Nine Lives Cat Cafe

You can tell a lot about a brunch spot from the smell that hits you at the door — bacon fat, fresh coffee, butter on the griddle. This one passes the test.

Set in Indianapolis, IN, Nine Lives Cat Cafe has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.

Their breakfast burrito is the kind of thing locals order with eyes still half closed — eggs, chorizo, a scrape of refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa with real heat.

Menu highlights

Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Nine Lives Cat Cafe. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.

• Two eggs any style with thick-cut bacon and crispy hash
• Brioche French toast dusted with powdered sugar and seasonal berries
• Breakfast burrito with eggs, chorizo, beans, cheese, and salsa roja
• Veggie scramble with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese
• Crab cake Benedict with old-bay hollandaise (regional specialty)
• Acai bowl with granola, banana, coconut, and honey drizzle
• House bloody mary with bacon, olives, and pickled vegetables
• Buttermilk pancakes with whipped butter and warm maple syrup

Service is friendly without being chatty, refills come without asking, and nobody rushes you out of your seat.

Order the pancakes and you'll get a stack tall enough to make you reconsider lunch — fluffy, lightly tangy from buttermilk, and finished with a generous pour of warm maple syrup.

If you're a group of four or more, call ahead. They sometimes take small reservations for parties of four-plus, even when the website says walk-in only.

Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Indianapolis, Nine Lives Cat Cafe is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. It's the kind of brunch that reminds you why we made brunch a tradition in the first place.

Tips from the regulars

• If you're walking from public transit, the closest stop is a short stroll away — a small price to pay for the breakfast burrito.
• Vegetarian and gluten-free diners have real options, not just sad fruit cups.
• Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
• Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
• Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Nine Lives Cat Cafe.

Hours

Frequently asked questions

What time does Nine Lives Cat Cafe open for brunch?

Posted hours are: Mo-Tu, Th 10:00-16:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 10:00-17:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.

Does Nine Lives Cat Cafe take reservations?

Most brunch spots in Indianapolis are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.

Is Nine Lives Cat Cafe kid-friendly?

Yes — Nine Lives Cat Cafe welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.

What kind of cuisine does Nine Lives Cat Cafe serve?

It's classified under cafe — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Indianapolis.

Is there outdoor seating at Nine Lives Cat Cafe?

Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.

Location

Located at 1315 Shelby Street. Coordinates: 39.7495, -86.1396. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.