Best Bookstores in Melbourne: 27 Spots Where You Can Find Your Next Page-Turner

Who would’ve guessed we’d be living in a time where even our books need a charger? Kindles and e-readers are more popular than ever—on your morning commute, just glance around and you’ll probably spot someone deep in a thriller, tapping a screen to turn the page.

But if you’re someone who still prefers the satisfying flick of a real page, the comforting weight of a paperback, or the smell of ink and old paper—you’re in good company. There’s something undeniably special about the cracked spine of a well-loved book. So, we’ve rounded up the best bookstores in Melbourne to help you stock up on your next read—be it an Aussie classic, a juicy new release, or a hidden fictional tale just waiting to be discovered.

Terrain Bookshop

Terrain in Fitzroy is a living, breathing artwork, where every corner feels like stepping inside a sculpture. A space where ecology, technology, and culture merge into an immersive experience that defies convention. Since opening in December 2023, Terrain has handpicked over 300 titles from local and international authors, ensuring a diverse collection of perspectives. Books are grouped into 14 distinct categories—Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Space, Technology, Society, Art, Design, Spirituality, Health, Food, Poetry, and Fiction—constantly expanding with new releases. Staffed by passionate volunteers, it’s not just about browsing—it’s about connection, conversation, and engagement.

101-103 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Amplify Bookstore

Amplify Bookstore is where literature breaks the mould, offering an unapologetic celebration of BIPOC voices in a world that often overlooks them. Founded by Marina Sano and Xuan in 2020, this Melbourne-based indie bookstore is a vibrant pulse for stories that challenge the status quo. With a curated collection spanning fiction, poetry, and graphic novels, Amplify is more than a bookstore—it’s a movement, pushing the boundaries of representation. Browse online or catch their weekend pop-up in West Melbourne.

55 Peel Street, West Melbourne

Brunswick Bound

Brunswick Bound is a Melbourne bookstore you can lose yourself in, located in the heart of Sydney Road, quietly defying the bustle. Since 2007, owners Susie and Rob Arambasic have created a haven of curated books, vinyl records, and unique gifts. New titles sit alongside old, familiar covers pressed into your hands like old friends. A welcoming space dedicated to supporting local authors and artists, every visit promises something new—whether it’s a fresh read or a memorable event.

361 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Through The Looking Glass Bookstore

Through the Looking Glass bookstores in Fitzroy, Belgrave, and Sassafras are your gateway to a literary adventure. The Fitzroy store, on bustling Brunswick Street, feels like a secret hideaway with its eclectic mix of books, gifts, and homewares, while the Belgrave location invites you to get lost in its second-hand treasures. In the misty charm of Sassafras, you’ll find a curated selection of books that beckon you to explore. Each shop is a world of its own, waiting to whisk you away on a bookish mystery.

Sitchu Tip: Above the Brunswick Street location, you’ll find a cosy vintage apartment you can book via Airbnb. How cute is that?

341 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

1669 Burwood Highway, Belgrave

3/383 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras

Bookshop by Uro

Tucked away in Collingwood Yards, Bookshop by Uro is where art, architecture, and design collide in the most unexpected and delightful ways. From mid-century design spreads to thought-provoking titles on vernacular architecture and sustainable building in a changing climate, this hidden gem offers a curated journey through the world of the built environment. With its minimalist design and carefully selected collection, it’s the perfect destination for anyone looking to explore the transformative power of design.

Unit 5/30 Perry Street, Collingwood 

Coventry Bookstore

Coventry Bookstore is where books become an experience, not just a read. Found in South Melbourne, this charming independent store offers a treasure trove of fiction, non-fiction, design, and culinary titles that reflect owner Stephen Hepburn’s passion for quality and character. Lose yourself in its inviting corners, where every shelf holds a discovery. With the staff’s spot-on recommendations, this is the place for literary treasure hunters and book lovers seeking something a little more special.

Level 1/265 Coventry Street, South Melbourne

Sainsbury’s Books

Sainsbury’s Books is a second-hand treasure trove that’s captivated readers for over 35 years. Specialising in art, history, literature, and rare finds, this charming Melbourne bookstore is a haven for collectors and casual browsers alike. Owner John Sainsbury has curated a delightful collection, from limited editions to out-of-print gems. If you’re after a unique read or a collectible, this is the place to lean in and get your squinty-eyed browse on.

534 Riversdale Road, Camberwell 

Asphalt Books

Asphalt Books isn’t your average bookshop—it’s Melbourne magic at its most elusive. Hidden deep in the maze of the Nicholas Building (Level 4, if you can find it), this second-hand haven is part fairytale cottage, part indie archive, lovingly run by 23-year-old Armani. The vibe? Endearingly sketchy entry, wildly rewarding experience. Think rare finds, well-worn covers, and shelves stacked with heart and soul. Championing both emerging and established voices, local and international, Asphalt Books is a haven for fiction, poetry, non-fiction, graphic novels, and art books.

