For some travelers, the itinerary starts with museums or landmarks. For book lovers, it starts with the nearest library. These restaurants combine unforgettable dining with shelves stacked floor to ceiling, cozy reading corners, and enough literary charm to make you feel like you’ve wandered into the pages of your favorite novel. Whether you’re planning your next trip or simply building the ultimate foodie bucket list, these book-filled restaurants deserve a bookmark.
The Library at The Ned NoMad (New York City)
By day, this intimate space serves as a members-only coworking lounge. After dark, the laptops disappear, the candles are lit, and cocktails take over. Framed by towering bookshelves and a dramatic spiral staircase, the 750-square-foot library feels like a hidden literary escape tucked inside Manhattan. Reserve a table, order a glass of wine, and settle in with broiled lobster, crab cakes, or a perfectly cooked New York strip.
The Library at The NoMad London
Inspired by its New York sibling, The Library at The NoMad London pairs velvet seating, curated bookshelves, and moody lighting with one of the city’s most inviting cocktail menus. Stop in for handcrafted drinks, rare wines, or an afternoon tea loaded with scones and pastries. Whether you’re sharing mushroom flatbread or digging into steak frites, it’s the kind of place where you’ll happily lose track of time.
The Library Restaurant (MGM Las Vegas)
Vegas isn’t exactly known for quiet reading rooms, which makes this hidden gem even more fun to discover. Inside the MGM Grand, the two-story dining room is lined with more than 25,000 books beneath dramatic tiered chandeliers. Sink into a red leather booth, embrace the old-world atmosphere, and order French-inspired favorites like lobster risotto, diver scallops, or crab mac and cheese. For a little while, you’ll completely forget the casino is just outside.
The Library Bar at The Lanesborough (London)
If you’ve ever wanted to sip a cocktail inside what feels like the private study of an English aristocrat, this is your spot. Antique books, rich wood paneling, and an extraordinary collection of historic spirits set the scene, with some bottles dating back to the 1700s. Stop by for live music, linger over lunch, or swap the traditional afternoon tea for the hotel’s Cocktail Cream Tea featuring its signature Lilibet cocktail.
The Library Restaurant (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)
Set inside an elegant 1785 mansion, The Library Restaurant blends historic New England charm with classic steakhouse comfort. Original woodwork, flickering candlelight, roaring fireplaces, and walls lined with books make every meal feel a little more special. Order one of the restaurant’s generous steaks alongside garlic mashed potatoes or the rich lobster mac and cheese, then enjoy the cozy atmosphere long after dessert arrives.
The Library (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Inspired by Baltimore’s iconic George Peabody Library, The Library offers a bright, modern spin on literary dining. Natural light pours through the space, making it just as popular for leisurely brunches as it is for happy hour. Crowd favorites include the towering French toast stack, crispy truffle fries, and benne cauliflower finished with Thai chili sauce and ginger aioli.
Café Pushkin (Moscow, Russia)
Few restaurants transport you to another era quite like Café Pushkin. Housed inside a stunning Baroque mansion, the restaurant showcases an extensive library alongside beautifully preserved architectural details, including remnants of the building’s historic pharmacy. Grab a table in the second-floor dining room, start with caviar, savor classic beef stroganoff, and wrap up the meal with an elegant pavlova in one of the world’s most atmospheric dining rooms.
Scarfes Bar (London)
Warm fireplaces, soaring bookshelves, plush armchairs, and live jazz make Scarfes Bar feel like the kind of place you’d accidentally spend an entire evening. Located inside the Rosewood Hotel, the bar is famous for its imaginative Heroes and Villains-inspired cocktail menu. Pair your drink with wagyu sliders, crab rolls, or hummus while soaking up one of London’s coziest literary hangouts.
The Fable (London)
Inspired by Aesop’s timeless tales, The Fable feels like stepping inside a modern fairy tale. Spread across three floors, the restaurant pairs soaring windows with playful design touches, including a statement booth wrapped in vintage leather-bound books sourced from markets around the UK. Order a mojito or mangorita, admire the views over Holborn Viaduct, then settle in with comfort-food favorites like fish and chips, curries, or burgers.
