Welcome to The Wanderbug, a travel blog written for humans, by a human. I'm Genevieve, and every guide is personally written by me and based on my firsthand travel experiences.
Melbourne is for booklovers. Melbourne is recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature, and was the second city in the world to earn this recognition, in 2008. This is in part due to the abundance of excellent book shops across the city, many of which are independents.
After living in Melbourne for a decade, I’ve put together this list of the best book shops in Melbourne, to help you guide your next visit. With each book shop recommendation, I’ve also included a nearby cafe recommendation, to combine two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths – books and coffee.
PS. Check out my guide to the best book shops in London to save for your next trip!
Readings
Readings is one of Melbourne’s best and most beloved book shops, established in Carlton in 1969, and now with 9 stores across the city.
Some of my favourite Readings book shops are Readings Carlton, Readings St Kilda and Readings Emporium. Readings Carlton is the original, and arguably the flagship. It’s a beautiful bookshop on Lygon Street, and I always have to drop in every time I’m in Carlton!
Readings St Kilda is located in the heart of Acland St in St Kilda’s vibrant tourist precinct, and is a large store with a great range. Readings Emporium is a newer store, conveniently located in the Melbourne CBD.
Best Cafe Nearby: Brunetti in Carlton, La Roche in St Kilda
Read More: Carlton Neighbourhood Guide
Hill of Content
Hill of Content is easily one of the best bookshops in Melbourne, and one of the city’s most beloved. Located on Bourke Street in the Melbourne CBD, this two-storey bookstore is a magnet for bookworms – and you’ll struggle to leave empty handed.
As a bonus, it’s just a few doors down from Paperback Bookshop – visit both!
Best Cafe Nearby: Traveller Coffee, a hole in the wall cafe with the best coffee in the Melbourne CBD
Paperback Bookshop
Located on Bourke Street in the Melbourne CBD, Paperback Bookshop is just a few doors down from Hill of Content. Paperback Books may be a small store, but its towering shelves are jammed with hundreds of books, making it easy to get lost for hours.
Best Cafe Nearby: Pellegrini’s, an old-school Italian institution
The Grumpy Swimmer
The Grumpy Swimmer is a small but extremely well-curated book shop in Elwood, which is a beautiful beachy neighbourhood just south of St Kilda. This was my go-to book shop when I lived in Melbourne, and I could always find a handful of new titles that I hadn’t heard of in the “big book” press, every time I visited.
Best Cafe Nearby: Plain Sailing
Read More: The Best Cafes & Bakeries in Elwood
Coventry Book Store
Coventry Book Store is a gorgeous independent book shop in South Melbourne, just steps away from the South Melbourne Market. This part of Coventry St is one of the nicest parts of South Melbourne, and is perfect for shopping after a morning spent grazing at the South Melbourne Market.
Best Cafe Nearby: Code Black Coffee, opposite the South Melbourne Market
Avenue Bookstore
Avenue Bookstore is another of Melbourne’s great, independent bookstores that has stood the test of time. The first Avenue bookstore opened in 1986, and they’ve since added two more shops, in Elsternwick and Richmond.
Best Cafe Nearby: Dawn Cafe in Elsternwick, Ned’s in Albert Park.
Avoca Hill Bookstore
From the same team as Coventry Bookstore, Avoca Hill Bookstore is a charming neighbourhood bookshop, in South Yarra. Located in the heart of Toorak Road’s bustling shopping precinct, it’s an easy trip from the Melbourne CBD – just get the train to South Yarra station, two stops from the city.
Best Cafe Nearby: Ned’s Bake, on the corner of Toorak Rd & Davis Ave. This was my go-to spot for coffee & pastries when I lived in the area.
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived in New York City and now live back in Australia, in Melbourne.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!
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