Kathmandu, April 11 — A burgeoning trend of book cafes is taking root throughout the Kathmandu Valley, providing cozy retreats for bibliophiles, artists, and telecommuters looking for a peaceful respite from urban chaos. As patrons sip their coffees and gentle tunes fill the air, they find themselves slipping seamlessly between moments of ease and introspection, savoring both beverages and ideas alike.
Sushmita Baniya, who is 21 years old, talks about her experiences at book cafes in Kathmandu, expressing particular fondness for Ujamaa Koffie & Bakery with Library. She appreciates how this café provides a serene and concentrated atmosphere, featuring a special reading area where the focus remains solely on literature rather than diversions, which makes it ideal for avid readers. Nonetheless, Sushmita points out that several book cafes, including Bodhi Books and Bakes, often come with high prices, potentially limiting access for individuals from various financial situations. To make these spaces more inclusive and foster a wider reading habit among people, she recommends offering more budget-friendly alternatives.
She thinks that the increasing appeal of book cafes in Kathmandu might stem from the surge in remote work and freelance jobs, making such places appealing alternatives for working remotely. Additionally, social media plays a role in promoting these establishments since people like posting about visually charming spots. She also expresses her desire to see more vintage and rare books in these cafés, believing this would enhance the overall experience.
Baniya thinks that book cafés are contributing to the development of a more robust reading community in Kathmandu. She explains, "They often organize events such as book launchings, literary debates, and poetry recitals, which help create a sense of belonging for those who love literature."
In a similar vein, Suravi Poudel, who is 19 years old, expresses her views on book cafés in Kathmandu, specifically discussing Ektafe Brew Manor and Books Mandala Café. She singles out the former as her preferred spot. Nonetheless, she emphasizes that these book cafés tend to be unaffordable, especially for students or residents of the area, since they seem geared towards foreign visitors and upper-class professionals. “I doubt that either a student or any resident could frequent such places without constantly worrying about the cost,” she remarks.
For Poudel, the perfect book café should offer a setting that is both tranquil and soothing, complemented by soft instrumental tunes, warm ambiance, gentle yellow lights, and an invigorating atmosphere—features that Ektafe Brew Manor embodies quite well. According to her, the increasing appeal of these establishments stems largely from their visual charm, particularly as showcased through social media platforms.
A student named Ravi Pandey mentioned that he favors his college library over book cafes due to the reduced number of interruptions found in libraries. He questions whether book cafes truly promote a reading culture since numerous patrons appear more interested in appearance, frequently posing with books just for photo opportunities. According to Ravi, book cafes might be suitable for professionals; however, places such as The 100 Spaces serve younger audiences better by offering them productive environments where they can interact and utilize their time effectively.
Aakriti Bharati, who is 23 years old, talks about her fondness for book cafes in Kathmandu. She particularly likes Bodhi Books and Bakes, Books Mandala, Kaidako Coffee House, and Himalayan Java. Although Himalayan Java isn’t strictly classified as a book café, Aakriti enjoys that they permit customers to purchase books and enjoy reading in their cozy setting.
When questioned regarding the cost of these cafés, Bharati states that they are “unaffordable.” She believes that these establishments cater primarily to a particular socioeconomic class, as their pricing makes regular patronage challenging for students.
She emphasized the expanding coffee culture in Nepal, pointing out that numerous individuals, particularly those who work remotely, favor these cafés over working from home. “Working from home doesn’t suit everyone; sometimes you just want to dress up and mimic being at an office,” she clarifies. Recently developing a stronger inclination towards reading as a way to cut down on screen time, Bharati sees this affinity toward book-themed cafes as indicative of a larger change in behavior patterns. She mentions, “An increasing number of folks have become enthusiastic about reading. Many find themselves tired of studying through screens all day and visit book cafes simply to take a breather.” According to her, this heightened involvement with literature reflects a general desire among people for fulfilling activities devoid of excessive digital interference.
She proposes that if bookstore cafés provided cheaper coffee choices aligned with the nation’s financial situation, it would make these areas more readily available.
Lagan Tamrakar, one of the owners of Soma Café, reveals that the idea of integrating a café with books originated from his business partner, Bishal Gurung. Their vision was to create an environment resembling a bookstore more so than a traditional library within their café setting. The venture kicked off in 2010 when they launched the establishment and collaborated with United Books, offering patrons access to physical literature as opposed to digital formats.
The café, which also operates a location in Baluwatar, offers meals and beverages alongside books as an additional draw. According to Tamrakar, there is increasing enthusiasm for self-improvement literature, particularly works focused on wealth creation and individual development, mirroring the enterprising mindset prevalent among contemporary readers.
Lilaram Khadka, aged 35, who co-founded Ujjama Koffie and Bakery along with the Library, looks back at his experience over the past four years. Since opening this café, it has transformed into a center for creativity, featuring activities such as open microphone nights, poetry recitals, and literary gatherings.
He thinks the café caters to individuals from various walks of life due to its affordability, underlining that visitors aren’t required to purchase anything. People are welcome to drop in, unwind, chat with others, or collaborate on group studies where they can share thoughts freely. Additionally, Ujjama provides Jiri tea for guests who linger longer, which ties back to Khadka’s roots and highlights the charm of his home region as depicted through photos showcased within the café.
Khadka ponders over the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which motivated him to establish a place where individuals could come together following long periods of isolation at home. His objective was to assist students, notably those hailing from Jiri, by furnishing a suitable setting for learning as well as giving them barista training so they might generate earnings and achieve self-reliance through running a café.
Khadka recognizes difficulties with managing the books, noting that around 300-400 have been misplaced, and intends to improve the organizational structure of the café.
Bodhi Books and Bakes has existed for more than nine years, with Bipinti Pradhan, who is 34 years old, overseeing it since day one. According to her, the concept of this bookstore café originated from the founders’ time in New York, where such establishments that merged a bakery, coffee shop, and library were quite typical.
Pradhan recognizes that the café could be pricey for students and may cater better to professionals. She notes that with the rise of remote work, the venue sees an increase in visitors. Nevertheless, Bodhi Books and Bakes struggle financially because of economic hardships. Even though they managed to sustain operations through the COVID-19 pandemic, the establishment now faces fresh obstacles.
Overall, book cafes in Kathmandu are becoming increasingly popular as individuals look for tranquil spots to read, work, and socialize. Despite providing a serene respite from the hurried digital realm, questions linger regarding their cost-effectiveness and contribution to fostering a reading culture—many visitors frequenting these places primarily to take aesthetically pleasing pictures.
