We are proud to be one of the earliest cat cafes in the US, and one of the first to launch in New York City’s most populous borough. We’re the only cafe in the city run by a non-profit animal rescue organization. Our mission is to save our city’s cats, and we advance it by offering a hip and inviting destination where cat lovers of all ages can interact with adoptable animals – and one another – while learning about pet rescue and care together too.
"Nyanko" is a Japanese slang term roughly equivalent to "kitty" or "kittycat" in English, and we take our inspiration from cat cafes in Japan, where the concept has flourished. Over the last decade the cat cafe phenomenon has spread throughout the world, and now Nyanko Cafe is America's first cat cafe to offer Japanese desserts.
Located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Nyanko Cafe has an artisanal Japanese-influenced menu, plus western style drinks and desserts – and a big, furry family of 12 adoptable cats. Our kitties roam freely around three cat-centric spaces: The sunlit Upper Cattery, the warm and cozy Lower Cattery, and a first-of-its-kind outdoor Catio. We also have a revolving exhibition of world-class artwork, and a roster of weekly events that celebrate cats and Japanese culture.
Our central mission is to find loving homes for cats pulled from the city's "at-risk" list by our partner, Anjellicle Cats Rescue. The at-risk list is the last stand for New York City's cats – they are scheduled to be euthanized shortly thereafter. At this point Anjellicle activates its network of foster homes and pulls as many cats as possible from the list. Some of these lucky kitties end up at Koneko, where they're able to be adopted by our guests. We are humbled to be a part of this extraordinary rescue network.
1. We love cats and want to create a safe, fun, and unique environment for them to hang out with people.
2. We think there should be a place where people can relax, be inspired, and celebrate cats and their inner Cat Person.
3. We believe every adoptable cat needs a forever home, and we support the dedicated organizations making that happen.