There’s something magical about the combination of weathered pages and freshly brewed coffee. The scent of old books mingling with rich espresso creates an atmosphere that transports you to a slower, more contemplative time. Both experiences invite you to pause, savor the moment, and connect with something deeper than our fast-paced digital world typically allows.
Here is a list of 15 destinations where you can indulge in literary treasures and exceptional coffee, creating the perfect getaway for bibliophiles and caffeine enthusiasts.
Shakespeare and Company, Paris
This legendary English-language bookstore has been offering literary heaven on Paris’s Left Bank since 1951. The shop features towering shelves of new and used books, hidden reading nooks, and even beds where aspiring writers have slept through the decades.
Just steps away, several charming cafés serve exceptional French press coffee and pastries, perfect for enjoying alongside your new literary find. The combination of Parisian café culture with this literary landmark creates an unmatched experience.
Powell’s City of Books, Portland
Powell’s occupies an entire city block in downtown Portland and claims to be the world’s largest independent bookstore, with over one million volumes. The multi-level labyrinth houses new and used books side by side, organized by color-coded rooms that could keep you exploring for days.
Portland’s renowned coffee scene surrounds the store, with dozens of artisanal roasters within walking distance. The city’s dedication to craft coffee and independent bookselling makes it an essential pilgrimage for lovers of both.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Livraria Lello, Porto
Often cited as one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, this Portuguese gem features a stunning neo-Gothic façade and an interior with carved wooden staircases, stained glass, and ornate details that allegedly inspired elements of the Harry Potter series.
Porto’s coffee culture complements the literary experience perfectly, with numerous cafés serving traditional Portuguese coffee—strong, aromatic espresso often accompanied by a pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart). The combination creates a sensory experience that feels both timeless and distinctly Portuguese.
Atlantis Books, Santorini
Perched in the cliffside village of Oia, this charming bookshop offers a curated collection of classics, poetry, and fiction in multiple languages. The whitewashed, cave-like space with blue accents mirrors the iconic Cycladic architecture outside.
Nearby cafés serve strong Greek coffee in small cups, often accompanied by a glass of water and perhaps a sweet treat. Enjoying your literary finds while overlooking the caldera’s deep blue waters creates a serene, sun-drenched reading experience.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires
Housed in a former theater, this Argentine bookstore preserves the original ornate balconies, frescoed ceilings, and red stage curtains while displaying thousands of titles. The theater boxes now serve as reading rooms, and the stage has been transformed into a café serving cortados (espresso with a splash of milk) and medialunas (Argentine croissants).
The dramatic setting elevates the coffee experience and the joy of browsing, making it a cultural destination that honors Argentina’s literary heritage.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Strand Book Store, New York City
With its famous claim of ’18 miles of books,’ this East Village institution has been a cornerstone of New York’s literary scene since 1927. The massive selection of new, used, and rare books spans multiple floors and attracts serious collectors and casual readers. Manhattan’s coffee scene offers countless options within walking distance, from third-wave specialists to classic diners serving bottomless cups of American brew.
The energy of the city infuses both experiences, creating a distinctly New York combination.
Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice
This unique Venetian bookshop keeps its literary treasures in bathtubs, gondolas, and waterproof containers to protect them from the city’s notorious acqua alta (high water) flooding. The quirky shop features a back door that opens directly onto a canal and a staircase made entirely of books.
Venetian coffee culture centers around standing at the bar for a quick espresso, often accompanied by a small pastry. The combination creates a distinctly Italian approach to literacy and caffeine—both appreciated with passion but without unnecessary fuss.
Daunt Books, London
This Edwardian bookshop in Marylebone features long oak galleries, stained glass windows, and an exceptional travel section organized by country. The space itself feels like a journey through time and geography. London’s café scene has evolved dramatically in recent decades, with excellent coffee available throughout the city.
The British tradition of afternoon tea also offers a caffeinated alternative for those looking to extend their browsing into a proper break. The combination honors both traditional English sensibilities and contemporary coffee standards.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Boekhandel Dominicanen, Maastricht
Housed in a 13th-century Dominican church, this Dutch bookstore transforms religious architecture into a temple of literature. The vaulted ceilings, stone columns, and original frescoes create a breathtaking backdrop for book browsing. The in-house café occupies what was once the choir, serving excellent coffee beneath the church’s ancient arches.
