Pause Cat Cafe is the South of England’s first dedicated cat café, located on Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth. It offers a plant-based menu alongside the company of rescue cats in a calm, two-floor setting designed for feline welfare. This page covers the café’s food and drink options, its atmosphere and layout, practical details on getting there, and what visitors should know before booking a visit.
The plant-based menu and drinks at Pause Cat Cafe
Pause Cat Cafe serves a fully plant-based menu that extends well beyond simple salads. The kitchen prepares warm dishes such as vegan mac and cheese, a homemade vegetarian burger, falafel wraps with houmous, and sandwiches featuring Dorset vegan cheese. Comfort food options include baked beans on toast and loaded jacket potatoes topped with a variety of vegan fillings. For lighter appetites, the café offers nachos, daily soup, and salads served on sourdough, wraps or gluten-free bases.
The drinks menu is a notable feature. Coffee is sourced from local roaster Bad Hand and prepared by trained baristas, with soya, oat and coconut milk alternatives available. Fresh juices and smoothies come from the café’s in-house Lion Bar, with signature blends like the Lionizer (a mix of fruit and vegetable juices) and the Meow-jito (a minty, refreshing smoothie). Milkshakes and speciality teas complement the beverage selection.
For those with a sweet tooth, the café offers chocolate brownies, scones served with jam and coconut cream, and a rotation of daily baked goods. Gluten-free and other dietary requirements are accommodated on request, ensuring a broad range of visitors can enjoy the menu comfortably.
The atmosphere and cat welfare at Pause Cat Cafe
Pause Cat Cafe is arranged over two floors, centred around its resident rescue cats. The cats have names such as Clifford, Liquorice, Bear, Noodle and Poppet, many of whom have come from challenging backgrounds. The layout prioritises their comfort, with quiet corners, climbing structures, and retreat spaces where cats can rest away from visitors if they wish.
The mood throughout the café is calm and peaceful rather than busy or noisy. The environment emphasises sanctuary and wellbeing, reflected in the plant-based menu and the café’s active involvement in animal welfare and community projects. Visitors often come for a relaxed hour of company, whether alone, with friends, or simply to enjoy the presence of cats.
This setting suits those who appreciate slow mornings or gentle socialising in a quiet atmosphere. It is particularly welcoming to cat lovers and those interested in supporting rescue and adoption efforts. The café’s ethos extends to education and raising awareness about animal welfare, making it more than just a place to eat and drink.
Location and access to Pause Cat Cafe
Pause Cat Cafe is located at 119 Old Christchurch Road, BH1 1EP, on the pedestrianised section of this busy shopping street in central Bournemouth. This stretch runs uphill from the main square and is well known for independent shops and eateries.
The café is within a 10-minute walk from Bournemouth railway station, making it accessible for visitors arriving by train. Several central bus routes stop nearby, providing easy public transport links from across the town and surrounding areas. The seafront is about a 15-minute walk away, allowing visitors to combine a café visit with a stroll along the beach or a day exploring Bournemouth town centre.
For those arriving by car, several public car parks serve the town centre, including the nearby Churchill Square and Lansdowne multi-storey car parks. These are within a short walking distance of Old Christchurch Road.
Booking, visiting and practical information
Visits to Pause Cat Cafe are by session only, with time limits in place to ensure the cats’ wellbeing and to manage visitor numbers. Booking ahead is strongly recommended and can be done online via the café’s official website. This allows visitors to select preferred session times and avoid disappointment during busy periods.
The café welcomes visitors aged 8 and over, but it is advisable to check the current policy on children before booking, as the environment is designed to be calm and cat-friendly. Dogs are not permitted inside, maintaining a stress-free space for the resident cats.
Visitors should arrive on time for their booked session and follow any guidance provided by staff regarding interaction with the cats. The café encourages respectful behaviour, allowing the cats to approach visitors on their own terms.
Pause Cat Cafe also runs occasional events and community projects related to animal welfare and adoption, details of which are available on their website or social media channels.
Who Pause Cat Cafe suits and what to expect
Pause Cat Cafe is ideal for anyone who enjoys animal company and plant-based food in a relaxed setting. It suits solo visitors looking for a quiet hour, friends meeting for coffee and conversation, and families with older children interested in cats and rescue work.
The café’s focus on rescue cats means it appeals to animal welfare supporters and those curious about adoption. It is less suited to visitors seeking a traditional café atmosphere or those with young children needing a more active environment.
Because the café prioritises the cats’ comfort, visitors should expect a calm, gentle pace and be prepared to follow staff instructions to ensure the wellbeing of the animals.
Nearby places to explore and eat
Pause Cat Cafe is part of a lively area with plenty of options for shopping, dining and sightseeing. After visiting, you might explore the wider Old Christchurch Road area, known for its independent shops and cafés.
For more places to eat and drink nearby, the Food & Drink guide lists restaurants, pubs and cafés across Bournemouth. If you want to combine your visit with a walk or day out, the Things to Do section covers attractions, gardens and activities around the town.
For those staying in Bournemouth, the Where to Stay page provides information on hotels, B&Bs and self-catering apartments, including the Flexiestays aparthotels on the West Cliff.