Discover Kitten Coffee Garden in Taiwan, the world’s very first cat cafe! Get essential visitor tips, menu prices, and directions to this hidden Shilin gem.
Taiwan is celebrated for its thriving and passionate pet culture. You can see it everywhere—on shop signs, among souvenir items, and right out on the street. In fact, the country is currently home to 3.2 million registered cats and dogs!
But did you know this deep love for fur babies can be traced back to just five street cats in 1998? It all started in Taiwan with the opening of the world’s very first cat cafe: the Kitten Coffee Garden.
Tucked away in Shilin, Kitten Coffee Garden—formerly known as Cat Flower Garden—opened its doors long before cat cafes were a global phenomenon. The unique concept instantly captured the imagination of pet lovers everywhere, sparking an international trend. So much so that on June 9, 2022, its legacy was officially cemented when Guinness World Records recognized Kitten Garden as the oldest operating cat cafe in the world.
Despite sharing our own home with eight cats and a dog, Hubby and I had never actually visited a cat cafe. After hearing about Kitten Coffee Garden and Taiwan’s legendary love for felines, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the legendary cafe.
We were warned that the cafe gets crowded in the afternoon, so we made our little pilgrimage first thing in the morning. Located just across from Exit 1 of Zhishan Station in the Shilin District, we assumed it would be easy to spot. However, we initially missed it entirely. We were looking for a vibrant, colorful facade, but the storefront is actually quite modest and discreet. If you plan a visit, make sure to keep your eyes peeled!
Unlike other cat cafes, Kitten Coffee Garden doesn’t charge an entrance fee. Instead, guests are simply required to order food or drinks with a minimum spend of 200 TWD.
The general menu balances simple cafe favorites with a straightforward pricing structure tied to this limit. Standard options like a hot cafe latte or hazelnut latte cost exactly 200 TWD, allowing visitors to meet the table minimum with a single beverage. We opted for two coffees and a slice of cheesecake, both of which were delicious.
What’s on the Menu
- Coffee Specialties (200 TWD): Choice of Café Latte, Caramel Latte, Hazelnut Latte, or Vanilla Latte.
- Specialty Sweets & Sorbets (250 TWD): Refreshing ice creams and flavored sorbet blends.
- Savory Entrées (300 TWD): Hearty meals including baked beef or chicken lasagna, rice gratin, and spaghetti.
- Sweet Add-On Deal (+100 TWD): Add a slice of premium cheesecake or a layered crepe when ordering any drink or entrée.
During our visit, we met several of the resident felines who, in true cat fashion, couldn’t have cared less about our presence. You can even find their names displayed on the tables. Since the cats were all enjoying a morning nap, we spent our time quietly admiring them right from our seats.
Despite having more than ten cats and a dog that day, the cafe was spotlessly clean and didn’t smell like pee or poop at all. Well done!
Photos of kitty residents, past and present, cover the walls. A testament to how well-loved they were by their humans.
Overall, we had a very relaxing and enjoyable time at the cafe that started it all. Will we go back? Definitely!
PinayTraveller Tip
📍 Location: Right across from Exit 1, Zhishan Station (Shilin District). It’s super discreet, so look closely!
💸 Cost: No entrance fee! Just a 200 TWD minimum spend per person on food/drinks.
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