The Best Book Stores in Adelaide for a Enthralling Read

Looking for your next gripping read or perhaps a book to enhance your gardening, cooking, or art skills? Adelaide’s bookshops have you covered. With options both in the city and suburbs, these stores are staffed by knowledgeable book lovers eager to help you find the perfect title.

From autobiographies to romance fiction, self-help guides to coffee table books, the selection is vast. You'll find something for every interest in these well-curated book stores in Adelaide, making them a haven for passionate readers and novel enthusiasts. 

Imprints Booksellers

With over 35 years in the game, Imprints Booksellers, an independent literary haven, has a knack for all books big, small, shiny, and used. With a carefully curated range of new and secondhand books, their dedicated staff thrive on their knowledge and passion for what they do and will go to the ends of the earth to make sure you find your next favourite read - which is why it's one of the best book stores in Adelaide

107 Hindley Street, Adelaide

Matilda Bookshop

Matilda Bookshop in the Adelaide Hills is a haven for book-lovers, offering a carefully curated selection of children’s books, new releases, fiction, gardening, and more. With a deep passion for reading, the staff provide personalised recommendations and host monthly book clubs to engage the community. They go the extra mile by listing staff favourites online, making it easy to find your next read. It’s a top spot for book enthusiasts and one of Adelaide’s finest bookstores.

8 Mount Barker Road, Stirling

Adieu Bonjour Bookshop

What was formerly the Ashton Post Office in Adelaide is now a quirky new book store. The Adieu Bonjour Bookshop is owned and run by mum, winemaker and author, Rachel Signer, who curates collections of books that will appease wine enthusiasts, musicians, creatives and more. There are also events hosted here regularly, including story-time sessions for children, and cooking demonstrations for the adults.

257 Lobethal Road, Ashton

Mostly Books

A proudly independent book store, Mostly Books is located in the middle of Mitcham Square and is a go-to for locals who come back time and time again. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff have a passion for all things literary and their store hosts a range of book clubs, knitting clubs and events with authors. What's best, you can visit the website to check out what their staff are currently loving and lusting over. This community favourite is one of the best book stores in Adelaide - and is also the oldest!

119 Belair Road, Torrens Park

Dillons Bookshop

Nestled among the hustle and bustle of Norwood Parade, it's hard to miss the shopfront of the largest family-owned bookshop in South Australia. Dillons Bookshop sells a range of books as well as CDs, audio books, DVDs and gifts. Their friendly team pride themselves on going the extra mile to source the hardest to find titles, so you know you'll walk away with a superior, unique read.

160/166 The Parade, Norwood

Dymocks Rundle Mall

For a fantastic range of genres, games, and stationery, Dymocks on Rundle Mall is a must-visit. Located in the iconic Regent Theatre since 2022, this heritage-rich space has become one of the best book stores in Adelaide. Regularly hosting author events, like Ash Barty's book signing, Dymocks boasts over 20,000 titles.

As Adelaide's largest bookstore, it offers an impressive selection and a welcoming atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to discover your next read on a city shopping day.

Regent Theatre Level 1, Shop 45 101/107 Rundle Mall, Adelaide

Orchard Bookshop

Orchard Books is one of the leading and best book stores in Adelaide, stocking an outstanding collection of both new and vintage novels. As with all good bookstores, the website will never do justice to this charming shopfront. Browse the aisles to find your next read or pick up a thoughtful gift for a reader in your life. The kind staff are ready and willing to recommend their book of the week from the expertly curated selection.

Shop 26 Adelaide Arcade, Adelaide

Michael Treloar Antiquarian Booksellers

If you looking for a book that's no longer in print, chances are you'll find it at Michael Treloar Antiquarian Booksellers. A longstanding member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, this book store sells vintage books, antiques, out-of-prints and also vintage photographs, manuscripts and more. It's a wonderful place to visit if you want to feel the history of well-loved books wash over you.

196 North Terrace, Adelaide

O'Connell's Bookshop

Situated in Station Arcade, O'Connell's Bookshop sells a range of antiquarian, second-hand and new books. One of the oldest purveyors of books in the city, O'Connell's was opened in 1957 by Reg O'Connell and six decades on, his grandson Benjamin has taken the reins. O'Connell's hosts an elaborate assortment of collectables and rare publications from a range of different genres. So, if it's something unique you're after — you know where to go.

19 Bank Street, Adelaide

Adelaide Booksellers

Adelaide Booksellers is one of Adelaide’s most highly regarded secondhand book sellers. This portal to the past plays host to a range of second hand, out-of-print and antique books from around the world. Having been around to stand the test of time, Adelaide Booksellers have over 30,000 quality books across a range of genres and topics, including South Australian history, military history, collectable children's' art, general fiction, crime fiction and much more.

907 South Road, Clarence Gardens

Booknook and Bean

This friendly dealer of coffee and books in the CBD isn't just a purveyor of excellent reads, it also gives back to the community. Each second-hand book purchased from Booknook and Bean donates proceeds to the Kiva foundation, aiming to change lives in developing countries. Indulge in a delicious De-Groot Coffee and let your creative juices and interesting conversations flow. This relaxing nook is the perfect place to spend your days reading, learning or even writing your very own novel.

Topham Hall, Adelaide

New Morning Books

Not your average book shop, this is a gem in the heart of Adelaide. New Morning Books is home to a charming backstory. Run by owner John Scott – who started his long career by selling books at university campuses - New Morning Books is a second-hand book store holding over 30,000 pre-loved classics and novels. Selling to students and pensioners, it is still worth a visit simply to chat with John and pick his brains on his favourite books from over the years.

155 Frome Street, Adelaide

Page &Turner

This unique bookstore based in Adelaide has a quirky and quaint shop to discover in the Myer Centre in Rundle Mall. Page and Turner sell a curated collection of pre-loved and new books, spanning all genres. Specialising in non-fiction, the helpful and passionate staff can be contacted via email, phone or in store to help find your next great book.

Level 2, Myer Centre, Adelaide

If you loved our round up of the best book stores in Adelaide, be sure to check out our top picks of things to do in Adelaide, or to keep the wholesome vibes going, why not book in for a sumptuous high tea?