Best Bookstores in Melbourne: Where to Find Your Next Page-Turner

Who would have thought we would be living in a time where you have to charge your book to read it? Kindles and E-Readers are growing more popular by the day. If you look over your shoulder on your morning commute, chances are you'll see someone enthralled by some mystery book as they tap to turn the page on their Kindle.

If you prefer the tangible feeling of turning an actual page, however, you're not alone. There's something special about the cracks in the spine of a well-loved book. So, we've rounded up the best bookstores in Melbourne that will provide you with anything and everything from engaging fictional tales to Australian classics.

Happy Valley

Happy Valley owner Chris Crouch personally curates every book, vinyl and item that’s displayed in his joyful Collingwood store. Sourcing the most interesting, eclectic and desired titles from all over Melbourne and the world, you’re guaranteed to find a book to delight. Whether you love fiction, design, cooking or graphic novels, this treasured independent shop and bookstore in Melbourne has must-visit written all over it!

294 Smith Street, Collingwood 

Paperback Bookshop

When you think about city landmarks, it's not every day that a humble independent bookstore makes the list. Stocking an impressive array of fiction, non-fiction and travel books that would be otherwise unknown to us here in Australia, the Paperback Bookshop remains the first point of call for rare reads. A fixture of the city since the 60s, today you'll find some mainstream titles peppered throughout the shelves as well. 

60 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller

For bibliophiles looking for that old-world experience, it doesn’t get much better than Kay Craddock. Tucked away inside the striking Neo-Gothic Assembly Hall building, this character-filled bookstore is utterly charming. Specialising in rare books, it offers an extensive and diverse catalogue of antiquarian and second-hand titles, ranging from the fifteenth to the twenty-first century. Plus, the staff are super friendly and are always happy to help you search for particular books or recommend others if what you’re looking for isn’t there.

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

Nestled within the notoriously foodie Queen Victoria Market is one of the best bookstores in Melbourne for food and wine aficionados and novices alike. A perennial meeting place for chefs of all levels, you’ll find over 40,000 tasty titles at Books for Cooks, with floor-to-ceiling shelves stocking new, old, vintage, and antiquarian cookbooks from around the globe. Master the art of Aperitivo with an entire section on appetizers - and charcuterie, and wine. Or maybe you’d rather shop by region, perusing hundreds of titles from Europe to Asia and everywhere in between.

Queen Victoria Market, 115-121 Victoria Street, Melbourne

Avenue Bookstore

It is too easy to linger way longer than you should in this multi-award-winning bookshop. For more than 35 years, Avenue Bookstore has been servicing the city's avid readers across its now three locations in Melbourne's southeast. Floor-to-ceiling shelves are stocked with a mammoth collection of local and imported books favouring new releases and backlist titles in all categories. The staff are well-versed and enjoy a good chat about your latest read. There are also author events that are regularly held throughout the year to keep the bookworms looking forward to something.

127 Dundas Place, Albert Park

91 Swan St, Richmond

434 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick

NGV Design Store

For killer coffee table books and gorgeous gifts for the bookworm in your life, this is the store for you. Home to a boundless array of art and design books that are as delightful to look at as they are to read, it’s one of the best bookstores in Melbourne to browse when you’re in need of a little inspiration. From fashion manifestos to French Impressionism, the NGV Design Store is the only place you’ll find all your favourite past and present exhibition titles under one roof.

180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Federation Square, Flinders Street and Russell Street, Melbourne

Sun Bookshop

Occupying a cosy corner of the iconic Sun Theatre Building in the Yarraville Village, the Sun Bookshop oozes old-world charm like no other. Packed to the brim with books that are perfect to display on your coffee table, the Sun's curated selection of design, photography, art and cooking titles is top-notch. Junior reads can be found across the road at The Younger Sun Bookshop. 

10 Ballarat Street, Yarraville

Hill of Content

After almost 100 years in the biz, it's safe to say that Melbourne's oldest bookshop knows how to pick a page-turner. Occupying two levels on Bourke Street, Hill of Content's wide yet thoughtful range of books cover all bases. Blending the best of Australian titles with an equally impressive international selection, it's easy to kill an afternoon within their iconic burgundy walls.  If you're looking for a little guidance, the uber-friendly staff are never too far away to point you in the right direction. 

86 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Readings Carlton

A champion of Australian literature, Readings has been giving popular chains a run for their money since first opening its doors in 1969. Once a tiny stand-alone store, Readings has expanded to multiple locations across the city. Within the trendy bookshop, you can find a myriad of titles as well as vinyls and films. Snagging the coveted title of 'Bookstore of Year' in 2016, Readings Carlton has solidified their heavyweight status internationally while providing a platform for local writers through ongoing community support. 

309 Lygon Street, Carlton

Hares & Hyenas

A haven amongst Melbourne's queer community, Hares & Hyenas Bookshop's inclusive space in Fitzroy is a one-stop shop for all your queer reading and entertainment needs. Along with an extensive selection of gender-diverse titles, erotica and DVDs from around the world, you'll find The Hare Hole; a dynamic performance space that has hosted over 1000 queer and literary events that have been featured at the annual Midsumma, Comedy and Melbourne Fringe festivals. 

63 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

The Little Bookroom

From picture books for bubs to fiction and non-fiction titles for adults, the power of the written word is brought to life at Melbourne's oldest children's bookstore. Make no mistake, this literary wonderland is not just for the little ones. Named in honour of Eleanor Farjeon's collection of short stories, The Little Bookroom's enchanting array of printed treasures are loved by all. Watch tales come to life through their exciting events which run year-round. 

759 Nicholson Street, Carlton North

Syber's Books

You've heard of cat cafés, but have you heard of a cat bookstore? Syber's Books is a quirky bookstore that gives new meaning to the term weird and wonderful. Run by the lovely Penny and her fabulous felines, this bookshop in Melbourne is a mecca for true crime and sci-fi. Browse more than 75 shelves of rare and out-of-print gems that have been hand-picked for your reading pleasure. You can easily kill an afternoon inside Syber's, simply by chilling with the cats!

227 Glenferrie Road, Malvern

Mary Martin Bookshop

The Mary Martin Bookshop is an adorable indie book retailer whose Melbourne stores can be found in Southbank, Port Melbourne and the Queen Victoria Market. In fact, they even won an award for being the 'Best Independent Bookshop' in Australia in 2019. There's something about the welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff that adds to the wholesome, cosy vibe.

Shop G17, Southgate, Southbank

2/188, Bay Street, Port Melbourne

Dymocks Melbourne

You may be wondering, what's so special about Dymocks? Well, if you're an avid bookworm, the Dymocks bookstore located on Collins Street will make you feel as though you died and went to heaven. This Melbourne bookshop is absolutely ginormous, filled with all sorts of titles just waiting to be read. You'll find bestsellers and underrated gems galore, and we can guarantee that after an entire morning or afternoon spent browsing through the many shelves, you won't be leaving empty-handed.

234 Collins Street, Melbourne

Whether you're a sci-fi fanatic or on the hunt for your next coffee table book, you're guaranteed to find your next page-turner with our picks of the best bookstores in Melbourne. Looking for a quiet corner to read? The city is filled with great spots to bury your head in a good book. From picnics in the park to coffee and cosy bars - you name it, we've got it.