Best bookstores in Adelaide: find options near you

This Dymocks is a very nice book store. It’s inside a historical building which is antique, both inside and outside, but it is pretty big (compared with most Dymocks in Australia), with high ceiling and direct sunlight from the external round windows.

There is a cafe situated inside the book store. The book store is located on the 1st floor, with access via escalators or lift from Rundle Mall.

There are a few chairs or sofa where you can sit a while for taking a short rest if you are too tired after browsing the books. There is a kids book zone with some cards, toys and stationery etc.

Overall it is a very good book store which you should not miss if you are visiting Rundle Mall.

A most beautiful and busy Adelaide bookstore in a converted theatre space, in the style of El Ateneo Grande Splendid in Buenos Aires.

Dymocks bookstore is located in Rundle Place, and the building is a stunning example of historic architecture. Inside, it is filled with an extensive collection of books, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in literary treasures. A true experience here goes beyond simply picking up a book quickly; it offers a lovely environment where you can browse the aisles and read recommendations. Each visit presents the perfect opportunity to discover beautiful books that you can cherish and take home.

There’s a sign on the street and escalators leading up to the shop.
I’m glad I went to take a look.
It’s a beautiful bookstore with peaceful ambience and plenty to choose from. Lots of beautiful stationery, gift ideas, and of course actual books. Many categories to choose from, but the language selection is pretty small.
I love how there were some comfy spots to sit and browse the books.
This is one of the loveliest bookstore in Adelaide 🙂

The best book shop you will ever visit, the lovely historic shop with high vaulted ceilings and around every corner is a book you haven’t read. Huge range of the lastest books or old favourites, staff here are exceptional and super helpful as well. Includes a cafe inside overlooking the mall. For those with accessibility issues there is a lift in regent arcade that brings you right onto the book store floor

Dymocks shops are always immaculate but the one located in Rundle St it’s breathtaking. As soon as you enter the store, you are transported to another fancy world of books. The structure of the shop is beautiful and the staff is lovely. Will visit it again and again.

Love the new location of Dymocks, beautiful space – can access via escalator from Rundle Mall or lift access from the Regent Arcade.
Are the staff like librarians? They are most helpful and definitely know their books! Also has a great gifts section and kids books section.
The store has little corners that you can sit and immerse yourself in a good paperback or whatever genre of books you’re into.

Well-organized bookshelves. Great bookshop. I found the very book I was looking for! It was on display on the end of a row. Pleasant staff.

Great range of books over many genres. Prices reasonable and nice to know the money goes to charity. Easy to find a free park close by.

I always find hidden treasures here and the staff are so nice and willing to recommend authors. I’ve been loving the addition of paper mache cats too, there’s always a new one each time I visit which is always fun!

So many books and so cheap. Bought a Chinese beginners course textbook for $4 that I couldn’t find cheaper than $50 online. Bargain! Friendly and helpful staff.

Very well priced, lots of books, friendly staff!

The books are super cheap and the range is incredible. This is honestly the best place to search for textbooks, because there is seriously a book about everything. I don’t think I have ever walked out of here without buying at least one item The “Curiosities and Collectibles” section always boasts the most interesting books (in my opinion), but every section is worth a browse. Do yourself a favour, just pop in and look!

Such an amazing place. It has a great variety of books and is so cheap. Great to spend a few hours picking books.

Adelaide’s oldest bookshop!
Benjamin who took over from his father is intelligent and engages in descriptive conversation

The shop is reasonably organised with predominately older books.
Some rare books are available….at a price
It’s easy to lose track of time as you pick your way through the offerings!

I found a book that reminded me of my mother – ‘I can jump puddles’ – my mother suffered from polio when she was a small child. Having this book helps me keep her in my memories.

I recommend you visit, especially if you are looking for something in particular.

Super friendly staff, a wide range of well priced books.

A bookstore with a long history for antiques. It’s L shaped so it’s larger than it looks if you approach the building from the east like I did. The owner adores his collections, which unfortunately didn’t have the books I came for when I visited it. Though I soon found out it’s probably because the specific versions I wanted were only put together in the 21st century. The store often restocks, so the books on display could change from time to time. For reference I left with 2 books by Jack Vance from around 1970, and one book out of the Great Books of the Western World from 1952.

There’s a one-star review about how the owner (I’m not sure if it’s the current owner Benjamin) took away a book from a kid, and another that says that a bag requested by the owner to be put at the storefront got stolen. The store probably got better now because there are signs on book racks notifying people the correct way of handling books and you are only required to remove your bags when you browse the books on the wall behind the counter, which are genuine antique books so old that the bookbindings are brittle now, almost fragile. If you wish to buy them then you probably should prepare a safe way for transport in advance, or ask Benjamin to come up with some protection.

Be careful not to let Oscar creep up to you and scare you. Don’t step on him either.

I loved this shop! I could spend hours here, wonderful discoveries wherever you look. I bought a beautiful illustrated copy of Jane Eyre. I’ll be back every chance I get!

