Happy Cat Cafe: 4 reasons to visit this trendy Grand Rapids spot

I visited the uber-trendy Happy Cat Cafe in Grand Rapids. Here are four reasons why you should, too (unless you’re allergic!). 

While on vacation for my birthday a few years ago, I started to miss my cat back home and decided to visit a local cat cafe. This marked my first-ever experience at a cat-centric coffee shop—but it wouldn’t be my last. As a proud childless cat lady with a caffeine addiction, I quickly fell in love with the concept and have since visited numerous cat cafes in locales across the globe—from Germany to Guatemala to my home state of Michigan. 

Most recently, I visited Happy Cat Cafe in Grand Rapids, and the cat-themed cafe is now one of my favorite places to get my caffeine and cute cat fix. I’m here to share all the reasons you should visit Happy Cat Cafe—named one of the best cat cafes in Michigan—and highlight some important things to know before you go. 

Photo courtesy of Britteny Dee.

About Happy Cat Cafe

Let’s start with the need-to-know details. Happy Cat Cafe is an LGBTQ+ and woman-owned business, and its location in Grand Rapids (447 Division Ave. S) is super convenient and accessible. There’s street parking in front of the building and a large parking lot behind it. The front entrance of the building is actually locked (to prevent the cats from escaping and running into the street), so you’ll need to enter through the back. 

Reservations are recommended—though not required—and can easily be made on Happy Cat Cafe’s website for 30 minutes, one hour, or three hours. I chose the half-hour option but could have easily stayed for a full hour—or three! 

A 30-minute weekday visit costs $7, while a one-hour or three-hour booking will run you $13 or $25, respectively. Prices increase slightly for weekend reservations. The cat lounge is also available to rent for private parties, and there are specific packages for themed events, including Cats & Canvas, Happy Cat Yoga, and Cat Bingo. The cafe and the cat lounge are separate rooms, but you can take your drink into the lounge to enjoy while you interact with the cats. 

Now, let’s get to all the reasons you need to check out Happy Cat Cafe ASAP. 

1. The creative menu has something for everyone

Cats are usually the main focus at cat cafes—and rightfully so!—but sometimes the cafe aspect of the business feels like an afterthought. Fortunately, at Happy Cat Cafe, that isn’t the case. Here, you can enjoy cute and cuddly cats and quality beverages. 

The cafe menu features tons of feline-themed signature drinks like the Ginger Cat Latte (a tasty twist on a golden milk latte), the Tabby Cat (a coffee drink featuring house-made dark chocolate, almond, hazelnut, and blackberry), and the Tortitude (espresso, spicy chai, house-made dark chocolate sauce, and chili powder). There’s also a selection of teas and fun mocktails, such as the Blackberry Panther, which features wild blackberry syrup, Sprite, lemon, and black holographic glitter. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the name and description of each of the menu items and ultimately decided to try the Meow Cha Latte, a matcha latte made with house-made vanilla and your choice of milk (as a vegan, I appreciated that the cafe had non-dairy milk options, such as oat). My matcha latte really hit the spot and marked a great start to my visit. 

Photo courtesy of Britteny Dee.

2. The cats are friendly 

There were more than 10 cats in the lounge when I visited, and the majority of them were super friendly and came right up to me for pets. One even tried to steal a few sips of my matcha latte. At some of the other cat cafes I’ve visited, the animals were more reserved or uninterested in the human visitors, so I was pleasantly surprised by how extroverted and playful the cats were here. 

All of the cats are available for adoption (through Happy Cat Cafe’s partner, Fig and Friends Pet Rescue), with the exception of Ray, the resident cat, who happens to be blind but oh-so affectionate. I wasn’t looking for a cat to adopt during my visit (my cat wouldn’t approve), but I had fun reading the descriptions of each animal posted in the lounge.

There were a few other cat lovers in the lounge during my visit, but the space didn’t feel crowded, and I was never without a cat or two to pet and play with. There are a couple of tables to sit at, as well as some bench seating along one of the walls, though I found myself spending most of my time on the floor with the cats. 

Photo courtesy of Britteny Dee.

3. The staff is warm and welcoming 

Upon entering the cafe, I was immediately greeted by the barista, even though he was busy making another customer’s drink. He was patient with me as I took my time perusing the menu and did an excellent job of explaining the cafe rules and setup of the space. 

4. The shop is well stocked 

If you want to take home a souvenir or a present for your cat, you’re in luck. Happy Cat Cafe features a shop section that is full of fun merchandise. I left my visit with a bottle of Catbernet cat wine, a keychain chapstick holder with drawings of cats on it, and a “cat purr-son” button for my friend. You can also shop for more practical items, such as harnesses, leashes, and food bowls. There’s a wide array of cat toys and treats, too. 

I loved my time at Happy Cat Cafe and can’t wait to return. The only thing I’d do differently next time is book a longer visit. If you love cats and coffee and are in the Grand Rapids area, Happy Cat Cafe is absolutely worth checking out. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.