The 17 Best Sydney Bookstores to Visit For Book Lovers

This blog post is all about the best Sydney bookstores.

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m a book nerd through and through.

I’m always adding to my collection (even when my shelves are already overflowing) and to me, nothing beats the joy of stepping into a bookstore.

I know the Kindle is handy for travel, but honestly? It just isn’t the same.

Whenever I’m on holiday, I make it a point to seek out local bookstores, especially the small, independent bookstores.

There’s something so comforting about wandering through the shelves, discovering new titles, and getting a sense of a city’s literary soul.

Sydney is one of my favourite cities in the world (and where I’m currently living!), and if you’re a fellow book lover, you’re in for a treat.

From charming secondhand spots to beautifully curated indies, here’s my list of the best Sydney bookstores to visit.

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This blog post is all about the best Sydney bookstores to shop from.

17 Sydney Bookstores You Need to Visit

Below is a list of the best Sydney bookstores to visit if you’re a book addict like me and love shopping in the prettiest bookstores around.

1. Better Read Than Dead – Newtown

One of the most iconic independent Sydney bookstores in the heart of Newtown, Better Read Than Dead is a must for any book lover visiting Sydney.

The staff are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, and the shelves are packed with everything from new releases to literary fiction and thought-provoking non-fiction.

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2. The Bookshop Darlinghurst – Darlinghurst

Sydney’s LGBTQ+ specialist bookstore, The Bookshop Darlinghurst has a brilliant selection of queer fiction, memoirs, essays and history.

It’s a warm, welcoming space and a great place to discover stories you might not find elsewhere.

3. Gleebooks – Glebe

This beloved Sydney institution has been around for decades and is a true gem. Gleebooks is known for its well-curated selection of titles and regular author events.

It’s a great place to get lost in for a while, especially if you’re into Australian literature and politics.

4. Sappho Books, Café & Wine Bar – Glebe

Sappho is everything you want in a bookshop—cosy, eclectic, and full of charm. Browse the secondhand books, then head out back for a coffee or glass of wine in the courtyard café.

They also host poetry nights and live music. It’s the kind of place you never want to leave.

5. Desire Books & Records – Manly

Located just a short walk from Manly Beach, this quirky little shop combines secondhand books with vintage records.

Desire Books & Records is packed with character and offers a great mix of fiction, poetry, philosophy and art books.

6. The Best Little Bookshop In Town – Cronulla

A local favourite in Cronulla, this independent bookstore in Sydney has a strong community vibe and a fantastic children’s section.

It’s small but mighty, with an excellent selection of new releases and friendly staff who are always up for a book chat.

7. Potts Point Bookshop – Elizabeth Bay

This elegant and thoughtfully curated bookshop in Elizabeth Bay is an absolute delight. Potts Point Bookshop focuses on quality over quantity, with a beautiful selection of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.

It’s perfect for finding your next favourite read.

8. Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore – Paddington

One of my favourite Sydney bookstores on this list, Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore combines two of life’s greatest pleasures: good coffee and good books.

This multi-level bookshop has that cozy, slightly chaotic charm that makes secondhand bookstores so special. The walls are lined with thousands of pre-loved books spanning every genre imaginable, from travel and philosophy to classic literature and poetry.

The mismatched furniture, soft background music, and literary clutter make it feel like stepping into a writer’s private study.

9. Berkelouw Books – Paddington

Berkelouw Books is a Sydney bookstores staple, and the Paddington location combines books, food and wine in the most delightful way.

You’ll find a mix of new and secondhand titles, plus a café upstairs where you can read your latest find over lunch or coffee.

10. Ariel Booksellers – Paddington

If you love the kind of bookstore that feels like it could double as an art gallery, Ariel Booksellers in Paddington is the one for you.

This beautifully curated, independent bookstore has been a Sydney institution since the 1980s and is known for its floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with design, art, architecture, and photography books, alongside the latest fiction and non-fiction titles.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor exploring Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Ariel is a must-stop for book lovers who appreciate both style and substance.

11. Bookoccino – Avalon

Nestled in the Northern Beaches, Bookoccino is a gorgeous space with curated shelves, an in-house café and a strong community feel.

It’s worth the trip up to Avalon, especially if you want to browse beautiful books in a relaxed, beachside atmosphere.

12. Title – Barangaroo

Title is an indie chain with a focus on books, music and film. The Barangaroo shop has a stylish, modern vibe with a great selection of international fiction, art books and hard-to-find music biographies.

It’s a great spot for discovering something a little different.

13. Constant Reader – Crows Nest

Located on the Lower North Shore, Constant Reader has been around since the 1970s and remains one of the go-to Sydney bookstores for readers who like variety.

It’s packed with new releases, classics, and a strong crime and thriller section. The staff recommendations are always spot-on.

14. Gertrude & Alice – Bondi

A cosy secondhand bookstore and café just minutes from Bondi Beach. Gertrude & Alice is one of my favourite Sydney bookstores to grab a coffee, curl up with a book, and escape the world for a little while.

The café menu is excellent too, making it ideal for a brunch and browse combo.

15. Elizabeth’s Bookshop – Newtown

This well-loved secondhand bookstore in Newtown has been supplying Sydneysiders with affordable books for over 40 years.

You’ll find everything from pulp fiction to classics, and they’re also known for their “blind date with a book” bundles, wrapped-up mystery reads chosen by staff.

16. Kinokuniya – CBD

Located in The Galeries near Town Hall, Books Kinokuniya is one of the biggest and best bookstores in Sydney.

With a huge range of titles including manga, design, art, and cookbooks, it’s a dream for serious readers. There’s also a Japanese stationery section and a brilliant café.

17. Dymocks – CBD

Would this really be a ‘Best Sydney Bookstores’ list without mentioning Dymocks on George Street?

Established in 1879, this flagship location is more than just a bookstore, it’s a Sydney landmark.

Spanning multiple levels, Dymocks Sydney offers a huge range of books, from international bestsellers and children’s favourites to cookbooks, travel guides, and beautifully bound classics.

18. Bonus: Little Free Libraries in Sydney

For something a little more unexpected, keep your eyes peeled for the Little Free Libraries scattered throughout Sydney’s neighbourhoods.

These tiny, street-side book exchanges invite locals and visitors alike to “take a book, leave a book.” You’ll find them in places like Surry Hills, Balmain, Glebe, Newtown, and Bondi, often tucked beside community gardens or nestled on residential streets.

You might find a well-loved copy of an Aussie classic or a surprise travel memoir to take to the beach.

The Best Independent Sydney Bookstores

Whether you’re into brand-new fiction, rare finds, or secondhand surprises, Sydney has a bookshop for you.

I always say the best way to get to know a city is through its bookstores, and Sydney’s literary scene is full of personality.

So if you’re visiting and wondering what to do between beaches and sightseeing, add a few of these Sydney bookstores to your list.

Your suitcase might be heavier on the way home, but your reading list will be all the better for it.

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By Orlagh Shanks

Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.

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This blog post is all about the best Sydney bookstores to shop from.