Brilliant bookshop with a huge range of pre-loved and collection worthy books, worthy of a wander!

Great atmosphere, huge selection of books. Friendly staff (esp the shop dog, Oscar). Could easily spend hours hunting for treasures.

Fantastic shop, very helpful staff, loads of great books in amazing condition. Was visiting Adelaide recently and managed a very quick visit, next time I’m in town I’ll dedicate an afternoon to check it out properly. Can’t recommend highly enough!

Absolutely a must visit!
I walked in just to browse as I love checking bookstores and walked out with 3 books. One I hadn’t been able to find in-person anywhere else, the other 2 through a recommendation from the amazing and lovely lady who was at the store.
Ended up chatting for at least half an hour about books and was a really enjoyable time.
The passion and dedication to literature is evident and this store deserves all the support it can get.

The staff here a so kind, I had a wonderful lady who seemed to have such a passion for her work helping me. Within 5 minutes she handed me the most perfectly curated book for my interests. She truly seems like she knows the store front to back, and it was just the most friendly and easy retail experience I have honestly had in a long time. Not sure of her name, but whoever helped in finding me the essay “why you should read children’s books, even though you are so old and wise” thank you, it’s the perfect quick read.

Really good bookstore. There’s fiction and non fiction books. There also have self development books. The owner welcome me warmly and give me many information about some books. The price of the book also affordable. The payment can use cash or card.

Incredibly browsable for a relatively small bookshop – just intensely packed with interesting things, in a very inviting way that encourages you to spend much longer there than you’d planned.

Amazing environment. The salesperson is super professional and super friendly. Great collection indeed.

Beautiful building with well displayed fiction & and non-fiction books. Recent book launch titled Bearcat complimented by a popular cocktail mixologist.

Update Dec 2024: new owner is awesome, the selection was already great, and has gotten better. Also, love the kids book section too. Still so helpful, check it out, it’s great.

Previous review: One of Adelaide’s best bookstores. Well worth a look from their fiction section to philosophy or history. Nice selection of second hand books too.

A cool unique shop in an interesting corner of the Myer building.
Great gifts, books, coffee ☕️, wine , play chess, or just read and hang out. Great place for young people to meet up
Unusual items like ephemera sticker books
Cool, cozy atmosphere and helpful staff. Nothing like it in the city ‍♀️ ‍♂️ well done

Many good books with great prices! The staffs are so friendly. Cozy little spot in Rundle Mall to read and buy books.

An amazing Book store!
Located on level 2 of the Myer Centre, shop 222.

Mark the owner was quiet and unassuming. I was able to browse at my leisure without interruption. At some stage he quietly offered assistance, which I smiled and declined.

The store just had so much life. I didn’t know where to go to next….so much to see, what to buy, I didn’t want to leave!
Having my Son politely wait for me, ushered me along.
3 books and I had to go, knowing I could always come back now it was discovered!

Book stores are special and they are becoming extinct.
There is something so delightful in the written word, it can take you to places you dream about or discover new possibilities or worlds.

The atmosphere of this store is stunning and a sensory delight!
Just go and sit on a comfy cushion and take it all in.

Mark you have created something beautiful may you be supported, treasured and prosper.

I highly recommend you visit this Book store, it’s more than just books!
It’s an adventure of discovery!

Oh ! What a nice place. Tons of books and cool things. They are very well organised by categories so find the topic you want is easy. Prices are good and you can find treasures in there. Do you like chess ? Go and play it in there. Do you want to sit down and review the book you have in your hands ? Go ahead. The lady who attended me was very nice and polite. The only risk is to stay there for hours.
Thank you guys.

Hidden Gem！Randomly walked into the store today with my partner and we absolutely loved it. One of the best bookstores I’ve been to, good vibe great environment. Will definitely come back

This store is a book lover’s dream!! I could have spent hours in here. I loved the variety of second hand books available and the overall vibe of the store. Highly recommend!

Very nice ambience for this bookshop. The owner did not miss to say ‘How are you?’ to his customers who had walked in. I got to buy 2 books at a much reduced prices and keep me going on with my reading session. You can just relaxed and browse through so many categories out here

Cercavo qualche libro fotografico con immagini inerenti l’Australia, da regalare come cadeaux agli amici in Italia, ma non ho trovato nulla del genere nonostante ci sia vasta scelta di libri. Personale squisito

Great range, well organised, relatively inexpensive, very good service, quite helpful. Recommend it

They stock a really nice range of books as well as a bunch of National Geographic stuff like telescopes and little science kits. The staff are really nice and helpful and the shelves are stocked really well. Be aware though that the walkways are very narrow – I’d imagine someone with a wheelchair or other mobility device would have trouble navigating around.I wouldn’t say it compares to the Dymocks just up the mall but it’s a great stop in to see if they stock anything different.

