Instagram-worthy cafes are all the rage, with the photogenic walls and food that are impeccably plated. However, sometimes all we need is a comfortable place to lounge around while enjoying a good book.
Book cafes are highly underrated. How wonderful it is if we could just escape from the hustle and bustle of life, and just have some quiet time alone with a book in hand!
Sounds like something that appeals to you? We’ve collated a list of 5 Book Cafes scattered around Singapore to take you on a journey of a lifetime through its pages, all while enjoying a hot cup of joe and a delicious plate of food.
Photo Credit: The Moon
THE MOON
Featuring books that are written by women as well as artists and writers of colour, The Moon boasts a collection of books that do not shy away from stories that cover a variety of delicate topics. Books here range from cannibalism to the social history of 80s teen fiction, dinosaurs, modern art and the refugee crisis.
The Moon aims to be a bookstore that provides underrepresented writers and stories a place to belong that reflects the world for what it is, without a layer of sugar coating.
The Moon also has a lovely, cosy cafe that provides options for everyone with as many dietary restrictions possible. These includes dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan food choices for a more inclusive menu.
37 Mosque Street
Singapore 059515
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Chinatown
Photo Credit: The Book Cafe
THE BOOK CAFE
Casual and comfortable, The Book Cafe allows its guests to take refuge in its relaxing ambience and lounge on their plush sofas for a chill day off. Otherwise, The Book Cafe also provides everything you would need for a productive day; from electrical power-points to free wireless access and even a photocopy machine.
Choose between dining in comfort or enjoying the outdoors at their al fresco dining area. No matter where you pick, diners are offered an appetising and extensive menu that boasts an all-day breakfast as well as a wide array of drinks, including alcoholic options!
20 Martin Rd
Seng Kee Building, #01-02
Singapore 239070
Tel: +65 6887 5430
Daily: 8.30 – 9.45pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay
Photo Credit: The Reading Room
THE READING ROOM
A charming book cafe by day that turns into a lively bar when night falls, The Reading Room is housed within a shophouse that boasts tasteful decoration and a stress-free ambience that invites guests in.
This stunning book cafe also offers an exquisite food selection, with options such as Lobster Eggs Benedict, Fluffy Homemade Pancakes and aromatic coffees to start your day right.
19 Bukit Pasoh Rd
Singapore 089833
Tel: +65 6220 9019
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11.30pm
Fri: 11am – 1.30am
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 1.30am
Nearest Station: Outram Park
Photo Credit: Tzu Chi Singapore
JING SI BOOKS & CAFÉ
Get in touch with your spiritual side and practice mindfulness at Jing Si Books and Café. The store and cafe are decked out in oriental and Zen interior with dark wood touches that seamlessly fuse with contemporary uses of glass.
Hoping to provide a space to act as a spiritual oasis for modern city dwellers, the cafe offers a calm and serene refuge with fragrant cups of coffee or tea and vegetarian food options.
134 Geylang East Ave 1
Singapore 380134
Tel: +65 6747 3080
Daily: 11am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Aljunied
Photo Credit: Epigram Books
HUGGS-EPIGRAM COFFEE BOOKSHOP
Be greeted by a myriad of colours the moment you step into this bookstore and cafe hybrid. With an impressive collection of books displayed on their floor to ceiling book shelf, bookworms will be excited and thrilled to know that majority of the books here are all about Singapore. These books are written by local authors or set in Singapore or published by local publishers.
The bookstore also invites authors for a daily Author-in-Attendance event; it allows local authors to shine by providing an opportunity for more recognition and to share insights into their book. If you spot them in the store, don’t be afraid to say hi.
Epigram Books partnered with Huggs Coffee to provide the perfect space for coffee lovers and bookworms to convene together in a single space for aromatic local-style coffee brews, such as Latte Gula and Milk Teh Si, and delightful quick bites.
45 Maxwell Rd
The URA Centre, #01-01
Singapore 069118
Tel: +65 6292 4456
Mon to Fri: 10am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar/Telok Ayer