It’s no secret that I love cat cafes. I’ve been to so many cat cafes all around the world and I’m lucky that London has several cat cafes to visit.
For my birthday this year I was given a day of lovely surprises. I had no idea where I was going until I got there. I knew I was on my way to lunch but I had no idea what it was going to be. Then suddenly we stop and I look across the road. We were at Java Whiskers Marylebone cat cafe!
What makes Java Whiskers unique to other cat cafes in Europe is that they not only have a dedicated cat lounge, they also have a dedicated kitten lounge.
READ ALSO: Cat Cafes Across The UK
About Java Whiskers
After the success of their cat cafe in Sweden, Java Whiskers opened their first London cat cafe in October 2020.
What I love about Java Whiskers is that they want to provide a unique and relaxing environment that supports both the humans and the cats. Their goal is to provide forever homes for homeless cats.
They want to do good in the world and provide a relaxing environment in a stressful world. Plus with the increasing number of homeless cats, they saw an opportunity to create a win-win for both cats and humans.
The Cats of Java Whiskers
Java Whiskers Marylebone has about 12 cats in their Cat Lounge and about 11 kittens in the Kitten Lounge. As my visit was to the Kittens Lounge I obviously didn’t get to meet all the cats but I did get to see some while I was waiting. In the cafe/waiting area there is a big window into the Cat Lounge and some furry friends liked to show off for their waiting audience.
Where To Find Java Whiskers
Java Whiskers now have two locations in London. The original, Java Whiskers Marylebone is the cafe I visited. This cafe has a great location in central London that is easy for visitors and locals to get to.
Java Whiskers Marylebone is easy to reach by several tube stations. Oxford Circus is on the Central, Bakerloo and Victoria lines and is just an 8 minute walk. Goodge Street is on the Northern line and is just a 9 minute walk. Great Portland Street is on the Circle, Hammersmith and Metropolitan lines and is just a 7 minute walk.
Booking A Visit
While Java Whiskers Marylebone will accept walk-ins, the spaces available are very limited so it’s best to book online to avoid disappointment. They limit how many people can be in the rooms at once so the last thing you want to happen is you get there and they can’t take you.
When you book online you have two room options. The Cat Lounge and The Kitten Lounge. As the name suggests one room is full of cats of various ages, while the other is exclusively kittens. At Java Whiskers Marylebone the cat lounge is on the ground floor and the kitten lounge is downstairs. Unfortunately this means the kitten lounge is not wheelchair accessible.
When you book you have 3 time slot options. These are 55 minutes, 1 hour 25 minutes and 1 hour 55 minutes. Like most cat cafes, there is an entrance fee. This is for them to continue to take care of the cats. Obviously the longer you stay, the more you pay. Slots for the Cat Lounge costs between £14.99 to £25.99. For the Kitten Lounge the price is between £19.99 to £30.00.
The Menu
When you book online you’ll have a chance to add some food to your order. This is great as it means you don’t have to worry about anything on the day and everything will be taken care for you.
For my birthday surprise visit we had ‘the small selection of scones’. This is 2 scones, one plain and one fruit, with clotted cream and jam. They might have been called the small scones but don’t let that fool you! The scones we were given were the biggest scones I’ve ever seen! They were still warm when they were brought over and they were delicious. Some of the best scones I’ve had!
The small scones cost £7.99 each and come with a free hot drink. They also have a large scone selection that comes with 3 scones. This is the same as the small selection except that it also comes with an extra savoury scone and costs £8.99.
It’s worth adding that the kittens love clotted cream so they will try to steal a few licks if you’re not watching. It’s a great way to get them over to your table, just remember cat cafes have rules and that sadly means you’re not allowed to feed the cats for their own protection.
Fancy something sweet? They also offer a sweet selection available. You can get a small plate of sweet treats for £9.99 or a large plate with two of everything for £17.99. The small plate comes with one free hot drink and the large comes with two free hot drinks.
There is also an afternoon tea option but this is only available in the Cat Lounge.
Java Whiskers House Rules
Like any good cat cafe, Java Whiskers have rules set in place for the safety and well-being of the cats and kittens they home.
Common rules you can expect in practically all cat cafes such as ‘be respectful of the cats’, ‘do not feed the cats’ and ‘do not force hold or pick them up from the floor’. These have not been put in place to spoil your fun, but the well-being of the cats is the main concern of any decent cat cafe.
A rule not common but exists at Java Whiskers Marylebone is that they have a no shoe policy. Before entering the lounges you must take your shoes off. Don’t worry though, there is a great place for bags, shoes and coats just outside the lounge.
Overall Opinion
As you can probably tell, I absolutely loved my visit to Java Whiskers Marylebone cat cafe. It was definitely a great birthday surprise I was very grateful for! Java Whiskers had been high on my list of things to do in London for some time so it’s great to have finally gone. Now I’m wondering when can I go back…
Key Information
- Address: 105 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 6QF
- Email: info@javawhiskers.co.uk
- It’s best to book online
- There are 3 time durations available between 55 minutes and 1 hour and 55 minutes
- It’s best to arrive 15 minutes before your slot to allow time to check in
- Java Whiskers is cash-free
- They don’t accept bookings over 6 people online
- Unfortunately no children under 10 years old allowed
- Children ages 10-15 years must be accompanied by an adult
- Gift vouchers are available to purchase
- Gluten free, vegan or dairy free requests need to be sent in advance
- All* cats are rescue cats and can be adopted (*Unless already reserved!)
- The cat lounge is wheelchair accessible
- Unfortunately the kitten lounge is not wheelchair accessible
Plan Your London Itinerary
Looking for more things to do in London? These might help!
- Cat Cafes in the UK
- Disney Themed Afternoon Teas
- The London Loo Tour
- Things to do in London in the Rain
- Soho Twilight Food Tour
- Vegan Friendly Restaurants in London
- Books Set in London
- Cheap Afternoon Teas in London
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