El Gato Coffeehouse

Cafe · Greater Heights

El Gato Coffeehouse

Cafe · Greater Heights

1

508 Pecore St, Houston, TX 77009

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El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null
El Gato Coffeehouse by null

Highlights

Whimsical bungalow cafe with coffee & adoptable cats  

Featured in Eater
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508 Pecore St, Houston, TX 77009 Get directions

elgatocoffeehouse.com
@elgatocoffeehouse

$10–20 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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508 Pecore St, Houston, TX 77009 Get directions

+1 832 968 3006
elgatocoffeehouse.com
@elgatocoffeehouse
𝕏
@ElGatoCatCafe

$10–20 · Menu

Reserve

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wifi
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reservations

Last updated

Aug 15, 2025

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@eater

26 Creative Date Night Spots in Houston

"Feline lovers will enjoy this cat coffeehouse, which also operates as a rescue and comfortable home for adoptable kitties. Order some coffee and treats from the on-site food truck. Then, settle in for an hour-long visit with some furballs for $17, or visit on weekends for cat yoga. And if so moved, bring a kitty home. Adoption fees are $95. Check the website for more details. Reservations are required." - Brittany Britto Garley

https://houston.eater.com/maps/best-houston-creative-date-nights-restaurants-bars
View Postcard for El Gato Coffeehouse

Meli Mel

Google
Overall, I had a nice time—mainly because I always enjoy being around cats. That said, there are a few things worth noting. To start, I didn’t feel properly greeted upon arrival. I don’t expect a rolled out red carpet, but a simple “Hi, welcome!” would have made a difference. Instead, the first thing I was asked was, “Do you have a reservation?”—with no warm greeting or acknowledgment beforehand. It set a somewhat cold tone right from the start. The space is limited to one house unless you're planning to adopt, which grants access to a second area. The room was a bit musty, and although they had two electronic litter boxes, the overall cleanliness could be improved. Two of the cats were confined, which I assume was due to illness—understandable, but it slightly affected the open environment I was expecting. One disappointment was that coffee wasn’t available during my visit. Having coffee available would have made the experience feel more complete. Still, I was happy to learn that the proceeds go directly to supporting the lounge and caring for the cats. The admission fee was acceptable, and despite a few drawbacks, I appreciated the chance to spend time with the cats and support a good cause.

chuyu

Google
I didn't enjoy any food here, so I can't give an evaluation of the food.There are many cats here. They look thin, but they are healthy and lively. These cats are not particularly intimate with people, but have retained a little nature, so I think they really take good care of them.

sai sushma

Google
So cute. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. The cats were playful and some asleep. They also provide treats for us to feed the cats and they come close to you looking at the treat. I’m already thinking of going back soon♥️

Lizeth

Google
Initially it was a place to visit to interact with cats and have some fun but it turned into an adoption. Not because the staff is pushy but because we fell in love with the purrfect kitten! We made sure to interact twice before moving forward with adoption but it’s been great so far! Love the fact that they socialize their kittens so you know for a fact that you’re getting a social baby!

Charlotte Phillips

Google
UPDATE: We attended "yoga with cats" and it is DEFINITLY worth going to. The instructor, who is awesome, takes you through 'gentle yoga' while the kittens and cats play around you. They have added more class times with both painting and yoga and both fill up fast, so you will need to make your reservations well in advance. We came home from our "yoga with cats" and immediately made our next reservation in...late August. WOW! El Gato Coffeehouse has really expanded from the last time we were there in October 2020. You no longer start in the kitten room and move to the adult cat room. I did not go into the original building, so I do not know how that was set up. Their website looks like you can set up private/group sessions in the original building but the newer building is for individual sessions in which you are in a large room wth other people. El Gato does restrict how many people are in the room. You must make reservations in advance to enter the room. The room is set up with small tables and small bean bag chairs (for the cats to sleep on of course). Parking is somewhat difficult since the place has grown in both space and outside knowledge and the parking lot has not, be prepared to park on the street if the parking lot is full. NOTE: there is only one way in and one way out of the parking lot with no place to turn around. Atmosphere is laid back, with people chatting in groups and cats meadering around the room, stopping for occasional petting and playing with toys. El Gato has also added other events, such as "yoga wth cats", "painting with cats" and "studying with cats".

