Regal Cat Café

303 10 St NW, Calgary

Never have I touched cats so soft and seen so many playful paws and cute pairs of eyes at the same time. The Regal Cat Café almost like your regular café except for a few things, “all things cat” is definitely the theme, from cat-shaped macarons to cat-inspired tea flavours and a whole array of cat goodies that will make you shout for them to take your money. I have fallen for some of their unique items.

First things first, you’ll want to reserve a time and date. Each time window is 45 minutes long and will ensure you get to have your fill of kitties. There are 12 spots open for reservations for each time window, but also 4 open for unexpected drop-ins. There’s a $10 fee going toward caring for the cats and keeping this place open.

Obviously, it’s a café, so you can grab a delicious bite or a drink while you sign their waiver, basically a set of no-nonsense rules you need to know. You may bring your food inside the cat area, but be warned, you can’t share it with the adorable critters and some will get curious. I would recommend eating first as I personally prefer to concentrate on the cats instead of guarding my food. They were not hungry little monsters but were smelling with that look that clearly meant that if I were to look the other way, it would be my fault if one cookie went missing.

The food is charming and toothsome, from cat-shaped French macarons by Ollia Macarons & Tea to pies—key lime is my favourite so far—by Pie Junkie. Goodies from Baked from the Heart come with vegan and gluten-free options as well.

Try their blends of cat-inspired teas from Tearrific or their locally roasted Fair-Trade coffee.

Everything in this café, including the store part, screams “We chose all of our items carefully!” and that is something I can definitely get on-board with.

Unlike what you may have seen online about cat cafes, I’m thinking Malaysia and Japan, the café separates the food area from the cat area. Simply put, Alberta Health and Safety regulations do not want them to mix, but there are no walls between the two, only windows and a breakfast bar seating if you want a closer look while eating.
So what can you do with those cats? Unfortunately, you can’t pick them up as not all of them enjoy it, but it doesn’t keep them from jumping into your lap and being very interested in whatever smell you bring from your own home—I have four cats. There are cat toys all around, many balls, feather sticks, tunnels, holes to hide in, suspended plant bowls, When I was there, one of the cats really loved lazing out inside the bowls!

 

Cats being silly cats

You can pet them, love them and adopt them. That’s right, they are part of the MEOW foundation and every three weeks, adopted cats go to a new home, and more cats come in to fill in new vacancies. Mondays are adoption days, and new arrivals come on Tuesdays. Unless, of course, it's a long weekend, shifting to Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

If you’re coming with a bunch of people, there are many board games, and most are even cat-themed.

And if that's not enough for you, they have lots of events all-year-round!
Recurring events are Cats & Yoga, and Kitty Paint Parti in partnership with Raw Canvas YYC.

I went earlier this year for the Rainbow Kitty Paint Parti, for $45 I got a two-hour painting session with a teacher, supplies, and a quick kitty visit during the break. Space was a little sparse as we were three per table, and the canvases would take up most of the area, but it was enough space to immerse myself into the craft.

Oh and you get to keep your painting, I made this!

For their second anniversary, Regal Cat Café is offering 25% off on Cat Pillows & Tees until June 23rd. [Edit: my mistake, I wrote that visits were 25% off.]

Now be prepared for a whole lot of goodness, because on June 23^rd, from 10h30 am until 4h00 pm, the first 100 customers will get a complimentary kitty ear headband.
There will also be a draw for a Giveaway basket and an online kitty visits giveaways, and...
drinks will be half-priced with a MEOW donation for the kitties, you can give away food, toys, supplies, or a cash donation.

And that's not all, for the whole weekend of the 25th-26th of June, they will even have special birthday cake lattes and creamy apricot chillers!
I was also told they will add more items this week, this feels like one of those commercials where if you buy something in the next thirty minutes, the add-ons just keep coming!

Lastly, the next two Wednesdays (until the 26th), all kitty visits are 50% off with the purchase of a drink or snack.

Be sure to come and also celebrate with them their 400th adoption! As they are nearing a round number, it's fantastic that to remember that so many adorable kitties found their forever home. <3

Check out new special events and follow them online at:

https://www.facebook.com/RegalCatCafe/

https://twitter.com/regalcatcafe

https://www.instagram.com/regalcatcafe/

I felt it would be important to note that there is another cafe with a similar name. Coffee Cats Café, at 2765 17th Ave SW in Calgary, it's a very nice café too, but you won't find any furry friends there. I happen to know the place since I have regular appointments next door, and I like to relax in her warm and friendly little café. The owner is really nice, but she admits that some people have called or even visited expecting to see cats. She's been in business for many years and has delicious pastries and sandwiches. The tiramisu is delicious!
I'll sneak her Facebook page here!