The Netherlands has embraced modern coffee culture while maintaining its traditional bruin cafés (cozy Dutch pubs), giving visitors multiple options for caffeination while enjoying their literary purchases.
Cafebrería El Péndulo, Mexico City
This Mexican chain brilliantly combines bookstore and café under one roof, with multiple locations throughout Mexico City. Lush plants hang from the ceilings, creating a garden-like atmosphere among the bookshelves. The integrated café serves excellent Mexican coffee—from regions like Chiapas and Veracruz—and full meals and cocktails.
Live music often enhances the experience, creating a cultural hub that simultaneously nourishes mind, body, and soul.
Munro’s Books, Victoria
Founded by Nobel Prize- winning author Alice Munro and her then-husband in 1963, this Canadian bookstore occupies a magnificent former bank building with neoclassical architecture and soaring ceilings. Victoria’s moderate climate and island setting create the perfect environment for lingering with books and coffee.
The Pacific Northwest coffee tradition is well-represented in the city, with numerous independent cafés serving expertly crafted beverages. The combination creates a distinctly Canadian literary experience—thoughtful, welcoming, and subtly world-class.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Gertrude & Alice, Sydney
Named after Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, this combined bookstore and café in Bondi Beach offers the perfect blend of literary culture and coffee expertise. The shelves house new and secondhand books, while the café serves exceptional Australian coffee—a country that has developed its own distinctive coffee culture with drinks like the flat white.
The beachside location adds another dimension, allowing visitors to take their purchases and beverages to the shore for an oceanside reading session.
Trident Booksellers & Cafe, Boston
Located on Newbury Street, this cozy independent bookstore and café has been a Boston favorite since 1984. The two-story space offers an eclectic mix of books—from bestsellers to philosophy—and a full-service café known for its comfort food, coffee, and boozy brunches. The relaxed, intellectual vibe makes it a haven for students, creatives, and locals seeking a quiet corner to read or write.
As the aroma of espresso mingles with the scent of books and pancakes, Trident delivers a distinctly American take on the book-and-beverage experience—warm, lived-in, and delightfully unpretentious.
Ler Devagar, Lisbon
Located in LX Factory, a repurposed industrial complex, this Portuguese bookstore’s name translates to ‘Read Slowly’—excellent advice for visitors. The multi-level space features flying bicycle installations, art exhibitions, and thousands of books beneath high ceilings. Portugal’s coffee culture centers around the bica—similar to espresso—often enjoyed with a pastry at any hour.
The combination of industrial aesthetics, literary treasure hunting, and coffee appreciation creates a thoroughly contemporary Portuguese experience.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Prairie Lights, Iowa City
This independent bookstore has been a cornerstone of Iowa City’s literary scene since 1978. It hosts readings by world-famous authors drawn to the University of Iowa’s prestigious Writers’ Workshop. The three-story shop offers an exceptional selection curated by knowledgeable staff.
The in-house café serves as a meeting place for writers, professors, and readers, creating an atmosphere of literary conversation fueled by excellent coffee. The Midwestern setting adds a grounded authenticity to the intellectual environment.
Books and Beans: The Lasting Appeal
These literary havens and exceptional coffee create experiences that engage all the senses. Each destination offers its unique blend of architecture, atmosphere, and cultural context that shapes how we interact with books and beverages.
These spaces aren’t merely places to make purchases but environments that invite us to slow down, connect with ideas, and rediscover the tactile pleasures of physical books alongside the comfort of a well-crafted coffee. In our increasingly digital world, these destinations remind us of the irreplaceable joy of analog experiences shared in thoughtfully created spaces.
More from Travel Pug
- Cities Growing so Fast You Won’t Recognize Them in 10 Years
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Obscure WWII Sites Even History Buffs Don’t Know About
- 10 Under-the-Radar Mountain Towns That Are Both Affordable and Beautiful
- Remote Villages in Europe Where You Can Live for Free in Exchange for Work
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.