Brunch with Books and Coffee at the Book Munch Cafe in Dubai

I love Books and I love Coffee. Add “a quaint colourful coffee shop” to the mix and viola – it’s my perfect mix for spending a lazy sunny afternoon.

Thus on a recent trip to Dubai I was researching quaint cafes to visit when I came across this article on “How Cool are these Dubai Cafes”.  A quick read of the article and a run through, of the name, through my cafe filter test (basically checking the menu for maximum vegetarian options) I decided to visit the Comptoir 102 and the Book Munch Café. While I wasn’t able to visit Comptoir 102 (I reached late and they had closed for the day), I managed to visit the Book Munch Café for a lazy Sunday brunch.

Book Munch Cafe, Dubai

Though I had researched a bit on this Café, I must admit, that on my first visit I was quite surprised by it. In a city known for everything that’s over the top, full of the glitz, the glamour and everything that money can buy; this café is a small down to earth corner of real books and warm conversations. Located on the Al Wasl Street, it’s Dubai’s first literary cafe and well dressed for the part of being a cozy, warm and an inviting place to spend the next few hours in. Its interiors are done up beautifully in bright pink and green and divided into sections by huge book shelves – two sections for books and coffee lovers and another section for kids or for hosting book events. The book collection is small but caters to readers across genres and adults and kids alike. You can either borrow books from their selection on the shelves (though you have to follow the “Munch Etiquette”) or bring your own books. And if one of their books catches your fancy, you can also purchase it.

Books all around, Book Munch Cafe, Dubai

The moment I entered this café I was instantly transported into a world where all I wanted to do was to find my own nook, take a book and a cup of coffee and curl up to spend an entire lazy summer afternoon. I ended up with one of their vegetarian cook books and spent a good part of my visit alternating between my book and people watching. I also loved their table mats and totally agreed with it.

Table Mats with a message, Book Munch Cafe, Dubai

For brunch I tried their Bookmunch Arabic breakfast that included the zaatar bread with labneh, pistachio halwa, dibs with tahini and coffee and also tried their famous blueberry ricotta pancakes. The food was awesome and the portions were quite big and I definitely recommend trying the blueberry ricotta pancakes. Their menu had a good selection of vegetarian dishes and included all day breakfast, salads, main courses, deserts and quick meals across Arabic and Western flavours.

Book Munch Arabic Breakfast, Book Munch Cafe, Dubai

Ricotta and Blueberry Pancakes, Book Munch Cafe, Dubai

My Coffee :), Book Munch Cafe, Dubai

They let me linger for as long as I wanted and didn’t make any effort to throw me out even long after the food was all gone. Though the service was a bit slow I didn’t mind it all as it gave all the time in the world to do just as I pleased.

I just visited this cafe once, but totally recommend it to all book lovers residing or passing through this city.

Useful Info on Book Munch Café –

Timings: Sunday to Wednesday, 7.30am to 10pm; Thursday to Saturday, 8am to 10.30pm.

Call 04 388 4006 or visit www.bookmunchcafe.com

You can also check out these articles for other quaint and literary cafes in Dubai –

Dubai’s Reading Cafes

How Cool are these Dubai Cafes

Have you been to any such literary cafes anywhere in the world? Do share your recommendations below or via twitter at traveler_budget. I would love to visit them too 🙂