For book lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike, few pleasures compare to sipping a rich espresso in a charming café surrounded by shelves of novels, poetic quotes on the walls, and the quiet hum of conversation.
Across Europe, a growing number of book-inspired cafés have emerged as havens for readers, writers, and creatives—offering more than just a caffeine fix. These spaces are often lovingly designed to evoke the warmth of a library, the wonder of literature, and the comforting familiarity of a good story.
Whether you’re looking for a cozy corner to read your favorite novel or a cultural experience that blends travel with literary charm, exploring book-themed cafés is a journey worth taking. Here’s a literary coffee trail that takes you through some of Europe’s most enchanting book-inspired cafés.
Shakespeare and Company Café – Paris, France
Adjacent to the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookstore, this Parisian café offers a seamless blend of literature and lifestyle. Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, it draws locals and tourists alike who come not only for the coffee but for the ambiance steeped in literary history.
What Makes It Special:
The café is connected to one of the world’s most famous independent bookstores, known for hosting writers like Allen Ginsberg and Ernest Hemingway. The café itself is adorned with literary quotes, rustic wooden furniture, and an inviting selection of vegan pastries and fair-trade coffee.
Literary Highlight:
You can borrow a book from the store, bring it into the café, and enjoy it over a cappuccino while gazing out at Notre-Dame Cathedral across the Seine.
Word on the Water – London, United Kingdom
Floating on the Regent’s Canal, Word on the Water is a canal boat turned bookshop that occasionally serves coffee and hosts poetry readings and jazz nights. While not a traditional café, it earns its place on the list for its originality and the deep connection it fosters between books and the London literary scene.
What Makes It Special:
The experience of browsing books on a boat is unforgettable. You can sit on the deck with a coffee in hand and lose yourself in both the pages and the gently rocking water.
Literary Highlight:
Live readings, literary discussions, and pop-up coffee stalls turn this floating book haven into a community hub.
Café Pushkin – Moscow, Russia
Though not a bookstore café in the traditional sense, Café Pushkin in Moscow is a historical and cultural gem inspired by Russian literary heritage. Named after the great poet Alexander Pushkin, the café resembles a 19th-century aristocratic library and feels like a step back into the world of Russian literature.
What Makes It Special:
The café’s interior is styled like an old library, with wooden bookcases, vintage globes, and candlelit tables. Classical music and attentive service enhance the feeling of dining in a bygone literary era.
Literary Highlight:
The menu includes traditional Russian fare, and the ambiance evokes the salons frequented by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov.
Livraria da Vila Café – Lisbon, Portugal
Tucked within one of Lisbon’s beloved independent bookstores, Livraria da Vila Café merges literature and gastronomy with effortless elegance. This café is a tranquil spot ideal for enjoying Portuguese coffee alongside your latest read.
What Makes It Special:
The interior design incorporates books into the very structure of the space. Bookshelves form doorways, and the seating encourages long, reflective visits.
Literary Highlight:
The bookstore’s selection of translated works makes it accessible to international readers, and author events regularly bring literary life to the café.
Liberia Acqua Alta – Venice, Italy
Known as “the most beautiful bookstore in the world,” Libreria Acqua Alta is filled with books stacked in gondolas and bathtubs to protect them from Venice’s frequent floods. Though not a full-service café, the shop offers reading nooks and quiet spaces where visitors can sit and read while enjoying a takeaway coffee from nearby cafés.
What Makes It Special:
Cats roam freely, old typewriters rest among the books, and an open door leads directly to the canal—a poetic space unlike any other.
Literary Highlight:
A staircase made entirely of old books offers a picturesque view and makes for one of the most Instagrammed literary spots in Europe.
Kafka Snob Food – Prague, Czech Republic
Named after Prague’s most famous literary figure, Franz Kafka, this café-restaurant offers a sophisticated environment that merges literature, design, and cuisine.
What Makes It Special:
The interior is minimalist yet intellectual, with monochrome tones, typewriter motifs, and a curated selection of international literature available for perusal.
Literary Highlight:
The café often hosts discussions and cultural events centered around Czech and European literature, making it a meeting place for literary minds.
Boekhandel Dominicanen – Maastricht, Netherlands
Housed in a 13th-century Gothic church, this majestic bookstore also includes a café nestled within the sacred arches. While not dedicated solely to café culture, the experience of enjoying coffee in such a historic and literary space is unforgettable.
What Makes It Special:
Vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and choir stalls surround bookshelves and reading tables. The café is located in the former altar area, creating a surreal fusion of literature, architecture, and quiet reverence.
Literary Highlight:
Visitors can sit with their drink among centuries-old stone and feel the weight of literary history all around them.
Café KulturBrauerei – Berlin, Germany
Located within a complex that once served as a brewery, this café and cultural venue in Berlin now offers books, exhibitions, and intellectual events that reflect the city’s rich literary and philosophical tradition.
What Makes It Special:
The space blends industrial chic with a cozy reading atmosphere. Art installations and poetry slams are often held alongside coffee and cake.
Literary Highlight:
A small in-house bookstore features works by German philosophers, writers, and contemporary authors.
Tips for Creating Your Own Literary Coffee Trail
If you’re inspired to craft your own tour of book-themed cafés across Europe, consider the following tips:
- Do Your Research: Many cafés host special events—readings, signings, or literary talks—that could align with your travel dates.
- Visit Independent Bookstores: Often, the best literary cafés are part of or adjacent to small, local bookshops.
- Take Notes: Bring a journal to capture your thoughts, impressions, or even sketches from each location.
- Savor the Experience: Don’t rush. Let the atmosphere, smells, and sounds of each place sink in—just like a good book.
