With adoptable cats, cozy spaces, and a mission rooted in rescue, Toebean Cat Cafe has grown into a Roanoke favorite, earning recognition across six Best of Roanoke reader poll categories.
Best New Company of the Year — Platinum
Best Thing to Happen in Roanoke, 2025 — Gold
Best Place to Work — Gold
Best Coworking Space — Silver
Hidden Gem — Silver
Attraction to Feel Like a Kid Again — Bronze
It’s rare to see a newcomer sweep across categories the way Toebean Cat Cafe has in this year’s Best of Roanoke reader poll. From workplace culture to community impact to sheer joy, the café has quickly become something more than a place to grab a drink—it’s an experience people return to again and again.
For co-owner Stephanie Green, that connection comes down to something simple and intentional.
“I believe that our big hearts, authenticity, and intention resonate most with our community,” Green said. “People, especially those who have followed our journey from the very beginning, love to see that we have had a clear vision from the start, and we have consistently stuck to the vision. I believe people feel the intention, love, and thought that go into our every move, and witnessing that kind of passion seems to draw people in and make them want to be part of something this meaningful.”
That meaning shows up in the response from readers and in the feeling inside the space itself.
“It makes us feel warm and fuzzy, for sure!” Green said of the recognition. “When the community recognizes our commitment to providing a life of luxury for these kitties, it validates and motivates us to continue doing our very best. Knowing that our community sees the drive and passion we have for this cafe is very touching.”
For those who haven’t visited yet, the experience is less about coffee and more about how it makes people feel.
“It’s healing,” she said. “We have a warm, cozy, and relaxing vibe. We often refer to the experience as ‘cat therapy’ because we are a space where people can decompress and take their minds off the stresses of the world. While it is relaxing, it also has a playful, light-hearted energy. The experience we aim to provide is impactful and memorable.”
That balance—calm but playful, structured but flexible—is part of the draw. Guests can settle into a quiet corner with a book, spend time with family, or simply relax as cats curl up nearby. There are also spaces for those who prefer to stay in the café setting, from a quaint main area to a loft filled with oversized chairs, string lights and soft textures that invite people to linger.
“I believe people can come to the cafe and make the experience whatever they want it to be,” Green said. “Some people come to grab a coffee and hang out… others want to bring the entire family so they can laugh and play with the cats. Some folks book a visit and end up napping with a few kitties draped over them. This can be a place of productivity, bonding, fun, laughter, or relaxation, and that flexibility is appealing.”
That same intentionality extends behind the scenes, helping the café earn recognition as one of the Best Places to Work.
“We have a small team that genuinely loves their jobs,” Green said. “I have high standards and high expectations. I intentionally lead by example so they can see that The Toebean means so much to me that I will always be ‘in the trenches’ with my team.”
While the atmosphere draws people in, the mission gives the space its depth. The cats at Toebean come from local rescue partners, including Star City Cat Rescue and Franklin County Animal Shelter, and are fostered on site in a setting designed to feel like home.
“We foster them here so guests can interact with them in a low-stress, home-like environment,” Green said. “If someone chooses a cat (or a cat chooses them!), they’d apply through the rescue. We act as a bridge between adopters and rescues to keep cats out of cages so their true colors can shine.”
Those connections often lead to memorable moments, both for visitors and for the team. Green recalls Gizzy, a cat who spent more than a year at the café before finally meeting the right person.
“It was magical and so heartwarming to watch Gizzy rub against her person’s legs and hear her little happy chatters,” she said.
Another story, Beau’s, required a push from the community. After struggling to adjust, his story was shared online and quickly found the right audience.
“They decided to foster Beau to ensure he would do well at their home, and they quickly realized he was a perfect fit for them,” Green said. “You could literally see him smiling.”
Even first impressions tend to shift once guests walk through the door.
“Two things: how great our coffees and teas are and how clean and odorless the cat rooms are,” Green said. “A lot of people comment that they would never guess there was even one cat living here, let alone 15 to 20!”
Details like that—along with touches such as menu items named after adoptable cats, including Green’s go-to, Blossom’s Chai—reinforce the connection between the café experience and its larger purpose.
For Green, opening Toebean in Roanoke was a natural fit, both personally and professionally.
“I live, work, and play in Roanoke, so it made sense to open where I spend the majority of my time,” she said. “I have watched the people of Roanoke continually advocate for animals, so I was confident I would be supported running a business whose mission is to get cats adopted.”
That support is already shaping what comes next, from a new app designed to streamline orders and bookings to expanded events and partnerships with local artists and vendors. At its core, though, the mission remains the same: creating a space that benefits both people and animals.
“We will continue to look for ways to grow our partnerships and continue building something that creates win-wins for the cats, our community, rescues, and shelters,” Green said.
And for those who want to be part of it, the ask is simple.
“Continue to show up,” she said. “Make us your stop for your mid-day ‘pick me up.’ Share your positive experiences… When loved ones come to visit Roanoke, make us one of your ‘must-see’ destinations. Every visit allows us to remain a safe haven for adoptable kitties.”
Learn more about The Toebean Cat Cafe and support their mission at thetoebeancatcafe.net.
Ready to meet all your 2026 Best of Roanoke winners? See the full list HERE.
