Tinker's Cat Cafe
302 E 900th S, Salt Lake City, UT
Crema's Take
“Tinker's Cat Cafe offers a unique dual experience where you can linger over traditional coffee and pastries in a bright, welcoming space while spending time with adoptable cats in a separate, quiet room—making it as much a refuge for rescue animals as it is for people seeking a cozy meeting spot. The cafe has clearly touched lives beyond caffeine, with customers returning years later to celebrate adopted cats they found there, creating a genuine community around both good coffee and animal welfare. While service can be inconsistent, the concept itself—combining a genuine cat sanctuary with a functional neighborhood cafe—sets it apart from typical specialty coffee shops.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Smelled horrible, lady at the counter was nice but there was some other lady who was rude. And she kept staring at us from the corner like a creep. There was also only like 4 cats that seemed pretty unhappy, there was even one continuously meowing at the door to get out
I thought our visit to tinkers cat Cafe would be more enchanting and vibrant. The two ladies working behind the counter were not friendly and they looked very unhappy (not good hosts). The cats were loving (thank God someone made us feel welcome) but otherwise, our visit felt more like a dental appointment. The energy was too negative for us to want to return again. If the two ladies working behind the counter would have been happier and more welcoming (better hosts) it would have made a big difference. Tinkers cat Cafe promotes animals and human kindness (which is wonderful) but it lacks enthusiasm and positive energy tremendously.
The local cat cafe, costing entry fee by the hour/person and with a very easy-to-use online reservation system. Half section for food/drinks, with decent selection and tons of cute stuff for sale. Its a good place to hang out before/after, or just for taking a break. The other half is where the cats are (12ish) - stocked with alot of toys, cat trees, and seating area... glass windows for people watching. There's even cat books and cat board games, as well as bios and decor showcasing all cats, past & present. The cat:guest ratio on the weekend is a little low, so its good that other things to see and do are provided. There's a good variety of cats - saw siamese, russian blue, tabbies and blackties, ranging in age and temperment as well. Its very cool how many cats they've gotten adopted since they've opened! The best trick is to come on a slower day, and sit patiently for a cat to come to you. They can be easily over stimulated when too many people are around, but overall they are a pretty great collection of cats.
We went back today a couple years after adopting “Curly” and saw him on all the adopted cats board! We’re so grateful to Tinker’s Cat Café for bringing this lil guy into our lives. We took our kids to hang out with the cats and they had so much fun! The staff is nice and they have a few fun cat themed activities for you to do while you visit. The drinks were a bit too sweet for my liking. I got the Meow and my partner got the Sphinx. They were still good. Here’s an updated picture of Curly now known as Mochi.
Clean, well lit cafe area with tables and benches to enjoy a cup of coffee and a delicious cookie next to a quiet, enclosed space with soft and friendly kitties! There are also games and activities to enjoy while you visit and are all cat-themed! The staff here are so friendly and accommodating. Some of the cats are also available for adoption! I definitely recommend this place for cat lovers!!!
Crema Reviews
You might also like
Dear Coco
★ 5.0 (285)
Dear Coco is a gorgeously designed café that doubles as a curated boutique,…
Cafe 140B
★ 4.8 (192)
Tucked into a charming Salt Lake City neighborhood, this split-level café…
Eats
★ 4.3 (1,929)
Eats is a beautifully designed restaurant near Gallivan Plaza that feels more…
Caffeine Station
★ 5.0 (333)
This Salt Lake City neighborhood gem is helmed by an owner with 20 years of…