Satiated from daily screen time and the isolation of digital lives, books are back thanks to the hype around bookclubs. These are London’s best bookshops.
Reading is no longer a quiet retreat from the world, but a way of tuning into it. A good book gives you insight into a world you never knew or an idea you’d never considered or a person you’ve never met. For many of us, reading never left our lives, while for others, it’s slowly finding its way (back) in.
At the shortlist announcement of 2025’s Booker Prize, Gabby Wood, CEO of the Booker Foundation, described how a good book “meets you where you are” – and these bookshops are where it all happens.
Not just reading spaces, these shops are cultural hubs where Londoners (everyone from the bibliophile to the curious) convene over natural wine, coffee, and small plates. “I wanted to create a space that felt like your most well-read friend’s living room,” explains Chrissy, founder of London’s popular BookBar, adding that “books are social things – you want to talk about the books you’ve read, you want to share them with other people [..] so bookshops should be engaging, dynamic, and non-judgemental places.”
Author interviews, wine bars, trendy London cafes, and more, these are London’s bookshops to know.
Climax
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Founded by Isabella Burley (ex Editor-in-Chief of Dazed Magazine) Climax Books hits the spot when it comes to sourcing the coolest books in town. With a New York City counterpart over the pond, Climax’s sleek stainless-steel shelves are stocked with Nick Knight and Juergen Teller first editions, bell hooks’ critical theory, exhibition posters, and cassette tapes (alongside an equally fabulous selection of pink-decorated wearable merch). A browse here feels something like stepping into both the pop and counter-culture archives from the past few decades all at once. The stores regularly host book launches and signings – keep an eye out on their Instagram page for updates.
Donlon Books
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This East London favourite since 2008 is both an independent publisher as well as a book store, loved amongst the creative crowds near and far. The selection of books is anything but random – slightly akin to the curation you’d expect in an art gallery, every single text has been hand-selected by the team from independent publishers, book fairs, research trips, and more. Included in the lineup are rare titles, periodicals, and “printed matter” (detailing posters, pamphlets, catalogues). The unsuspecting store has hosted everyone from German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans, American poet and writer Eileen Myles, visual artist Jean-Michel Wicker for talks and signings (among many others) and has plans to continue – keep your eyes peeled.
Libreria
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Libreria tags itself as “a bookshop curated for serendipity, not algorithms” so you can be sure you’ll find a really good read to sink your teeth into. Designed inside by Second Home architects as “a little labyrinth of literature” with curved shelves and a mirrored ceiling that makes the space feel all wizardry – the perfect spot to get spellbound by a new novel. The cultural events programme is one to check out too, from live conversations with authors and book launches to open mics for emerging writers.
Burley Fisher Books
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A two-floor treasure trove of zines and independent publishers, there is photography, memoirs, children’s tales, drama, fiction, music, graphics and more to dive into. The team also curate their must read lists – you can catch up on their Books of the Year 2025 on the website, where you’ll also find a form to fill in if you’re looking for a bookseller’s recommendation for your next read. Burley Fisher also operates a very good bookstore at London’s new Ibraaz Gallery, sourcing books to accompany the thematic exhibitions.
The Second Shelf
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“Rare” “feminist” and “books” is a wonderful selection of words to find within a single sentence. And The Second Shelf is the place for it. Author and journalist A.N. Devers founded the space in 2018 as a way to champion books by women and non-binary writers, including books that have fallen out of literary history over time, but that still deserve modern readers’ attention. The physical space operates by appointment only, so contact the team by email ahead of the day you’d like to visit. Trust us, it’s worth the wait.
London Review Bookshop
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Tucked into a sidestreet in Bloomsbury, a stone’s throw from the British Museum, is the quarterly magazine’s (London Review of Books) bookshop. Stocked with bestsellers – many signed copies included – as well as interesting non-fiction from criticism to biographies, there’s inspiration for everyone here from the academic to the biobliophile. Before you leave, pick up some merch and get to know your new literary purchase at the adjoining cafe, now helmed by London legends, St John.
