Do you like to read? Dive into a good romance with a coffee at your side is part of an ideal scenario? What if you were told that you could also eat a book at the same time as a succulent dish? Because there are not just the libraries where you can read, we do a little overview of places that welcome literature lovers, including meals!
In the beautiful province
In Quebec, we love books and good food! We suggest you some places where the two intermingle with pleasure.
In the charming municipality of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield lies a place where reading, culture and art meet the culinary experience. In addition to offering a wide range of books and cultural books to its clients, the Café-Bistro Library also organizes several literary and artistic events. It serves brunch, a bistro menu, a lunch menu and a discovery menu for the curious. Duck gnocchi and wild mushrooms, salmon in a spice crust or beef flank with chimichurri sauce are some of the dishes you can enjoy, a good book in hand.
In Montreal, in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, Bistro Olivieri, both a restaurant and a bookstore, is a haven for seasoned readers. You can read it quietly before sitting indoors or on the terrace. On the evening menu rabbit confit, filet mignon of veal and smoked trout salad. We read in Spanish? We head to the Espagnola Bookstore on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, which is teeming with Spanish-speaking books. The shop also contains many gourmet Spanish products and you can settle down to taste typical Spanish delicacies.
In Quebec, the Morency Bookstore located in the Fleur de Lys shopping center also houses a Van Houtte café. After strolling the aisles full of books, we sit on the second floor to browse our purchases while enjoying salad or sandwich while enjoying the view of the rows of books. The St-Jean Baptist Bookstore on St-Jean Street in Quebec will also delight literary lovers. We gather there to make literary finds, read, exchange and eat a bite. Beers, coffees, pizzas, we have enough to fill the stomach as much as the thoughts. The bookstore is also host to cultural evenings.
Elsewhere in the world
We are not the only ones enjoying reading and many places around the world are making good use of the literature and food concept.
In the United States, Traveler Food and Books, located in Union, Connecticut, is a haven for readers. The restaurant has no less than 100,000 books and all customers are offered three pounds completely free of charge with the purchase of a meal. On the menu, salads, sandwiches, fried seafood, steak, pasta and burgers.
In London, the Story restaurant has a very special concept that will appeal to bibliophiles. First, each menu item is accompanied by its little story on the menu. Then, all customers are invited to bring a book of their choice in which they will have inserted a personal message to garnish the impressive collection of the restaurant and share their literary favorites with others. Connecting lovers of food and books is the mission of this Michelin-starred restaurant.
Paris is full of literary cafes and it is not surprising that many authors are inspired by this city to create their works. Visiting the City of Light, you have to stop at Café Livres in the 4th arrondissement. The walls of the restaurant are full of books to consult while sipping coffee or enjoying a good meal. In the 6th, you can also go to the restaurant Les Éditeurs which contains a large selection of books to borrow, generously donated by publishers who frequent the place. In a warm atmosphere, you can enjoy a modern slate kitchen.
Of course, you can read in any café or restaurant, but going to a place dedicated to books is an experience in itself. Happy reading and good appetite!
