One of the most densely populated urban cities of India, Chennai,
in recent times, has developed as a major hub for educational and
professional purposes for Gen Y.
Naturally,
this city too has reshaped itself
and adjusted according to the new
demands of its younger and busier inhabitants.
From tuition centres to shopping malls, multiplexes to hip
and happening restaurants,
the Chennai of the current decade is
starkly different from that of the previous ones.
One of the major locations
missing in Chennai previously was a proper cafe –
a cozy, welcoming place that would allow you to sit and chat with friends or
just enjoy a nice cup of coffee by yourself with a book in your hand.
A place that would be similar to restaurants and dine-outs in the aspects
that it too would serve food and drinks to satiate its customers’ hunger
but in addition, most importantly, it would provide refuge
from the bustling activities of the outside world.
Chennai has seen the birth and growth of numerous such cafes over
its length and breadth.
Here are five such worthy mentions that definitely stand out amongst their peers
in terms of their decor,
ambience
and the vibes that go with book lover and restless writers.
Writer’s Cafe
As the name suggests,
this place is designed and built for book lover and writers.
Situated in Peters Road, Royapettah,
it comes with double delights.
A whole floor dedicated to shelves of fiction and non-fiction books, comics
and magazines, it welcomes voracious readers to leave the outside world
and worries at its doorstep and immerse in a world of stories
and fantasies selected and maintained by the owner himself.
Along with this,
there’s a Swiss Bakery downstairs also run by the owner
and managed by the most welcoming and different bunch of people –
many of the staff members are acid attack survivors or disabled
or come from socially disadvantageous backgrounds.
You can just grab a cup of Irish coffee,
choose a book to your liking from the great collection
and sit in the corner for as long as you wish.
Oh! Did I mention it’s extremely pocket-friendly too?
All the more reasons to visit as often as you can.
Gusto Cafe
One of the few places that is open till late at night (3 a.m.),
this place doesn’t reveal itself that easily. Addressed
at Jagannathan Road, Nungabakkam,
it is actually located in a basement and you have to look a bit hard to find it
amidst all the hullabaloo of the street.
But it’s definitely worth the trouble – warm,
cozy with soothing lighting and pocket-friendly menu,
it has all the ideals of a proper cafe`
that you’re looking for to read or
write or just spend some quality time with yourself.
Movie posters on the wall and numerous graffiti painted all over give
off a friendly and artistic vibe that is sure to
give you that encouragement and creative flow you need.
Regular milkshakes, coffee
and other beverages make an interesting menu at this cafe.
The Brew Room
This one has a ‘it’s all business’ aura
about it but don’t let that mislead you.
Situated at Dr.Radhakrishnan Road,
the ambience is that of a relaxed coffee shop with a beautiful garden in front.
They serve breakfast and beverages but the regular customers swear
by their red velvet cake and Irish cream cold coffee.
With an available parking lot,
it is one of the best coffee shops in the city that is ideal to
just sit and write on that laptop without any hurry or disturbance.
Since it is a business-styled spacious restaurant,
you can easily avoid the chatter of large groups of people and work in peace.
You can also grab a seat outside
and read while enjoying the view
and calm surroundings that the well-maintained garden has to offer.
D-Cafe
One of the most popular joints of Chennai,
this one too has a garden and relaxed vibe about it
and is open from 11 am to 11 pm.
Situated at Bazullah Road, T.Nagar,
the entire place is completely isolated from the busy street outside.
You can sit in the garden and enjoy looking at kittens
and puppies roaming around with the buzz of insects in the background.
Famous for its quesadillas and alfredo sandwiches,
it also serves lip-smacking spaghetti and burritos along with mojito and red wine.
House #22 Cafe
As their description reads,
‘chic cafe’ in a restored 19th century colonial mansion serving British
and Indian fusion dishes’, the old and the new had never been combined
together like this before in the form of a cafe.
This quaint little place at North Parade Road, Chakrapani Colony
has a dark and brooding interior.
that almost adds to its mystery and inviting ambience.
In the daylight,
it gives off a homely atmosphere with printed curtains,
newspaper board and magazine racks.
From subway sandwiches to cafe latte,
the cafe is relaxing and affordable for a quick read or for some relaxed doodling.
Time to take a break from that hectic schedule,
grab a book or a diary and visit any of these places
to gift yourself a few hours of reading, writing or just daydreaming
All images courtesy – Bytesize, D Cafe, Zomato, House #22, and Brew Room
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