Books & Beans

Honestly, this is supposed to be a cafe/bookshop, but it's more like a CAFE/bookshop. There's a cafe downstairs, but upstairs, with the books, there are cafe tables too! In front of the book shelves. So you are stuck awkwardly trying to look at the books around people seated, who look at you like you're interrupting their conversations. Also, it's hard to figure out how they're even organized, so you're left with all these awkward interactions without knowing if you'll even find the book you want. All in all, an extremely awkward and unfortunate experience.

A few paces away from my old home in Aberdeen, Books and Beans was always a welcome sight. Even when I wasn't going in as a customer it was nice to walk by and see open windows framing folks reading books and sipping their lattes or friends chatting over their pastries.

I did go in several times to do some writing for my Masters Dissertation, when I didn't want to spend another day in the library or just needed a change of pace. (I will say, this cafe isn't the best for super focused working. The volume was a bit too loud, with various conversations happening in different corners and music playing as well. I was on occasion able to find a nook that gave me a bit more privacy and quiet though.)

I also brought friends in to try my neighborhood spot, and then we would be those people chatting away. My usual choice was their chai latte, it was not too sweet, creamy, and well spiced. The overall vibe was just so cheery and cosy, with walls of used books for perusing and purchase, yellow paint, and windows out onto Belmont St for Grade A people-watching.

Super cool that all of their coffee and tea is FairTrade, and they're the only independent, fully fair trade coffee shop in Aberdeen. Woop, I'll keep supporting them for sure. Can't wait for my next visit this summer!

Loved this place. Had great coffee, tea and desserts, and bought 2 books. Coffee was the best in Aberdeen. Very fresh and delicious carrot cake. Definitely worth the stop. Trust me.

Excellent surroundings, awesome coffee, pleasant ambiance & helpful staff, couldn't recommend it more

Very cute and inviting cafe that serves a wide variety of sandwiches​, paninis, and coffees. It is three stories tall and in addition to getting a quick bite to eat,​ you can browse their second-hand​ books and comic book collection to take one home for an extremely reasonable price. I ordered the books and beans triple decker vegetarian sandwich and it was colossal​! Two sandwiches, each containing three layers of toast, and a wonderful array of veggies in between. Well worth the cost.

From our trip in July, 2016:
My wife and I were looking for a good place to grab a bite and some coffee. We found Books and Beans tucked away in Aberdeen off of Belmont Street and we loved it. The atmosphere is that of a cafe with indoor seating around the edge of the service counter. There is local art up on display around the tables and the lighting is warm from the outdoor sunlight along with the indoor lighting. The music was nice as well. (Not loud, but in the background. Pleasant) Bathrooms were small but well kept. The servers were friendly and helpful. The food was excellent! (I had a very tasty brie, ham, and cranberry panini!) The latte was OK. If you have high standards for your coffee, then you might be disappointed. Otherwise you will love this cafe!

2 stars always feels really negative, and Books & Beans was far from terrible, but 2 stars means"meh, I've had better" and I feel that sums it up.

We'd just come off an overnight ferry from Orkney, and were in need of some good breakfast in Aberdeen before we caught the train home. A quick look at Yelp suggested Books & Beans. I kinda wish I'd just stuck to Starbucks.

That's not to say that it was really bad or anything, it just didn't live up to it's near perfect rating whatsoever. Kip S had a panini, it was fine but the salad wasn't fresh (left over from the day before I'd guess), and no dressing. I ordered pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. For one thing the serving was too big for me (not their fault), but also the bacon was so so fatty (very streaky, not in a good way), and I go the impression that it was precooked stuff normally used in sandwiches that had just been heated up for the purposes of my breakfast. Not cool. Oh, and Kip's 'large' mocha wasn't that large, and my pot of tea was teeny. Barely a cup and a half.

That and there's just generally an average vibe about the place. There aren't even really enough books to sell the concept, it's more of a charity shop sized collection. And some of the local art displayed is WEIRD.

Books & Beans is fine, but nothing special and certainly not deserving of its current rating.

Nice lovely people serving decent fairtrade coffee and selling you 5p/minute Internet access and nice-enough sandwiches.

oh, and lining the walls? books. Used. At £1.50, £2,50, or £3.50, cheap as chips.

This is a not bad at al place to come while away an afternoon. The food's good, the people are lovely, and it's a fine place for a cup and a think.

So go there. And do that. Now.

An adorable little place to grab some food or a book. This three story book /coffee shop is irresistible. They have quite the extensive food menu...i.e. something for everyone. The food is all deish and quite reasonably priced. Plus, you get to eat your food nestled among the books!


The books are second hand and for those of you looking to save money on books, you can save at least 50% buying your books from here. Also, there is great art on display and for sale throughout the store.


The only downside is this place gets quite busy during peak times, but that's because it is so great!

A great little shop and cafe. The other reviewers have hit the nail on the head here. The coffee is good, the teas are excellent. I love the chicken masala, with aged Scottish Cheddar panini. Then on upstairs to the bookstore. One of the only real bookstores I have found in Aberdeen outside the Borders like chain on Union St.

They have a very good selection of all used books. The people that work here are friendly, and knowledgeable Because everything is electronically stored, they can look up to see if they have what ever you are searching for quickly. They have a good range of literature. I always love the classics, and have found some Walter Scott, Dickens, and Donleavy before. This place has a lot of charm, and great way to spend an afternoon before heading over to PoW for a pint (which I have done many times).