A match made in kitty heaven! It has been my dream to visit a cat cafe, and it was fulfilled thanks to my pals at Koneko! The entrance to the kitty rooms costs $15, but it's worth every penny! There is an upstairs and a downstairs, and the cats wander around as they please. I was astounded by the room decor and the cat toys; it seemed like every cat owner's dream room. You can play and pet with the cats, but there are certain rules so be aware. I enjoyed every second of my experience here. My only regret is not tasting the food items on their menu. But how can I when I need both hands to pet the cats? read more

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So fun! My sister is allergic to cats so I rarely get to hang out with any. Food was great and cats were friendly. read more

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I loved Ko-neko! I volunteer at a cat cafe in Philadelphia so I am a great person to give an opinion on this cafe. Everyone in the cafe portion of the cat cafe was very friendly and although I did not have an opportunity to try the food, the food looked delicious. Joe met me as I was walking in to begin my hour with the kitties. He was very friendly and informative and gave me a warm welcome. He went over the rules of keeping the kitties safe and showed me wear the slippers and hand sanitizer were. He explained to me the layout of where the cats hang out and introduced me to several of the older cats and kittens. He gave me their backstory which was helpful. I could tell that Joe was a true animal lover and that he takes his time at the cafe very seriously. We had such a great time playing with the kitties that the hour was over before we knew it. I can't wait to go back. Wendy read more

They had great service and all the cats were well behaved and great to play with! They have ground rules that they explain to you before you go in and all the cats here are adoptable! It was so much fun and very much worth it to visit! Looking forward to visiting again soon. read more

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Such an amazing experience! This was my second time visiting and the staff was so attentive, patient, and kind. They helped match me with the kitty I'm now applying to adopt. On top of this, the atmosphere is amazing, the cats seem so happy and the cafe has great wine and snacks! If you're looking to adopt or just cuddle with some adorable cats I recommend this place :) read more

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When you go in the front area is just cafe and in the back, behind a glass wall is the cat area. You can bring food and drink in there but make sure you're cautious so the cats don't get a nibble at something they're not supposed to have. When you enter the cat area you have to take off your shoes and use hand sanitizer. There are three distinct areas where you can go to see the cats, the first room has a load of cat beds everywhere, this seemed to be where a lot of the cats go for napping. Next level down is an outdoor cat patio, there are few toys there and the cats seemed to really enjoy playing out there. The final floor is set up more like a living room, didn't venture in there too much because the cats didn't seem to be hanging out in there while I was there. While we were there we got a cookie which was quite good, a little black cat with white socks stared at it quite intensely. The people that work there genuinely care for the cats and are quite knowledgeable about them and their distinct personalities. I would definitely recommend stopping by to be surrounded by a bunch of adorable cats, it's sure to brighten your day. read more

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I came to Koneko with my boyfriend on a Wednesday (for that 20% discount!) and we had a blast. It was super hot outside, so we both decided to get a watermelon juice. Although a little pricey, it was fresh and cold, so definitely worth it. I also love that you can bring the drink around with you inside the cat areas. The cat areas are actually separate from the cafe - to enter, you need to go into a little room and take off your shoes and put your bag away. You have the option to wear slippers and you are required to put on some hand sanitizer. There are three different spaces: a cat-io (patio), indoor room, and a larger second indoor room. The cats roam freely, but we came at 4 PM, which was right after they were fed. Since they were all full, most of them were sleeping or dozing off and we were only able to play with a couple of cats. If I were to come again, I'd try to come in the morning when they are (hopefully) more active. However, they were all so cute and most of the cats let you just sit next to them and stroke them. Kudos to the staff for being extremely knowledgable and welcoming! I loved this experience and would recommend it to anyone who loves cats. read more

Koneko - Watermelon Juice - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

This place is overrated. The cafe is very crowded , the place in the back with the cats is small with very limited entry. On arrival , we were told that if a child is below 8, they cannot enter the cattery even if accompanied by a parent and older sibling. Save your money and go somewhere else. I will not be returning here. read more

