Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Bella Vista neighborhood is a cafe that blends the two greatest joys in this world: petting a cat and sipping a cold brew. There’s something unique about the nonprofit Get–A–Gato Cat Cafe, which hosts a purr–fectly heartwarming experience and offers a whimsical escape for anyone seeking the comforts of caffeine, sweet treats, or friendly felines.
The moment you step through the cafe’s glass doors, the rich smell of coffee and matcha wafts toward you. The space has been meticulously designed to welcome both humans and our favorite four–legged furries. Glass viewing panes separate the cafe from the “cat lounge” so coffee lovers can enjoy the brews, while still getting a view of what they’re clearly missing out on.
With picket–fence–white tables and chairs that fold out for customer leisure, bookshelves displaying feline products and memorabilia, the cafe has a home–y and intimate aesthetic that makes it easy for a purr–son to unwind and enjoy the menu. Get–A–Gato offers a wide selection of handcrafted drinks and specialty snacks, with a menu made to im–purr–ess (just one more, I promise).
The baristas at Get–A–Gato also know how to get the classics just right. While many cafes can lose their flavor balance during the afternoon rush, when I visited, Get–A–Gato’s drinks maintained the smooth, robust, and rich flavor expected of them. A staple of any coffee shop’s menu—the cold brew—topped with sweet cold foam, was perfectly bitter and sweet.
Get–A–Gato’s menu also presents a unique twist on some iconic beverages. Combining a fruity muddle with the earthy, milky taste of matcha, the cafe’s strawberry matcha adds a dreamy sweetness to an otherwise bitter drink. The contrast between grassy notes and fresh, saccharine flavor feels indulgent and satisfying, providing balance to an otherwise savory taste. Another example is their limited–time, house–made apple spice horchata. Mixing a delicate sweet–and–spicy charm with horchata’s cinnamon tang just makes sense on the tongue. Get–A–Gato is innovating on a continuous basis.
Of course, the experience is nowhere near complete without tasting from Get–A–Gato’s deep selection of comfort foods. Their chicken empanadas come with a golden, crispy exterior that opened the gate for its meaty, savory filling. They also come with a choice between two side sauces: a subtle, sweet green creme sauce and a spicier option for a bit of a kick. Both options complement the savory sensation of the empanada to add depth to an already enjoyable flavor.
For dessert, it’s hard for one to resist Get–A–Gato’s eye–catching churro apple cake. Encapsulating the flavors of autumn, cinnamon spice swirls around apple chunks to make a moist and tender slice. The fresh taste of apple provides a natural burst of sweetness in each bite, making this dessert a standout treat you won’t find anywhere else.
But let’s not forget the true stars of the cafe—the unique, personable cats of the cafe. While there are quite a few furry felines who are up for adoption at the cafe, the most entertaining is Sushi. A complete ball of energy, Sushi is always darting around to scratch at a toy or cannonball on top of a sleeping friend. His sister Sake is no different; after an afternoon of playful chaos, you can always find the two cuddled up and napping at the end of a long day.
Zeus is definitely on the sleepier side of the cat spectrum. Rather than jumping at the rainbow–colored cat wands guests could borrow during their visit, he chooses to sunbathe in the comfort of his own corner. While lazy, Zeus is always happy to sit on the lap of a visitor and play with his sister Hera. Sonny was a cat with some more boundaries—to say the least. As long as you keep your petting above his neck, he’ll be as playful and calm as possible. However, if you venture lower, you may find him wrapped around your arm making a perpetual hissing sound.
The Get–A–Gato family is constantly changing. From cats being adopted, to receiving new members through the cafe’s partnership with Fishtails Animal Rescue, the cats available at the shop could always be different. Despite this, the environment that Get–A–Gato Cat Cafe provides is always warm.
In a city where coffee shops often feel hurried and impersonal, Get–A–Gato is a breath of fresh air. Whether you’re there to find a furry friend, or simply there to enjoy a latte, the cafe offers a relaxed experience that is unique in Philadelphia. If you’re looking to combine good food with feline fun, Get–A–Gato Cat Cafe is litter–ally the place to be.
TLDR: A dream come true for people who identify as cat lovers and coffee connoisseurs.
Location: 638 Christian St.
Price: $18–25/person
Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. all week long
