Chiang Mai has a small group of cat cafes. This guide covers six cat cafes and two dog cafes.
Mali Cat Cafe & Bar at One Nimman is the easiest first stop, with daily hours from 10:00 to midnight. Cat’s Alley and Pet’s Paradise are the picks if you want rescue cats, and Por Phu, Catera and Popo’s are quieter neighbourhood alternatives.
- Entry fees: Timed packages at Mali; about 120 THB with a drink at Por Phu and Catera; none at Cat’s Alley and Popo’s
- Longest hours: Mali, daily 10:00-midnight
- Getting there: Mali is in Nimman; Por Phu is near Wat Umong; Pet’s Paradise is in the Old City; Cat’s Alley is on Mahidol Soi 2; Popo’s is in Nong Pa Khrang; Catera is in San Sai Noi
- Closed days: Catera closes on Mondays; Pet’s Paradise closes on Sundays
Quick answer
Start with Mali Cat Cafe & Bar Nimman. For rescue cats, go to Cat’s Alley or Pet’s Paradise. Por Phu, Catera and Popo’s are alternatives if you want a smaller, quieter room.
| You want | Go to | Area / Price |
|---|---|---|
| Late hours | Mali Cat Cafe & Bar | One Nimman / timed package |
| Neighbourhood cat cafe | Por Phu Cat Cafe | Lan Din / 120 THB with a drink |
| Cat and rabbit venue | Catera Cat Cafe | San Sai Noi / about 120 THB with a drink |
| Rescue cats, Old City | Pet’s Paradise Cat Cafe | Ratchapakhinai Rd / closed Sundays |
| Rescue cats, no entry fee | Cat’s Alley Cafe | Mahidol Soi 2 / order a drink per person |
| Cakes and no entry fee | Popo’s Cafe Chiangmai | Nong Pa Khrang / no entry fee |
Nimman and Huay Kaew Road
This corridor is the easiest first stop. Several cat cafes sit within a 2 km stretch, and you can pair a visit with a browse through the Nimman boutiques or a walk around the Chiang Mai University campus.
Mali Cat Cafe & Bar Nimman
Mali operates at One Nimman and publishes daily hours from 10:00 to midnight. Entry is sold in timed packages that include a drink.
- Area
- Nimman · 1 Nimmanhaeminda Rd, One Nimman complex
- Hours
- Daily 10am–midnight
- Price
- Timed-entry packages
- Go for
- Drink from the current cafe menu
Por Phu Cat Cafe
A neighbourhood cat cafe in the Lan Din project near Wat Umong. Entry includes a drink, and it opens earlier at weekends.
- Area
- Huay Kaew Rd / Lan Din · Soi Ban Ram Poang, Lan Din project, Huay Kaew Rd
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat–Sun 9am–7pm
- Price
- 120 THB adults, 100 THB children, including a drink
- Go for
- Fruit smoothie or cold brew
Insider Tip: Come on a weekday morning before 11:00. Weekend afternoons pack out with tour groups at popular Nimman venues, and the noise level changes the cats’ behaviour: more hiding, fewer lap visits.
North of the Old City
Catera sits in San Sai Noi, a short ride from the moat. If you are also exploring Chiang Mai’s cafe scene, pair it with a morning in the north.
Catera Cat Cafe
Catera is in San Sai Noi, north of the Old City, and closes on Mondays. Entry includes a drink, and rabbits share the outdoor area.
- Area
- North of Old City · Near 2nd Ring Road, north of Old City
- Hours
- 11am–6pm, closed Mondays
- Price
- Around 120 THB including a drink
- Go for
- Coffee with a side of rabbit-watching
Old City and East of the Centre
Pet’s Paradise sits inside the moat near Thapae Gate, so it fits a temple morning on foot. Cat’s Alley and Popo’s are short rides out from the centre, and both charge nothing to come in.
Pet's Paradise Cat Cafe
A small cafe inside the Old City where the cats are rescued strays. The owners introduce the cats to visitors, and reviewers describe them as calm, happy and well looked after.
