The Rat Cafe: Forget Kitties, Rodents Are Your Latest Coffee Companions

Stroking animals has been proven to reduce stress, promote happiness and even improve your health. But we're not sure tickling a rat under its chin is quite what the researchers had in mind.

But the spooksters over at the London Dungeon are determined to change our opinion of the rodents, encouraging visitors to get up close and personal at the tourist attraction's pop-up Rat Cafe.

The cafe offered 'rattucinos' for punters to sip along with a slice of car-rat cake or a black forrest rat-eaux.

Oh and the little critters are only running around the place completely free to dash over your toes and jump into your lap. They can be cuddled and petted if you're so inclined. And you'll be pleased to hear that despite their pun-tastic names, no rat parts make up any of the ingredients for food and drink on offer.

But the move isn't just a fun gimmick by London's scariest tourist attraction, it's also an attempt to rehabilitate the humble rat.

General manager Hywel Mathias explained: "Rats have been tarnished with an undeserved reputation throughout history – from the Black Death of the Middle Ages to the great stink of Victorian times.

"We wanted to challenge those perceptions and show they are actually characterful and full of fun."

The rats have all been taken from their day jobs around the Dungeon for the special duties.

"We have 18 rodents living here, and they are a huge hit with our guests, who get to see them close up in their special display, with giant viewing windows," Mathias added.

But though the Dungeon is considering a longer-running rat cafe, this pop-up edition was for carefully selected rat-fans only.

Maria Cabrera, who booked her place in advance said: “The rats are so cute, and really soft to touch – I didn’t want to give them back!”

The Rafe, if you will, joins a long list of bizarre novelty cafes and we wouldn't be surprised to see it continue.

Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium in East London, were you can pet cats while you enjoy your afternoon tea, is going from strength to strength, after being introduced from Tokyo earlier this year.

And it seems Asia is the place to go for an unusual cafe experience.

You could try the Barbie restuarant in Taipei, Taiwan where you can eat cakes that look just like Barbie, or the Hello Kitty Cafe in Seoul, South Korea, where you can order HK-themed coffee, cold drinks and treats.

And  in China why bother with humans at all? You can instead have robots waiting your tables at the Robo Restaurant.

Would you try out a rat cafe?

[Cafes with extra petting]
[Why dogs and cats make you healthier]