In 2023, seeking dopamine hits every few minutes through social media apps has become the new normal. While some think this trend will render the relevance of books obsolete, we believe the significance of books and reading has never been more apparent than now.
Bookstores with cafes are leading the path in keeping the culture of coffee and reading alive and thriving in India, thanks to the magic of coffee and books!
Tread ahead for some of the best book cafes in India to plan your next trip to a reader’s haven where the worlds of comforting coffee and cosy cafes come together in perfect symphony.
Quaint and cosy bibliophile cafes are fortunately not a thing of the past and we have put together a list of bookstore cafes that will put a smile on every bibliophile’s face.
1. Kitab Khana, Mumbai
Kitab Khana is a perfect place to leave the noise and hustle of everyday life behind and soak in the old-world charm of the magic of bookstore cafes. Step into the world of Kitab Khana adorned with beautiful wooden bookshelves and fragrant coffee that can make your day. Not just the enormous collection of books but the mouth-watering delicacies, especially the desserts, will satiate your appetite for both good food and books.
Location: 45, Ground Floor, Flora Fountain Somaiya Bhavan, 47, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Timings: 10:30 am to 7:30 pm
Price: Rs 817 for two people (approx.)
2. The Coffee Cup, Hyderabad
Situated in the city of Nizams: Hyderabad, the coffee cup is a perfect excuse to pamper the bibliophile in you. The lovely interiors, combined with an exquisite menu and collection of books are music to the ears of enthusiasts of bibliophile cafes in India.
The beautiful little terrace and refreshing greenery surrounding the bookstore cafe paint a perfect backdrop to long and cosy reading hours. You can try their smooth Mocha coffee, creamy eggs, Aam Panna Mojito, Creamy Spinach Pasta, Chicken Florentine, Chicken Roulade, Lime Mojito, and Chicken Spaghetti.
Location: E 89, 1st Floor, Near Canara Bank, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad
Timings: 6 am to 11:30 pm
Price: Rs 950 for two people (approx.)
3. Stepout Cafe, Jaipur
Bibliophiles in Jaipur assemble at this vibrant vegan cafe in the Pink city of Jaipur, stepout cafe, which offers a cosy corner with a diverse collection of books. The sunshine yellow interiors are a perfect ‘pick-me-up’, and coupled with good coffee cast the spell of magic for book lovers. This bibliophile cafe has a perfect ambience for readers to spend happy and cosy days exploring this book cafe’s library and a mouth-watering menu that offers Mushroom Pesto, Roasted Veggie Pizza, Bruschetta Platter, Masala Cola, Arabiata Pasta, Choco Frappe and so on.
Location: P 14, Sehdev Marg, Ashok Nagar, C Scheme, Jaipur
Timings: Sat-Sun: 7:30 am to 9:30 pm, Fri: 7:30 am to 10 pm
Price: Rs 950 for two people (approx.)
4. Atta Galata, Bengaluru
One of the best bookstores with cafes in Bengaluru, Atta Galata is especially famous for its homemade bread that goes well with a good cup of coffee. It boasts a vast and diverse collection of books in several languages. The serene cafe induces a sense of calm and peace amidst the hustle-bustle of Bengaluru and is a magnet for book lovers in the city. The fruit and masala bread served here will leave you wanting more!
Location: 178, Binnamangala, Hoysala Nagar, 5th Main Road, Near Indiranagar, Bangalore
Timings: 11 am to 7 pm
Price: Rs 500 for two people (approx.)
5. Pagdandi Books Chai Cafe, Pune
Poetry sessions, lively discussions, and jam sessions add to the inviting ambience of Pagdandi Books Chai Cafe. Apart from being a cafe that strikes a good balance between exquisite food, and a diverse collection of books, the zesty cafe also hosts a warm and wonderful community of writers, artists, book enthusiasts, poets, musicians and so on.
It can be said that the creative crowd of Pune hangs out at Pagdandi! This cafe is ideal for aspiring photographers and artists as it boasts a gallery adorned with the creations of talented artists and upcoming photographers.
Don’t forget to try their Adrak Wali Chai, Vietnamese Coffee, Bun Maskas, Masala Chai, Maggi, and Hot Coffee.
Location: Shop 6, Regent Plaza, Opposite Symantec, Baner Pashan Link Road, Baner, Pune
Timings: 10:30 am to 7:30 pm
Price: Rs 500 for two people (approx.)
6. Cafe Illiterati, Mcleodganj
Take a big bite of nature and a gulp of calm sitting on the enchanting balcony of Café Illiterati in the breathtaking Mcleodganj. A paradise for bibliophiles, this cafe enhances the joy of leafing through a book that you cannot put down, manifold.
Head out to this scenic cafe with tastefully done interiors that add a European flavour to your experience here. Pick up your favourite book and sip away the hours with good coffee. Their pancakes, waffles, pasta and refreshing beverages make the experience even more enjoyable. Heaven on earth, indeed!
Note: The iconic cafe is temporarily closed yet it deserves to be on our list. We can’t wait for it to be back up and running soon.
7. The Bibliophilia Cafe, Guwahati
Keeping the culture of reading alive with its vibrant community of bibliophiles in the quaint corner of Guwahati lies The Bibliophilia Cafe, a much-loved and celebrated book cafe in India. Apart from its carefully curated collection of books, the cafe also provides access to e-libraries across the globe.
A favourite among students, this charming book cafe provides a much-needed break from the fast-paced lifestyle of today, in the form of great coffee and books. The branches of the cafe can be found across college campuses in Assam and are a favourite hangout spot for the youth, especially for their popular sandwiches, burgers, and Chinese dishes.
Location: House 2, First Floor, Near Western Book Depot, Jaswanta Road, Pan Bazaar, Guwahati
Timings: 11 am to 8 pm
Price: Rs 500 for two people (approx.)
If you enjoy exploring the best cafés in India, you might enjoy reading about the yoga cafes in India, and Theme restaurants in India. Happy reading, happy feeding!
Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead.