1. Marsovo Pole
It is considered to be almost a mandatory exercise to come to Marsovo Pole with a good book when the weather is good. A beautiful park with a wonderful green area, where you can take a refuge in the shade of a tree, or to bask in the sun on a warm bench. But most of all I love to come here with a blanket, lie down on a grass, sip lemonade, and enjoy a new bestseller while boys play frisbee around you, and in the evenings, you might even catch a live guitar show.
2. Kokon Space
Kamennoostrovskij pr-kt, 38/96
A bright and cozy art space, a place that kind of defines the word "pure": white curtains throughout with light wood furniture and cheerful colourful ottomans. It feels so nice here to spend long hours prepping your notes for school or studying for an exam. And who doesn’t want to spend time sitting on the ottoman by the window overlooking the Lev Tolstoy Square with a book in their hands? At the same time you can just meet up with friends, chat and drink coffee here.
3. Library N.V. Gogol
Sredneohtinskij pr., 8
This library is a unique project of modernisation of a library space and its transformation into a multimedia platform for learning, work and leisure. If you are bored of the standard dusty reading rooms with subscriptions and feisty workers, then you’ll love it here! Here, you will be greeted by young staff and comfortable atmosphere for reading. You might just come in to kill time with a good book, and end up staying for an incredible poetry reading or a master class from a famous writer.
4. Anticafe Freedom
Nevskiy pr-kt 88
After visiting it just once you will want to return again and again. Here reigns an incredible atmosphere, as if you are in the secret reading room at Hogwarts. Seven different rooms - a library, completely crowded with book shelves, a cafe, a lounge room, all of it reminiscent of the imperial way of life of the last century... There are different spaces where you can be alone, and where you can be joined by another passionate readers. I also love to read to quiet music, and the staff here has a very good playlist.
5. Coffee 3 in the space Contour Family
Aptekarskij pr., 4
In this cafe you always want to sit for a little bit longer, at least for that great panoramic view of a botanical garden, the tastiest coffee and a pleasant atmosphere that kinda whispers to you quietly, ”Read it here”. The very coffee shop is part of a co-working space Contour that is located in the Lenpoligrafmash factory building. The space is very stylish and multi-functional, similar to a trendy Brooklyn loft.
6. Coffee "Latteriya"
Ul. Mayakovskogo, 16
Whenever you go inside, you will always see someone reading, doing homework or studying here. I love it. Often, different groups of people will gather here to practice foreign languages. Anyone can join in for a small fee.
7. “Podpisnie izdania”
Litejnyj pr., 57
This is one the oldest book shops of the city. It has long outgrown its original mission and has turned into an interesting cultural space. There is a coffee shop inside, so you can literally dive into a new world minutes after purchasing a new book. But even more wonderful is the second floor space that overlooks the entire store.
8. Reading room Le big mag
Kurlyandskaya ul., 49
