I’ve heard people say that when you are little you learn a lot of things from your siblings, like how to act and socialize with others. This is probably why, as a child who only had siblings with whiskers and nine lives, I often find people comparing my behaviors to those of a cat and I find myself extremely comfortable in spaces where I see a cat resting peacefully. 

One April afternoon while scooting my way through downtown Reykjavik I found myself in need of a little break from the grey chilly weather. The rain was coming down every hour or so and bounced between a downpour and misty spitting cold wind, punctuated by bursts of sunshine that did nothing except make you a little sweaty in your rain jacket. 

I decided what was needed was to truly get dry and find some place to relax for a bit. Luckily after a short google search, I discovered a little shop that provided the two things that bring me the most relaxation: Coffee and cats. I dropped a pin on my map, zipped up my windbreaker and scooted my rental scooter as fast as was legally allowed to ​Kattakaffihúsið. 

Long ago, where every we nordic folks travelled in the world, our cats usually followed, on the ships of our explorers and settlers to warm us during cold dark nights, to bring good fortune and help keep pests away. Iceland is no exception and when the nordic people came to the island, they brought many cats and the people of Iceland is proud of its furry residents and you will find them all over the city, with even a tour devoted to them and depicted on everything from murals to Tshirts.

Opened in 2018 by two friends Gígja Sara Björnsson and Ragnheidur Birgisdóttir, ​Kattakaffihúsið, provides the people of the city with delicious beverages, delectable sandwiches and other small bites, but most importantly, friendly felines to lounge around and keep you company while you spend some time in their cafe. With soft pink walls and shaggy pillows laying about I quickly settled in and found myself as cozy as the number of cats I began to notice also tucked away in little corners around the shop. 

I chose a nice window table next to a well dressed gentleman who I learned was named Hugo. He politely snoozed while I sipped one of the many flavored lattes offered on the menu and munched on a hot panini. Hugo was a wonderful host. One coffee quickly turned into two as Hugo and I cuddled up in our fluffy window seat while I read and he continued his afternoon nap as I absentmindedly stroked him. Every once in a while the quiet and calm was broken, but only slightly, as guests trickled in with a jingle of the door’s bell or the soft sound that a cat makes when yawning very big and doing a great stretch as they got up and mingled and greeted patrons.

The best part of ​Kattakaffihúsið is that all of their cats are in need of homes and available to be adopted. Instead of having to live in the confines of a shelter, the cats get to enjoy the freedom of roaming the cafe & as many pets as they would like and guests have a chance to sit down and spend time with a potential family member in a calm cozy environment. 

As I finished my drink I bid my new friend Hugo thankyou for being such a lovely reading companion and wished that a kind Icelander would take him home soon, however I felt happy knowing that in the meantime he would be lavished with attention and love from all of the other patrons in the cafe. 

​ There are few things better than coffee and animals but ​Kattakaffihúsið managed to top it by also being a good cause, and I can’t wait to return for another delicious latte the next time I’m in town and need to be in the comfort of some feline family.