Jay Larios

Google
Unfortunately I can’t tell you about the food because the food truck was in the shop sadly. Anywho this place is awesome if you want to meet some cats or study ; the place only allows drinks in the cat room. They have treats you can buy in the front in the check in desk. You can come sit down meet the cats and study for a max amount of time of 4 hrs. You have to be careful feed them treats but you do have some they will swarm you 😂. Very friendly staff they are awesome.

Ur Diary

Google
The cats were so cute! I really liked the service, this woman would come up to us with info (telling us their names or just lending us the book with all the information on each cat.) There’s a truck outside where you get the drinks and food. It was filled with cute kitties and there would be some hiding in places I didn’t notice. One of the kitties did throw up infront of me but im not gonna hold that against them. Sir edwin was definitely the most entertaining and active. Murphey is very beautiful and is an orange cat. I WOULD GO AGAIN!! So fun!

Dru P

Google
I'll be honest, I didn't try the food as I was here exclusively for the cats and they had cats. The staff here are nice and it's easy to tell that they care deeply for the cats here. There were probably around a dozen or so cats available to visit in a large room stocked with anything a kitty could want. There are several options for toys if you want to play with the cats, as well as several seating options if you just want to chill. It was a great experience and I will be returning often.
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Karen Z.

Yelp
I wish we could do half stars on Yelp, I'd say 4.5 stars! I'm so happy to have found and got to visit El Gato Coffeehouse and Cat Cottage! It's a really big space inside with 15-20 cats to play with. I went on a Saturday, so it was realllllly busy. I would definitely suggest making a reservation online prior to going. They are pretty strict with the reservation times per hour. There was way too many people for me to interact with all the cats, but it was fun regardless, just sitting in the environment. I also ordered an Horchata latte and mushroom poblano empanada! The empanada was HUGE and delicious. The horchata latte a bit too sweet for me.
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Jackeline R.

Yelp
Stopped by on a Saturday, you do have to find a time slot to be able to enter as they keep control of the amount of people going in and out. The entry price is about $17 for an hour time slot and they offer different drinks. When I went they were out of most of the drink options besides the tea and lemonade which was a bit disappointing. It's a cool concept as the entry fee covers the needs of the cats in the cottage and they have a book with adoption info for each of the cats!
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Ravi K.

Yelp
Decided to take my wife to this place as a part of her birthday surprise. She is an animal lover hence she totally loved the experience. We loved interacting with cats. It would have been better if there were more toys. You can buy to treats to elevate the experience but they are a bit expensive. Overall a great place to spend some time with precious cats.
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Taylor C.

Yelp
Finally came back to El Gato to see their new building!! Same parking pretty much so not a giant lot. It is so nicely updated and has a lot of different items in the shop. There was a lot of seating for the people and for the cats. I'm not sure if the number of cats between the studio and cottage differs but it felt like there were a million there! And tons of kittens if you're looking for that. Of course they're all adoptable and the other cats need a home too!!! They were all very sweet. Some needed a bit of space so always be sure to let them smell you and read their body language. I'd as well add if you're bringing children please keep watch of them and make sure they're being appropriate with the cats. I saw a couple cats be very annoyed and scared. Due to being grabbed and carried around and not let go of like dolls. Otherwise I had such a nice time here and got to meet so many sweet cats and had some really affectionate ones sit on my lap and cling onto me.
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Ashley Y.

Yelp
It's a really cool place to stop by to enjoy nice time with these cute cats. All cats here are also open for adaption. If you need a sweet new family member, you can come here.
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Tessa H.

