REVIEW: Feline fun and coffee bliss at Bertha’s Beans Cafe

Liv Martin

September 18, 2024

A picture of the café’s namesake, Bertha the cat, is displayed proudly on the wall in the middle of the café’s sitting room on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 in Columbia, Mo. Because the owners wanted a cat café, they thought it would make more sense to have a cat as the namesake rather than their two dogs, so Bertha became a resident cat.

Bertha’s Beans Cat Cafe is roughly a 10-minute walk from campus and is the purr-fect place for a break and cuddle time with cats of all sorts

Upon arrival at Bertha’s Beans Cat Cafe, my friend and I were immediately greeted by cats pawing at the huge glass window that allowed bypassers to peer inside and see the abundance of towers and toys for the cats to play with.

Customers can order drinks and pastries in a room next to the cat’s playroom. The two rooms are separated by a wall and set of doors, the wall has a large double sided window that allows the cats to see you, and vice-versa.

The cafe had a menu full of coffees, pastries, small snack plates and much more that we could pick from. Anything we ordered we were allowed to bring into the cat room with warning that some cats might try to take our food.

Bertha’s Beans Cat Cafe currently has 12-15 cats, three of which are permanent residents there. Beans is an orange tabby with two different colored eyes, Freddy, is a black and white Persian and Chai is a black, orange and white cat who spends most of the time sleeping. All other cats are available for adoption and have their picture, name and small bio posted on a whiteboard for anyone to read.

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Cat Sm 1 — Texas the cat peeks through a hole on a cat shelf in the sitting area on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Bertha’s Beans café in Columbia, Mo. According to his card in the sitting room, “Texas loves to play, but loves to cuddle more!”

Columbia Second Chance, a rescue organization, works with Bertha’s Beans Cat Cafe to donate cats that they feel are friendly to stay at the cafe. While most cats adjust to being at the cafe within a few weeks, some unfortunately go back to the shelter.

All of the cats inside the cafe are extremely friendly and playful. My favorite cat was Freddy, who was very relaxed but still playful and fun to engage with. Additionally, the cafe has many younger cats who are full of life and energy. Planks of wood that are installed in the walls around the cafe allow the cats to climb high and explore, guaranteeing they will not get tired or bored.

While Bertha’s Beans Cat Cafe normally takes reservations, they are currently working on a walk-in only basis as their website gets an upgrade. Before visiting, it is important to visit their website to see operating hours and to fill out a required form before spending time with the cats. It costs $7 for 30 minutes and $12 for an hour session.

Bertha’s Beans Cat Cafe is a must visit for everyone in Columbia. Between the lovely workers and sweet cats, it is a wonderful place to relax and cool down after a long day.