Inside Catzen Coffee, St. Paul's first cat cafe

How it works: The space is split in two, with a coffee shop serving specialty drinks in a kitty-free environment and a glass-walled "cat den" that seats around 20 people.

• Unlike many cat cafes, there's no additional fee to sit in the den — owner Vanessa Beardsley just asks that visitors purchase a beverage, which you can bring inside.

The other side: Because the cats also have full-time access to private quarters in the basement, there's no guarantee you'll see all of them during your visit.

• Beardsley also recently changed the policy on children in the den. Kids under 15 are now only allowed Saturdays from 7am-9am and need a reservation.

💭 Audrey's thought bubble: Despite being a cat lover, I rarely visited the cat cafe near me because of the smell. I'm pleased to report the Den was very comfortable, cozy and odor-free — and the coffee was excellent.

• But if you're going after 10am, prepare to wait. When I initially visited at 2pm Wednesday, the line was nearly out the door.

Stop by: Catzen Coffee is open Wednesday-Sunday starting at 7am, with reservations required on weekends.

• Take a look inside via our Instagram.