Massolit Books & Café in Budapest

Marrying an English-language bookstore with a café, Massolit is a snug hideaway within Budapest's old Jewish Quarter. Fortified by caffeine, it's easy to spend hours in one of the nooks and crannies accompanied by a page-turner. That is, if you manage to find an open seat, which is rare during peak hours because students and brainy tourists monopolize Massolit most of the time.

If you need some peace and quiet, check the room in the back or the outdoor patio during the warmer months. The book selections are limited, but some Hungarian classics are available in English translations and you can stumble into treasures (in part thanks to yours truly).