Unique and independent bookstores in Ontario

Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Knowledge Bookstore

Browse through African, Caribbean, African-Canadian and African-American literature at the Knowledge Bookstore in Brampton.

This independent, Black-owned bookstore is a gathering space for parents, writers, poets and artists and the Black community, where everyone can read and chat about their favourite books.

You’ll also find Black dolls, greeting cards, beauty products and gift items that may not be available in mainstream stores.

Knowledge Bookstore allows customers to place orders for pick-up and delivery.

Location: 177 Queen Street West, Brampton

A Different Booklist

Open in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood for over 28 years, A Different Booklist is an award-winning multicultural bookstore.

This bookstore specializes in new books from the African Caribbean Diaspora and the Global South. A cultural centre for the local community, you’ll see people frequently stopping by to catch up on current events, ask questions about the city or chat with other visitors.  

A Different Booklist hosts special events such as book talks, launches and signings by local and international authors.

Location: 779 Bathurst Street, Toronto

Another Story Bookshop

With a focus on promoting equality and celebrating diversity for the 2SLGBTQI+and BIPOC community, Another Story Bookshop has been an important part of the Toronto West End community for 30 years.

This Toronto indie bookstore showcases self-published and small press titles, a variety of children's and young adults' books and extensive selections with themes of social justice. 

The staff are very knowledgeable about the Ontario curriculum and are happy to help you with custom orders for schools. You’re also invited to attend the store’s many book fairs and educator events.

Location: 315 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto

Glad Day Bookshop

Located in the heart of Toronto’s Church and Wellesley neighbourhood, Glad Day Bookshop is the world’s oldest 2SLGBTQI+ bookshop.

Opened in 1970, it offers one of the widest selections of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit and queer literature.

Hosted by Selena Vyle, join the fun at Canada’s longest-running “Drag Brunch” every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Perfect for birthdays and other celebrations, get tickets in advance at Eventbrite.

Location: 499 Church Street, Toronto

Ben McNally Books

Explore thousands of rare and popular books at Ben McNally Books, one of the best bookstores in Toronto.

This charming bookstore is family-run and features a wide range of books in various genres, including reads from the United States and the United Kingdom. Situated in downtown Toronto, it’s the perfect spot for anyone to enjoy a quiet read in an elegant setting, steps away from the bustle of the city.

Location: 108 Queen Street East, Toronto

The Book Wardrobe

Situated in Streetsville, Mississauga’s charming village-in-the-city, The Book Wardrobe offers a curated selection of fiction and non-fiction books.

Found on the second floor of the Robinson-Bray heritage house, this former photography studio office is a quaint bookshop with plenty of natural light and filled bookshelves. This historical shop also has a tearoom and gift shop, plus space for regular book events.

Check out The Book Wardrobe’s “Runway Picks”, ranging from timeless bestsellers to hot new reads.

Location: 223 Queen Street South, Mississauga

York, Durham and Headwaters

Blue Heron Books

Named one of the “Best Bookstores in North America” by the Globe and Mail newspaper and a two-time winner of the “Bookseller of the Year” Libris Award for Canada, Blue Heron Books is not only a popular destination for book lovers but also a renowned, recognized spot for literary excellence.

This celebrated store hosts a variety of popular events honouring books and authors, such as The Book Drunkard Festival. You can join classes, programs and book lists for students and teachers. There’s also a book club that meets every month for casual, informative discussions on a rotating list of books.

Location: 62 Brock Street West, Uxbridge

Niagara Region

Thistle Bookshop and Cafe

A premier bookstore in the Niagara Region, Thistle Bookshop and Cafe is housed in a classic brick building on the banks of Lake Ontario and the old canals.

Enjoy a good book with a cup of steaming coffee or tea. Thistle Bookshop and Cafe is family-owned with ancestral ties to Scotland and aims to be a comfortable place that inspires storytelling within its community of coffee, tea and book lovers.

Inside this striking bookshop cafe, you’ll find a specially curated selection of fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature, particularly Celtic and ancestry-related books.

Location: 50 Lakeport Road #103, St. Catharines

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Epic Books

From science fiction and fantasy to mysteries and thrillers, find all genres of books at Epic Books.

Located in Hamilton’s downtown core, this small bookstore hosts regular events. Celebrate book launches and participate in moderated conversations with local authors. 