I was absolutely impressed with my experiences here at Koneko! It is a very spacious cafe, wine bar area in the front and a cat hang out spot in the back, separated by a glass window. Entrance to the back is reservations only and it is super easy to do it online through their website. As of today, it is $15 for an one-hour of playtime. We can order delicious Japanese desserts from Patisserie Tomoko in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and drinks at the front bar to bring them with us. My friend and I shared the green tea and Chocolate-Yuzu crepe cake which I thought was just the perfect snack while petting our feline friends. Cleanliness is extremely important here at the cafe. Staff were really thoughtful to put a plastic lid over your dessert. Before entering, you must take off your shoes and wear their slippers and place your outerwear on the hangers. There is a hand sanitizer on the wall for your convenience. Most of our cat friends are in their favorite spot either taking a nap or cleaning themselves. We are allow to pet and rub them but just not allow to pick them up. We can use their toys such as the feather pole or the rat toy. My favorite cat that evening had to be Elijah, he is a dark coated one who loves being rubbed in the belly! He was super cute and already lay down rules that you have to keep rubbing and petting him or he will not like it! With one hand holding my perfect cup of tea and one hand petting my feline friend, I feel so much warmth and love! read more

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Kitties, coffee, tea, wine, sake, and Wi-Fi. What's not to like? Enjoy a drink out front, then venture into the cattery. The top floor's naturally-lit, with nooks and platforms for the cats. Downstairs is pretty nifty too, with even more space to play. Koneko has their branding down to a T, from the signage to the menu options. (It'd be T-squared if they printed feline puns on their coffee cups, but I bet that's up the owner's furry sleeve.) When you visit, scribble a love note in the guestbook. The kitties may not read them, but someone will. High-fives to Allison, Ben, and the rest of the staff for being as welcoming as the ragamuffins they care for. Just don't, er, pet the staff. Visit Koneko's site and reserve time right meow, or swing by during their happy hour. read more

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Didn't realize I've never reviewed this café. Great espresso and great Japanese pastries! I've been here a bunch of times since it's not far from my job but there's also a lot of options on Clinton Street that I sometimes miss this place entirely. The draw here are the cats of course but I'm not a cat person so I've never actually come here to pet the cats. read more

So basically it's a wonderful cafe ! the staff was super friendly and the food was AMAZING! the Matcha Crack Pie was stellar. The cats were super sweet and when you go to the cat room ( a room separated by glass) they let you know how things work and what rules are in place for everyone's enjoyment. it's genuinely an experience i'd recommend to anyone !! there's this distinct charm that this cafe radiates and the only way to understand it is to visit it!! read more

Koneko - the cat 3 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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If you love cats, then this is the place for you. I like the fact that the cats are adoptable and are not cooped up in a cage. Cats are not meant to be cooped up in a cage. They are free creatures. It's great for the cats to socialize with people and other cats and vice versa. It's also a great place to play with some cats for those folks who can't have pets in their home. I will be back. read more

I've never been more happy than I was at Koneko. Initially, it looks like a cute coffee and wine bar (the dirty chai latte with oat milk is GREAT, but a bit pricy) BUT, most importantly, you can pay $20 and PLAY WITH ADORABLE CATS! Yup, this is a cat cafe right in NYC. In the back area of the cafe, there's a huge three-level section (with an outdoor area) with 15-20 cats that you can pet and play with. All are available for adoption, and they are so well taken care of at Koneko. The areas are impeccably clean, there are so many cat trees for the cats to sleep/hide, there are plenty of toys, and they're well fed. So grab a cup of coffee, and come play with some adorable cats! read more

Koneko - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

We didn't realize this was a cat cafe until we walked in and noticed the cat sanctuary in the back! We were in the area wandering around waiting for Clinton St Baking Co to text us about our table, and decided to grab coffees here while we waited. I love that the cafe is bright and minimally decorated. I can definitely see myself spending hours here hanging out with friends or studying over a latte. It costs $20 to go into the cat sanctuary, so we mostly spent our time at the big windows watching the cats watch us. However, I would gladly 'donate' the $20 to helping these cats find a furever home! :) read more

Such a kitty mellow spot! The kitties are soft, sweet and very happy. The cafe has a nice variety of drinks and nibbles. Everyone here is very considerate. The cats are all adoptable. Stop by and get to know them read more

Koneko - Sleeping kitty! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Prices are a tad high for snacks, but they're freshly made and really good. Awesome scenery as well as the friendly service.