It’s also a vibrant space for community engagement, with regular book launches, readings, workshops, and exhibitions. So, bring plenty of time and a curious mind—this bookstore is full of surprises.

Nicholas Building, Level 4, Room 23/37 Swanston Street, Melbourne 

Willows and Wine

Willows & Wine is part wine bar, part book haven, and entirely your new favourite hangout. This moody, magical nook in West Melbourne invites you to sip a glass of vino, nibble on cheese, and dive into stories that matter—think First Nations, queer, disabled and diverse authors, all thoughtfully curated. You can read in-house, chat with fellow lit lovers, then browse the shelves to take a piece of the magic home.

A book bar with brains, beauty, and bite—perfect for dates, or solo escapes.

315 Victoria Street, West Melbourne 

Metropolis Bookshop

Metropolis Bookshop is Melbourne’s hidden cathedral of culture, perched atop Curtin House like a well-kept secret for the aesthetically inclined. Specialising in art, architecture, fashion, film, and ideas with bite, it’s where design nerds and theory heads come to worship. Every title is handpicked for its ability to inspire, provoke, or look impeccably chic on a coffee table. Expect rare finds, cult reads, and creative epiphanies. For the curious, the visual, and the quietly cool, let’s call it a moodboard in motion.

Curtin House, Level 3/252 Swanston Street, Melbourne 

The Chestnut Tree Bookshop

In the heart of West Footscray, The Chestnut Tree Bookshop & Cafe is a sanctuary for curious minds and caffeine lovers alike. Founded by academic-turned-bookseller Reem Sweid, this sun-drenched spot champions diverse voices, local talent, and planet-conscious reads. With floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with everything from climate non-fiction to children’s stories to cookbooks – plus Rumble coffee and Mörk hot choc on pour – it’s one of the loveliest bookstores in Melbourne to spark conversation, where future book clubs might bloom. More than a bookshop, it’s a community with heart and pages.

542 Barkly Street, West Footscray 

Already Read Bookshop

Already Read is a book lover’s dream—a beautifully curated haven where every title feels handpicked by someone with an impeccable eye for great reads. From timeless classics to under-the-radar gems and fresh favourites, the shelves are stacked with stories begging to be explored. Most books are so pristine they could pass for new, which means the quality is as high as your happiness will be as you lose yourself wandering through this literary treasure trove.

98 Scotchmer Street, Fitzroy North

Happy Valley

Happy Valley isn’t just a bookstore—it’s a curated dreamscape conjured by owner Chris Crouch, who personally handpicks every book, vinyl, and delightfully niche item on the shelves. Think of it as Collingwood’s answer to a Wes Anderson set: joyful, design-forward, and full of unexpected treasures. From cult cookbooks to graphic novels with edge, it’s a Melbourne bookshop you pop into “just for a look” and emerge an hour later with an armful of things you didn’t know you needed. A must-visit for aesthetes, story-lovers, and cool gift hunters alike.

294 Smith Street, Collingwood 

Paperback Bookshop

Not every city landmark comes with gothic spires or glass facades—some, like the Paperback Bookshop, are all quiet cult status and literary cool. This indie icon has been fuelling Melbourne’s reading habits since the ’60s. Think rare international titles, obscure fiction finds, and the kind of books that make you feel smugly ahead of the curve. Sure, a few mainstream hits sneak in these days, but don’t let that fool you—this place is still where the real readers go. And yes, it’s open late.

60 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller

For book lovers with a taste for the timeless, Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller is the literary equivalent of stepping into a velvet smoking jacket. Hidden inside the grand Assembly Hall on Collins Street, this elegant book haven is stacked with rare, curious, and century-spanning titles you didn’t know you needed. From fifteenth-century treasures to cult classics, it’s part museum, part wonderland, all class. The staff? Knowledgeable, charming, and just eccentric enough to make you feel like you’re in a Donna Tartt novel. A must for those who judge books by their smell.

156 Collins Street, Melbourne

Perimeter Books

Defying stereotypes that bookstores need to be dark, cluttered and almost entirely furnished with wood, Perimeter Books in Thornbury seems to have taken a leaf out of one of the many design books that reside within it. The bright, open space is home to a selective range of independently published books and zines across the art and design spectrum. Whether you’re after a photography, art theory or architecture title, you’ve got a pretty good chance of finding it here. 

748 High Street, Thornbury

Books for Cooks

Tucked along the Victoria Street side of Queen Vic Market like some delicious secret, Books for Cooks is where chefs, food nerds, and curious snackers come to worship. With over 50,000 titles stacked from floor to ceiling—new, rare, vintage, obscure—this place is less bookstore, more gastronomic temple. Want to deep dive into Korean fermentation or resurrect a 1970s Italian aperitivo ritual? They’ve got the goods. Come hungry—for knowledge, sure—but also because it’ll leave you starving in the best possible way.

