Coffee tastes better when a cat is nearby, and Arkansas has a growing list of places that prove it. These five cafes and animal hangouts let you sip, snack, and spend time with adoptable cats and dogs.
Some are full cat lounges with admission fees, while one is a vegan coffee shop inside a pet adoption center. Each stop has its own personality, from a cafe for overlooked cats to a churro shop with a mission.
Pick one for a weekend outing, and you might leave with a new best friend.
1. Gibson’s Cat Café
Laptop in one hand and a coffee in the other, you can settle in here while adoptable cats and kittens wander the kitty lounge. Gibson’s Cat Café sits at 3820 Dave Ward Dr Ste 1700 in Conway, and it works as both a coffee stop and a place to meet cats before deciding to adopt.
The menu leans on locally roasted coffee and a solid tea selection. Free Wi-Fi makes it a workable spot for students or remote workers, and a fireplace adds to the casual, quiet feel.
Live music and live performances are listed among the highlights.
Families are welcome, and there is a kids’ menu. Table service is not offered, and reservations are not accepted, so just walk in.
Free parking is available, and Saturday afternoon tends to be the busiest time.
Hours run Monday noon to 6 PM, Tuesday through Thursday 11 AM to 6 PM, Friday 11 AM to 9 PM, and Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM. The cafe is closed Sunday.
Call 501-459-2111 for questions.
2. Something Pawsitive
Paragould has a brick storefront on Pruett Street where cats get the spotlight. Something Pawsitive, at 223 S Pruett St, is a cat cafe built around meeting adoptable felines in a relaxed setting.
The space includes plenty of interactive areas for the cats to climb and explore. They are just as happy to curl up next to you for some petting.
Visitors can also learn about each cat’s background, which helps in finding a personality that matches your own.
Parking is easy, with a free lot, free street parking, and on-site spaces. The town has roughly 30,000 residents, so this is a nice stop on a Northeast Arkansas day trip.
Plan around the schedule. Doors are open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 AM to 6 PM, Thursday and Friday 10 AM to 8 PM, and Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM.
It is closed Sunday and Monday. The phone number is 870-586-4244.
3. Beans and Whiskers LLC
Churros and cats are an unexpected pairing, but Beans and Whiskers in Harrison makes it work. The shop at 2001 Capps Rd specializes in churros and quality coffee, with a cat lounge next door to the treats.
The cats are fostered through a partnership with the local humane society, and lounge time helps socialize them for adoption. A small fee applies for cat lounge visits, which supports the shop’s community mission.
The business is family and veteran owned. It also supports employment opportunities for people on the spectrum, which gives a visit a purpose beyond the snack.
Harrison is an Ozarks community of about 13,000 people. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM, closed Sunday and Monday.
Call 870-280-1968 for details.
4. The Smitten Kitten NWA
Oddballs, oldies, and shy guys are the stars here. The Smitten Kitten NWA calls itself a cat cafe for the underdogs, and the cats come from local rescues and shelters.
You will find it directly off Sycamore at 524 W Sycamore St in Fayetteville. Admission is listed at 12 dollars for the whole day, from noon to 6 PM, and it includes self-serve coffee and tea.
The cats have distinct personalities that show up the longer you stay. They seem well cared for while they wait for forever homes, and the nonprofit mission is a big part of the appeal.
It is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 6 PM and closed Monday through Wednesday. The phone number is 479-308-4046.
Bookmark this one if you have a soft spot for cats that get passed over.
5. Third Space Coffee
Here is the only stop on this list where dogs are part of the plan. Third Space Coffee is a vegan coffee shop inside the Best Friends Pet Resource Center at 1312 Melissa Dr in Bentonville, with adoptable cats and dogs on site.
The menu is fully vegan and vegetarian, with plant-based and gluten-free pastries, coffee, and a good tea selection. Prices are listed at about 1 to 10 dollars per person, so it is an easy budget stop.
Seating is available inside and outside, and you can play with kittens or hang out with dogs available for adoption. Curbside pickup and takeout are offered, and there is a kids’ menu.
Wi-Fi and free parking are included.
Hours are Tuesday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4 PM and Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM to 4 PM. It is closed Monday.
Call 479-519-1747 for more information.