Dubai is known for its glitz and glamour – but there’s a bookish side to the city that you can enjoy if you want to experience a slower, cosier pace.
As a bookish girlie, I’m always on the hunt for little book nooks, aesthetically pleasing cafés and reading groups to chat about all things literary. Here are just some of my favourite spots that I’ve discovered over the past two years for the bookish-ly inclined.
Libraries in Dubai
There are some brilliant libraries in Dubai for those looking to study or just hang out in a quiet space on a work-from-home day.
Fiker Institute, Al Quoz
The Fiker Institute is a stunning hushed space in the middle of Alkersal Avenue (AKA: the art/ indie hub of Dubai).
Entry is free for the first 30 minutes, after that it’s 85AED for a few hours (including a coffee). The books are arranged in theme so be sure to bring the materials you need to work.
Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Al Jaddaf
Located in the often overlooked area of Al Jaddaf, Mohammed bin Rashid Library is a great place for those looking to lock in for study or work (plus, it’s literally shaped like a book).
Open Monday – Saturday until 9pm every night.
Bookstores in Dubai
Dubai has a range of bookstores, but not all created equal. These are my personal favourites, and I’m excited to share them with you.
Books Kinokuniya
Kinokuniya hardly needs an introduction, but it’s by far the most comprehensive bookstore in Dubai.
You can spend hours in here – conveniently located in Dubai Mall, this huge store has a host of options for every reader: a huge literature section, sci-fi, history, and even comics & gifts.
Bookends
Bookends in Silicon Oasis is a haven for secondhand books – so whether you’re buying or selling you can spend a while exploring their shelves.
House of Prose
House of Prose is the oldest secondhand book store in the UAE. Located in the heart of Al Quoz, House of Prose is a cornerstone of the literary scene in Dubai.
Bookish Cafés in Dubai
Anybody that has spent any amount of time in Dubai will know that there are great cafés around every corner – but not every great café is a great bookish café. The kind of café that doesn’t mind if you stay a while, if you’re studying or reading, and the kind with comfortable chairs that invite you to linger.
Mondoux, JBR/ Creek
Mondoux has various branches across Dubai and each one is oh-so aesthetically pleasing. Go for the coffee, stay for the vibes.
Ralph’s Coffee, MOE
Not one for studying, but the vibes in Ralph’s are impeccable, perfect if you’re wanting a cute spot to read for a while in Mall of the Emirates.
Charlie & Friends, JBR
Get peckish when studying? Charlie & Friends is a great spot in JBR with a fantastic menu & even better vibes.
The Lolo House
The best option for longer stays, The Lolo House is an awesome spot in Al Quoz designed for coworking. Stay for an hour or four, just enjoy the coffee & food while you stay.
Book Clubs in Dubai
Moving to Dubai is daunting, but with the right circle, you can really make this wonderful city a home. Now, of course, I’m a little biased, but I do think that having readers around you is instrumental to finding people that you can really connect with. So here are my Dubai book club recommendations:
Slow Readers’ Book Club
Yes, this is a self-plug, but I honestly believe that the Slow Readers’ Book Club is the perfect low-key group for bookish people in Dubai.
Pinot & Pages
Pinot & Pages is a female-only social book club in Dubai – think yoga, yacht parties – starting at 50AED pcm.
Emirates Literature Foundation Book Club
Emirates Literature Foundation is the mastermind behind Emirates Lit Fest and a range of different initiatives like the Reading for Pleasure programme and the Seddiqi Writers’ Fellowship here in Dubai. Their book clubs are aimed for different groups: adults, children and teens.
Living a Bookish Life in Dubai
Whether it’s a café that you haven’t tried, or a bookstore that you hadn’t found yet – I hope that this guide was helpful to highlight some of the lovely bookish spots in Dubai.
Literature Grad 
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