7 Must-visit book cafes outside Delhi

Reading cafes is an evolving concept in India. The steady rise in the number of such cafes in various cities confirms a renewed passion for books among people today. Here's a list of what we think are the seven must-visit book cafes outside Delhi. Read on!

Literati Bookshop and Cafe, Goa
This quaint bookshop in North Goa's Bardez offers a homely ambience with a touch of serenity. "We sell new, second-hand and antiquarian books. The cafe enables people to stay for as many hours as they want with the option to eat and drink," says Diviya Kapur, Proprietor-Literati Goa. Literati boasts of a varied range of genres across Indian and International titles. "We have a good selection of books on children, health, religion/spirituality, biography & autobiography," adds Diviya. Moreover, Literati Goa plays host to events like- book releases, readings, movie screenings, author meets and workshops. The cafe menu changes every season, though the last few years have predominantly been about Italian cuisine. On your next trip to Goa, think not just beaches but books too!

Where: E/1-282, Gauravaddo, Calangute, Bardez, Goa - 403516
Timings (Closed on Sundays): 10.00 am- 6.30 pm; Italian cafe open from (October to end March)
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The Coffee Cup, Hyderabad
Nestled in the northeast of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Sainikpuri is home to one of the oft-visited book cafes in the city. The absence of a cultural circuit and a recreational space for book lovers, foodies and coffee addicts compelled owners Varun Sharma and Puja to start a book cafe in Sainikpuri. The cafe's interiors gleam in sheesham wood. The sit-out terrace verandah wreathed in green plants is idyllic where you can soak up the evening calmness or just watch the sun go down. The decor is, as Varun tells us, "a modern take on the old Hyderabadi charm". The books corner houses a collection of bestsellers, children's fiction and comics. Photography workshops, storytelling sessions and are exhibitions are regularly organised here. Weekends are reserved for musicians, artists and performers.

Where: E-89, 1st Floor, Sainikpuri; Hyderabad
Timings (All days): 8.00 am- 11.00 pm
Cafe menu: American (New), Barbeque, Cajun/Creole
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Pagdandi Chai Cafe, Pune
'Pagdandi' means 'the path/road less taken'- quite an offbeat name for a book cafe, no? The story goes like this- Nisha and Vishal Pipraiya, Partners, Pagdandi Chai Cafe, were once upon a time leading busy lives as a television producer in Mumbai and IT manager respectively- when they decided to tie the knot. Acting on a creative impulse, the couple took a detour and quit their jobs in the quest for an alternative route, a path that leads to fulfillment. "Pagdandi was born in 2012. We wanted a place where we could settle down with a cup of adrak (ginger) chai in one hand and our favorite book in the other. A space where happiness awaits to welcome you." says the couple.



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," informs Vishal.

Where: Shop No.6, Regent Plaza, Baner Pashan Link Road, Baner, Pune - 411045
Timings: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Cafe menu (Must-try): Frozen yoghurt, masala chai and cupcakes
Decor: Bench/low mattress seating for an authentic 'adda' ambience.
For More Details, Click Here

Cafe Bookworm, Lucknow
'Reading with a sip' - says the tagline of Lucknow's first book cafe that was launched in August 2013. Movie theatres, amusement parks, restaurants and bars are not difficult to find in this city but enquire about a book cafe and you might find lucknowites scratching their heads. "When we think of entertainment, books do not cross our minds as one of the potential sources. I often question the strict rules that academic libraries swear by. 'Keep Silence' comes to mind when I think of a library. I was unhappy with such a skewed perspective that did not allow us to think of books beyond academia. I wanted a place where there would be a co-existence of books, laughter, discussions and food. Later, I realized such places do exist in other parts of the world by the name of book cafes. I was intrigued and started talking to people about working on something like this," says one of the co-owners (on request of anonymity). Unfortunately, his attempts were written off. 'Nobody reads books these days', he was told. For three years, he conducted surveys, studied reading behaviour of people and estimated on investment costs. "After much struggle, I along with two of my friends launched Cafe Bookworm in August 2013," he adds.

