Cat Café Budapest Review: Booking, Rules & What to Expect

From the moment I knew I was visiting Budapest with my family, I decided to visit Cat Café Budapest, especially as we love cats and have two at home.

We planned an evening visit during our first day exploring Pest, and we arrived at around 7:00 PM. We loved the experience, so in this Cat Café Budapest review I am sharing what our visit was really like, the current practical information, and the most important things to know before going to a cat café.

It was our first visit to a cat café, so it was a new experience for us!

As mentioned, we have cats, and I have had cats almost all my life, so we already knew how important it is to respect their space.

We were not expecting a place where you sit at a table and cats immediately jump into your arms, ask to be petted, or play on the ground with you. A cat café does not guarantee constant interaction. The cats decide whether they want to approach people, sit nearby, accept petting, or simply sleep.

Also, ALL cats are beautiful. This is something to keep in mind. They have beautiful souls, not just gorgeous fur.

They are beings, so make sure to respect their wishes. They will show you whether they want to be petted. You can admire them, but some may not want to be touched when you want to touch them.

Close to the entrance, there is a display introducing some of the cats that can be seen in the café.

I really love this idea!

And there are more:

Bear with me:

And a few more:

And finally:

If you are a cat lover visiting Budapest, I think Cat Café Budapest is a must. It is in the city centre, near St. Stephen’s Basilica, and offers a relaxing place where you can order a drink or cake while spending time around the resident cats.

Another useful thing to know before visiting Cat Café Budapest is that there are different rooms on different levels, with different designs.

One of the rooms has dimmer light and walls fitted with special climbing and resting structures for the cats. I took this photo with my phone:

For us, it was extremely close to the hotel, as we stayed at Hilton Garden Inn, so we could not have missed it!

Our April 2024 Visit at a Glance

When we visited: April 2024, on a weekday. It was not Monday or a weekend, but I do not remember the exact day.

Arrival time: Around 7:00 PM.

Number of people: Three.

Reservation: We did not have one.

Waiting time: Only a few minutes.

Where we sat: Upstairs. There were still two free tables on that level.

Where we saw most of the cats: Mainly on the ground floor, although a few cats also came upstairs and some were sleeping on the lower level.

What we ordered: Three drinks, including hot chocolate, and three cakes. We did not order alcohol.

How long we stayed: Approximately one and a half hours.

Our impression: The café was clean, relaxing, and did not have an unpleasant cat smell. The tables were not packed closely together, which I appreciated.

Practical information in this article was checked in July 2026. Opening hours, booking arrangements, rules, and menu options can change, so check the café’s official website before visiting.

Why Visit Cat Café Budapest?

Cat Café Budapest is located at Révay utca 3 in Budapest’s District VI. According to the café’s official website, it currently has around 15 resident cats, including Maine Coons and rescued cats.

Yes, you read that correctly. There are purebred cats here too, and let me tell you from the start that ALL the cats are gorgeous! We could have stayed for hours simply looking at them.

The café provides a comfortable environment for cat lovers to slow down and enjoy a peaceful break in the company of the cats. It is also conveniently located for anyone sightseeing in central Pest.

The current official menu information includes hot drinks, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, cakes, tarts, and other café food. The cake and pastry selection can vary, and visitors choose from what is available in the display case and on the serving trays.

There are cute paintings on the walls too:

We enjoyed three drinks, including hot chocolate, and three cakes because we could not resist them. Everything we ordered was delicious.

There were several sweets available, and it was genuinely hard to choose.

During our April 2024 visit, we were not charged a separate entrance ticket. We paid for the drinks and cakes we ordered, and we found the prices affordable. As policies and menu prices can change, check the current conditions before your visit.

Inside Cat Café Budapest: Rooms, Levels, and Seating

The café is not one single open room. There are different areas on different levels, and this influences what visitors see during their time there.

During our visit, most cats stayed on the ground floor. We found a table upstairs, where the atmosphere was calmer and two tables were still available at around 7:00 PM. A few cats visited the upper level, but sitting upstairs did not mean that cats were constantly beside us.

Some cats were sleeping on the lower level, where the bathrooms are located. The bathrooms were easy for us to reach. However, because seating and facilities are spread across different levels, visitors who require step-free access should contact the café before going. I cannot confirm that every part of the café is accessible without stairs.

