My daughter has always loved pugs so it seemed only right that I take her to the CuppaPug Cafe London.
Based in east London, this cosy cafe is a wonderful experience where you can hang out with a small herd of snorting, snuffling pugs. It’s the perfect day out for pug-lovers, dog lovers or if you simply want to escape from the stresses of daily life. I can promise you that nothing will put a smile on your face faster than a grumble of curious pugs.
If you are thinking about visiting the CuppaPug Cafe London then here’s what to expect.
CuppaPug Cafe London
CuppaPug originally opened in 2022 in Hagerston but has since moved to a bigger location in Hackney.
One of a handful of dog cafes in London, the cafe was founded by Matt Pieterse and Aaron Carey with the aim to create a safe and nurturing community around pugs while also spreading pug joy. They work with three charity partners and £1 from every booking goes towards helping rescue and re-home abandoned pugs through their dedicated initiative CuppaPug Rescue.
The cafe actively seeks out vulnerable pugs and provide them a welcoming home for as long as is needed, making sure they are well looked after until the pugs find new owners.
At any of the CuppaPug Cafes (they now have locations in Manchester, Edinburgh, California and Texas in addition to the London branch),any pug wearing a pink bandana is available for adoption. Over the years, the cafe has successfully helped dozens of pugs find a new pug family.
But while the focus of the cafe is very much on helping to find new homes for rescue pugs, the vibe is very pink paradise and a whole lot of joy. So, even if you are not in a position to adopt a new pup, you can still visit this pug playground for a sure-fire dopamine hit.
Our visit to the CuppaPug Cafe
We visited the original CuppaPug Cafe London location but while the address is different now that the cafe has moved, the good news is that the experience is still very much the same.
We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, checked in for our pre-booked session, sanitised our hands and were then welcomed into the main pug lounge.
The pug café is not huge but what it might lack in size it more than makes up for in happiness: there’s pink pug wallpaper, pink fluffy cushions, a pink ball pit, put murals by mural artist Marco and more.
There are no tables in this cafe so the pups are free to roam as they please but there’s a seating area to one side of the room where we sat and waited for the stars of the show to arrive.
And then, out toddled the pack of pint-sized pugs snuffling and snorting away. If you’ve never spent time with pugs before then it’s worth knowing that they curious, comedic and very cute.
No sooner had they arrived then they were crowding around us and the other visitors, eager to see if we had any treats to share. That’s the other thing you should know about pugs, they love treats!
CuppaPug offers a fun and colourful menu for humans, including smoothies and coffees that arrive with a froth stencil of a pug. There is also a menu for the pugs and, if you really want to bond with your new furry friend, you will order a Pupccino and a strawberry bowl.
It turns out that pugs love sliced strawberries and no sooner had we ordered one then all six pugs crowded around us eager to snaffle a strawberry or two. Despite their small size, the pugs are very enthusiastic and it can be a little overwhelming for younger children. Even my then 12-year-old daughter found the pugs’ attention a little much at times!
The Pugs
What makes CuppaPug particularly lovely is that the dogs are genuine residents, not brought in just for entertainment. The pugs are well-cared for, used to socialising and do not spend all day in the cafe (and at night they head home for a well-earned rest).
Equally, when the pugs are in the cafe, they are in charge of how much interaction they want and when one of them wanted a break, they snuffled over to their private rest area.
There are nine resident pugs at the London cafe including Gizmo, Aaron and Matt’s original pup. At seven weeks old, vets discovered that Gizmo had two heart conditions and predicted that he was unlikely to survive. Aaron adopted Gizmo and now, nearly five years later, he is thriving.
Other pugs on patrol include Gaston, Bruce, Bowser, Ball, Bronson, Gunn, and brothers Bridge and Banx. Not all pugs are present in every session so you can never be sure who you might get when you visit.
If ever you’re having a bad day – or visiting London on a rainy day – then I can highly recommend time out in the CuppaPug Cafe London. This is such a delightful experience and it’s impossible not to leave smiling whether you’re a die-hard pug fan or not. My daughter loved it and so did I.
CuppaPug Cafe Details
CuppaPug in London is located at Arch 187 Nursery Road, Hackney Central, E9 6PB (look a CityMapper for travel details).
The cafe is open Thursday to Saturday 11am – 7pm (last booking is 6pm) and Sunday 11am – 6pm.
Tickets cost adult / child / family £20.61 / £10.31 / £51.51.
Children are aged 1 – 15; family tickets are for two adults and two children.
If you are bringing your own pug (BYOP) then tickets cost £10.31.
Tips for visiting CuppaPug
1. Make sure to book in advance as spaces fill quickly, particularly at weekends and during school holidays
2. Arrive 15 minutes before your booking time. Staff will give you a quick introduction about the pugs and how the session works.
3. The sessions last one hour and the pugs will be around for 50 minutes of that time.
4. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
5. Keep an eye on younger children. CuppaPug Cafe London is very family-friendly but the pugs can be very inquisitive and boisterous.
6. Morning sessions are best for engagement and fun, afternoons are when the pugs tend to be a little quieter so is a good time for cuddles.
7. You can bring your own pug if they are vaccinated (and males must be neutered).
8. All pugs in pink bandanas are up for adoption.