Sadly, after almost one year, the owners feel that sustaining the cafe has become tougher vis-a-vis lack of funds. Losses incurred by popular bookstores like Landmark too have demoralized them immensely. "We have concluded that the book market size is too small. We might close this cafe and start an online book cafe that would cater to all kinds of readers in Lucknow. We are developing our website," rues the owner, who feels Gomti Nagar (interiors of Lucknow) as a venue is not a viable one.

Where: Neelkanth Road, Above Hero showroom, Vivek khand-2, Gomti Nagar Lucknow, India 226010
Timings (Closed on Wednesday): Mon - Tue: 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm; Thu - Sun: 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
For More Details, Click Here

The Bibliophilia Cafe, Guwahati
North-east India's reading population throngs to Panbazar's 'The Bibliophilia Cafe', know why? Going by the words of Imran Hussain, Founder, The Bibliophilia Cafe- Panbazar is regarded as the 'book hub' in North-east India. "Our family business revolves around books. Books formed an essential part of my growing up years. In college, I sensed that most students craved a space where exchange of ideas, borrowing/lending/buying of books and discussions intermingled without hindrance. Keeping all constraints in mind, I started this cafe as a social enterprise," says Imran. The Bibliophilia Cafe is a lending library-cum-reading-room with high speed Wi-Fi facility where readers can access e-libraries from across the world.

TBC is an endeavour to keep alive the slowly diminishing reading culture. "We have established TBC in college campuses across Assam, both in rural and urban areas and have opened six book cafes in college campuses," adds Imran.



Where: The Bibliophilia cafe, House No. 2, First Floor, Jasowanta Road, Panbazar; Guwahati-781001, Assam
Books: Academic, e-journals and e-books from paid academic websites.
Timings: Mon - Sat: 9:30 am - 8:30 pm; Sun: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
For More Details, Click Here

Leaping Windows, Bangalore
Leaping Windows is a paradise for comic fans. With interiors decked up in murals of characters from graphic novels and comic strips; Leaping Windows takes pride in its stockpile of not-so-easily available comics. "We usually gravitate toward independent world comic series and fables like Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore's Walking Dead, Sin City (neo-noir comics by Frank Miller) and Manga," informs Utsa Shome, Founding Partner, Leaping Windows. Initially, Leaping Windows only had an online library that gradually leaped beyond the contours of cyberspace to exist in a physical space. "The first year was the most memorable for me. Setting up anything always is. It was hectic but a great learning experience too. Bidisha Basu (Co-founder) was a journalist, I was a corporate lawyer; and both of us knew nothing about running a cafe. Soldier on, we told ourselves. In our third year, we finally managed to launch our cafe and library in Mumbai and Bangalore happened next. Our food has also evolved from counter food to proper European fare," adds Utsa.

Where: 509, 9th Main 3rd Cross, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore- 560038
Cafe menu (must-try): Smoked Sausage and Olives Penne, Orange Fennel Pancakes, Four Cheese Pizza
Timings: (All days) 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
For More Details, Click Here



Kitab Khana, Mumbai
Touted as the 'Most Beautiful Bookshop in Mumbai' - Kitabkhana is a boon for the generation that's growing up amid a digitised world of e-books and I-pads. Owners Amrita and Samir Somaiya conceptualised Kitabkhana in a way that people would flock to its quarters housed within more than a century-old heritage building. The old world charm ambience coupled with the pleasure of discovering well stocked bookshelves with contemporaries and classics is a reader's delight. The in-house cafe - 'Food For Thought' - run by Reshma and Kapil Sanghi doubles up as a hanging out zone for visitors.

Where: Somaiya Bhavan, 45/47 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400001
Timings (All days): 10:30 a.m. to 7: 30 p.m
For More Details, Click Here

ipshita.mitra@timesgroup.com

(Originally published on August 09, 2014)