Café Culture at AK Bell Library

As a child, I was a regular visitor to my local library.  The thrill of choosing new books would overcome my awe of the quiet atmosphere, the forbidding rows of ‘grown-up’ novels, and the ever-present ‘shhhhh’ from the librarians.  Libraries were formidable places, and there was certainly no-one offering a cup of tea or a bun.

Thankfully times have changed, and Perth’s AK Bell library is a cheerful and welcoming hub situated handily in the centre of the city.  What’s more, since Culture Perth and Kinross took over the delivery of our library services in 2016, AK Bell has become even more enticing.  The old library café has been modernised and transformed into the new Café Culture – a bright and airy space where you can take a break, enjoy some tempting refreshments, and even indulge in a little shopping.

I visited AK Bell on a typical Scottish summer’s day (yes, it was tipping it down) and began by attending Rhymetime with my two-year-old, James.  I used to be a regular at these sessions of songs and stories for young children, and it was great to be back.  I forged several good friendships in the early days of motherhood over a much-needed coffee in the AK Bell café, and I was keen to see how it had changed since its recent revamp.

I wasn’t disappointed. After collecting my other half, Lachlan, we headed into Café Culture for lunch.  It is by no means obligatory to visit the library before relaxing in the café.  Don’t worry if your library card has gathered a little dust – nobody will check your bag for books on the way in! A stone’s throw from the shops of South Street and the supermarkets around York Place and Glasgow Road, Café Culture is an attractive foodie option for anyone on their lunch-break or in need of a mid-morning or afternoon snack.  You can even stop by just to browse the new gift shop (it’s amazing!) but more on that later.

Fresh, new décor made the café seem light even on a dreary day and there is a whole range of comfy seating options: traditional tables and chairs, high stools to stretch your legs, and low sofas to sink into.  The café was bustling and the staff greeted us with smiles, helpfully fetching a high chair for James.  

A quick peek at the Café Culture menu, and I reckoned we were in for a treat. The menu choices have been improved and extended, with healthy salads, fresh soups, tasty sandwiches and home-baking all on offer at reasonable prices. Bread is sourced from the local artisan bakery Casella & Polegato.

I ordered a ham and emmental sandwich, and a kid’s lunchbox for James.  Lachlan chose one of the two freshly-made soups on offer (he picked tomato and basil) and followed this up with a feta cheese, black olive and hummous salad.  There was contented munching all round, and I was especially impressed with the children’s option.  James had a choice of a ham or cheese sandwich, different flavoured yoghurts, apple or orange juice, an assortment of crisps, and a piece of fruit.  There wasn’t a murmur of complaint, and that is no mean feat when it comes to satisfying a toddler.

I had made sure I had ‘space’ for dessert – I wasn’t about to forgo sampling one of the irresistible tray bakes, scones and cakes on display.  The scones looked like towering monuments of loveliness, but in the end I went for a gluten-free lemon and poppyseed cake along with a pot of peppermint tea. With a coeliac in the family I’ve sampled a fair amount of gluten-free baking and Café Culture’s lemon and poppyseed cake was a cut above the norm. My tea was one of a range of herbal, fruit and redbush teas on offer, but of course you can go for ‘normal’ tea also!

I don’t pretend to know a thing about coffee (beyond it tasting pretty nice and it keeps me from dozing off) but the caffeinated options were as extensive as we have all come to expect in this day and age. Lachlan settled on a piece of millionaire’s shortbread and a cappuccino and was soon content in a pleasant caffeine and sugar haze.  I left him under the supervision of James (‘I want MORE orange, daddy!’) and went to check out the gift shop. 

There is an impressive range of merchandise beautifully presented in the gift shop which nestles alongside the new Café Culture. There must be some sort of Narnia magic going on for all these treats to fit into one room! I was initially drawn to the sweet knitted dinosaur toys, before becoming more selfishly distracted by the gorgeous jewellery winking at me from all sides.  The shop stocks creations by local designers and crafters, as well as pieces from further afield, with particular emphasis on supporting Fair Trade.  In addition, wrapping paper, greeting cards, cushions, artwork, scarves, and more, all deservedly vie for your attention.

As we left Café Culture the thing that struck me most about our visit was just how kind and friendly our reception had been.  Arriving in any eatery with a toddler in tow can often earn you a frown (if not every other patron skedaddling towards the door), but the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming.  I didn’t hear a single ‘shhhhh!’ If you haven’t been to AK Bell for a while, it’s high time to treat yourself.  Café Culture is ideal for families, and groups, but would also fit the bill for a little solo time, perhaps with a book! I certainly plan to go back for another cuppa - those buns simply demand a return visit.

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AK Bell library and Café Culture are open Tuesday to Saturday, offering breakfast, lunch, ‘Lite Bites’, coffee / tea and cake.  Opening times and full details are available on the Café Culture webpage here >>>