Coffee shops are a dime a dozen — but a place where you can sip a hand-crafted espresso drink while a rescue kitten naps on your lap? That’s something worth driving across Ohio for. affoGATO Cat Cafe holds the title of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio’s first cat cafe, and since opening on January 2, 2019, it has carved out a totally unique niche in the city’s vibrant food and culture scene.
Located in Tremont, affoGATO is a cat café in which one side of the storefront is dedicated to serving coffee and bakery items, while the other side is a place to co-mingle with several cats and kittens. It’s equal parts cozy neighborhood café and heartfelt animal rescue effort — and the combination is absolutely magnetic.
What Makes affoGATO So Special
A rescue mission disguised as a coffee shop. All of the cats at affoGATO are adoptable fosters from the Cleveland Animal Protective League, and the cafe typically houses between 16 and 20 of their cats, caring for them in the space until they find their forever home. Since opening in 2019, over 1,600 cats have gone home from affoGATO — a genuinely staggering number that speaks to just how meaningful this place is for Cleveland’s animal rescue community.
They favor the underdogs — or rather, the undercats. The cafe typically aims to host “less adoptable” friends like middle-aged cats, mom cats, bonded pairs, and cats with special health needs. These are the animals who might otherwise wait the longest at a shelter, and affoGATO gives them a warm, social environment to thrive in and be seen — which makes every visit feel like you’re doing something good just by showing up.
The signature affogato — and so much more. The name isn’t just clever wordplay. The cafe’s namesake treat is an affogato — Italian for “drowned” — an Italian coffee-based dessert consisting of a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream topped with a shot of hot espresso. Beyond that, the cafe has a full espresso machine, coffee, tea, and lots of fun non-coffee options, with a small seating area open to the public just like a normal cafe. Fan favorites that have been spotted on the menu include an iced Meowcchiato and an affogato made with vegan caramel pecan ice cream — both have earned enthusiastic praise from visitors.
House-roasted coffee with a cause. The owners personally roast their coffee using an air roaster in Willoughby, Ohio — a method that creates a more vibrant, bright, and less bitter roast than traditional drum roasting. One of their standout roasts, playfully called “Dumpster Cat,” is roasted to support their fosters and has become a hit with regulars. The cafe also tries to source as much of its products and services from local small businesses as reasonably possible, making every purchase a small act of local support.
Pastries, snacks, and dietary options. While the space is too small for a full kitchen — the cats demanded most of the square footage — there are a variety of delicious pastries and snacks to pair with your drinks. Vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and dye-free options are available, though guests with specific allergies are encouraged to let staff know so they can double-check tools, equipment, and ingredients.
Locally made merchandise and art. On the café side — which is separate from the kitty lounge room — there are delicious drinks, treats, friendly customer service, and products for sale made by local artists. It’s a great spot to pick up something uniquely Cleveland to take home.
Atmosphere & Décor
The cafe sits in the Tremont neighborhood, one of the oldest in Cleveland, where cool shops and an artsy vibe set the scene. Inside, that same energy carries through — trendy, yet welcoming and down-to-earth. It’s the kind of space that feels intentional and lived-in at the same time, a rare balance to strike.
After months of scouting locations, the owners designed the cafe and cat lounge areas with great care — particularly notable is the enormous catwalk in the cat room, which serves as a stunning piece of art as well as a functional element, giving cats a place to retreat when they need alone time. The space is well planned with a great layout, offering plenty of vertical space for the cats to roam and various seating options for humans to relax in the company of the cats.
The drink prep area is kept entirely separate from the cat lounge, with the two sides even operating on different air systems. This thoughtful design means the environment stays clean, controlled, and comfortable for both the cats and the guests — and it even means that allergy-prone visitors can stop by the café side and still support the rescue work.
Other Considerations
Do I need a reservation to visit? You’ll want to book ahead before visiting the cat lounge area — without a reservation, you’ll only be able to watch the cats through the glass. Reservations are highly recommended and easy to make online. Walk-ins are welcome on the café side, but if hanging out with the cats is the main event, plan ahead.
How much does it cost? The cat lounge is priced at around $10 per hour for adults and $8 per hour for children. Café drinks and treats are priced separately and are entirely optional — purchasing something is not required when visiting the cat lounge. Think of the lounge fee as a direct contribution to the cats’ care and the rescue mission at large.
Is it a good spot for families and kids? Many cats have been adopted because of the cafe, but just going to pet the cats and learn more about the business makes for a great date or family activity. It’s a great spot for a date, a meetup with friends, or even for bringing little ones — just be sure to register and bring kids on Sundays, which are the designated family-friendly time slots. The cafe also has ADA accommodations, making it accessible for guests with mobility needs.
What if I’m not a cat person — or I want to adopt? Even self-described non-cat people have found themselves won over here. More than a few first-time visitors have left wanting to return, noting that the knowledgeable and friendly staff make the experience approachable even for those who haven’t spent much time around cats. And if you do fall in love with one of the feline residents, the staff is super friendly and knowledgeable about the cats and their personalities, and they make the adoption process easy by providing resources for a seamless transition.
What’s the one thing to keep in mind? The roster of cats changes regularly as adoptions happen — sometimes quickly. There may be fewer cats on a given visit simply because so many were adopted over the weekend, which is ultimately a beautiful problem to have. Following affoGATO on social media is a great way to keep tabs on who’s currently in residence before your visit.
affoGATO Cat Cafe
📍 761 Starkweather Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Website: https://affogatocatcafe.com
