Irfan Aziz introduces to you the perfect place to read some good books and enjoy some great coffee
Have you ever noticed how reading a book feels incomplete without a good cup of coffee? J D Salinger brilliantly summed this up through his wise words, “I’ll read my books and I’ll drink my coffee and I’ll listen to music and I’ll bolt the door.”One such place that blends the charm of both of these things is Nerdy Bean Coffee House. Located in the heart of Dhanmondi, it is in plain and simple terms a comfortable little paradise for bibliophiles and coffee lovers. To be honest, you can rarely be one without being the other.
Once you enter the place, the vintage and cozy ambience will give you a strong feeling of nostalgia while the aroma of coffee beans and smell of books will leave you enchanted. The artsy décor includes a diverse variety of furniture ranging from contemporary sofas, wooden chairs and tables topped off with a fire place that looks and feels as if it came straight out of a Charles Dickens book. It fulfils that feeling of homesickness that we ache to get rid of, and you develop an instant bond with the place.
What makes the place standout is the fact that it is an actual library in a coffee shop; the first of its kind. Owners Faria Mahjabin and Masru Hasan Kamol wanted to introduce something different to the already strong coffee (pun intended) scene in Dhaka. “There are coffee shops with books but none which actually allow their customers to borrow them. We are the first to implement a functioning library while also serving a delicious cup of coffee.
Once you enter the place, the vintage and cosy ambience will give you a strong feeling of nostalgia while the aroma of coffee beans and smell of books will leave you enchanted
All the books have been carefully chosen. These are books which we would want to read as a customer and are also relatable to our generation. Of course, there’s the risk of people taking our books and not returning them but that’s a small price to pay when you are trying to pioneer something new,” Kamol added.
Their collection of books is extremely colourful and ranges from cult classics like To Kill a Mocking Bird and Fight Club to fan favourites like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, to even comic books such as Tin Tin and Chacha Chaudhury. Enjoy your favourite book with a plethora of coffee, both hot and cold, to choose from. You can add a mouth-watering sandwich with your coffee if you are also looking for a quick bite or even a brownie to give your sweet tooth a kicking. You know what the best part is though? Not only can you enjoy this place with friends but you can also come here to take a break from the world and spend some alone time. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.