Really cool concept. Four stars because I didn't try any of their actual food or drinks. The dining are was super clean, and well decorated. The employees were extremely sweet and friendly. I ordered a few pastries and they were some of the best I have ever had! They have a cat room that you can access for an hour ($20) proceeds go to the cars and they are all adoptable. Very cool if you love cats! read more

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Koneko Cat Cafe is America's first Japanese Cat Cafe and it's not too shabby. They do recommend making hour-long reservations to hang out with the cats, though I think $15 per hour for their "catnap" is a bit too much in my opinion. Sure there are three different areas to interact with the cats, with one of them being the outdoor patio (between the ground and basement levels), but it didn't seem there were as many cats as I was hoping there would be. Keeping in mind that like all the other cat cafes I've been to, these cats and kittens come from local rescues and other animal shelters and are also up for adoption. You are provided with indoor slippers to use during your visit to Koneko's Cat area along with hand sanitizer. Periodically, Koneko offers special classes and events with and for the cats and it's all on their website. Overall, a good cat cafe but the rates could be less expensive. read more

Love this place so much. It wasn't crowded when my friends and I went on Wednesday for the 40% discount. Plenty of beautiful cats. The staffs were friendly and had lots of knowledge about each cat. If you looking for an active cat to play with, maybe not here? The cats here weren't that interested in playing with the toys. Haha. I would come back again. read more

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Beautiful place. The kittens were so responsive and the staff who helped she was extremely friendly. She was precise about the rules and even helped with acknowledging which kittens liked to be affectionate and how to go about being affectionate toward them. I loved the fact it's three separate areas to see kittens in. The outside portion was beautiful. The kittens all got wrapped up in watching some pigeons play in vines on a nearby building. They were all so cute. I cannot wait to come back for a full experience with cafe treats and all read more

Koneko - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Koneko Japanese Cat Cafe was such a lovely experience! It is $20 per person to play with the kitties for an hour, it's best to make a reservation online or call to reserve a time, especially if you have a larger party. The kitty space is surprisingly large and spacious as well as very clean, the staff certainly do a very good job of keeping the area nice! The kitties are very loving and are not afraid to be pet and they are up for adoption for those interested in taking home a lovable new addition! I can't speak for the other drinks but the matcha latte (hot) that I ordered tasted really bad, way too watery and it had a strange after taste which is why I didn't give 5 stars... read more

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I was very excited about visiting this place after I saw an episode of "My cat from Hell", and today, I must say it was really disappointing. After expending almost 40 bucks in coffee and pastries for 2, a rude lady told me that to visit the kitties I should have an appointment and must pay a $20 fee and limited to one hour. Visiting this place was one of my reasons for flying to NY, and I left very disappointed. Burnt coffee, good pastries, $20 extra each and appointment needed to hangout with the kitties read more

Koneko - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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I can only review the cat rooms here, not the actual cafe (although the drinks and treats looked tasty!) The fact that Koneko is a cafe + cattery is awesome, but the fact that all the cats are rescues available for adoption is AMAZING. It's $20 a person to spend an hour in the cat rooms (there's a main level and lower level). If that seems steep just remind yourself that this all goes toward a good cause. And honestly, hanging out with these kitties is truly therapeutic. I guarantee that you can't find a therapist for $20 per hour. Erica - who was "manning" the cat rooms today - was very kind, knowledgeable, and just generally great to have a conversation with. She was also very positive when having to re-direct kids harassing cats. :P My friend, who has been considering adopting a cat for awhile now, ended up submitting an adoption application for one special cat. Fingers crossed! So if you're looking for a matcha latte, a glass of yummy sake, some unique Japanese food or treats, OR an adorable kitty to snuggle, go to Koneko! You won't regret it. read more

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A really cute cafe (with cats!!!!) Came in to treat my little sister who was so excited to see some cats! Didn't realize it was preferred to make a reservation but they still let us in 30 minutes before closing (thank you so much to the cashier)! In terms of cats and venue this is definitely the best cat cafe I've been too. The place is so cute, clean, and smells great for housing so many cats. The cats were so cute and friendly too! My sister enjoyed her time immensely. Will say that the entrance to the cats is very overpriced. I've been to a few cat cafes in the states and they were all more reasonably priced than this place. Thankfully we only went in for half the time (and were charged less as a result) but it's really so pricey. Didn't actually drink or eat anything at the cafe but everything seemed really delicious ~ read more

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My friend and I left early and didn't stay the entire hour. They had super adorable KITTENS That were super cute and playful But this lady was sitting there right on top of us babysitting us playing with them.... And we felt very uncomfortable. We didn't feel like me and my friend could talk to each other or just do anything (and if me and my friend did talk to each other she would just join in on the conversation) And we went downstairs to get away from her, ( she said a whole new group of cats are) there was only 1 cat. Sleeping. And the catio was closed (if we were only allowed in one room we should of got a discount. As we chose this place cause there was multiple rooms to go in ) And they have a huge list of rules. And she said we weren't allowed to touch the cats with our hands!? Like what does that even mean. I was rubbing them kittens belly gently, and she yelled at me and told me to stop. Me and my friend both have cats like we weren't doing anything wrong or anything And then 15 mins in like ten people were brought into the small room with us. Which was not cool. And also a lot of the cats were hanging out w her because they knew her. Like I don't get why she needed to be in the room on top of us. That reason alone is what made us leave. read more

