Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST
Cat 'Luca' sleeps in his basket as a waitress serves some food to customers in Vienna's first cat cafe.

After three years of negotiations with city officials over hygiene issues, Austria opened its first cat cafe last Friday. 'Cafe Neko', "Neko" meaning cat in Japanese, was opened by Vienna resident Takako Ishimitsu, 47, from Japan.

Customers can stroke and interact with their five feline hosts, named Sonja, Thomas, Moritz, Luca and Momo, who all came from an animal shelter and now freely roam about the cafe and take naps.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Cat 'Moritz' sits in his basket in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Pedestrians are reflected in the entrance of Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

A customer speaks on her mobile phone as cat 'Moritz' strolls about in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

The menu of Vienna's first cat cafe is pictured.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Owner Takako Ishimitsu holds cat Moritz in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Customers watch cat 'Moritz' sitting on a chair in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

A customer plays with cat 'Moritz' in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Cat 'Sonja' sits on the legs of a customer in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Cat 'Luca' sits in his basket in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Customers watch cat 'Moritz' in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Customers watch cat 'Moritz' in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Magazines are pictured on a shelf as customers enjoy a coffee in Vienna's first cat cafe.

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

A customer watches cat 'Thomas' inspects his basket in Vienna's first cat cafe.  

Click NEXT to read more...


Visit Vienna's first cat cafe!

Last updated on: May 18, 2012 11:27 IST

Cat 'Sonja' licks herself clean while lying on the floor in Vienna's first cat cafe.