A cosy library cum cafe where you can read to your heart’s content; strangers breaking into tete-a-tetes over a favourite author; friends busy in their usual chats; elderly people talking about their music idols; some just enjoying their own company in the quietude of a café or playing a board game – this is really what summarises The Zouq. It is the only Book-lending Resto Cafe in Guwahati and perhaps the entire Northeast, which opened in August 2016 for all age groups. It is an ideal place for book lovers to read and relax, and to get away from the busy city that Guwahati is.
The owner, Intibah Murtafi, grew up in Shillong, nurturing a love for books and the cafe culture. Once in Guwahati, she introduced this resto café, when she discovered that there aren’t any proper book-lending places in the city.
Besides lending books, the café serves Indo-Continental cuisine. It is best known for its biryani and kebabs, and also has a large fan following for its smoked chicken, pastas, special platters, and chicken with pistachio filling.
Intibah says, “It is such a pleasure to see book lovers enjoying their time with a book in one of the café corners. People from all age groups come here to have a good time. Sometimes, we get requests from elderly customers to play Carpenters and Bonney M. Moreover, people enjoy coming to our café as it’s far from the hustle bustle of the city.”
She adds, “From the very beginning, we (my sister, fiancé and cousin) were clear that the cafe will not be in a commercial area. Hence, we chose a residential area – Beltola wireless.”
So readers, go find your corner at The Zouq!