The tables were not extremely close together, and I loved that. The café felt relaxing rather than crowded or noisy, even though other visitors were interested in seeing and petting the cats.

Despite the number of resident cats, I did not notice an unpleasant cat smell. The café was definitely clean during our visit.

Essential Tips for Visiting Cat Café Budapest

Anyone who meets the café’s age requirement can visit. You do not need to own a cat or have previous experience with cat cafés.

Cat owners may already be familiar with feline behaviour. For instance, we do not expect every cat to want to be petted, and we would not pick up a cat, wake one, or continue touching a cat that wanted to move away.

If you have never visited a cat café before, these practical tips will help you enjoy the experience while respecting the resident cats.

Consider Booking Before You Go

The café’s official website currently invites visitors to book a table or contact the café. Walk-in visits may still be possible, but availability depends on how busy it is.

We were three people and did not have a reservation. We waited only a few minutes, and there were two free tables upstairs. Our experience does not guarantee that the wait will always be short, especially at weekends or during busy travel periods.

Because availability can vary, it is worth checking the booking arrangements along with the other practical details to know before a Budapest trip.

Close the Entrance Door and Wait for the Staff

Do not keep the entrance door open. Enter, close the door, and wait for a member of staff to take you to a table.

The first thing that happened after we entered was that a staff member explained the house rules. The rules were also available in writing, but I appreciated that they were clearly stated from the beginning and that the staff made sure we understood them.

Respect the Cats’ Space

Let the cats choose whether they want to approach you. Some may come close, sit on a neighbouring chair, or accept petting. Others may walk past without wanting to be touched.

Do not run after a cat or block its path. If it moves away, let it go.

Enjoy a Drink and Relax

The café has a selection of drinks and food, so allow enough time to enjoy what you order rather than treating the visit as a race to interact with as many cats as possible.

We chose our cakes from the display case. It was a hard decision because they all looked extremely good and appetizing.

Take Photos Without Flash

Photography is allowed, but the official rules say not to use flash. A bright flash can disturb the cats, particularly in rooms with dimmer lighting.

We enjoyed looking at the cats and did not take as many photographs as you might expect. My son had the opportunity to pet a Maine Coon and also learned more about some of the resident cats from the staff.

Things Not to Do at a Cat Café

Do not pick up the cats: Even when a cat appears friendly, lifting it may make it uncomfortable. The official rules specifically say not to pick up the resident cats.

Do not make loud noises: Keep conversations at a reasonable volume so the café remains peaceful for the cats and other guests.

Do not feed the cats: Do not give them food or drinks from your table. The café’s official guidelines prohibit visitors from feeding the cats.

Do not bring children under 10: The current official visitor information says that children under 10 years old cannot visit the café.

Do not disturb sleeping cats: If a cat is napping, let it rest. You can admire it, but do not wake it, touch it, or move too close to its face.

Do not force a photograph or interaction: A cat may leave while you are petting it or may never approach your table. That is part of visiting a place where the animals decide how much contact they want.

What Cat Interaction Was Really Like

People naturally wanted to pet the cats, but during our visit they obeyed the rules. Cats that were asleep were left alone, and people petted only the cats that appeared willing to interact.

My son was able to pet a Maine Coon, which was a lovely part of the visit. We also saw cats walking around, resting, and choosing different areas of the café.

Visitors should not expect every resident cat to come to their table. Some may be active, some may be in another room, and some may sleep throughout much of the visit. We enjoyed being around them even when they were not directly interacting with us.

Cat Café Budapest Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit

Cat Café Budapest is currently open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

We visited at approximately 7:00 PM on a weekday. The café was not empty, but two upstairs tables were still available. Some cats were awake and interacting, while others were sleeping.

There is no guaranteed time when all the cats will be active. Their behaviour can vary from one day to another, so choose the time that fits your Budapest itinerary and remember that watching sleeping or resting cats is also part of the experience.

An evening visit worked very well for us. The café’s menu includes non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, although we chose three non-alcoholic drinks and three cakes.

