Durban coffee and cat lovers – we have the purrfect place for you!

If you love caffeine with a side of cat cuddles, then this is for you! MeanKat Café has just opened in Durban’s Morningside area, and it’s the city’s newest whisker-filled hangout where rescue cats rule the lounge while you enjoy your coffee and a bite. 

Founder Maahira Essack has always adored animals, especially cats. After years of learning their behaviour and understanding what makes them feel safe, she knew she wanted to foster. But she also wanted something bigger and more sustainable.

A feline sanctuary

MeanKat Café was created to help more rescue cats find loving homes, rather than just a few at a time. All the cats in the café are rescues, and the team works closely with local fosters on more urgent rehoming cases. Many of the kitties come from distressing or neglected environments and simply need a calm, loving space to reset.

Just like you!

Inspired by the incredible work of Suzanne Kunz from PMB Kitten Fostering & Rescue, Maahira recognised a key challenge: when cats are not adopted, fosters cannot take in new rescues. MeanKat helps ‘offload’ the surplus from fosters, increasing adoption opportunities and allowing more lives to be saved.

Guests pay an entry fee to spend time in the integrated cat lounge café space, and that fee goes directly to food, vet care, and the cats’ overall well-being.

What’s on the menu?

Fully halal and fully delicious. Expect specialty coffees, frappes, desserts and light café-style meals — all enjoyed while a whiskered companion supervises your snack choices.

MeanKat Café will also be hosting weekly events, including yoga, cat & canvas, make-up classes, beauty treatments and lots more stress-reducing events…surrounded by some kitty love! Check their socials for regular updates. 

What you need to know

• Address: 87 Smiso Nkwanyana Rd, Morningside, Durban
• Cost: R50 entry fee | R40 for students, pensioners, or families of 4 or more - all of which goes to supporting the cats
• Follow: @meankatcafe_durban on Instagram, @meankatcafe on TikTok and MeanKat Café on Facebook
• Registered NPC (2025/784731/08), volunteers and donations welcome!

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