Finally, There's a Café in Cebu City Made for Cat Lovers
"Karma is a cat, purring on my lap because it loves me."
Miau Café
Faustina Center, Bonifacio District, F. Cabahug Street, Kasambagan Cebu City
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
(SPOT.ph) Cats and cafés are a match made in heaven. Picture yourself alternating between sipping on a cup of coffee and petting a fluffy cat—stress and anxiety, begone. It's no wonder cat cafés are so popular, and if you feel like Cebu City has been missing out on the scene, then allow us to introduce you to Miau Café.
Miau Café first opened in Iligan City in 2020. According to the owner, who is of course a cat lover, Iliganons loved the café, especially since only a few of the kind operated in Mindanao—but it was not the best time to run a business with such a unique appeal. The pandemic made things even more difficult and they sadly had to close their doors and wait for the perfect opportunity to reopen. Lucky for us, that opportunity was right here in Cebu City.
Located in Bonifacio District, Miau Café has a bright, open, and inviting interior with a posh modern look thanks to the café’s designer and builder, Wood of Arth. Its theme is apparent, from the cat-centric wall designs to their logo, and most especially in the immortalized Taylor Swift quote “Karma is a cat, purring on my lap because it loves me.” See the badass quote splashed across the wall in bright pink neon lights on one wall. Defo Instagram-worthy! And if, like us, you wondered about the business name’s unique spelling, the owner tells SPOT.ph in an online exchange that they were looking for something less expected than calling their spot "Meow." Thank goodness they found the right one: Miau, which refers to a male cat, allowing the café to retain its distinct cat theme.
This cat café in Cebu City is a cat lover's dream
Before you lose yourself in the cuteness of the cats, make sure to check out what Miau has to offer in terms of food and drinks first. Apart from a good cup of coffee, the café's menu consists of dependable fare with a wide range of cuisine.
The Beef Salpicao (P460) is particularly delightful with tender and flavorful slices of meat, and you can’t go wrong with the Chicken Teriyaki (P340), which just the right hint of sweet to it. If you’d like something lighter, there’s the crowd favorite Grilled Three Cheese Sandwich (P320), with a side of thick fries; a clear popular choice that's surprisingly hefty. There’s also the Savory Waffle (P520) combo, with strips of bacon and eggs to go with the buttery waffles. If you’re in a pasta mood, the Chicken Pesto (P42) is not to be missed. The café is definitely in a holiday mood, too, from its Christmas decor and lights to its three unique Christmas-y Cream Frappes: Toffee Nut (P220), Peppermint Mocha (P220), and Holiday Cookie (P220).
As the friendly staff prepares your order, you can choose to head over to the Cat Lounge, or you can reserve the experience for after your tummy is full. Either way, the cats are waiting to welcome you.
Introducing the Cat Lounge of Miau Café
The Cat Lounge is a room within the café where you can meet felines of different breeds. From a gorgeous sphynx cat to lovely puspins and rescues, each has got their own little personality, so be sure to come with the knowledge that you're in their home. As always, it’s a cat lover’s priority to ensure the well-being of the feline kind. To make sure that the experience is enjoyable for both the customer and the cats, Miau Café has certain rules in place. Plus, the café has its own resident veterinarian, so you can be sure that these beauties are well taken care of. The owners have over 45 cats (talk about a cute cat army!) but only 20 are placed in the lounge at a time. The cats are rotated every month so that everyone gets a chance to shine.
If you want to visit the cats, take note that the lounge is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. In between that is the cats’ resting time, during which you can see them napping or playing with each other and just being cute. When you order, make sure to get your receipt as you will need to present it to the Cat Lounge attendant at the door. A single receipt entitles you to 10 minutes of interaction time with the cats. The attendant will mark your receipt, so you cannot use it again if you want to enter the lounge a second time. Make sure to make the most of your time!
As you enter the lounge, the attendant will give you disposable foot socks and disinfect your hands. Oh, and before you enter, make sure to read the helpful notices they have outside the lounge (they’re present inside, too), reminding you what to do and what not to do. Disturbing the cats while they sleep is a no-no, and picking them up is not advisable. You can take plenty of photos, but make sure to keep the flash off, lest you startle the cats. There are cat toys around that you can use to entice them, or you can content yourself by watching them in all their glory (Read: just laying about). If you’re one of the chosen ones, the cats may lie down on your lap or sit beside you. Remember, it’s their kingdom, not yours!
The owner says that most of the cats have very mild personalities, but they each have specific traits and can be quite a character. One thing’s for sure, you will adore them. There are three cat attendants inside the lounge who look after all this loveliness, making sure the place is clean. The cats are groomed every morning and given vitamins before they eat. The resident vet visits every week to examine each cat.
Miau Café advocates rescuing cats and encourages local government to work on helping the situation of strays in the city, both cats and dogs. They have three rescue cats of their own that you can interact with in the lounge, living their best lives (as they should!). All breeds of the feline kind are welcome here. But, nope, your own pets are not allowed! The health and safety of the cats are a priority for the café.
Miau Café hopes that customers will find this unique experience educational and fun. A cup of good coffee paired with good food lets you start your day in the best way, but it’s made even better when you share it with cats!
Miau Café is at Faustina Center, Bonifacio District, F. Cabahug Street, Kasambagan Cebu City. For more information, contact 0945-550-8100 or visit their Facebook or Instagram pages.
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