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Book cafes have caught on all over India. They provide a venue for bibliophiles to gather and discuss literature or just to browse through a library before settling for some visual and imaginative stimulation over a cup of coffee (or any other beverage) and a bite to eat.
1. Kitab Khana, Mumbai
Acclaimed as one of the most beautiful book stores in Mumbai, this cafe is a treasure trove of books not only in English, but also in regional languages like Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati. The in-house cafe 'Food for Thought' offers wholesome and hearty meals, but be warned - the food is vegetarian and absolutely delicious.
Address: Somaiya Bhavan, 45/47 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400001
2. Literati Book Shop & Cafe, Goa
This bookstore and cafe sells new, second-hand and antiquarian books in Bardez, northern Goa. The cafe is truly a haven for the literati with genres ranging autobiographies, fiction, non-fiction and personal development. The proprietress, Diviya Kapur, regularly arranges events such as book releases, author meets, book readings, workshops, movie screenings and discussions. The cafe serves delightful Italian fare, so if you're sick of the sun, you know where to go.
Address: E/1-282, Gauravaddo, Calangute, Bardez, Goa - 403516
3. Pagdandi Chai Cafe, Pune
Pagdandi is a concept store that promotes what is otherwise not considered 'mainstream'. "We focus on independent publishers. We are currently stocking a large selection of Tara Books and are in talks with Leftword and Zubaan. Our gallery wall showcases works by budding artists and photographers. Our library thrives on community donations. A person who donates books gets a free library membership in return," says Vishal, the owner.
The cafe serves simple snacks (do try their frozen yoghurt) and the decor brings about an 'adda' atmosphere with low benches and mattresses for patrons to relax while conversing or reading.
Address: Shop No.6, Regent Plaza, Baner Pashan Link Road, Baner, Pune - 411045
4. Leaping Windows, Bangalore
Perfect for all those people who love comic books and graphic novels, this cafe is paradise. The walls are decorated with characters from popular comics to give readers a feeling that they are truly immersed in a world where the imagination has no boundaries. Leaping Windows has a lot of graphic novels that are rare like Walking Dead, Sin City and Japanese Manga. It initially began as an online archive of comics but later evolved to give its fans a physical space to carry on doing what they do best. The Smoked Sausage and Olives Penne, Orange Fennel Pancakes and Four Cheese Pizza come highly recommended.
Address: 509, 9th Main 3rd Cross, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore- 560038
5. The Bibliophilia Cafe (TBC), Guwahati
TBC started as a social initiative to get more people into the habit of reading and has now evolved into a social space and library with resources like high speed internet for access to several e-books, journals and online libraries from around the world. In the heart of North East India's hub of books, Panbazar, the cafe is devoted to giving book lovers a forum. It has set itself up in university campuses as well as in rural areas.
Address: The Bibliophilia cafe, House No. 2, First Floor, Jasowanta Road, Panbazar, Guwahati-781001, Assam
6. Spell and Bound, Delhi
The mysterious old world charm of this bookstore cum cafe attracts many bibliophiles who want to enjoy books that are making headlines in the literature world and classics that we can never get tired of. What makes it all worth the while is a cozy place to sit down with a cup of coffee and light snacks.
Address: Hauz Khas Enclave, Block C 5
7. The Coffee Cup, Hyderabad
Coffee lovers and bibliophiles alike congregate here in this quaint cafe with interiors that have been inspired by a vintage Hyderabadi style. The book corner houses several genres of books inclluding fiction, non-fiction, children's fiction and comics. The cafe menu specialises in contemporary American food.
Photography workshops, storytelling sessions and exhibitions are regularly organised here. Weekends are reserved for musicians, artists and performers.
Address: E-89, 1st Floor, Sainikpuri; Hyderabad
8. Cafe Fiction, Gangtok
If you want to take time out from the scenery and temples, you will definitely find your solace here. Café Fiction has books on Sikkimese and Tibetian history among others. The cafe offers delicious Himalayan cuisine along with steaming Sikkimese tea which is just perfect on a chilly day. Do try their signature square cookies.
Address: Rachna Books, Development Area, Gangtok 737101, Sikkim
9. Cafe Turtle, New Delhi
A Khan Market landmark, there's never a vacant table in this old-school book store (Full Circle) and cafe, despite being labelled "overpriced". If you do get a table, enjoy dining amid a treasure trove of books.
Locations: Khan Market, GK 1, Nizamuddin East
10. Cafe Ssong, Pune
Getting away from the hustle and bustle of Pune can be hard these days but Cafe Ssong provides the prefect refuge. Quiet and peaceful, the cafe offers seating outdoors when the weather isn't so bad. Consider it your sanctum centorum for reading books. There's free wi-fi and if that isn't enough to tempt you, the cute curios from Korea are just adorable to look at.
The cafe serves beverages only, so if you're famished, you might want to go somewhere else.
Address: Shop No 18, Stellar Enclave, Behind Mcdonald's, Aundh, Pune
11. Cafe STORY, Kolkata
With its wide array of graphic novels, comic books, board games, the cafe is the perfect nursery for artists and writers who get inspiration in an instant. There's plenty of paper and pencils to jot down your thoughts or sketch a picture that has captivated your imagination. Art supplies are in abundance and you can paint a picture if you buy a canvas.
The in-house menu includes an interesting mix of salads, pastas, sandwiches, falafels, and risottos.
Address: 8 Elgin Road, Kolkata 700020
12. Illiterati, Mcleodganj
Bookworms in Dharamshala finally have a place they can call home. The Illiterati bookstore and cafe is run by Yannick, a Belgian native, who has made the scenic hill station his new home.
Some of the tables are on a balcony that faces the hills, but there's always something to distract you! In this case, the scrumptious menu that will make you drool.
Address: Lower Jogibara Road, Dharamsala
13. Attagalatta, Bangalore
Started by two IT professionals who were passionate about reviving the regional literature scene in their city, Atta Galatta hopes to achieve intellectual discussions and performances over coffee and baked goodies. Literature works in Kannada and other regional languages are also available in their English translations. Do try the cupcakes and cookies, and if you like the bread, they're available in loaves for you to take home. The fruit bread is the best in my opinion!
Address: 134, KHB Colony, 5th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore 560 095
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