Yelp
My boyfriend & I unfortunately did not try any of the drinks/ food but we did enjoy our time with the cats. It was super easy to go online & register to visit. It does have a heavy scent of cat pee/ feces so if that bothers you maybe where a mask - I have cats so I do not mind. The cats were very sweet for the most part. It is a super great way to meet cats if you are unsure about them or looking to adopt. Love this place!
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Carolina S.

Yelp
The cutest little cat cafe and cat rescue! Luckily I called before driving the 40 min from our house as you need reservations for a 1 hour interaction. Each person is $16 dollars to get in. Once inside there is a menu to order a few things from. We ordered cookies, milk, and a delicious chai latte. You can also buy treats to give to the kitties. I brought my two kids with me to come see some kitties, my daughter brought her entire allowance to donate and spent close to $100 on cute stuffed animals and other little cat things. The cafe was clean and didn't smell of cat. The cats are lovely and available for adoption. Such a great place for a great cause! Will definitely go back to support them!
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Catrina L.

Yelp
I am very excited to find this little gem while visiting Houston! I was in search of a cafe and this place came up. I should've called in to check but I walked in there and they are fully booked. Luckily I was able to book an hour visit the next day. It's $15 per visit per person and they get fully booked fast, so make sure you call ahead. They have two rooms; one is the main room while they have a smaller room where the newer and shy cats are at. I spent more time on the smaller room since there's less people and I happen to vibe more with the cats there. Be sure the check out their gift shop! So many cute items. Also didn't try any of the cafe menus since I was busy playing with the cats. El gato cafe, thank you so much for what you do for the community cats! It's true that not all heroes wear capes, some wear cat furs all over them

Destiny S.

Yelp
Such a wonderful place! So many kitties and all of them are very sweet and love people. The staff is awesome and you can tell that the animals are well loved and cared for.
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Lea S.

Yelp
I was looking for a cute afternoon date to do with my boyfriend and found this place when scrolling through ig. I had visited a cat cafe in LA before and loved the concept, so I decided to give this place a try! Making a reservation was super easy on their website, so I would say it's user friendly; it's $16 per person for an hour or $110 for a private session. Getting there, the location has a small parking lot that seems to be shared with a yoga studio nearby. The lobby area is quite small, especially if there's a lot of people who have signed up for the hour, but you'll be greeted promptly there with the hostess, who will go over some instructions before you can head inside the main area. You will also place any orders from the cafe there too. There are two areas where the cats reside though the main room is a lot bigger than the smaller one near the back of the building. There are plenty of toys around to help tempt the cats to play with you, and the workers there are even nice enough to hand you some treats as well. They're all very helpful and knowledgeable about the cats, giving you extensive information about each one. There are even little binders spread around the place with more information on the cats and the adoption process. The only reason I took off a star was that our experience was dampened by a a family of rambunctious kids that lowkey ran wild. The kids weren't very well behaved (imo) and scared a lot of the cats with their loud screams and grabbing. Because of this, it took a lot more effort for the cats to come to us willingly. This maybe was out of the business' hands though there is an age limit of 5 years old.
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Dina S.

Yelp
I went to their cottage. The drinks were good and had a great time with the cats. The time flew by but it definitely does get packed so definitely get the earliest slot so you can get parking.
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Ariel R.

Yelp
This is definitely a kitty foster home rather than a coffee house. Limited parking lot connected to the house. The house has a large bright space focused on the kitties that was fun for a trip with my daughter. Pre packaged cookies at front with cute but expensive merch. They let us know they are non profit.
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annee n.

Yelp
i feel like this was a cool experience, it was $38.97 for two people that was just entry fee. it would've been a better experience if there was more cats (i was looking to adopt) some of the people in there were hogging the cats that they actually never ended up leaving with and it prevented others and myself to try to bond with the cats. there wasn't many cats either there was roughly 8 maybe in the whole building and i went on a tuesday and it was more people than it was cats. (i was in old building) the new one was closed for weekdays. overall i wish i could've had a better experience but this was just cool to hang out and be around cats.
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Josh S.

