Book nerds live in their own world which is made of fictional characters and settings. Being left alone with books is an ideal situation for a book lover. There are many spots in the country where you can achieve exactly that. So if you consider yourself a reader that has a ball at a bookstore, this article is for you. We’ll be taking you through the 7 most popular bookstores in India. These places are all about art, books, and aesthetics so you can feel like the main character of your own tale.
Kitab Khana
Located in the aesthetic part of Mumbai, i.e South Mumbai, Kitab Khana is one of the oldest bookstores in the city. Just like the entirety of South Mumbai, even Kitab khana has managed to keep its old-world charm intact. The place is located in Fort next to Flora Fountain and the name literally translates to “Home for books”.
You’ll feel transported from the minute you enter the building. Everything about Kitaab Khaana is vintage and aesthetic. Not only will you get the popular books but also everything you possibly didn’t know existed. There are classics, and mesmerizing hardcovers and they also deliver books across the country.
Books and good food are a match made in heaven and Kitaab Khaana excels in both. There’s a cute caféteria serving affordable and delicious food so both your pangs of hunger will be satiated. The one being for books and another one being food. You should definitely check out their cheesecake selection and Italian food range when you visit.
Address: Building No. 45, 47 Ground Floor, Somaiya Bhavan, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400001
Timings: 10.30 am to 7.30 pm
Leaping Windows
With a café and underground comic book heaven in the basement, Leaping Windows is a place that’ll certainly make you feel like you’re living inside a novel. You can sit comfortably reading comic books and there are many to choose from.
Just keep in mind that you can only order drinks while sitting in the basement. You’ll need to sit upstairs to order and eat food but it makes sense, right? Who’d want to ruin the beauty of books with messy food?
You’ll come out of this place happy and the staff is extremely courteous and sweet. Trust us when we say that the nerd inside you will flip out the minute you’ll enter the basement and if you’re into comics, this is going to be an otherworldly experience for you.
Address: Corner View, 3, Dr.Ashok Chopra Marg, Opp. Bianca Towers, Amit Nagar, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400061
Timings: 12 pm to 12 am (Monday to Friday), 10 am to 12 pm (Saturday – Sunday)
Lodhi Art District, Delhi
You can love or hate the country’s capital but you can’t deny the fact that it truly can be heaven for art enthusiasts, book lovers, and foodies. On your list of visiting popular bookstores in India, you have got to reserve a spot for Lodhi Art District. Bahrisons Booksellers is the one bookstore you must visit when here.
About Lodhi Colony, you must know that it was the last housing estate built by the British and remains iconical because of its architecture. As a book lover and art enthusiast, it’s a must-visit for you because it’s India’s first art district. Other than enjoying the book stores here you can also explore the 50 murals found here done by Indian and international artists.
There are plenty of stunning lanes with wall graffiti where you can get some of the best pictures. It is also loved by many budding influencers because of its state-of-the-art aesthetics.
Address: 261, Block 15, Lodi Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110003
Timings: 24 hours open
Literati Bookshop And Cafe, Goa
Goa is one place in India that still largely maintains Portuguese influences in its architecture, culture, and beauty. If you are fond of books and pretty buildings, Literati Bookshop and Cafe should be on your Goa itinerary. The bookshop café is located in the garden of an old Portuguese-styled Goan house which still retains its timeless charm.
It is an independent bookstore and café started by a couple who fell in love with each other over their shared love for books. They started this place with an aim to share their love for books with other people and build a sense of community. If you visit Goa and crave the familiar smell of paperbacks, this place can be the one where you will find the peace in form of old and new paperbacks.
It is one of those kinds of places where you can sit and read for hours in their comfortable cozy seating area with a cup of coffee. They also organize many cultural events to promote new authors and artists, so if you are lucky and connect prior, you might get to experience that.
Address: E/1-282, Gauravaddo, Calangute, Goa 403516
Timings: 10 am to 6.30 pm (Closed on Sundays)
Champac Bookstore, Bangalore
If you think Banglore is only the tech hub and has the most amazing weather, hold your assumptions there for a second. Champac Bookstore is one such place in the fast pacing metropolitan city where you can find solace with books. It is a bookstore and a café where you can find everything from short stories, fiction, and nonfiction books by various Indian and international authors. If you are constantly starving to read underrated books, this is the place where you will find them on the shelves.
