfare philosophy that guides daily operations. Weekly veterinary examinations ensure ongoing health monitoring. The adoption process requires both an in-person visit with a cat and a completed application, with interviews scheduled only after both criteria are met. Cats with pending applications can still be placed on waitlists. The nonprofit also maintains an active foster program, seeking experienced cat lovers to provide temporary care for cats needing recovery space, socialization, or respite from the busy café environment. Medical care and prescription food are fully covered by Meow Parlour.

Reviews consistently highlight the thoughtfully designed, pristine space and the café's careful crowd management—gates intentionally limit group visits to maintain a calm experience for both cats and guests. The café partners with sister company Macaron Parlour for drinks and baked goods. Visitors praise the knowledgeable, friendly staff who can speak to each cat's temperament and history. The spacious layout prevents visitors from competing for cat attention, and the separate children's hours (Mondays 4–5pm, Saturdays 11am–12pm) allow younger guests their own calm environment while protecting cats from overstimulation. The front shop sells adoption-themed and cat-themed merchandise, adding a community-oriented feel to the adoption mission.