In the last decade, coffee places have mushroomed in the Kathmandu valley. Coffee is one of the drinks, influenced by western culture that is being adopted by many people, mostly youth, in Nepal and their craze for coffee is also increasing day by day. Since coffee is able to make people feel less fatigued and increase energy, burn fats, better brainpower, productivity, as well as promote a healthy heart, people tend to drink coffee more.
People enjoy coffee while chilling with friends or alone while doing some tasks. But, at a time where more fast-service restaurants are opening up, there are a few places in Kathmandu that encourage people to stay and have an open library to read and sip their coffees. It is a truly unique experience that everyone should try at least once and here are some of such coffee places that you can visit.
1. BIA Cafe
BIA Cafe located at Kimdole, Swayambhu, is a beautiful spot that is loved by many book lovers. BIA (or Bodhisattvas In Action) Cafe has got an immediate welcoming aura. It is one of those coffee places that greets you with bookshelves full of books, from the moment you enter the cafe.
There are tables near the books, so you will feel like you are in a library and enjoy reading. One can also enjoy a variety of delicious coffee beverages and pastries while reading here. But, you cannot take home the books as of now as it is yet to start selling the books. It has a small outside seating area that you can enjoy too.
2. Cafe Soma
Cafe Soma is a beautiful cafe famous for its coffee. But, with plenty of space within the cafe, it has also promoted a reading culture among its customers. Located in Jhamsikhel and Baluwatar, you can find multiple shelves filled with amazing, best-selling books from around the world to enjoy in a cosy space inside the cafe. Plus, you are greeted by friendly staffers who do not mind you staying there to read books including your favourite novels. You can do this while enjoying its delicious meals at the same time.
3. Mo:mo la Palpasa Cafe
Mo:mo la Palpasa Cafe is another one of the best coffee places in Kathmandu for those people who like a peaceful environment and are looking for a cosy place to enjoy their favourite beverage and a page-turner book. Located in Bhimsengola near Baneshwar, it is also popular for having a cosy environment, with a living room theme.
People visit this cafe for its organic coffee beans which are a favourite of many. They have a friendly staff, a fast free wifi environment as well as a separate space where you can read, work on your laptop and enjoy its amazing collection of books, and unique variations of momos at the same time.
4. Freak Street Kaffe
Freak Street Kaffe is a cafe with a cosy environment with shelves filled with books and antiques. It is a nice place to read books as well as a good place to spend time with friends.
Located at the Freak Street of Basantapur, the heart of Kathmandu, it is pretty easy to find and has a lively, young crowd you can socialise with. The place has a couple of bookshelves where you can pick a book to motivate yourself or to go through some useful skills. And finally, you can sit back and spend time enjoying the book and its special coffee for a long period of time.
5. Ujamaa Koffie
Ujamaa Koffie is an enchanting combination of cafe and library. This cafe, located in Shankhamul, was established with the motive to make their customers savour their delicious coffee as well as bask in the historical, political, and life-related knowledge from the books. It has arranged its bookshelves in such a way that anyone would like to try picking up the books and flip the pages.
It is one of those rare coffee places that issue a library card for its customers and encourage in-house reading as the books kept here are not for sale. It also provides discounts on coffee, encouraging customers to visit again.
6. Bodhi Books and Bakes
For a book lover, what is more, amazing than starting their day off by reading? One can start their joyful day with an amazing breakfast at Bodhi Books and Bakes.
Relocated from Maharajgung to Tangal, this cafe has expanded its space and collection of books too. It is one of the recent coffee places that have prioritised books as a part of their culture. You can pick any one of the books to read and if you want to take one of them to your place, you can buy them (from a section) as well.
7. Coffee Pasal
Coffee Pasal is one of the best coffee places in Kathmandu you can go to, not just for coffee but also if you are hungry for books. Located in Durbarmarg and Kumaripati, customers can enjoy a variety of books.
These two places also let you bring your own book(s) to read or you also have the option to buy books from them. Just sit back on the couch and enjoy your favourite book with their special hot chocolate or special spiced chai latte.
8. Reader’s Hub & Cafe
Located in Kaushaltar, Bhaktapur, Reader’s hub and cafe has varieties of coffee and hundreds of books to read. The place also offers delicious bakery items.
Additionally, this is one of those coffee places that also frequently hosts various programs such as book discussion sessions, musical nights and many more. This coffee place also has a separate working space which is ideal for professionals.
The cafe also has outlets in Hattiban and Dhapasi.
9. Coffee at Anu Books
Nestled in Satdobato, Coffee at Anu Books has a very pleasant ambient to sip your coffee, read books and listen to music from around the world. Anu Books has a history of 35 years, with a recent revamp of the space coupled with coffee and locally-made cookies.
With ample space and a range of books to read, either from their collection or bring your own, this is one of such coffee places in the valley that offers all. One can even paint or do their work here. And if you are here, you might also be able to be a part of the diverse events that the coffee shop holds regularly.