- Area
- Old City · 105 Ratchapakhinai Rd, near Thapae Gate
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 11am–7pm, closed Sundays
- Go for
- Coffee
Cat's Alley Cafe
A rescue cafe down a small alley off Mahidol Road, with about 14 cats that each wear a name tag. Staff explain the house rules at the door, and reviewers describe a clean room with no cat smell. It moved to this address, so follow the map pin rather than older directions.
- Area
- Mahidol Rd (Nong Hoi) · 304 Mahidol 2 Alley, Nong Hoi
- Hours
- Daily 10:30am–6pm
- Price
- No entry fee, one drink or item per person
- Go for
- Bingsu
Popo's Cafe Chiangmai
A small home-style cafe east of the Old City with a ginger house cat and others. There is no entry fee, and reviewers single out the cakes and the owner's welcome.
- Area
- Nong Pa Khrang · 11 Thanuspong Soi 8, Nong Pa Khrang
- Price
- No entry fee
- Go for
- Lemon cheesecake with a cappuccino
Dog Cafes in Chiang Mai
Not everyone is a cat person. Two dog cafes are worth knowing.
Box Box Dog Cafe
This is the Mae Jo branch, not the older branch near Rin Kham. It is a resident-dog cafe with a drink-and-cake entry package, a trip north of the city.
- Area
- Mae Jo Road · 323/5 Moo 9, Nong Han, San Sai
- Hours
- Daily 10am–7pm
- Price
- Around 350 THB including refreshments
- Go for
- Sit back and let the dogs come to you
Funkydog Cafe
A garden cafe in the Old City on Moon Muang Road Soi 6 with a rustic, relaxed character. No admission fee. Order from the menu. Dogs are resident rather than the main attraction, making it a practical choice for anyone who wants a good cafe stop with canine company rather than a dedicated pet experience.
- Area
- Old City · North end of Moon Muang Rd Soi 6, Old City
- Hours
- Daily
- Price
- Order from the menu (no admission charge)
- Go for
- Fresh fruit shake in the garden
Insider Tip: If you are travelling with your own pet and want dog-friendly dining, these cafes may accommodate visiting dogs at outdoor seating. Ask at the door first.
How to Visit a Cat Cafe in Chiang Mai
Book or just walk in? Mali sells timed packages, so book ahead for evenings and weekends.
What to wear: No specific dress code, but closed shoes are sensible: claws happen. Avoid strong perfumes; cats find synthetic scents stressful.
Hygiene: All reputable cafes ask you to sanitise your hands on entry. Do not touch a cat’s face or tail without letting it approach you first.
Connectivity: Most cat cafes have wifi. Funkydog is practical for a short working stop. For serious work sessions, the dedicated digital nomad cafes in Nimman are a better fit. Chiang Mai’s food scene extends well beyond cat cafes. The city also has an excellent lineup of street food and local restaurants worth exploring.
Getting around: Use Grab, Bolt, or a local songthaew and check the live fare before booking. Mali is central in Nimman and Pet’s Paradise is a walk from Thapae Gate, while Por Phu, Cat’s Alley, Popo’s, Catera, and Box Box need separate trips in different directions.
Stay nearby: Several Chiang Mai hotels near Nimman put you within a short ride of Mali and Por Phu.
Connectivity while travelling: A Thailand eSIM keeps you navigating between venues without relying on cafe wifi. The best eSIM options for Thailand guide covers current plans.
How to choose a cafe in Chiang Mai
Think about the visit before the venue: coffee, a quiet laptop session, late hours or a neighbourhood stop. Nimman, Huay Kaew Rd / Lan Din, the Old City and north of the Old City are the clusters here, so go for whichever is closest to the rest of your day.
7Verdict: Mali Cat Cafe & Bar is the safest first choice because of its late opening hours and central Nimman location. Skip any cafe where cats cannot retreat from visitors or staff allow rough handling. Rating: 7/10
