V&A Reading Rooms

This place is really great. Quiet as all heck – it was a great place to chill for a couple of hours. Disappointing that they didn’t have good cakes and cookies to accompany the coffee. Coffee was just ok (ily and not well-​trained baristas). Atmosphere was just really chill. And speaking of chill, it was a bit chilly in there (but then again it was the coldest day ever) and the door draft was a nightmare.
A refreshing place to go – I’d definitely recommend it for sitting and chilling with a tea or a glass or two of wine.

Is it a book shop? Is it a café? Nope it’s a bafè! Well actually it’s a reading room which is much more of an agreeable title and V&A fitting.
Thoughtfully put together the reading room is small and I couldn’t imagine it would hold more than 6 seated in the front and perhaps another two or three browsing.
Around the corner past the almost room length counter, is hidden another space which reminded me of a combination of a library and the quiet coach and a train. Not that I noticed any signs prohibiting noisemakers (such as I) from going in, but on entering, I became immediately aware the there was no music playing in here (like there was in the front section) and there was a guy working on his laptop, which instinctively hushed me whether required or not. Thinking about it he could have been playing Angry Bird for all I know, but my thoughts went to — molecular physics student, very busy and important!
They serve coffees, teas (standard, herbal & fruit) and have a not so bad wine list. Food is limited to toasted sandwiches but they do also sell bar snacks like flavoured nuts.
Well put together, pleasant atmosphere and simply a delightful play to read, people watch and or share a drink with a friend.

I’ve just had the yummiest latte ever at the V&A Reading Rooms and will certainly return to this lovely coffee shop. This is one of those places that are just lovely to visit. You can meet friends and chat, browse through the books on sale in the shop or watch the people wandering up and down Exhibition Road. They are open quite late which was perfect for us on this Sunday evening as we were killing time between a visit to the Science Museum and a concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Try their green olives!

Now you can extend your day at all things V&A to that age old debate of standing on the steps and saying «yeah now what do you feel like? A glass of wine would be nice but what’s good around south ken??»
V&A Reading Rooms are what’s good around South Ken, though a tiny little outpost, they’ve got some very reasonably priced wines and you can sip indoors while flipping through books or take your glass outside and soak up a little sun and watch the Chelsea try-​hards walk by in 20″ heels.
Cute décor and very friendly service that included a recommendation and was carried to our table. It’s the type of shop you wish was in your neighborhood, but since it’s by the V&A, it’s another excuse to take the afternoon off and pop down with friends.

This is such a cute little venue. If all bookshops looked like this, no one would ever shop on Amazon. It’s packed full of all of the wonderful books you’d imaging that the V&A would sell. I could spend a small bookish fortune in here.
This is one of those shops that you’d come to find the perfect present for your book geek friend. The one who buys all the best things. There’s all sorts from fashion to history in here and if I had a library (in my dream house, I do), then it would basically houses everything in here.
But it’s not just a bookshop! It’s not! It’s a wonderful little bar as well. With cool little events and interesting book signings and all sorts of fun things. It’s such a lovely addition to the V&A. Only ten seconds from the tube as well.
Can’t wait to come back, spend all of my money on books and then drink wine. Winning combination right there.

I was looking for a place close to South Kensington Tube stop where I could hang out until I could check in to the Yotel at 11. After dinner at the Kensington Creperie we stumbled upon the V&A Reading Rooms right next door and couldn’t resist. A cool bookstore with a wine and coffee bar? Perfect!
Although not large, they do a very careful job picking interesting titles to stock and display. It was really hard not stock up for our flight back.
The front room has a bar with stools and there’s a table near the window. There’s also a back room (actually on the side) with some more stools. The bar has a nice selection of wines and bubbly and they also do a variety of coffees. Although I didn’t try any of the food they also have nibbles to go with your drinks.
Apparently this place has only been open a month, but they aren’t doing as well as they would like. It is a cool place but not exactly a place to hang out for very long. They only have hard stools, no couch seating and no tables either. So it’s not really like a coffeshop. It’s also too brightly lit to be like a bar. I did browse the books but though it was named a «Reading Room» I wasn’t sure if I was actually allowed to read the books since they’re all for sale. I think it’s more of a bookshop where you can drink while you browse.