Yelp
Interesting concept of a place that focuses on facilitating cat adoptions while also serving coffee, which I applaud. When you enter, you have to pay a $15 cover that gives you 1 hour in the "cat room" which you have to pass through two doors in order to enter (so that the cats don't get out). Inside is a room that is a veritable cat paradise with lots of cat towers, toys, beds, etc. and tons of cat-themed decorations with several kitties taking full advantage of the amenities. There is also a back room which contains "less socialized" kittens that the staff encourages you to visit so as to familiarize the animals with humans so that they are eventually more adoptable. There is also a binder that contains all the cats and their names that are available for adoption. The staff is very friendly, though you can tell they are really pushing people to adopt with continual introductions to cats, their names, history, etc. As far as menu is concerned, there is a limited selection of coffees and teas with a few cookies, bars, and cinnamon roll, but one has to exit the cat room to place an order at the house entrance. The order is then passed through a window to the cat room when it is ready. I ordered a french press coffee, which was ready after several minutes and was decent, though nothing to write home about. While I enjoyed my experience and support the work they are doing, this is very much more a cat sanctuary and adoption facility with coffee being an afterthought. There are only two tables with chairs in the cat room, and no one was engaged in any normal coffee shop activities like reading, studying, or working while I was there. The entire focus is on interacting with the cats. Not to mention, the 1 hour time limit restricts anything that might require a longer time period. To the staff's credit, they informed me when I arrived of this and recommended 2nd Cup if I wanted a traditional coffee house, but I wanted to get the experience regardless. For these reasons, I would highly recommend El Gato to anyone who loves cats, wants some "cat therapy", and/or is looking to adopt. If your concern is more coffee and getting work done, though, you should look elsewhere.

Leighann D.

Yelp
On weekends you have to have a reservation to walk in... it's 18$ for 1 hour.. the closest time slot was 3 hours away... and we had plans already! So call a head!

Amy O.

Yelp
We recently booked a private group for a fun birthday "experience" for my daughter and her friends as we are huge cat lovers. Although I spent almost $300, we left disappointed (this was our second time to the café). The main problem was the moment we walked in, the staff were unwelcoming. From the initial instructions and threat we could be kicked out, to the experience inside, there were negative vibes. We had three adults with the girls (12 years old, so not extremely young) to supervise if needed and there was no poor behavior as I was there. Two out of the three staff members had a hostile attitude the entire time. One of the girls was very nice and friendly, but the other two were clearly not happy we were there. Perhaps because they had pre-conceived notions about 12-year-olds, but I am not sure. Either way, we all had the same takeaway and felt unwelcome. They also had young kittens in a pen out in the open in the main room, but we were not allowed to interact with them. This was quite pricey for 1 hour and we did not get what we paid for, especially as it was supposed to be a happy, fun experience for my daughter and her friends. Note that you will be asked for a tip in advance of the experience (although I am not sure what the tip is for). We will not return.

Victoria S.

Yelp
Be careful if you bring a cat to this establishment to be adopted. If the cat/kitten doesn't acclimate with about 50 + cats & doesn't socialize with them, the owner, Rene Reed, will "ship" the animal out to another organization & ultimately be sent out of state. She won't tell you herself, she'll have one of her staff do the deed. Meanwhile the animal will be isolated & often stuck in a "playpen" all the time. Once the decision has been made by Reed, they make no strong attempts to introduce the cat to individuals that might be interested in an "only" cat environment in their home. These things aren't told you when you drop the cat off. They actually said, "Don't worry. We always find a home, even for the most difficult cats." Not true. If Reed doesn't "cotton" to you, it's a difficult and emotional mess.
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Douglas S.

