Pune on My Plate: All about city’s cafes that give a royal treat to your pets too

The Pets Cafe at Koregaon Park

At The Pets Café, customers can bring their pets as it is a cage-free, leash-free space. Maintaining hygiene is a priority. “We have two staff members dedicated to cleaning pet areas, and the space is mopped twice daily,” said owner Devesh Baheti.

“Sanitizers and lint rollers are available at every table. We use only natural cleaning products to avoid allergies to dogs, and our crockery is washed twice daily. Pet food is stored separately to prevent cross-contamination,” he explained.

He said that the Cafe has three pet dogs, and a professional groomer visits weekly for their care. “Taking care of dogs is like raising kids—we adapt as challenges arise. Despite strict rules against feeding them human food, some guests don’t follow them. So our managers supervise closely. For safety, we have a vet and trainer on call and ensure all boarding dogs are medically certified and well-trained.”

The Fat Labrador Café, Bavdhan

The Labrador Café is a pet-friendly café established in 2018. Smita Murthy, owner of the café, said, “We have an open kitchen, so pets are not allowed inside. However, we have an outdoor seating area where guests can sit with their pets.”

Talking about the challenges, Murthy added, “Some visitors who don’t have pets or are not pet-friendly often come here. If that bothers, this may not be the place for you.”

The Pet Feast Café, Viman Nagar

Pet Feast Café has been running for the past seven years. Its owner, Sonal Zalkikar, said, “We started as an online pet bakery, specializing in fresh food, gourmet meals, and pet-friendly cakes. What was missing was customer interaction. So we created a space where pets have a dedicated menu and a section for toys, clothes, and merchandise. It’s a place to celebrate pet birthdays, enjoy a patisserie, and even has a dedicated menu for pet parents.”

On maintaining hygiene, Zalkikar said they use separate utensils for pets and people, ensuring thorough cleaning with antibacterial solutions after every pet’s meal. “Our kitchen staff follows strict protocols, using different utensils and scrubbing methods. The café itself is cleaned three times a day to maintain high standards,” Zalkikar explained.

Cafe Rustle Nest, Baner

Located in Baner, Cafe Rustle Nest offers a peaceful, pet-friendly experience with both indoor and outdoor seating. “We don’t believe in loud music or distractions, as they may disturb pets,” said manager Bipul Dey, who was involved in the cafe’s ideation.

Founded by chef Sagar Gire around four to six years ago, the cafe offers both continental and Indian dishes. A customer favourite is the creamy chicken Peri Peri. Though the café doesn’t have a dedicated pet menu, guests can request simple dishes like steamed chicken and vegetables. An in-house dog named Charlie often greets visitors at the entrance, and the café occasionally hosts community pet events. The tranquil ambiance converted from an old bungalow makes it a favourite for remote workers and pet lovers alike.

They offers a peaceful, pet-friendly experience with both indoor and outdoor seating. (Express Photo)

Cafe Katha on Law College Road

Cafe Katha blends a love for books with a love for pets. “We wanted to create a space where people can come, read, relax, and also bring their pets,” said Namrata Atre, owner of the cafe. The cafe, set in a converted bungalow, offers a calm indoor space and an open outdoor area for guests and their pets.

Though the cafe doesn’t have a full-fledged pet menu, they do provide simple items like boiled eggs for pets. “We’re working on a dedicated dog menu soon,” Atre added. “What makes our cafe unique is the peaceful environment, the nostalgic bungalow setting, and the fact that we don’t charge people for bringing pets, we want families to come and enjoy good food and time together,” she said

Among the customer favourites are wood-fired pizzas, pink sauce pasta, and a variety of craft beers.

9 Lives Cat Café on FC Road

This café, opened in December 2024, is home to 12 cats. Only cats are allowed here. “The café serves packaged food for its cats, while customers can enjoy a limited menu with coffee, tea, and other items. Our staff makes sure the cats don’t eat the customers’ food,” said Sarita Kale, who came up with the idea for the café. It is owned by Aditya Devdhar.

“We allow customers to spend time with our cats, but we have strict rules. Lifting the cats is not allowed as it’s not good for them. Our team watches closely to ensure no one picks them up or feeds them. Children below six years are not allowed in the cat area, as they may not know how to handle them. Cats can be moody and may scratch,” said Kale.

“We have a mix of Indian, Persian, Bengal, and Himalayan cats. Many people have shown interest, and we have also adopted rescued cats,” Kale added.

(Tanisha Kunden and Divyaja Kalyankar are interns with The Indian Express)