MiaoMiao Cafe
Address: 808 South 200 East
Telephone: 801-410-8838
Website: instagram.com/miaomiaocafeut
District: Central City
“Cats can bring joy to people of all ages and can help them to get through emotional times. Sometimes a customer asks me, ‘What is your favorite cat?’ I say, I love every one of them. They are all different, and I want to share them with others.” That is how Lisa Chen, who moved to Utah from China in 2007, describes the inspiration behind MiaoMiao Café, a charming cat-themed space that merges handmade desserts, specialty drinks, and, of course, a family of cats she considers her children.
Lisa runs the café with her husband, Ken, a Utah native of Chinese descent who met her while working abroad. The two bonded over food, coffee, and eventually a shared love of animals. They married in China and then came to Utah. Today, their combined backgrounds - Lisa’s experience working in coffee shops in China and Ken’s family history in the restaurant business - come together in one of the sweetest corners of Salt Lake City.
Lisa’s passion for animals started with a golden retriever named Dong Dong and a rag-doll cat named Ding Ding. Although it began with two pets, the numbers quickly expanded. “She just wanted to find a friend for Ding Ding,” Ken explained with a laugh. “Next thing we knew, we had seven cats, and now four kittens too.” The kittens were born unexpectedly at the café after one of their imported cats from China gave birth. “We tried to keep them separated,” Ken said. “But they were still young, and it happened fast.”
Lisa and Ken opened MiaoMiao Café in the spring of 2025. It is more than a business for Lisa; it is a place where she channels her love for her pets, her creativity, and her desire to bring joy to others. The café’s decor is a whimsical celebration of cats and cuteness: delicate cakes shaped like bear paws, tiny crepes filled with whipped cream and fruit, and iced lattes served with frozen bear-shaped coffee cubes. Everything is made to be both beautiful and fun. Lisa bakes many of the desserts herself, including Basque cheesecakes, sweet potato creations, and cat-shaped rice cakes. “I like to make pretty things,” she said simply.
The space is split into two parts: a cozy seating area for enjoying drinks and desserts, and a larger cat room accessible through a small door, where guests can meet and interact with the feline residents, including rare breeds with fluffy tails not commonly seen in the U.S. One of the more unexpected companions is a parakeet that flies freely through the cat room, adding to the surreal charm of the space.
What started as a dream to share her cats with others has evolved into something more layered. The café is currently being remodeled to include an enclosed viewing area, allowing visitors to enjoy watching the cats even if they do not enter the cat room itself - ideal for those with allergies or just stopping in for a coffee. The couple also plans to expand their offerings in the warmer months with later hours, outdoor seating, and new seasonal treats like snow ice desserts and fruit drinks.
Before launching MiaoMiao Café, Lisa co-owned another restaurant with Ken - Sasa Kitchen in the Foothills, which they opened in 2013, and is still in operation. "Sometimes you don't have a plan, and you do what you know, so I opened Chinese restaurants." But this new venture is different. “She wanted a change,” Ken explained. “Not kitchen work anymore. She wanted to make something beautiful and to share the cats.”
The café is still growing, with new adorable menu items still being tested. But one thing is already clear: Lisa has created something special, not just for herself, but for the community. In time, Lisa and Ken hope to partner with local animal organizations to offer a few cats for adoption. “She wants to help people,” Ken said. He told of a time when a customer came in very ill, but she smiled when she held a cat. Lisa saw that and it stayed with her. “I want everyone to be happy. When people see the cats, they are happy. So, I opened this place to share that feeling.”
