Famous Eateries In India Where Literary Figures Once Met

You go into a restaurant and pick a cosy-looking seat to settle. You order some refreshments that look delectable and wait for it to be served smoking hot on your table. But then the wearying part comes the waiting. Although by a clock, it is a mere twenty-minute wait till the food arrives, in reality, it feels like an age-long wait, which makes you wonder if the last person—or the person before them—wondered the same things as you while waiting for their meal. When you dine in a restaurant with a long legacy, instead of the last person, your thoughts might stray to the person sitting in that exact seat you were sitting in a hundred years ago.

Did they yearn for their dish like yourself, or were they up to something else? Maybe they took their fountain pen and a notepad out to jot down something quick, or maybe they were debating on the political stance that the recent bestselling book implied. There are countless scenarios, and there is no way to confirm them. However, one thing that stays true is that these restaurants serve people who would change the route of Indian literature, and sitting in the same restaurant provides a little hint of their way of seeing things. Therefore, we have rounded up the most popular restaurants across the country that used to be the meeting place of several literary figures.

Popularly known as the College Street Coffee House, this cafe in Bankim Chatterjee Street has been a hub of Calcutta’s culture and literature. Inspiring poets and songwriters alike, the Indian Coffee House has played an integral part in gathering the brilliant literary minds of Bengal under the same roof. From Rabindranath Tagore to Satyajit Ray, this famous coffee house has seen almost all the figures who shaped Indian literature in all their glory. You, too, can pull a wooden chair and seat yourself to catch the whiff of intellect and culture that used to float around in the air back in the day. Renowned writers like Ritwik Ghatak, Narayan Gangopadhyay, Sunil Gangopadhyay and Sanjeev Chattopadhyay are a few others who would frequent here. 

Location: 15, Bankim Chatterjee St, College Square West, College Street, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073

Timings: 12pm to 8pm

Mussoorie is known to have deep-rooted connections to the glorious literary heritage of India. From housing Ruskin Bond to inspiring Rudyard Kipling, the charm of Mussoorie that comes from lying on the foothills of the Himalayas never ceases to amaze people. So it's natural for writers to often lurk around the town looking for fresh inspiration and a gothic bar to sit and make them come to life. The Writer's Bar is one such bar where writers would come for a drink or two and maybe a gaiety chat. Today, the Writer's Bar wall stands with its chest up and several plaques pinned to it. The plaques read the names of famous authors like Lowell Thomas, John Lang, John Masters, Charles Allen, Pearl S Buck, Peter Hopkirk, Ruskin Bond, Ganesh Saili, and Stephen Alter, whom the Writer's Bar has given a gala time to. 

Location: Savoy - 248179, WelcomHotel The Savoy, P.O, Library Bazar, Gandhi Chowk, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand 248179

Timings: 11am to 10pm

The vibrant city of Mumbai has, time and again, appeared as the muse of many evergreen literary pieces. The many spectacular shades of Mumbai capture an author's attention and keep them hooked, as does this cafe in Juhu. Prithvi Cafe, though not as old as the others on our list, has a strong legacy of serving prominent literary figures with cutting chai and inspiration. From renowned authors to playwrights, Prithvi Cafe has hosted several notable figures like Salman Rushdie, Vikram Seth and Anita Nair, to name a few. Initially opened as a quick-bite spot for actors performing at the neighbouring Prithvi theatre, the cafe eventually became a welcoming environment for authors and filmmakers to discuss literature, films and politics. For almost 50 years now, Prithvi Cafe has been a crucial part of Mumbai's cultural heritage.

Location: Prithvi Theatre, 20, Juhu Church Rd, Janki Kutir, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049

Timings: 10:30am to 10:30pm

Standing the test of time with sheer elegance and a historic charm, the United Coffee House on Connaught Place has perhaps silently witnessed the eureka moments of several renowned poets and artists. Established in 1942, this cafe was a spot for young intellectuals to gather and share ideas. Discussions, debates, and coffee were all United Coffee House was about. Among several eminent literary individuals,  Khushwant Singh was one renowned author visiting this cafe frequently. With its Victorian architecture and regal chandelier, UCH remains an iconic establishment.

Address: Rajiv Chowk, E-15, Block E, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001

Timings: 10am to 11:45pm