Yelp
Not Quite Purr-fect - El Gato Coffeehouse & Cat Cafe Visit My recent visit to El Gato Coffeehouse & Cat Cafe turned out to be a less-than-ideal experience, despite my initial curiosity about this unique concept. Although I am not a cat aficionado, I had expected the overall atmosphere and novelty of the place to make for an enjoyable outing. The first thing that struck me was the $15 entry fee per person, which felt steep. While I understand the necessity of supporting the cafe and cat care, the price seemed high considering the overall value provided. The cats were certainly the focal point of the cafe, playful and clearly well-cared for. However, as someone who doesn't have a special interest in cats, this aspect didn't significantly contribute to my experience. The overpowering odor was a serious downside to the visit. I anticipated some feline-related smells given the nature of the establishment, but the strong odor throughout the cafe was off-putting and detracted from the experience significantly. On the upside, the decor and ambiance of El Gato Coffeehouse & Cat Cafe deserve praise. It was playful, fun, and made for a visually appealing environment. The drinks were available, and though I didn't partake, the selection seemed fairly decent. Despite the appealing decor, the overall experience was undermined by the strong odor and the high entry fee. This cafe might be a hit among dedicated cat lovers, but for casual visitors or those looking for a unique coffeehouse experience, it may fall short of expectations. If the cafe could find a way to better manage the odor and provide more value for the entry fee, it could truly live up to its potential.

S J.

Yelp
We enjoyed this place. It's a big comfy room with plenty of friendly cats to interact with. Volunteers were friendly. There are a few chairs but it's best to get down low and engage with/the cats. We purchased beverages from the food truck on site. Pricey, but for a good cause. It's a fun adventure. We will be back
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Brittany B.

Yelp
Unless you're not into cats, I'm not sure how you could hate on any place that's serves caffeine to be enjoyed in a cottage full of fur babies. Best alarm clock ever! The previous reviews mention the fees, reservation preference, coffee cart, slight odor, & playtime for you to set expectation prior to arrival. I'll add: *They seem to be really receptive to feedback. I think they've updated their coffee options within the last year. If I reminder correctly, I was able to order a specialty coffee that was made for me to pick up at the cart window and enjoy on the patio *the variety of stimulation they provide for the cats is really appreciated. Depending on when you go and which residents remain, the cats will be more or less active or receptive to human attention. They have a variety of cat only exits to escape the humans when they'd like & they cap human attendance. *if you're looking to adopt as a 1st time cat owner, I bet this is a fantastic way to get acquainted with many different cat personalities, cat behavior and boundaries. Although you can play with them in a shelter, exposure to various cats for this extended length of time seems like a great way to test if ownership is the best fit for you. What a fantastic way to combat the seasonal sads.
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Roger C.

Yelp
Go for the cats, not for the coffee. Parking can be a little tricky out front, but there is plenty of street parking that you can use. The merchandise was cute, the cats were adorable, but the coffee just was not hitting it for me. They have a limited menu, so I would think about brining your own coffee, and seeing if they let you in. Had fun, would for sure come back. But maybe they can open a window sometime.

Laura C.

Yelp
Too many people in the room at once. Leaves no room for seating and definitely a poor human to cat ratio. We were in the large room at the front. Perhaps the room in the back "cafe" is better. I tried to switch to the other room pretty early on and was told that I would have to purchase tickets again for the back room. There is a coffee truck in the parking lot. Coffee was okay, nothing special. Costly for the tiny cups given. No size options. Did not try the food. Did this trip for my cat obsessed daughter and she was the one who was ready to go early. One and done.
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Fred R.

Yelp
From the moment you arrive the staff are amazing. I'm not a big cat person but my daughter is so we took her. They have drinks and cookies and the place is pretty neat. The cats. There's tons of cats. All shapes and sizes and ages. Cute little fellas and hanging out with them probably reduced my stress and anxiety. I recommend it if you want to cuddle with furry cute cats and want to relax while you have a coffee. I'm going again.
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Lisa H.

Yelp
I love cats!! Admission price went up since the last time I went, but it is ok! It's 15$ per person. You get one hour with the cats.
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Ethan G.

