By Cambria Kelly and Rosie Lu
“ITTY BITTY KITTY CUTEY CAT CAFE,” serenades enthusiastic co-author, Cambria Kelly, as we drive home from (believe it or not) a cat cafe. As caffeine-induced as the tune may seem, our visit to Nabi Cat Cafe deserved no less than this spirited self-produced song.
When we arrived at the cafe, we were greeted with a cute brick storefront that revealed a well-lit, Pinterest-worthy interior, decorated with posters of their bestselling drinks. Behind the counter stood two baristas, who kindly took our orders and directed us to the back of the shop. Behind a quaint yellow door lay a feline surprise; ten little kittens appeared before our eyes.
The homey interior of the cats’ living area had a whimsical, artsy theme, furnished with comfy cushions and sofas—a refreshing change from our first impression. The kittens barraged us with affection as soon as we sat down, and the urge to adopt the adorable little creatures was overwhelming. Then a beautiful sound blessed our ears: “Cambria? Your drinks arrived!”
The employee promptly set down our beverages, and the endearing presentation left us in awe–and one cute cat certainly agreed.
The kitten’s intrigue could not be blamed—the drinks were irresistibly delicious. We ordered three unique beverages in total, with two complimentary as part of the reservation.
Starting strong, we had the honey pear espresso tonic. This drink, pictured on the right, far exceeded our expectations. As strange as it may seem, the drink consisted of an espresso shot and tonic water, completed with the essence of Korean honey pear. The flavor profile of the espresso was nuanced, neither too bitter nor too watery, pairing perfectly with the fizz of the tonic water. A layer of velvety microfoam blanketed the espresso, infused with traces of honey pear coulis. Overall, the refreshing beverage was our top pick, and we’d certainly recommend it to anyone who visits.
Our second drink was a yakgwa einspanner, which, despite its complex-sounding name, pleased us with its rich simplicity. The base of the drink was an aromatic cold brew, but what perfected the drink was the enticing honey-infused cream cap. The yakgwa influence in the drink included notes of brown sugar and cinnamon, as well as a miniature packaged version of the Korean cookie. In general, the drink lacked bold flavors that would leave a memorable impression, but it provided a pleasant drinking experience nonetheless.
As we waited for our ride to take us home, we ordered one last drink on a whim. And boy, are we glad we did. The tiramisu latte was a cute recreation of the trendy dessert, made with an espresso base but infused with mascarpone flavors. The cream topping was akin to a cloud: fluffy and dissolving right on the tongue. Now, you must be thinking, “Wow, how could this drink get any better?” And yet it did. Going the extra mile, this superb drink was topped with a tasteful dusting of cacao powder and accompanied by two ladyfingers. The tiramisu latte was a wonderful end to our outing, but the beverage definitely tastes like a liquefied dessert due to its high sugar content—order it with caution.
All in all, Nabi Cat Cafe was the best we’ve visited in the Bay Area. It offered a variety of unique, handcrafted drinks blended with Korean influences, all of which were as creative as a specialty coffee shop menu. The kittens, for the most part, were affectionate and curious, and we thoroughly enjoyed petting them in the cozy lounge area. The reservation price of $28 may feel somewhat steep, but given the complimentary drink and comfortable setting, it was well worth our money. We left the cafe with our hearts and hunger satisfied, waving a tearful goodbye to our momentary feline companions.