Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium

It was only a matter of time before I would make the inevitable visit to the newly opened cat cafe located in Shoreditch. Thursday was that day. I, accompanied by Alexa, ventured East to experience the baked delights and feline company Lady Dinah's have to offer. And what an afternoon it was. 

If you know me or follow me on any of my social media sites you will be well aware I am fairly obsessed with animals. I will happily and proudly admit to the fact I take far too many photos of my cats back at home and indulge in one too many Tumblr posts of black pugs, baby pandas, French bull dogs and the like. So when last year I was first informed of a cat cafe opening in London, I just knew this would be the place for me. 

The cafe has been fully booked up from the moment it opened but they often tweet out booking cancellations or no-shows to allow those of us not quite as organised to book a reservation, to join their cats for tea and cakes.

We hung out around Shoreditch, gorging ourselves on the take-out food trucks and having a little browse of the shops down Brick Lane before, as if by magic, a space opened up. It then became a race between us (who were now inhaling the remains of lunch down ourselves) as we power-walked up Brick Lane to beat another Twitter follower to the two newly available seats for the 4.15 slot. I am convinced this is how fights will now break out in Shoreditch - impatient cat-lovers, squabbling over who's allowed to pet the cats whilst sipping on green tea. 

Once we'd established we were the chosen ones to cover the cancelled booking, we were escorted past the cake-laden counter top through to a little room. In this room they explain the Four Rules of the Cat Emporium which are there to ensure the cats well being and make sure that they enjoy your company as much as you enjoy theirs - which is more than reasonable!

After a quick hand-wash we were finally allowed to enter Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium, which bettered all my pre-visit expectations. The most perfect collection of cats were snoozing, strolling and playing as we walked through and descended the cat-littered (not literally cat litter, as that would be weird) stairs.

The whole cafe is laid out as a home and play area for the cats. The bookshelves consist of a series of secret pathways, scratch poles and beds for the cats to play, sleep and explore. If I was a rescue cat I couldn't think of a more puurrrfect (i'm sorry I couldn't help myself) setting to live and be loved.  

Lady Dinah's have a delicious array of both savoury and sweet food which you can order whilst relaxing and petting your new furry friends. We decided to go straight for the sweet and ordered Green Tea with scones - mine a raisin and Alexa's a sugar scone - obviously with strawberry jam and clotted cream.

Followed by a Sticky Toffee Cupcake because it sounded (and tasted) too amazing to resist. Summer body prep?

We spent a good couple of hours relaxing and playing with the cats.

Our favourite was Wookie, he's so cute and pretty. I didn't want to leave him there but decided it really wouldn't be appropriate to take him home in my handbag, as tempting as the thought was. We'll be back Wookie, don't worry. 

For any London cat-lovers who are missing not having cats in London this is the ideal location for you to come and enjoy some feline company over a cup of tea with like-minded friends. Petting cats has been proven to release endorphins which make you happier, so there really isn't an excuse not to visit.

And come on, look at his little face. 

Lady Dinah's is located a short walk-away from Shoreditch High Street Station, you can book online here or turn up on the day like we did and hope for the best!