BookBar
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By day or by night, BookBar is always buzzing with London’s coolest crowds. Some see reading as a solo activity, but BookBar brings out its social side with a wine bar, talks, DJ sessions, and reading recommendations – conversations between friends and strangers alike are very much encouraged. The wonderful team are always on hand to share recommendations too, as founder Chrissy explains “a good bookseller is like an emotional algorithm – we don’t just base our recommendations off genres, but off feelings. I’ll always ask ‘what are you in the mood to read?’ I don’t think websites can replace these kinds of conversations.” A few upcoming dates for your diary: there is a BookBar session with Madeline Cash ahead of her debut novel being published this year, and authors Madeleine Gray and Kate Young talk all things family, friendship, and love.
Henry Pordes
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Tucked stoically between the commercial mashup that is Charing Cross Road parallel to Leicester Square is this true London masterpiece. Step through the doors into this treasure trove; who needs a digital archive when the staff know the books and shop like the back of their own hand? A stalwart in the literary world, the Henry Pordes name has been in the trade of rare books for over fifty years. Specialising in very rare editions of the classics – signed editions by Margaret Atwood; different editions of Jane Austen through the decades; Cecil Beaton’s 1954 illustrations – you’ll also find lesser-known titles for the curious and those in-the-know. The fact it has remained confidently on this street for long is testament itself.
Daunt Books
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Perhaps the most-photographed bookstore in London, Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street sits within a beautiful Edwardian building; its light-flooded atrium is stocked to the brim with all the critically-acclaimed books hot off the press. Stocked out with books by authors all around the world (most translated into English) arranged geographically around the store, this is another way of travelling – through the words and eyes of others.
The British Library Bookshop
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Where better for the bibliophile than a really great library, and where better to go in search for a really great library than the British Library with a collection of over 13.5 million books. And, the bookshop is led by the literary experts; curated editions and collector’s picks lead the way here with all kinds of re-editions of the classics mixed in with new releases (that you might not have heard of, but definitely should add to your to-be-read list). Once you’ve found your next read, head into the library’s many great reading spots to enjoy.
Morocco Bound
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While there’s not much better than a really great book store, Morocco Bound is pushing the standards when it comes to what a really great book store can do. By day: book shop, cafe, co-working space for creatives and students. By night: a book shop, bar serving craft beers from the local Bermondsey Beer Mile, and events space for poetry readings, open mics, jazz sessions, and band gigs. On the shelf, you’ll also find all the titles the ‘It’ Londoners have filed at the top of their reading lists – lots of inspiration for you.
Word On The Water
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Where else in the world would you find a canal boat in the heart of one of London’s buzziest hubs (King’s Cross) that is now a book store floating on the water? Step inside for shelves upon shelves of books, as well as cosy nooks for flicking through pages. The team is always friendly and open to sharing their recommendations. Come summer, the store makes for a lovely pitstop during a sunny waterside walk, don’t forget to pause and listen to the trumpet player whistling away on the barge rooftop.
Round Table Books
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This Brixton bookshop is all about re-addressing the imbalance when it comes to the kinds of books we see time and time again on book shelves wherever we go. This bold book shop has unsuspecting beginnings; starting out as a pop-up by children’s publisher Knights Of, known for inclusive children’s books, readers’ enthusiasm pushed for the permanent space to later open. Though, the focus on underrepresented children’s books remains, joined by great LGBTQIA+ and underrepresented writers.
Books For Cooks
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Chefs and aspirational foodies – this one’s for you. Tired of the evening doomscroll in search of a quick recipe for dinner? Or perhaps, on the other end of the spectrum, you’re having friends over for a weekend supper and have wild dreams of an upcoming bacchanalian-style feast. Either way, this store’s the one for you. A stroll down a row of books will whet your appetite and take you to other countries, via their respective cuisines, all over the world. Bon appetit!
Lead image: Burley Fisher at Ibraaz; courtesy Ibraaz; photo Ollie Hammick
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