Book cafes you cannot miss this winter

We all remember winter days from our childhood. Final exams had ended. We rushed back home, slipped under our blankets, and picked up the books we had waited so long to read. Time didn't matter. We read all afternoon. The cosy warmth under the blanket and a favourite book in hand gave us the perfect start to winter vacation.

With time, many people lost that habit. Some read a lot during childhood but can no longer find the space for that warm, quiet reading time.

Kids today are drawn more to screens than to stories. But for knowledge, imagination, and a richer way of passing time, nothing replaces books.

Book cafes bring back the spirit of those winter nights, but in a new form. The same warmth of reading under a blanket, only now with a cup of hot chocolate. These places let us slow down, breathe, and return to books with focus.

Baatighar

The path begins at Baatighar. When talking about book cafes in Dhaka, no one can skip this one. With an interior inspired by the old Lalbagh Fort, Baatighar sits on the seventh floor of Bishwo Sahitto Kendro.

The moment you enter, it feels like stepping into a book heaven. Bengali literature, English classics, non-fiction, novels by Bangladeshi and foreign writers, and even original Tintin copies—Baatighar offers endless variety. Their publication also republishes classic books. There is a small cafe where you can order coffee and read for hours. A kids' section is neatly arranged with children's books.

They also sell bookmarks and notebooks. You can sit, sip, read, and collect books. If you want to spend hours in a book cafe, Baatighar is one of the best places to start.

Bookworm Bangladesh

If you love walking in nature before settling down with a book, Bookworm Bangladesh is a perfect choice.

Located inside Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, this book cafe carries a calm, refreshing vibe.

We often say there is no ideal place in Dhaka to go with family or take children. But Bookworm gives you precisely that. You can go with friends, family, or kids.

The store offers a wide range of English literature. You can read, collect books, and spend your time in a way that is rich rather than lazy. Surrounded by greenery, the cafe helps adults clear their minds and gives children a productive space to explore.

Riddhi Book Cafe

Riddhi feels like a smaller version of Bishwo Sahitto Kendro. The building is divided into a book cafe on the ground floor, a book outlet and library on the first floor, and a seminar gallery on the second. This little space in Mirpur can be a sanctuary for book lovers.

Along with books, they keep journals and papers dating back 120–140 years. Readers come here and spend hours without disturbance. Many books can be bought at very affordable prices.

Riddhi also arranges storytelling sessions for kids every Friday. It is a perfect spot for anyone in Dhaka searching for peace in this fast-paced city.

The Reading Cafe

If you enjoy reading in solitude, this cafe is made for you. The Reading Cafe in Banani gives you the quiet you need. It feels like a humble home for bookworms.

The cafe holds a rich collection of English literature, along with comics, novels, and self-help books. With a warm cup of coffee, it is a great place to spend winter afternoons. A kids' zone is there as well. They also have branches in Mirpur and the Science Lab, so you can visit whichever is nearest.

Pathak Shamabesh Kendra

As you move toward Shahbagh, you will spot Pathak Shamabesh Kendra. Anyone who walks through the area can notice it.

This is another heaven for readers. The shelves are neatly stocked, and the peaceful atmosphere makes browsing easy. The staff are friendly and ready to help with recommendations. Whether you are a longtime reader or someone just discovering books, this place is worth visiting.

Nerdy Bean Coffee House

In Dhanmondi, Nerdy Bean Coffee House waits for those who want a cup in one hand and a book in the other. Though it is not a bookstore, it keeps shelves filled with both Bengali and English books. You can pick one or bring your own. The calm environment, soothing music, and dim lighting create the cosy reading vibe you may be craving. Their latte is a favorite for many readers.

Vive Study Cafe

A cafe owned by students, made for students. Vive Study Cafe in Hatirjheel offers the perfect environment to read, study, and spend time with friends.

This is the first book cafe in Dhaka to offer students a place for silent, focused study. You can prepare presentations, take notes, and read without disturbance.

There is even a quiet zone for deep concentration.

Vive also provides printing facilities and space to practice academic presentations. It is ideal for students seeking a calm, productive corner in the city.

Bookends

Located in Banani, Bookends is another stop for book lovers. Books are arranged neatly by genre. Their English literature section is strong, while their Bengali literature section is smaller. But the space is cosy enough to sit for hours and enjoy your time.

The store also has stationery items, manga collections, and comics by Bangladeshi creators. A unique feature is their perfume section—something rarely seen in a bookstore. Overall, Bookends is a warm and interesting place to read.

Best Exotic Bookstore and Teahouse

If you like reading while eating, this is the place for you. The book collection is small, but the environment is ideal for extended reading. Customers often praise their food.

This aesthetic cafe in Uttara gives readers the chance to enjoy both books and a good meal. They also have books available for purchase.

Bengal Boi

The path ends at Bengal Boi in Dhanmondi 27. Here you will find books from many countries, authors, and languages. Bengal Boi is a peaceful escape in a city that never stops moving. There is outdoor seating where you can read and enjoy snacks like shingara with tea. From morning till night, it welcomes readers warmly.

Inside, on the second floor, a cafe serves drinks and simple comfort while an art gallery hosts exhibitions. There is also a section for children, tote bags, notebooks, and other goods that draw both readers and collectors. Over time, Bengal Boi has become a landmark for book lovers across the city.

Every type of reader in Dhaka can find a place to lose themselves in stories at book cafes.

There is a place for every mood, whether you want to be surrounded by greenery, like at Bookworm Bangladesh in Gulshan, or you prefer a peaceful space created just for reading, like The Reading Cafe or Vive Study Cafe.

Every cafe has a unique charm, from the cosy atmosphere of Nerdy Bean, Bookends, and the Best Exotic Bookstore and Teahouse to the historic, literature-rich shelves of Baatighar and Riddhi.

Winter slows the world down just enough for us to notice the things we miss. A good book is one of them. These book cafes are more than places to sit. They are spaces where thoughts gather, where stories meet new minds, where people rediscover the habit that shapes inner worlds. If you walk into any one of them this season, you may find a moment that stays with you far longer than the winter itself. So step inside, open a book, and let your world widen—one page at a time.

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