Books@Cafe

Books@Cafe is a bookshop-cafe at 12 Omar Bin Al-Khattab Street, near Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman, Amman, Jordan. The venue combines a bookstore with a multi-level cafe and terrace, and has long been a gathering place for students, writers and visitors seeking a relaxed place to eat and linger. The cuisine is international and Arabic, with no chef lineage or awards documented, and the appeal lies in the atmosphere and the broad all-day menu. Signature dishes include the Arabic breakfast, priced at about 5-8 JOD, which typically brings hummus, foul, labneh, eggs, olives and bread, and the club sandwich, at about 5-8 JOD. Salads, pasta, burgers, mezze and desserts complete the menu, and a meal generally costs 6-12 JOD per person. The interior has shelves of books, comfortable seating and warm lighting, while the terrace is the main draw in good weather, with a casual, social mood and the aroma of shisha, which is a staple of the cafe. Dress is casual and noise levels are moderate, rising with the evening crowd. Beverages include Arabic and Western coffee, tea, fresh juices, soft drinks and shisha, and the venue is not noted for a wine programme. Opening hours are listed as about 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM, which makes it useful for a late breakfast, an afternoon work stop or a late-night coffee. Reservations are not needed, though larger groups may wish to call ahead on Thursday and Friday evenings, when the terrace is busiest. The location, a short walk from Rainbow Street, the first circle and several viewpoints, makes it easy to include in a Jabal Amman walking itinerary. The telephone number listed is +962 6 465 0457.