5 Hidden Book cafes in Delhi Every Reader in Love

May 25, 2025

If you’re the kind of person who can spend hours flipping through pages with a warm cappuccino in hand, this one’s for you. Delhi isn’t just about street food and monuments—it’s quietly home to a thriving subculture of book lovers and hidden gems where stories, coffee, and calm co-exist. These hidden book cafes in Delhi aren’t just cafés—they’re little worlds of their own.

You won’t find them on the first page of Zomato or plastered across Instagram reels. But once you step inside, you’ll want to stay for hours. Here's a curated guide to some of the capital's most under-the-radar book cafes where the pages never stop turning.

📚 1. Café Turtle – Above the Noise, In the Pages

Ask any Delhi bibliophile, and they’ll whisper about Café Turtle. Tucked quietly above Full Circle Bookstore in Khan Market, it’s more of a vibe than a place. Think soft yellow lighting, floor-to-ceiling shelves, and Greek salad that somehow tastes better with a Murakami in hand.

There’s no loud music, no rush—just conversations and quiet. And the best part? You can browse books downstairs and bring them upstairs while you sip.

📍 Location: Khan Market
☕ Try: Apple cinnamon tea and hummus platter
📖 Atmosphere: Peaceful, old-school, timeless

☕ 2. Jugmug Thela – A Book Cart that Became a Vibe

Located deep inside Champa Gali (yes, the one with fairy lights and indie brands), Jugmug Thela has a library corner that’s often overlooked. Walk past the tea bar, and you’ll find a rack filled with well-loved books—everything from philosophy to pulp fiction.

There’s a vintage charm to this café. It’s rustic, low-key, and designed for lazy Sunday afternoons with chai and Camus.

📍 Location: Champa Gali, Saket
🌿 Vibe: Eco-chic with a slow living touch
📚 Pro Tip: Their upstairs room is usually less crowded and perfect for solo readers

🌼 3. Ivy & Bean – Australia Meets Literature in Shahpur Jat

Don’t let the floral exterior fool you—Ivy & Bean is serious about books. They even have a ‘leave a book, take a book’ shelf. Tucked into Delhi’s design hub of Shahpur Jat, this cafe offers a warm blend of Australian brunch culture and literary spirit.

The outdoor seating is lovely during winter, and their collection of travel and food writing makes it perfect for wanderlust-driven minds.

📍 Location: Shahpur Jat, South Delhi
🥑 Must-Have: Avocado toast & cold brew
📖 Hidden Gem: They host occasional book readings and open mics

🪴 4. The Nerdy Indian – Books with Desi Soul

This one's a recent addition, but a must-visit if you're craving chai, stories, and some unplugged poetry. The Nerdy Indian isn’t widely known, which makes it even more special. The café doubles as a small community space, often hosting local authors, poetry nights, and even mental health book circles.

📍 Location: Vijay Nagar, North Campus
🧠 Vibe: Quirky, brainy, youth-friendly
📚 Best Time: Evenings when it lights up like a Pinterest board

📖 5. Kunzum Books & Coffee – Not Just a Café, A Community

Once in Hauz Khas Village, now reborn in Greater Kailash II, Kunzum has always been more than a café. It’s a space for travelers, writers, and wanderers. You can grab a book, read as long as you like, and pay what you wish for coffee. Yes, really.

Their walls are covered with travel memories, and their shelves are full of wanderlust-inducing literature.

📍 Location: GK II M Block Market
✈️ Perfect For: Travel memoirs and quiet reflections
📷 Bonus: They occasionally do photography walks and author meets

What People Also Ask

Q: Are there any book cafes near Delhi University?
Yes! The Nerdy Indian in Vijay Nagar is close to North Campus and loved by students.

Q: Can I work from these cafes?
Absolutely. Most of them have Wi-Fi, quiet ambiance, and power outlets. Café Turtle and Kunzum are great for solo working days.

Q: Do these book cafés host events?
Yes. Kunzum, Ivy & Bean, and The Nerdy Indian often host author readings, poetry sessions, and open mic nights.

Q: Can I buy books at these cafes?
At some, like Café Turtle and Kunzum, you can. Others encourage you to read, borrow, or even exchange books.

Final Chapter: A City That Still Reads

In a city that moves fast, these hidden book cafes in Delhi invite you to slow down. To turn pages instead of scrolling. To sip mindfully. To lose track of time and find yourself again in a sentence, a chapter, a cup of cocoa.

Whether you're a serious reader, a weekend browser, or someone who's just craving solitude, these quiet havens are waiting for you.

So next time Delhi gets loud, don’t run away—just find a café that lets you read through the noise.