Yelp
The cats were so cute and snuggly omg can't. Definitely worth visiting if you love cats. Good drinks too

Monica R.

Yelp
Great ambiance with all the cats coming and going. The food and drink selection is very limited. Service was perfect. We came as walk-ins and didn't realize there was s cover charge. But we came at a time very few people were there so it worked out.
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Jorge C.

Yelp
A lovely concept and it was worth being around all the cats. The $16 entry fee seemed fair and there's always the option for a private group viewing for 6 people at a discounted rate. With that said, I found a handful of the cats to be quite adorable. I ordered a black iced coffee and it was surprisingly good, practically speciality quality!

Talia B.

Yelp
this is the real best place ever. The kitties are so friendly. Nobody bites if you love kitties you love this place food here is so delicious literally the best in the world, the world friendliest nicest softest kitties are here and also an amazing place to adopt little cats

Areesh C.

Yelp
I stayed away from the coffee because of the reviews, and I saw the coffee ppl were getting and it looked really diluted with milk. The staff wasn't the friendliest, and the cats seemed overstimulated by the amount of ppl there. The cats didn't wanna play or interact which is alright. The idea of the place is nice that you can adopt a cat if you like them and the money is a bit overpriced. I don't feel like $15 for one hour is worth it. The staff was really rude to a couple ppl because they opened up a tent to pet a cat. The tent didn't have a sign or anything to tell ppl not to go in, so to yell at her was a bit much.
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Jasmin G.

Yelp
All the cats are so precious and friendly. If you ever just need some cuddling, go here! Make sure to make reservations first so that way you have time with the cats.
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Maya G.

Yelp
Amazing little cat cafe in the Heights. All of the cats were so sweet and friendly. You can tell that they're really well taken care of. Employees are super sweet. They have cute little cat-related stickers, patches, pins, and more from independent artists, which I love. Only taking a star off because we ordered one black coffee and it came out to over $6, which is a little absurd.
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Alexis B.

Yelp
It was a cool and unique experience, but like a few other reviews mentioned, the staff isn't the most friendly.. Not sure if it's because of the fact that we weren't wearing masks or that's just how their work environment rolls. I didn't get a coffee unfortunately because the drinks were crazy over priced and VERY small. The place was very small and most of the cats were asleep unfortunately. This is honestly a one time and done kinda place, or maybe even once every few months just to see all the cats that get rotated in every so often. Overall, it was quite interesting and I'm also happy that they adopt their cats out to visitors!
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Juanita H.

Yelp
If you are going for cats ok.... But the coffee was the worst coffee I have ever drank on my life . Lukewarm water for a very light French press , I could not finish it . Idea is cute nice people.... Cats sweet ... really crappy coffee

Melissa P.

Yelp
Nice workers, Great food, and a lovely overall experience! Loved it. Sweet enough to give us lots of info before entering and to know what is going on
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DH P.

Yelp
Very well-run cat café. Make your reservations first online, and have your email ready for check-in. Staff is kind and friendly, professional. Great pick of kitties, they've got plenty of personalities! Friendly, sleepy, playful, some are a little feisty ;) This should go without saying, but cats are not dogs - do not approach them as if they're dogs. Up to you to be responsible and research more about cats if you don't know what I mean. My tips would be: -speak in a low, comforting tone and move slowly -mind the sound of your footsteps, not too fast or loud -if you are approaching a sleeping kitty, try to gently make some quiet noise so as not to startle them (I quietly tap or scratch a surface near them, and make low smoochy or tsch-tsch sound) -hold out one finger for the kitty to take their time to sniff -use that one finger to pet the top of their head or scratch their ears, this is to gauge their comfort and reaction to you -if they seem irritated or bored of you, just leave them alone and MOVE ON lol
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Amaryllis D.

Yelp
Great place and great cats! I came here for cat yoga to celebrate my boyfriend's late birthday and our instructor was really sweet and gave him a cute bracelet! The cats can be playful and energetic, but for the most part we had a great time doing yoga and relaxing with the cats. I was scared the yoga would be difficult since I'm not flexible at all but it was surprisingly really refreshing and perfect for beginner. 10/10 recommend.
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Tu D.

