Love coffee and love books? These best book cafes in Delhi bring together your eternal love for the two! Offering a cosy space for a caffeine kick tailor-made for the bibliophile in you, these cafes are perfect companions for days when you want to give yourself a break!
Cafe Turtle, Khan Market
Situated in one of the prettiest localities in Delhi, Cafe Turtle was one of the first reading cafes in the city. The terrace cafe is almost like a treehouse, and as you sit here with a coffee and your favourite read, it takes you away from the bustling marketplace and into a magical realm!
Drop By: Shop No. 23, 2nd Floor, Middle Lane, Khan Market
Say Hello: 011 24655641
Cha Bar, Connaught Place
A chic tea shop situated in the Oxford Bookstore in Connaught Place, Cha Bar revolutionized the way Indians drank tea! The ambience is relaxing, the tea strong and time finds a leisurely pace. Drop in for their extensive tea menu, delectable cakes and a wide selection of books.
Drop By: N-81, First Floor, Barakhamba Road, Block N, Connaught Place,
Say Hello: 011 3350 3292
Rico’s, Kingsway Camp
A mecca for Delhi University students, Rico’s Cafe serves great coffee with delicious finger food! There is a wall full of post-it notes where you can leave your messages. The ambience is quirky and ideal for students who throng the colonial bylanes of North Campus. Grab a book and place your order as you look over the tree-lined avenues.
Drop By: 1st Floor, 2526 Hudson Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi University, GTB Nagar
Say Hello: +91 9958479774
Sakley’s, Greater Kailash I
What started out as a cafe in the mountains of Nainital is now a cosy chain of cafes in India and in London! Sakley’s The Mountain Cafe reminds you of the clandestine romances of the hills, served with the robust aroma of coffee. Then you have The Beatles for company, playing in the background for that right amount of nostalgia. You can also visit the original Sakley’s by taking a road trip from Delhi to Nainital!
Drop By: M-23, M Block Market, Greater Kailash I
Say Hello: 011 4165 3732
Fursat Se, Shahpur Jat
Bring out your creative side with poetry slams, film screenings and stand-up comedy gigs at Fursat Se-A Cultural Cafe. Located in the cultural hub of Shahpur Jat, this rooftop cafe stirs your imagination. It’s a place where coffee is served with talks on social causes and book reading sessions. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best book cafes in Delhi.
Drop By: 5 E, Dada Jungi House, Top Floor, Shahpur Jat, Siri Fort
Say Hello: +91 9810556284
Cafe at CMYK, Meherchand Market
Comfort food, soothing ambience and endless cups of your favourite brew — that’s what Cafe at CMYK has on offer. Located in the chic Meherchand Market, the cafe’s best tables would be in the balcony which offer beautiful views of the breezy roads! In fact, the entire neighbourhood is pretty, with the Lodhi Gardens a short distance away. Book a cab ride and be driven around this place to experience Delhi like the rich and the famous!
Drop By: 15-16, Meherchand Market, Lodhi Road
Say Hello: 011 24641881
Kunzum Cafe, Hauz Khas Village
One of the most sought after travel and book cafes in Delhi, Kunzum Cafe is a paradise for coffee and literature lovers. Meet fellow travellers, take part in cultural activities or simply order your brew and sit back with a book. Oh, and did we say, the cafe is pay-as-you-please! To indulge in more such conversations, you can explore more travel cafes in India!
Drop By: T-49, Ground Floor, Hauz Khas Village
Say Hello: +91 9650702777
Ivy and Bean, Shahpur Jat
Another jewel in Shahpur Jat’s bustling cafe culture, Ivy and Bean is a vibrant and “honest library” where you can read as well as borrow books! The decor of the cafe is quirky with mason jar chandeliers and floral furnishings. The cafe is Wi-Fi enabled so that you can also finish up on your office work!
Drop By: 119, Sishan House, Shahpur Jat
Say Hello: 011 41090119
The Cafe at Moon River, Defence Colony
In their own words, The Cafe at Moon River is a “friendly newcomer off the beaten track” in a world that’s highly caffeinated! The cafe has a gallery and comfy wicker furniture where you can browse through classic hardcovers and exclusive Penguin merchandise. If you love quietude, then this is one of the best book cafes in Delhi.
Drop By: D-16, Defence Colony
Say Hello: 011 41617103
These cafes not only quench your thirst for fine coffee and literature, but also provide a glimpse into the city’s effervescent culture. So take a day off and pamper yourself with a much-needed litero-coffee break!
About the Author:
A wordologist, Etti Bali loves playing around with words, creating a world of absurd. In an ideal world, she would never wake up as she thinks slumber is the answer to all world problems.