Koneko - Sign - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Cats, cats, cats, cats, cats, cats, cats, cats, cats, cats, cats! Fluffy, furry, friendly little cats!!! Kittens and old cats alike. So many colors and stripes and eyes for you to enjoy! For $20/hour, you can play with your dream world of cats, but if you come at an off time like during the day on a weekday, you could probably stretch that out for longer than an hour. read more

This was my second visit to Koneko! Being both an animal lover and a foodie, this place is the best of both worlds. I definitely recommend making a reservation to enter the cattery so you can get the full experience. There are three floors to the cattery section (one outdoors), and the cats there are all very social and photogenic. There are tons of toys strewn about so you can play with the kitties and get a feel of their personalities in case you're interested in taking one home, as they're all adoptable -- just be prepared to have to share their attention as around ten guests seem to be allowed inside the cattery per hour. They also allow you to bring your drinks inside with the cats, but I like to get food after my one-hour reservation is over so I can enjoy their pastries or Japanese appetizers as well. read more

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This 1 Star review is dedicated to the girl with glasses and blue hair that was the only one working behind the counter when my girlfriend and I walked in. This was our first time here and was curious to see how the cat cafe worked. When we came in we were greeted with a lazy "Hi." My girlfriend told her we weren't here for drinks but wanted to check out how the cat section worked in the back of the cafe. She replied with "sure" in such a rude manner while rolling her eyes at us. Instead of showing any interest or effort to answer whatever questions we had, she strolled back to playing with her phone. My girlfriend and I were left to read the FAQ board in front of the entrance of the cat area. When we were done, we gave the girl behind the counter the benefit of the doubt and left saying "bye and thank you." But to no surprise, she replied with a lazy "bye" while still staring at her phone. You'd think for a cat cafe, the person on the clock would be approachable and polite but this girl was the opposite of that. She was so unapproachable that she singlehandedly lost 2 potential customers. I hope she doesn't treat the cats with that awful attitude.. read more

I love the decor to this cafe. It's very elegant yet inviting at the same time. The cats of this cat cafe were in a separate room in the back and it clearly states that visitors must make a reservation in order to gain entry the cat room. I love this setup because I'm highly allergic to cats but I love to watch them. It also gives time for cats to rest. My friend and I shared a pot of oolong tea. The tea took 10-15 minutes to get here so service is definitely a little slow. read more

Honestly this place is very overpriced for the experience. For $25 I would have expected way more. There were about 10-15 people in the room for what felt like a very small amount of cats (5/6 cats). There's also a ton of hiding places for the cats to be in so the layout doesn't make sense for interacting with them. Most of them were tucked away sleeping, not wanting to interact. The staff also cut our time short due to feeding the cats. I would think they would at least do this after our time slot was finished, especially after what we payed to enter. Wouldn't recommend. read more

The cats are so fun to play with!!! You can book an hour to play with all of them, and it's the best hour you can ever pay for! There are three areas in the cat cafe: the first floor lounge-y area, the outside terrace, and a basement lounge. There are about 20 cats there and there all mostly super friendly to play with! They are all extremely cute and cuddly! I highly recommend this place if you wanna distress with cute kittens! read more

Koneko - Best kitty! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

This was a great date spot! There were about 10 cats between two rooms. Many were very sleepy and didn't even acknowledge that anyone was there! They were so well behaved and sweet! The staff there is very nice as well! read more

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I'm allergic to cats. A few wrong turns on the LES and my friends and I found ourselves here. But in a world where cats doesn't congest me, this would be the spot to go if you're craving coffee on the LES. The coffee is SO GOOD. I usually drown my coffee in milk and sugar but all I needed for my cold brew was a half of a brown sugar packet... that is saying something. Even if you don't visit for the cats, the coffee is worth trying this place alone. The staff is overall so friendly. The coffee bar setting is great for conversation - with friends or the baristas. You need appointments to play with the cats but if you go on a slow day, you might get lucky. My friends were stoked to check it out while I kept my distance. It's all good though, the cold brew made up for it. read more