Location: 226 Locke Street South, Hamilton

Il était une fois

Situated near Lake Ontario in Oakville, this quaint bookstore is stocked with French-language books for both children and young adults. In addition, you’ll find games, educational information and creative hobby materials for all ages. Join the adult book club for the chance to talk about great books and meet with local authors.

Location: 126 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville

GoodMinds

Specializing in First Nations, Métis and Inuit books, GoodMinds has been a well-regarded, First Nations family-owned bookstore in the Brantford community for over 20 years.

GoodMinds prides itself on community philanthropy and quality customer service, with a goal of supporting Indigenous communities without a public library and promoting existing First Nations public libraries to grow and expand.

As a leading source of Indigenous educational resources for schools and libraries in North America, GoodMinds helps uplift Indigenous authors, illustrators and translators. Find English, French and foreign language books, with five percent of sales going to the Supporting Indigenous Libraries Today (SILT) fund.

Location: 188 Mohawk Street, Brantford

Dog-Eared Cafe

Curl into a comfortable couch with a warm coffee and a good book at the Dog-Eared Café, a cute, second-hand bookstore cafe in the small town of Paris, Ontario.

Featuring a cozy atmosphere, colourful books and tasty treats, it’s the perfect place to read on your own or mingle with the community. Attend Dog-Eared Café’s events, on Friday and Saturday evenings, enjoy fully licensed cocktail events like Trivia Night and Open Jam with special discounts on beer and wine, plus delicious shareable snacks.

Location: 121 Grand River Street North, Paris

Pickwick Books

Serving Waterdown since 1995, the passion of Pickwick is to find good homes for good books. Shop for slightly used, rare and antique books, or stock up on some titles for your book club.

Explore a wide selection of books in-store or online and have your favourites delivered right to your doorstep. For a more personalized experience, sign up for Pickwick Book Boxes. Choose from two, four, or six books; each handpicked to match your favourite genres and reading preferences and have them delivered straight to you.

Location: 325 Dundas Street East, Waterdown

Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington

The Bookshelf

Experience the classic, small-town bookstore atmosphere at The Bookshelf in Guelph.

This cozy downtown spot boasts a cinema, bistro and bar in addition to a wide variety of books, including both children's and adult literature. Sample light fare and cocktails before flipping through a new book or catching a classic or indie movie at the theatre.

Look for upcoming events like book signings, book tours and more at The Bookshelf.

Free local delivery is available on online orders.

Location: 41 Quebec Street, Guelph

Words Worth Books

Since opening in 1984, Words Worth Books has been an important part of uptown Waterloo.

Discover hundreds of quality books, magazines and DVDs by Canadian and international authors. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can have it specially ordered. There are six different book clubs to choose from, including literary fiction, sci-fi and fantasy, mystery, baby books and food-themed books.

Drop in for fun arts and literature-related community events—15 to 20 events are held every year.

Location: 96 King Street South, Waterloo

The Village Bookshop

Snap a photo of the charming Village Bookshop before heading inside to peruse the bookshelves for historical biographies, Canadian stories, children’s classics, best sellers and more. Besides books, you can also find puzzles and games to keep everyone entertained.

Location: 24 Bayfield Main Street North, Bayfield

Betty's Bookshelf

At just over 40 square metres, Betty’s Bookshelf may be small, but it is mighty, offering an impressive selection of books for your next reading journey.

Join one of Betty’s five book clubs held after hours in the bookstore for lively literary discussions. The book clubs cover various genres, including commercial and literary fiction, British authors, romance and non-fiction.

Location: 6 Water Street South, Unit 2, St. Marys

Grey, Bruce and Simcoe

Curiosity House Books

You can’t miss the bright pink bricks-and-mortar bookstore tucked in the heart of Creemore, housing Curiosity House Books.

This small bookstore and publisher specializes in quality literature, non-fiction and children’s picture books. With a mandate of connecting books with readers, staff are knowledgeable and happy to recommend books based on your preferences.

Special programming throughout the year includes author meet and greets, book signings and the annual Holiday Hospital Raffle. Participate in the book club to discover the latest bestsellers and engage in meaningful discussions with fellow book enthusiasts.

