The best global cities in the world have one—a bookstore that doubles up as a café and bar. It’s where you nurse a cocktail or a regret (whatever your week was like), wander through shelves, browse for hours, or simply pair pages with plates.
The latest entrant to the NMACC (Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre), The Library, does all that and more. It sits at the intersection of fine dining and literary curation—a large and spacious dining area surrounded by floor-to-ceiling shelves with 4,500 books and plush seats, apt for a couple and their closest circle to unwind in, along with a stage area for poetry readings, workshops, and more.
For those in the midst of their wedding planning, this place is also an escape away from the endless digital scrolling of Pinterest boards and logistical spreadsheets!
If you're a bibliophile, you know that books bring about a warmth that paint can't match. Noted architect and designer Ashiesh Shah (who’s also done the city’s Royal Opera House), has used that in this two-level space. The towering, artfully arranged shelves are like a huge hug, replacing the chaos and noise of the outdoors with quiet comfort.
I settle into a sofa with a view of an electric fireplace, watching the flicker of the flames add a sense of warmth to the vibe. The staff lovingly adhere to each part of the restaurant as a 'chapter': you start with tea, coffees, and patisserie, moving into the main dining area, then to a bar with 10 signature-themed cocktails with names like ‘Bookmark’ and ‘Last Edition,' and finally move to the mezzanine area.
It’s par for the course to walk around the room and take in the hardcovers and coffee table anthologies of fashion powerhouses like Dior and Chanel and a biography of Stan Lee, as well as books on architecture, food, and, if you look closer, comics, too!
A light and delicate elderflower drink in hand, I soon also make my way up to a winding, very Hogwarts-ish set of stairs to the second level that has books that take you back into your school days. It’s another inviting area for those who want to read and sip on their favourite mocktails and matchas.
The Library's all-day dining offering has been co-created by the NMACC team and restaurateur Aditi Dugar, so the expectation rides high and the well-curated menu sure succeeds. In the morning, you could try the dedicated ‘Brioche Bagel’ breakfast programme with pour-overs, and there’s plenty more to whet your appetite with. On a recommendation and being the sunset hour, I start with Avocado Pockets, which, like their name, are thin wonton sheets, fried into basket shapes and filled with liquid cheese and guacamole and topped with sambal sauce and chives; they literally melt in the mouth.
For deeper flavours, veering towards the Far East is always a good bet, and at The Library, the Asian Salad is a bet well made! It delivers a masterclass in texture, bringing together crunchy water chestnuts, tender tofu inari, edamame, and crushed peanuts, all tossed in a punchy, spicy peanut dressing.
You may be familiar with Eggs Kejriwal—a legendary dish born at Mumbai’s swish Willingdon Sports Club in the 1960s. The Library pays ode to the classic in a flaky croissant with a cheese mix, fiery green chilli crisp, and poached egg.
This place also does another delicious rendition of a well-loved dish with Libary Khao Soi, made vibrant with peanut crumble, crispy garlic, crispy garlic, noodles, and a swirl of burnt chilli butter.
If you are leaning toward clean eating, go for the Amazon Açaí Bowl and the Matcha & Mango Bowl lightly sweetened with maple. Interestingly, there’s a menu for little readers with Sweet Potatoes and Chicken Popcorn, too.
What’s a good book without an afterword? Which is what The Library’s array of desserts denotes, so let yourself try more than one. Unmissable is The Matilda Cake, a flavour-dense indulgence layering dark chocolate ganache with a sharp hit of salted caramel.
Whip out the camera for The Pistachio & Berry Mille-Feuille, another textural delight with layers of pastry collapsing into a smooth, velvety blend of pistachio crèmeux, bright berry compote, and a rich cheesecake mousse. Churros lovers, take note. The Library's serves it warm and golden, paired with a trio of dips: cookie chocolate, velvety dulce de leche, and a classic speckled vanilla bean custard.
Whether you are unwinding after a gallery opening upstairs, want to slip in for a post-work cocktail, or just want to restore calm amid the pre-wedding whirlwind, The Library is the slowdown that does that.
Where: Ground floor of NMACC, Gate 11, Bandra Kurla Complex.
Timing: 8.30 am to 11.30 pm (with books available to buy and read in-house).