How to Get to Cat Café Budapest: Location and Public Transport

Cat Café Budapest is at Révay utca 3 in District VI, in the centre of Pest. It is close to St. Stephen’s Basilica and was also within easy walking distance of our hotel.

The official café website lists the following nearby public transport options:

M1 metro: Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út.

M2 and M3 metro: Deák Ferenc tér.

M3 metro: Arany János utca.

Bus: Bus 9 to the Bazilika stop.

This review covers Cat Café Budapest at Révay utca 3. Budapest has other cat-themed attractions and animal cafés, so check the address when planning your visit.

Is Cat Café Budapest Worth Visiting?

Our visit to Cat Café Budapest was the first time we had been to a cat café, and it is an experience we want to enjoy again.

I think this says it all!

It is especially worth considering if you love cats, enjoy observing their behaviour, and want a relaxing break near the main attractions in central Pest. It is also a good choice for people who understand that the cats may not approach them and that interaction is never guaranteed.

It may not be the right stop for someone expecting cats to sit in their lap, visitors who do not want to wait when the café is busy, or families travelling with children under 10.

I found the café while looking on Google Maps for things to do near our hotel, and I am so happy I added it to our Budapest plans.

Whether you are looking for an unusual coffee break, a peaceful place to unwind, or simply want to spend time surrounded by cats, Cat Café Budapest offers a memorable experience. Just remember to follow the rules and let the cats decide whether they want to interact.

And remember: cats are beings, not objects or toys. Please respect them and their wishes. Do not force them, move too close to their faces, or try to kiss them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Café Budapest

Where Is Cat Café Budapest?

Cat Café Budapest is at Révay utca 3 in Budapest’s District VI, close to St. Stephen’s Basilica.

What Are the Cat Café Budapest Opening Hours?

The current official opening hours are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day. Check again before visiting because opening hours can change.

Do You Need a Reservation for Cat Café Budapest?

The café currently offers the option to book or contact the staff through its official website. We visited as a group of three without a reservation in April 2024 and waited only a few minutes, but a short wait is not guaranteed at busier times.

Is There an Entrance Fee at Cat Café Budapest?

During our April 2024 visit, we were not charged a separate entrance ticket and paid for our three drinks and three cakes. Confirm the current policy before visiting because café arrangements can change.

Can Children Visit Cat Café Budapest?

The current official policy says that children under 10 cannot visit the café.

How Long Should You Spend at Cat Café Budapest?

We spent approximately one and a half hours there. The right amount of time will depend on how long you want to enjoy your order and watch the cats.

Will the Cats Come to Your Table?

They may, but it is not guaranteed. Most cats were on the ground floor during our visit, while we sat upstairs. A few came upstairs, and my son was able to pet a Maine Coon, but other cats slept or kept their distance.

Can You Take Photos at Cat Café Budapest?

Yes, but the official rules prohibit flash photography. Do not move, wake, or crowd a cat to take a photograph.

Is Cat Café Budapest Clean?

It was definitely clean during our visit. I did not notice an unpleasant cat smell, the tables were not excessively close together, and the atmosphere felt relaxing.

What Food and Drinks Are Available?

The official website currently lists hot drinks, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, cakes, tarts, and other café food. The cake and pastry selection varies. We ordered three non-alcoholic drinks and three cakes, and everything was delicious.

For current information, booking options, menu details, and house rules, visit the official Cat Café Budapest website. You can also read the café’s official rules for visitors and check its current menu information.

At the end of the day, we were tired, but in a good way. We were excited to start our second day exploring the best of Buda. Visiting Budapest over two days was wonderful and, while it was a short trip, I am grateful that I had the chance to see the best of the city.

Violeta Loredana

Violeta-Loredana Pascal is a communications expert, business mentor, and the founder of Earth’s Attractions and PRwave INTERNATIONAL. A pioneer in the Romanian digital PR landscape since 2005, she holds a degree in Communication and Social Sciences from SNSPA Bucharest. Violeta is a senior trainer at AcademiadeAfaceri.ro, where she leverages over 20 years of experience to teach professional courses in PR strategy and workplace productivity. By blending high-level business consulting with a passion for holistic travel and wellness, she empowers solopreneurs to overcome procrastination, build profitable brands, and design a life of purposeful adventure.