Yelp
I LOVE LOVE LOVE cats so this store is definitely life saver because I cannot have my own cat right now. It's a little small so they limits the number of people getting into. The decoration is super cute and cat-friendly, of course! It's so nice that people love cats and take care of them. You have to order to come inside and each person pays extra fees; which is a little bit expensive for coffee shop. I ordered Almond Vietnamese coffee , very tasty and strong. Overall, I have happy time here and it was so good to finally.. pet a cat hehe

Julie I.

Yelp
El Gato is a great way to meet new cats while drinking some yummy drinks. The overall experience was pleasant and I would definitely return!
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Justin A.

Yelp
Oh my god, Houston has a cat café! I'm talking about a place you can grab a coffee and chill out in a room full of amazing cats (available for adoption)! Initially, they had opened their doors to their Cat Cottage with an events-based calendar, but starting April 28th, 2017, they went into their soft opening stage and started having regular operating hours. Check out their website as their events and operating hours are subject to change: http://www.elgatocoffeehouse.com *They are closed on Thursdays. Speaking with the owner, the best method to come to El Gato Coffeehouse and Cat Cottage is by booking your time slot online, as you can pay right away. Be sure to drop in the code "Yelpkitty" to get an additional $2 off per person! Currently, they have 12 resident cats, and they have a "menu" with their pictures so you can see which one's which. All of them are super friendly, except you need to be careful with Daisy as she doesn't like to be picked up. Weirdly, she was obsessed with me and wouldn't stop sitting in my lap. I tried to leave, but she wouldn't move! Daisy is the one that wears a cute little bow tie. Please give her my regards when you see her. Depending on what you're coming for changes the price considerably. If coming for a simple Cat Cottage 1-hour visit, the prices before the Yelp discount include: Children - $8 (under 17) Students -$10 (with a valid college ID) Adults - $12 With these prices, you will get bottomless coffee. For an extra $5, you can stay for an extra hour. With the events, the prices change accordingly. They have many different events including "Meowvie Nights," "Caturday Morning Cartoons," "Yoga with Cats," "Kitty Crochet 101 Class," and many others! Check out the calendar if you want to do something even more exciting than coffee and cats. Their coffee shop isn't ready yet. They were planning on building a shipping-container coffee shop beside the Cat Cottage, but the design engineer stole their money and fled the country. Terrible... They are now looking to open up their coffee shop by Summer 2017 if everything goes to plan. They have a beautiful lobby with all sorts of cat merchandise. I love this Cat Café concept, and I really want them to succeed, so help this local business out! Go visit them, see their cute kitties, adopt one if you want, and buy some merch. Their t-shirts and tank tops are a bit pricey ($27 for a shirt, $35 for a tank top), but think of what the money is used for. It's not easy sheltering that many cats. I love this place!
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Gabrielle G.

Yelp
A cute place with a good cause, but the marketing is disingenuous. It's not a coffeehouse and not exactly what you'd expect. The price for just sitting with foster cats is a little overpriced imo especially since it's not even a coffeehouse. We've been back and like the atmosphere, but if you're looking for a coffeehouse this is not one.
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John H.

Yelp
Pleasant and friendly staff. You couldnt pay me to drink the coffee. Over 5 dollars a cup Tastes like reused grounds with lukewarm tapwater. Wondered if it could have been cat pee but it wasnt warm enough. Lol. Loved the staff but the business model is a heartless cash grab. $15 dollars to see the cats for an hour. Great idea poorly excecuted. I'd say skip and get McDonald's coffee down the road if you really need coffee bad.
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Sarah M.

Yelp
This place was so amazing! Super friendly staff and the cats are so sweet and all are up for adoption. Fantastic coffee and calm atmosphere. If you want to support a local business then I highly suggest this place.

