Bookstore Café in Shanghai: In Between the Lines

If you’ve ever wanted to sip coffee while surrounded by books—but haven’t found the right spot—Shanghai has a hidden gem worth visiting. Tucked inside a major mall, this bookstore café blends literature with leisure, offering more than just a caffeine fix. It’s a place where reading feels social, and every corner invites you to slow down.

In Between the Lines, located on the 4th floor of Gaoxiangtao Mall in Shanghai’s Changning District, is a bookstore café that encourages reading, sharing, and quiet reflection—with coffee in hand. The address: 1438 Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai. Call ahead at 021-62401819.

What Is In Between the Lines?

In Between the Lines is a concept bookstore café that promotes humanities-focused reading and a new style of leisurely literary engagement. More than just a place to buy books, it’s designed as a space where you can enjoy a coffee while immersed in reading. The atmosphere encourages sharing ideas and enjoying “a book, a coffee, a world.”

Why People Visit

Visitors are drawn to In Between the Lines not only for the coffee but for the overall experience of combining reading with a relaxed café setting. One unique feature patrons especially enjoy is the library-style approach where “books are meant to be borrowed, not just bought.” It turns the act of reading into a more fluid, community-centered activity.

Where It’s Located

The café is conveniently located on the 4th floor of Gaoxiangtao Mall at 1438 Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai. The full address helps coffee lovers and bookworms find this peaceful retreat easily. For reservations or inquiries, you can call the café directly at 021-62401819.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is In Between the Lines in Shanghai?

In Between the Lines is a bookstore café located in Shanghai’s Gaoxiangtao Mall that combines a café experience with a literary environment. It encourages reading, conversation, and a slower pace of life, with the motto “a book, a coffee, a world.”

Where is In Between the Lines located?

In Between the Lines is on the 4th floor of Gaoxiangtao Mall, at 1438 Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai. The specific location makes it easy to visit while exploring the city.

Can I borrow books at In Between the Lines?

Yes, the café promotes a “books are meant to be borrowed” philosophy, which many visitors appreciate. It’s part of the bookstore’s effort to encourage community reading and sharing.

What’s the phone number for In Between the Lines?

You can call In Between the Lines at 021-62401819 for inquiries or reservations.

Is there a coffee shop inside the Gaoxiangtao Mall bookstore?

Yes, In Between the Lines functions as both a bookstore and a café, serving coffee in a literary setting on the 4th floor of Gaoxiangtao Mall.

What makes In Between the Lines different from other cafés in Shanghai?

In Between the Lines stands out by merging a full bookstore experience with a café, encouraging a culture of reading, sharing, and reflection—accompanied by coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Reading Cafés

For a bookstore café like In Between the Lines, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for bright floral and citrus notes, or the Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and stone fruit layers—both ideal for sipping while reading. The PWN Golden Mandheling offers a classic heavier body with sweet caramel and mild spice, perfect for those who prefer a deeper cup. All three beans highlight the craftsmanship behind specialty single origins. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.