The bookstore was started by book lovers with the purpose of sharing stories that deserve to be read. If you share the same spirit, not only you will find it to be a perfect spot but you might also want to become a part of this community. They have a subscription in place too and you can even order the books.
It is a women-run independent bookstore where you can see the heart of the store because everything is handpicked and you will find newer collections with each visit. They also host online and offline events on weekly basis.
Address: 7/1, Edward Road, Off, Queens Rd, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560052
Timings: 11:00 am to 07:00 pm (Closed on Monday)
Cafe Story, Kolkata
Kolkata is truly a city straight out of the dreams of a booklover. From its old streets to vintage book shops, the City of Joy truly defines joy for book nerds. When you visit Kolkata you must head to Cafe Story. The place is well-managed and guess what? You can have drinks in the cups signed by the famous authors/artists who visited the café!
The building has an old-time charm and is located in a very central, easily accessible location. The café offers a great variety of salads, maggie, coffee, tea, and basically, light snacks you can need while losing yourself in the books.
Address: 8, Elgin Rd, Sreepally, Bhowanipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700020
Timings: 10 am to 10 pm
Pagdandi Bookstore Cafe, Pune
The name reflects it all, Pagdandi literally translates to “The road less traveled by”. That’s probably the reason why this bookstore offers you one-of-a-kind book collections. Pagdandi has created and maintained its reputation in Pune since 2013. The place was started by a couple in Pune as a bookstore café and now is almost a full-fledged bookstore.
The interior of this place gives you old-world library vibes. The wooden interiors of the place with a massive book collection ranging from fiction, nonfiction, independent books, and all-time classics, this bookstore has everything all the nerds need.
You can easily spend hours browsing, reading, and scrolling through their handpicked selection of books. They also organize events and do pop-ups across the city of Pune. All in all, if you enjoy the aroma of coffee as much as you like how a paperback smells, this place will be a practical match made in heaven for you.
Address: Shop No. 6, Regent Plaza Mall, Baner – Pashan Link Rd, Baner, Pune, Maharashtra 411045
Timings: 10.30 am to 8.30 pm
Summing Up
Every day is a great day for book lovers and we are sure your days will lighten up even more after a visit to these places. Whether you are a solo traveler who seeks nothing more than solace or a book enthusiast looking to explore every aesthetic place, you will find something for yourself. Just make sure to give yourself enough time with these places because trust us, a few hours will not be sufficient to soak in all the glory of these bookstores.
FAQs
What Are The Must-Read Indian Travel Books?
When it comes to travel and even life, books can be your best friend. There are many great Indian writers acing in the genre of travel writing. You certainly should check out Tales from the road by Aniket Ketkar, The land of Moonlit Snows by Gaurav Punj, The Bera Bond by Sundeep Bhutoria, and Haunted India by Chandan Sinha.
What Are The Top Three Travel Books Of All Time?
Travel fiction and nonfictional are two really popular book genres with a huge reader base. If you’re considering reading travel books, you should check out Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, Siren Land by Normal Douglas, and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.
What To Read When You Can’t Travel?
Books can always take you to different places when you cant travel. You should read West With The Night by Beryl Markhaml, Ali and Nino by Paul Theroux, The Art Of Travel by Alain de Botton, and honestly, everything that intrigues you. You can always read short stories if novels aren’t your jam.
Which Is The Biggest Bookstore In India?
One of the most popular bookstore and a place for bookworms to hangout is the Kitab Khana Bookstore.
Which Is The Oldest Book Store In India?
The Higginbotham’s store in Chennai is one of the oldest bookstore in India.
Which Is A Famous Online Bookstore?
Amazon.com is one of the most famous bookstore online.
How Much Capital Is Needed For A Bookstore?
The maximum money needed for an individual bookstore is around Rs 4,762,163.82 for all the expenditures required.
Which Company Sells Maximum Books In The Market In India?
In India Flipkart is one of the popular book selling company online.