Koneko - Cap - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Excellent waffles coffee and dumplings! They have cats in the back for 20$ and make reservations. Food 9/10 Drinks 9/10 Staff 8/10 decor 7/10 Cleanliness 8/10 Seating 5/10 Overall liked it but cat fee is high and seating is mainly bar and they run out of food quickly! Parking is hard but use the public lot on essex. Make sure u def order the mocha! read more

Koneko - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Good gravy. I was killing some time with friends between pizza places on a pizza crawl and waiting for other folks to show up and passed this little cafe. Cats got my attention but I also stumbled out the door and forgot to caffeinate myself that day and that leads to huge raging bitch problems with me. I went with a cold brew for $5. It was pretty strong and intense and did the job. But I didn't leave without perusing the kitty territory. Reservations needed to be made in advance when I walked in in particular. Not sure if that's true every day. But there was only like one or two people hanging out in the kitty haven. What I like about this place is that you can still get a coffee or baked good and watch the animals go nuts inside with a see through window. I don't think I would honestly ever make a reservation because $20 an hour to pet a pussy is highway robbery. I'll ask a friend to lend me their cat the next time I'm feeling deprived of animal contact. But I do like the idea of these cat cafes offering services for people that feel desperate enough to pay that much money for some form of attention. Good lord is this place cute and I will be that creeper that watches you play with the kitties with my latte and croissant. You're welcome. Till next time. read more

I've never really been a pet person but the boyfriend and I decided to try this place while killing time before our dinner reservations. They serve food, beer and wine. For $20 a person, you can spend one hours with cats. The cat space is three levels (one is outdoor) and at the time they said they had 18 cats but we only saw like 10. So we spent about $60 for entrance and two beers. The staff that works there was very knowledgeable of the cats and was super friendly. I think $20 is a little too much specially since most cats don't even liked to be pet but it was a cool experience and if you're a cat lover, I recommend. read more

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I came here one evening while waiting to have dinner with a friend who I haven't seen in a long time. I was hoping that I could pet cats but it isn't that kind of cat cafe. Although you can see the cats from a glass window, it is by appointment basis. I like that you can adopt a cat here. I like the ambiance of the cafe. The barista was nice. I saw that they also sell some merchandise that pertains to the cafe. I ordered some tea and I like that my tea was freshly steeped. I like that there are a lot of tables and I think it would be an idea study spot for me. I want to try their actual coffee and lattes. I will come back. read more

Don't waste your time if you want to meet "adoptable" cats!!! The adoption agency (Anjellicle) they work with is beyond useless and will string you along while you fall in love with a cat and get your hopes up for two months, then just completely ghost you. Barbara at Koneko will also tell you she doesn't get involved with adoptions, then turn around and make up lies about you to Anjellicle. I even overheard her telling a friend she really likes the group of cats right now and doesn't want them to leave the cafe. Probably not coincidentally, not one single cat was adopted in the two months we spent visiting here. Literally the most unprofessional, rude, and just all around awful experience ever. I hope all those lovely cats find good homes despite all the humans around them standing in the way. read more

Cute cat cafe in the LES with really nice and knowledgable staff! When you walk in there is cafe with good espresso drinks and some pastries. They have almond milk for the non dairy folks. I forgot to ask if they have soy. The cafe part is bright and seems like a nice place to work. At the back of the cafe is where the cats are. When you walk towards the back someone will check your reservation if you made one. Then before entering you have to take off your shoes. They encourage you to hand sanitizer before entering. You are allowed to bring your coffee into the cat area. I love koneko because there are 3 areas. Upstairs, basement and patio area. The patio area was closed when I went because it was winter but I'm guessing it is open when it is warmer. The cats can climb from the basement to the upstairs area via a ramp! There were a good amount of cats!! 12 or 14 I think. A mix of older cats and some younger more playful ones. It was not overcrowded so there was a good "cat to human" ratio. You can't really rate a place on how the cats interact with you since they are cats. In general a lot of cats didn't seem to care for the humans. A few were playful when you used toys (provided). They're not really cuddly animals that will come and lay in your lap unless you pick them up. And you're not allowed to pick them up. The staff members knew a lot about cats and really helped enhance the experience. The basement is super cozy with lots of seating and bean bags. I've been to little lion and koneko and I prefer koneko!! You pay by the hour and the cats all have nap time in the afternoon. Just look at the schedule online! I love that the cats are adoptable. Overall I would recommend visiting koneko if cat cafes are your thing. read more