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Brisbane's Best Book Shops

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

From top quality indie bookstores, to secondhand bookshops piled high to the rafters, a dedicated sci-fi bookstore in a retro arcade, fantasy children's bookshops, bookshop under a theatre stage. romance book shop with cafe and charming suburban bookstore dedicated to all things food, here's 20+ of the best bookshops in Brisbane:

Romancing the Novel

Romancing The Novel is a gorgeous romance-only bookstore tucked away in an historic ex-corner store in New Farm

Cursive Knives

Cursive Knives, in the heart of Fortitude Valley, is a quaint bookshop home to a carefully curated selection of reads

The Cupboard Under The Stage

Booklovers will be over the moon when they discover The Cupboard Under the Stage, a hidden gem of Paddington

Baffies Oan Books

Baffies Oan Books is a charming cottage bookshop nestled in the beautiful Samford Valley

Scrumptious Reads

Scrumptious Reads in Red Hill is not only a cute suburban book nook, it’s also an event space and a private dining room.

Sweet Chapter Books & Cafe

Sweet Chapter Books & Cafe is a delightful reading nook tucked away in Indooroopilly, offering an expansive range of romance books.

Cystic Fibrosis Queensland Bookshop

Cystic Fibrosis Queensland Bookshop is one of Brisbane’s best-kept secrets, boasting wall to wall books of every genre

Bent Books

Housed within a coloured colonial cottage at the intersection of Boundary & Vulture Streets is a secondhand book collector’s dream

Books@stones

This gem of a bookshop can be found in Stones Corner's leafy Logan Road cafe and shopping strip

Avid Reader Bookshop

A bookshop that hits all the right pages with locals and visitors alike, Avid is a gem of a place

Little Gnome

Little Gnome is Wynnum's independent bookstore/café where cups of coffee are served alongside literary classics & new novels

Archives Fine Books

Over half a million fine old books from all genres and eras are crowded into the ceiling to floor dusty shelves of Archives

Chapters Book Shop, Cafe & Wine Bar

Chapters Book Shop, Cafe & Wine Bar brings urban chic to the westside suburb of Karalee

Quick Brown Fox Bookshop

This boutique bookshop on Brisbane's northside specialises in children's & young adult books, with an emphasis on inclusivity

New Farm Editions

In the heart of Merthyr Village lies this one stop emporium for books, gifts, trinkets, kids stuff and lovely things for the home

The Mad Hatters Bookshop

This cute little bookshop by the bay is a wonderland of delightful surprises and has big and little kids alike completely enchanted

The Really Good Bookshop

The Really Good Bookshop is a reader’s paradise, practically bursting at the seams with a huge range of books, book-related gifts

Gigglefit Grammar

Gigglefit Grammar, previously known as Bayside Books, is the oldest bookstore in Wynnum

The superb bookshop, a stalwart of the local community, stocks an excellent and extensive range of quality books of all genres

Bright & Early Books

Bright & Early Books is a beautiful, independent bookstore that specialises in children's books and early childhood literacy

Pulp Fiction Books

Upstairs in the quaint retro Blocksidge & Ferguson Arcade is the go-to bookstore for everything sci-fi, fantasy, horror, crime

One of Brisbane's best secondhand book stores, the Mount Gravatt Bookshop is a local institution and well worth a browse if in the neighbourhood

Salisbury Community Bookshop

Salisbury Community Bookshop is a treasure trove of bargain books, housed in a former grenade factory in the heart of Salisbury

No One Gets Out Of Here Alive - Brisbane Festival

The Farm company brings No One Gets Out of Here Alive to the Talbot Theatre

Sep 9-12

Viva La Voce

Catch Brisbane’s next generation of opera stars at Viva La Voce

Sep 10 - 12

Brisbane Festival - Tiri Te Araroa Woman Far Walking

Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking - Brisbane Festival

The new adaptation of the tale of Tiri Mahana, Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking, comes to the Brisbane Powerhouse

Sep 10-13

Laidley Spring Festival

The Laidley Spring Festival showcases a weekend of family-friendly fun.

Sep 11-13

Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of the Jim Henson Company

An exhibition exploring The Jim Henson Company will show at GOMA

Sep 12 - Apr 18

BBX2026 LEGO® Fan Expo

BBX2026 brings Brisbane's biggest LEGO® fan event back this September

Sep 12-13

Make Believe Magic-Labyrinth-Program Screened to be Believed The Jim Henson Company

‘Make, Believe, Magic’ Cinema programs

Experience your favourite Jim Henson characters on the big screen

From Sep 12

Century Pools Family Raceday

The annual Century Pools Family Raceday is back

Sep 12

SWELL Sculpture Festival

Queensland's largest outdoor sculpture exhibition is back

Sep 11-20

FLAME BBQ & Music Festival

FLAME BBQ & Music Festival has something for everyone, from delicious BBQ fare and live music to fun rides and kids' activities

Flame BBQ & Music Festival

MUST DO

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers returns this spring with stunning blooms, delicious food and endless family fun

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Sep 4-6

Riverfire lights up the Brisbane skyline, Brisbane Festival kicks off, Father’s Day celebrations, a family-friendly raceday and Haigh’s Chocolates opens its first Brisbane boutique

This Weekend Sep 4-6

COMING UP

What's On in October In & Around Brisbane

From beloved musicals, unique exhibitions and live shows to Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers events, cinema programs and culinary experiences, the top things to do in and around Brisbane in October

What's on in October

FAMILY FUN

Century Pools Family Raceday Doomben Racecourse

The annual Century Pools Family Raceday is back with a jam-packed day of live racing, free family entertainment and plenty of Wiggles-inspired fun

Century Pools Family Raceday Doomben Racecourse

FATHER'S DAY

Father's Day at Walkabout Creek

Escape to the bush this Father’s Day and treat Dad to a delicious buffet breakfast or lunch at Walkabout Creek Cafe

Father's Day at Walkabout Creek

HOT TICKET

A GILBERT & SULLIVAN CONCERT EVENT

Six of Australia’s finest voices are joined on stage by a 19-piece orchestra and all your favourite Gilbert & Sullivan classics

A GILBERT & SULLIVAN CONCERT EVENT

FATHER'S DAY GUIDE

Father's Day 2026

From a buffet breakfast in the bush to waterfront lunches and family fun at a winery here's some great ideas to celebrate Father's Day

Father's Day 2026

Best Of Brisbane

Brisbane's Best 50 Bars

Whether you're after breezy drinks by the river, a stiff whiskey in an underground bar, a cosy laneway hideaway or a rooftop with views, here's 50 of Brisbane's best bars

Best Bars in Brisbane