Giselle C.

Yelp
I was looking for a cat café so I hopped on yelp to find one. This one was the only one that I could find in Houston so I decided to check it out. I went on their website and set an appointment from 11-12 on a Saturday. Once we got there we had a little bit of trouble finding a parking spot since the lot is shared with a dance studio so we parked on the street. Once you walk through the door you'll be in the gift shop where you will be read the rules. If I can offer any advice get there early so it gives the person at the front desk enough time to assist those buying from the gift shop since they also read the rules that allow you to go in. Once you have been read the rules you are free to go into the main cat room. There are two doors which you have to insure at least one is closed at all times. Once in the main room there are cat toys to the right. To the left there is a smaller room with the shy cats. The main room does get a little crowded but the whole experience is great, the kittens are super playful and if you purchase a snack for the cats at the front desk you will be super popular with the kittens. While I was there I saw them bringing out or changing the litter boxes quite often. Overall it was very clean and we had a positive experience and will definitely be back. I was so busy playing with the cats and kittens that before I knew it it was time to go so I wasn't able to try the drinks or sweets they offer but I will be back!
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Amanda P.

Yelp
I love cats and coffee. They should incorporate the word 'heaven' into their name to better capture the atmosphere of being around cats and coffee.
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Cynthia C.

Yelp
So I wouldn't really call this place a coffeehouse because their coffee is pretty terrible. It's pre-made, you dispense it yourself out of a plastic thing that doesn't keep it warm, and there's only mini flavored creamers available. They have the right idea though, and I was very excited to see what this place had to offer since the only cat cafes I really knew of were in Japan and Canada. My boyfriend and I signed up for bingo night and wished we had more time with the kitties granted we got there a bit late. It was the cafe's first time doing bingo, so there were some technical difficulties making sure each letter and cat (i.e. B-Cat Name 1, N-Cat Name 2) had a slip of paper for what was on the bingo boards. I wish there were a bit more structure to knowing which prizes would be given out like having them announce what the prize would be for each round since it seemed very subjective what prize they would give after they saw the winner or depending on what they just felt like giving out. Overall, I felt like the vibe of this place is much more profit driven than focused on helping the kitties though I don't doubt they do a good job of getting the cats adopted. We just felt rushed to leave immediately after the bingo session ended and our time playing with the cats was up and there was not much interaction between us and the employees about the cats or the business.

Angie R.

Yelp
Friendly cats, employees, and volunteers! A great experience. The cat cafe helps support adoption too
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Eiline C.

Yelp
Most of the cats were very sweet and used to lots of human attention. The ones who like to be left alone are tagged by collar, and the employee at the front desk will run through certain cats with particular personalities, i.e. the ones who are tagged, the ones who like to escape, etc. Sometimes they'll also hand out treats to customers who want to feed the cats/get their attention. In terms of pricing, you pay for every 30 minutes of cat time. A worker comes grab you when your time is up. If you want to stay longer, you just pay again, and you get a discount if you decide to buy a drink. The black coffee was decent, and I also got a kolache, which was delicious (though it was my first). I really appreciated the breading around the meat, but I've been told the style is very different than a typical kolache (refer to picture). Overall, I had a great time. I loved the atmosphere, food was good, cats were cute, the employees were helpful, and important note, if you fall in love with one of the cats, YOU CAN ADOPT.

Ali R.

Yelp
Super cute place. They have a separate kitten room that is adorable too. All cats/kittens are adoptable. Chipped, fixed, litter box trained and sociable. Win win! Coffee shop to enjoy and relax. My kids loved it!

Raegan P.

Yelp
The cats were adorable, at first they were all asleep, but they ended up getting hyper all of the sudden, so it was a lot of fun. The drinks were bland, at least the drink I got was. I got the iced chai latte. It costs 16$ per person to see the cats for an hour, so I would say it is only worth it if you really love cats, or are looking to adopt. I love cats so much so to me it was worth it, but not for the drinks.