Queen Victoria Market, 115-121 Victoria Street, Melbourne

Avenue Bookstore

It’s dangerously easy to lose track of time at Avenue Bookstore—a Melbourne institution that’s been charming readers for over 35 years. With three well-loved outposts in the southeast, this multi-award-winning gem is stacked (literally) with a glorious mix of buzzy new releases, cult classics, and the kind of backlist beauties you forgot you were dying to read. The staff? Human Goodreads. Expect passionate recs, thoughtful chats, and just the right nudge into something new. Plus, their regular author events keep the calendar—and your TBR pile—deliciously full all year round.

127 Dundas Place, Albert Park

91 Swan Street, Richmond

434 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick

NGV Design Store

If you’re on the hunt for drool-worthy coffee table books or a gift that’ll charm the socks off any bookish friend, the NGV Design Store is your one-stop showstopper. A visual feast of art, design, fashion and culture, this place stocks everything from fashion manifestos to French Impressionism with serious shelf appeal. Think of it as your chicest mate’s dream bookshelf—only bigger, bolder, and better lit. Plus, it’s the only spot where you’ll find all your fave NGV exhibition titles past and present, wrapped up in one very aesthetic package.

180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Federation Square, Flinders Street and Russell Street, Melbourne

Sun Bookshop

Held within a cosy corner of the iconic Sun Theatre Building in Yarraville Village, the Sun Bookshop radiates old-world charm with a modern twist. Brimming with curated gems, it’s the perfect place to find those beautifully displayed design, photography, art, and cooking books.

Looking for junior reads? Pop across the road to The Younger Sun Bookshop. Whether you’re a bibliophile or just in need of coffee table eye-candy, the Sun’s got you covered.

10 Ballarat Street, Yarraville

Hill of Content

After almost 100 years in the game, Melbourne’s oldest bookshop, Hill of Content, has mastered the art of picking a page-turner. Spanning two levels on Bourke Street, their curated collection hits all the right notes—from Aussie classics to international gems. Nestled within its iconic burgundy walls, time flies as you lose yourself in their thoughtful range. Need a little direction? The super-friendly staff are always nearby, ready to point you to your next literary obsession. Trust us, an afternoon here is time well spent.

86 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Readings

Readings is Melbourne’s literary heavyweight, giving the big chains a run for their money since 1969. From its humble origins as a tiny independent store to now reigning with multiple locations, Readings has evolved into a cultural powerhouse. Not just books, they serve up vinyl and films, offering an experience that feels more like a treasure hunt than a shopping trip. Crowned ‘Bookstore of the Year’ in 2016, Readings Carlton continues to nurture local talent, providing a platform for Aussie voices while serving up the kind of literary delights that keep readers coming back for more.

Carlton, Chadstone, The Emporium, Malvern, Hawthorn, Doncaster, State Library, and St Kilda locations

Hares & Hyenas

Hares & Hyenas Bookshop in Fitzroy is the ultimate queer sanctuary, where you can find everything from gender-diverse books to international erotica—and yes, the DVDs you weren’t supposed to find at your old local Blockbuster. With The Hare Hole hosting over 1000 queer events, it’s the perfect mix of literature, love, and laughter!

63 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

The Little Bookroom

From picture books for bubs to gripping fiction and non-fiction, Melbourne’s oldest children’s bookstore brings the magic of the written word to life. The Little Bookroom, named after Eleanor Farjeon’s stories, offers a literary wonderland for all ages, with exciting events happening year-round. A must-visit for book lovers, great and small.

759 Nicholson Street, Carlton North

Syber’s Books

You’ve heard of cat cafes, but how about a cat bookstore? Syber’s Books is a quirky haven where true crime and sci-fi rule. Run by the delightful Penny and her fabulous felines, this Melbourne gem boasts over 75 shelves of rare, hand-picked reads. Spend hours chilling with cats while uncovering hidden literary treasures.

227 Glenferrie Road, Malvern

Mary Martin Bookshop

Mary Martin Bookshop is an indie gem with locations in Southbank, Port Melbourne, and Queen Victoria Market. In fact, they snagged the title of ‘Best Independent Bookshop’ in Australia back in 2019. With its warm, inviting atmosphere and friendly staff, this charming store oozes wholesome, cosy vibes. Perfect for losing track of time and finding your next great read.

Queen Victoria Market

Shop G17, Southgate, Southbank

2/188, Bay Street, Port Melbourne

Dymocks Melbourne

You might be asking, what’s the big deal with Dymocks? Well, if you’re a book lover, the Dymocks store on Collins Street is basically heaven on earth. This Melbourne bookstore is huge—like, “get lost for hours” huge. With bestsellers and hidden gems stacked to the ceiling, prepare to leave with an armful of books you didn’t know you needed. Trust us, after spending your entire morning (or afternoon, who’s counting?) wandering the shelves, empty hands? Not happening.

234 Collins Street, Melbourne

Whether you’re a sci-fi fanatic or searching for your next coffee table book, you’re sure to find your perfect page-turner with our picks of the best bookstores in Melbourne. If you’re after a quiet corner to read, the city offers plenty of spots to get lost in a good book. From picnics in the park to coffee shops and cosy bars, you name it—Melbourne’s got it all.