Thanks Raf for helping my son with his manga and slime enquiries, you are very lovely, calm and helpful 🙂

So many books to choose from! Yay!! And the statf are lovely 🙂

A wonderful assortment of books from fiction to non-fiction for young and old. All books are honestly priced in my opinion with bargains to be had equally spread out between soft cover and hard cover volumes. The QBD also has a National Geographic section including a large range of telescopes for the astronomer of all ages, world globes, games, diaries and more. With a helpful friendly staff your visit to the QBD store in Rundle Mall will be a rewarding one.

very amazing, friendly workers. i always seem to find what book i’m looking for! 100% recommend

Best bar in Adelaide CBD. These shots are of Harry’s Bar, Tattersalls Hotel, Grenfell Street, Adelaide. New Morning Books is half a mile away. I’ve never taken a photo there but I went there a fortnight ago! Something strange going on with Maps!

This gem is a must-see in Adelaide. Its a second-hand bookshop of the old school – a genuine treasure trove. I knew as soon as I walked in that I would find something amazing, and I did. The owner and the staff are lovely too.

One of Adelaide’s great used bookstores, huge range

Loved this place and the books really have a good price, and the owner is very kind!

Do yourself a favour and get lost in this bookstore. John is a fantastic owner and true bibliophile with the knowledge to make a Librarian jealous. Also the prices are very reasonable!

Lived in the neighbourhood and walked into this bookstore since my roommate says it’s a secon-hand one and gonna be a bit cheaper. The owner is so nice a person that he helped me out finding the book I wanted. Also he suggested a cheaper one but very awesome. He said that most customers are students and retired people so the average price is quite low like 12.5 per book. Books there totally worth the price!!! Highly recommend!!b

Absolute gem of a place, amazing collection that any bibliophile should check out. Brilliant chap runs the place, you can have the coolest chats. 10/10

Such a wonderful independent book shop. I walked in and immediately bought something ive been hunting for. Highly recommended

A great, cozy bookstore with an impressive collection of rare books and well selected literary titles. I would highly recommend going here first if you’re looking for a book before trying the bigger chains, as I often find better quality editions with superior pricing to boot. The staff are lovely, so please support your local bookstore and give these guys a chance first.

Its a small store so there’s a small range of stock but it rotates very often, so I like to visit once a week. Lots of leftist/socialist literature.

I’ve only ever seen the owners work there, so it’s nice that they don’t use wage labour/aren’t capitalists.

An absolute gem in the Adelaide Arcade. The owners clearly take pride in the presentation of the store and in handpicking books for their customers. I was delighted to find a pristine 1950s edition of Hemingway’s ‘The Old Man and the Sea’. Truly a haven for book lovers! Thank you for a very enjoyable shopping experience.

An awesome collection of books that are hard to find elsewhere! The Owners are kind and friendly, you can spend way too much time in their looking for hidden gems.
The store is an excellent addition to the Arcade.

Orchard is a truly great bookstore, a little gem tucked away in Adelaide Arcade. Their collection of beautiful editions of great books rotates frequently so there’s always something new to catch my eye whenever I pop in. An absolute delight, I’d give it 6 stars if I could ✨

Nice little store with a decent variety of books that I like. Downside is that the online and physical stores are separated. Physical gift vouchers can only be used/purchased in store and e gift cards can online be used/purchased online.

My favourite bookstore! Amazing selection of books you won’t find anywhere else. I also love that they have a 2nd hand section, too, where I’ve managed to find many rare and valuable tomes out of print. As an added bonus Vickie(sp?) behind the counter is even more wonderful than the bookstore. ☺️

We went to purchase crystals for our road trip down to Sydney. The owner was soooo lovely and we loved speaking to her. If we didn’t have to be anywhere, I’m sure we would’ve been in there all day. Talking to her about crystals and bathing in all the lovely crystal energies.

A great bookstore and gift emporium with books on metaphysical matters, c.ds,crystals,singing bowls,gift cards,etc Information on yoga,meditation self development etc, helpful friendly staff, the t.s.bookstore also has a library,and holds regular events,more than just your average bookstore.

Peaceful reassuring relaxing esoteric shopping experience. Designed to be delightful, easy parking and convenient facilities. Wonderful helpful service.

It was really wonderful, found a book that most bookshops did not have – the lady was so helpful thank you so much ⭐️

Beautiful shop, lots of interesting books, jewellery and statues.
Great place to visit.

Beautifully Serene Atmosphere. Lovely staff, GREAT collection of books and gifts.

Average book collection. Selling well used books at new prices. Better off at Dymocks or online.

Might of bought a book if the guy there looked up from his phone for more than 15secs

A great book-nook in the middle of town. Always has something I want. From Footrot Flats to Iain Banks. The fella that works there is very pleasant and helpful, and has a great recollection of whats in the shelves.

Fantastic range of books – they had the old book I had been looking for and couldn’t find!

Sadly don’t seem to exist in the markets anymore. A real shame

Pretty average selection

My ever favorite