Normally, learning that a cafe has rodents would send us scurrying in the opposite direction.
But not when the critters in question are capybaras, the big, gentle, supremely unbothered South America natives that have become social media stars for their deadpan expressions and unflappable demeanors.
Fans of the endearing kings of chill take note: The new Capybara Café opened this week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as part of a mini chain that also has outposts in St. Augustine and St. Petersburg.
To be clear, this is not the sort of cafe where human customers are served coffee, pastries, or any other kinds of food and drink.
Instead, the attraction is a "small-group animal encounter experience operated by Noah's Ark Sanctuary," which "rescues, rehabilitates, and provides lifelong care for exotic animals across Florida," according to the Capybara Café website.
During half-hour or 55-minute sessions at the facility, ticketed guests can interact with the creatures and feed them vegetables (there's your cafe element), while the nonprofit's educators supply handling tips and fun facts.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that the capybaras you'll meet in Fort Lauderdale are named after Disney's Seven Dwarfs: Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey.
The sanctuary may introduce you to its resident ferrets, reptiles, and other creatures as well.
Capybara Café promises that sessions are built around animal welfare—with no forced interspecies contact or animal performances.
Though the sanctuary's Florida locations aren't the only places in the U.S. where capybara fans can cuddle the rodents, the Capybara Café's loungey vibe is a significant step above what you'd get at a wildlife park or petting zoo enclosure.
For example, the new Fort Lauderdale site (744 NW 5th Ave.) is located in the city's artsy Thrive District, a quick 20-minute drive from the city's bustling cruise ship port, and is decorated with bright murals and outfitted with colorful furniture.
Ticket prices at the Capybara Café are $59 per person for a 30-minute session, $99 for an hour. Kids ages 2 and younger get in free; there are no other age-based discounts. Party sizes are capped at 10 people.
Every ticket sold directly supports the animal-rescue operations of Noah's Ark Sanctuary, per the website.
For more info, go to TheCapybaraCafe.com.