Potboiler
This is one cafe that knows its books and coffee equally. With a cosy, curved space, this quaint cafe in the tree-lined neighbourhood of Keyatala is perfect for hanging out in. There are shelves stacked with a wide assortment of books - from Ray Bradbury classics to Asterix and Tintin and more. Keeping you company while you sip on your cuppa are framed photographs of well-known authors Like Agatha Christie and walls decorated with quotes from famous books. They actually have a library you can borrow books from.
Address P-468, Lake Terrace road Keyatala, Near Vivekananda Park, opposite Kunbi sarees, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029
8th Day Cafe
8th Day Cafe has several branches in the city, but it is the one on Jatin Bagchi Road that is our favourite. This glass-fronted cafe faces trees and a park where you can spot budding young cricketers swing bats and pitch googlies. We can assure you that their coffee is by far the best in the city - in fact their baristas have won national-level awards. The walls sport works by upcoming artists and the shelves in one corner has a variety of books. They range from the Booker winning The Sellout to hard-to-find crime fiction series.
Address 11, Jatin Bagchi Road, CIT Scheme 47, Hindustan Park, Gariahat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029
Oxford Cha Bar
The cafe is located on the upper floor of the 100-year-old Oxford Bookstore on Park Street. You can pick up a book from the store and settle down here with a cup of Darjeeling tea and muffins or sandwiches.
Address 15 Park Street, Apeejay House Block C, 2nd Floor, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
Abar Baithak
Nestled in the wide tree-lined roads of Jodhpur Park is this popular cafe that has a unique Bangla vibe. They have traditional old-style coffee (nothing fancy) and their apple pie is quite famous. You will find the elderly and the young enjoying a spot of adda while posters of Satyajit Ray and his works look down. You can pick up books in Bengali from the many regional publishers here as well as knick knacks like quirky mugs, notebooks, and calendars.
Address 282, Jodhpur Park Rd, Selimpur, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068
Artsy Cafe
Dive into this spacious cafe located off a crowded and noisy AJC Bose Road and you will be in coffee heaven. Sip on a Vietnamese coffee and enjoy the art displayed on the tastefully done up blue-and-yellow walls. We love the wooden tables and mismatched furniture. The shelves are stacked with classics and contemporary fiction books. The food menu is a tad limited with sandwiches, tea cakes, small plates, salads and all-day favourites.
Address Ground Floor, 230/B, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Minto Park, Bhowanipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700020