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While a major part of the charm of going to a cafe is the steaming cup of coffee or tea that’s brought before you, a book in hand can make the experience even more relaxing. Cafes that serve hot beverages and tasty food, and have stacks of books for customers to choose from, are sanctuaries that come close to feeling like home. Bookstores may be places where geeks come alive but book cafes are safe spaces for all kinds of people. We recommend five book cafes in India that you must visit:
Gulshan Books, Srinagar
With a beautiful view of the Dal Lake, Gulshan Books and its attached cafe are a tranquil setting for bibliophiles. It takes a shikara ride to Nehru Park island to get here, but the place is well worth the trip. The reading room is home to over 80,000 books and the cafe opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy a cup of coffee or kahwa while admiring the view or reading through one of your favourite books.
Literati Bookshop and Cafe, Goa
Housed in an old bungalow, Literati Bookshop and Cafe in Calangute is a haven for book lovers and coffee lovers alike. Books by Indian and international authors line the shelves, including a section dedicated to antique books and old editions. Sandwiches and cakes, which make great accompaniments to the drinks, dominate the menu. Besides tea and coffee, beverages include fresh lime and a kokum cooler.
Pagdandi Bookstore Cafe, Pune
The idea behind Pagdandi was to build a reading community in Pune. The cosy bookstore is also home to a cafe that serves snacks and beverages. Choose from Wai Wai bhel, cheesy mashed potato with garlic butter toast, Nutella toast, or sandwiches with fillings like spinach and corn or potato and onion. Sit back with an elaichi or mocha in one hand and a book in another. There’s also an option called ‘charity chai’, which allows customers to donate a cup of tea to the homeless.
Leaping Windows, Mumbai
Leaping Windows in Andheri is home to a cafe and a bar, along with a book collection and a reading home. Enjoy the smell of both coffee and books wafting through the air, and spend time in the basement’s reading room that has a large collection of comic books. The food menu includes all day breakfast with dishes like eggs Kejriwal, keema par eedu and caramelised banana pancakes with Madrasi coffee sauce and whipped cream.
The Bibliophilia Cafe, Guwahati
Earlier only a bookstore that opened an attached cafe as recently as 2019, The Bibliophilia Cafe in Guwahati’s Pan Bazaar also offers access to ebooks and journals besides the books that line its shelves. The cafe menu is extensive, with classics like masala omelette, croquettes and chicken wings making an appearance, along with burgers and Maggi and also drinks like milkshakes and flavoured hot chocolate.
