Shiba Inus With Love, opened in 2025, is London's first cafe dedicated to shiba inu dogs, located in the trendy Fitzrovia neighborhood at 2-4 Whitfield St. The place has quickly become one of the most Instagrammed spots on the map of the British capital, attracting both dog lovers and good coffee enthusiasts.

The main stars of the cafe are four three-month-old puppies named Emi, Meatball, Pickle and Minnie. Each of these adorable foursome has their own unique character, making a visit to the cafe a different experience each time. Emi, the smallest of the four, is extremely friendly and loves to sit on guests' laps. Meatball, as his name suggests, is a fluffy glutton who is always hanging around the tables. Pickle is the most energetic of the four - always ready to play, while Minnie stands out with her calm disposition and majestic stride.

The cafe was designed with the comfort of both dogs and visitors in mind. The space is divided into two areas: a traditional cafe upstairs, where drinks and snacks can be enjoyed, and a special 'dog lounge' downstairs, where sessions with the shiba inu are held. The latter zone requires advance reservations through the cafe's website, which allows you to control the number of people staying with your dogs at the same time and ensures your pets get adequate rest between sessions.

It's worth noting that before entering the area with the dogs, each visitor must attend a brief briefing on safety and rules for interacting with the dogs. This is an essential part of the visit to ensure the comfort of both animals and visitors. Failure to attend such instruction may result in denial of admission without refund, which underscores how seriously owners take the welfare of their four-legged charges.

Shiba Inus With Love is not just a place to spend time with adorable dogs. It's also a cafe offering quality drinks and snacks. The menu includes carefully selected coffees from local roasters, a wide selection of teas and handmade baked goods, all prepared with local ingredients. Particularly recommended are the Japanese yuzu cheesecake and shiba inu cookies, which have become a kind of trademark of the cafe.

Prices at Shiba Inus With Love can be described as average, typical of fashionable London cafes. A session with the dogs costs extra, but for lovers of these adorable quadrupeds it is an expense worth every penny. Interestingly, a portion of the café's proceeds is donated to organizations involved in the rescue and adoption of shiba inu dogs in the UK.

It is worth mentioning the history of the shiba inu breed itself, which is one of the oldest and most primitive dog breeds in the world. Originating in Japan, shiba inu were originally bred for hunting in mountainous regions. Their name in Japanese means 'small dog' (shiba) from 'scrub' (inu). After World War II, the breed was close to extinction, but thanks to the efforts of Japanese breeders, it was saved. Today, shiba inu are known for their independent character, intelligence and unique fox-like appearance, which has contributed to their immense popularity on the Internet.

The phenomenon of dog cafes was born in Japan, where the first such places began to appear in the 1990s. In a country where small apartments often make it impossible to have a pet of one's own, dog or cat cafes became a way to interact with animals without having to own one. From Japan, the trend spread around the world, reaching Europe and North America as well.

Shiba Inus With Love draws inspiration from this Japanese tradition, but adds a British twist to it. Unlike many Japanese dog cafes, which often resemble sterile rooms, the London cafe opts for a cozy, homey decor. The interior is decorated with wooden furniture, soft cushions and warm lighting, creating an atmosphere that is conducive to relaxation for both humans and dogs.

It is worth noting that Shiba Inus With Love is not only a place for entertainment, but also for education. During a visit, guests can learn many interesting facts about the shiba inu breed, its history and characteristics. The cafe's owners also regularly hold workshops on responsible dog care, dog body language and the basics of training, making the place also serve an important educational function.

Interestingly, the idea to open a cafe with a shiba inu in London was born out of an Internet phenomenon. The owners, fascinated by the popularity of the 'Doge' meme, which depicted a shiba inu dog named Kabosu with distinctive captions in broken English, decided to create a place that would allow people to meet these dogs in person. The 'Doge' meme became so popular that it even lived to see its own cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, which was initially created as a joke, but over time gained real market value.

The Shiba inu is a breed that is perfect for the role of cafe companions. These dogs are known for their cleanliness (they are often compared to cats in terms of hygiene care), intelligence and balanced temperament. Despite their independence, shiba inu can be very attached to people, although they express this in more subtle ways than other breeds. Their distinctive appearance - fox-like muzzles, upright ears and curled tails - makes them extremely photogenic, which in the age of social media is an added advantage.

The Shiba Inus With Love café has quickly become not only a tourist attraction, but also a gathering place for the local community. The owners have noticed that many regular customers are young couples who come in for two to three hours on their days off to relax in the company of dogs. This phenomenon fits in perfectly with the growing trend of taking care of mental health and finding ways to reduce stress in a busy, fast-paced city.

It is worth mentioning a certain local legend associated with Shiba Inus With Love. Apparently, one of the café's early visitors, inspired by an encounter with the dogs, created a series of illustrations depicting the adventures of shiba inu in London. The illustrations went viral on social media and helped popularize the cafe around the world. Today, some of these works can be admired on the walls of the establishment, adding an extra artistic touch to the place.

One of the café's hidden treasures is a special tea inspired by the shiba inu - a blend of sencha green tea with yuzu fruit and rose petals, which is served in ceramic mugs with an image of the breed. The tea, created especially for the cafe by a local tea master, has become so popular that the owners have started selling it to take away as well, making it a perfect souvenir of your visit.

Shiba Inus With Love is not just a business, but also a project with a social dimension. The cafe actively cooperates with animal welfare organizations, in particular with British shelters specializing in the rescue of shiba inu dogs. Charity events are regularly held to raise funds for dogs in need of help. What's more, the cafe also serves as an educational platform where potential owners can learn more about the breed before making an adoption decision.

It is worth noting that all dogs at the cafe come from responsible breeding and their welfare is a priority. Puppies are provided with regular veterinary care, a balanced diet and adequate exercise and rest. The café's work schedule is arranged so that the dogs have ample recovery time between sessions with guests. This approach significantly differentiates Shiba Inus With Love from some Asian dog cafes, which are sometimes criticized for inadequate treatment of animals.

An interesting aspect of the cafe's operation is its role in building community. A group of breed enthusiasts has formed around Shiba Inus With Love, and they regularly meet not only at the cafe, but also organize joint walks and other events. For many people, especially those who have moved to London from other cities or countries, the café has become a place where they can make new friends and feel part of a community.

The café's owners have ambitious plans for the future. In the near future, they plan to expand the business to include a dog accessory store, specializing in products inspired by Japanese aesthetics. They also plan to publish a cookbook with recipes for Japanese-inspired treats for dogs and people. The long-term goal is to open a chain of similar cafes in other British cities, and perhaps even in continental Europe.

It's worth mentioning a hidden aspect of the cafe that attracts many visitors. Shiba Inus With Love organizes special photo sessions with dogs, during which a professional photographer helps guests capture their encounter with the adorable quadrupeds. These photos often end up on social media, helping to popularize both the cafe and the breed itself. Interestingly, some of these photos have become internet memes, continuing the tradition started by the famous 'Doge.

The Shiba inu is a breed that has the status of a national treasure in Japan, and its history dates back to ancient times. These dogs were companions of the samurai and were prized for their loyalty, courage and intelligence. The cafe offers a wealth of information on the cultural significance of the shiba inu in Japan, which adds an educational dimension to the place. Visitors can learn, for example, that in Japanese mythology, dogs of this breed were considered messengers of the gods, and their distinctive appearance has inspired many artists throughout the centuries.

One of the most touching aspects of the cafe's operations are the stories of guests who have decided to adopt a dog of this breed after visiting Shiba Inus With Love. The owners maintain a special board on which photos of the adopted shiba inu are posted, along with brief stories of their new families. This board has become a sort of community center, reminding the café of its main mission - to promote responsible animal care.

Shiba Inus With Love is a place that combines many elements: it is at once a cafe, an educational center, a community platform and a tourist attraction. What sets it apart from other similar places is the owners' genuine passion for the shiba inu breed and their commitment to promoting animal welfare. For dog lovers, coffee lovers, lovers of Japanese culture or simply those looking for a moment of relaxation in busy London, Shiba Inus With Love is a unique oasis of peace and joy worth visiting.