Location: 122 Mill Street, Creemore

Great Books & Cafe

Located inside the historic redwood grist mill, Williamsford Mill, the Great Books & Cafe doubles as a restaurant and bookstore. It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon with delicious food and incredible books.

Treat yourself to homemade breakfasts and lunches like baked goods, soups, salads, beef burgers and desserts. Then explore the shop’s unique collection of literature, with thousands of books to discover.

Location: 316070 Highway 6, Williamsford

Southeastern Ontario

Novel Idea

An independent bookstore in Kingston since 1988, Novel Idea features rare, one-of-a-kind books by local authors. In addition, find calendars, greeting cards, journals, postcards and literary periodicals.

If you don’t see what you’re looking for, ask for a special order. The shop holds book launches and author signings, and also promotes and sells tickets for the popular Kingston WritersFest.

Location: 156 Princess Street, Suite 201, Kingston

The Wandering Albatross

The Wandering Albatross is a tiny independent bookshop that is home to big adventures.

Visit The County and stop by the bookstore to enjoy carefully curated fiction, travel writing, history, nature, maps, geography books and more. Purchase cool, branded totes that make stocking up on books easier and novel stickers that celebrate reading.

Location: 287 Bloomfield Main Street, Bloomfield

Books & Company

Located in downtown Picton, Books & Company is a community hub enjoyed by locals for over 31 years. As a Rainbow Registered business, it is a 2SLGBTQI+ welcoming space. Enjoy events such as the PEP Rally, an open mic poetry reading.

The store carries an extensive selection of puzzles, board games, greeting cards and gifts.

Don’t forget to say hello to the in-store cat named Pushkin!

When you’re in the mood for a small snack, head next door to Lily’s Café for treats and coffee.

Location: 289 Picton Main Street, Picton

Southwestern Ontario

Turns and Tales

Whether you’re looking for some secluded reading time or a fun game night, Turns and Tales is the place to go.

This spacious board game cafe features a massive board game library with both classic and rare, hard-to-find games. Book a table online and sample local beer, wine or special seasonal cocktails while playing. Alternatively, try some of the best coffee and tea in Chatham. And visit the bookstore, which features local, Black and Indigenous authors’ works.

Location: 213 King Street West, Unit 1, Chatham

Brown & Dickson Bookstore

If you live in London or are visiting, you have a good chance of spotting the pop-up Brown & Dickson Bookstore, one of London, Ontario’s best used bookstores. Or visit the curated bookshop near East London.

This mobile and brick-and-mortar, second-hand bookstore carries all kinds of books that are uncommon and fascinating for literature lovers and book collectors. The store ships worldwide, allowing anyone to shop for books online and either pick them up at the bookmobile or have them delivered.

To visit the bookmobile, check the pop-up schedule on Brown & Dickson’s Instagram page.

Location: 1025 Elias Street, London

Beach Reads Bookshop

Downtown Port Dover’s local indie bookstore offers a safe space to browse a wide range of books.

You’ll feel at home in the cozy, mid-century building on St. George Street that houses new and second-hand books. In addition, the store also carries art supplies, stationery, vinyl records (new and used) and gift items.

The bookshop is located close to Port Dover Beach, so stop in to pick up your next beach read.

Location: 230 St George Street, Port Dover

Fanfare Books

Since 1967, the eclectic and independent Fanfare Books has been a favourite in Stratford.

The dog-friendly bookstore has a wide range of reading choices for all ages. Whether looking for new releases or classic titles, bookworms can enjoy the store’s warm and inviting atmosphere.

Stock up on Fanfare Books exclusives, like tote bags, which make lovely gifts or souvenirs. Check to see if a special event held at the store coincides with your next visit. 

Location: 92 Ontario Street, Stratford

Biblioasis

Located in Windsor's historic Walkerville District, Biblioasis is an independent bookstore and award-winning publishing house.

Biblioasis offers a diverse selection of new and used books, with a strong focus on Canadian literature, authors and publishers. Biblioasis has gained a reputation for championing high-quality works by established and emerging authors. The book publishing arm of Biblioasis received acclaim for producing literary fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Location: 1520 Wyandotte Avenue East, Windsor

Firefly & Fox Books

Firefly & Fox Books is affectionately known as Norfolk County’s Hometown Bookstore.

This charming family-owned bookstore features a diverse selection of titles, including children’s literature, literary fiction and a wide range of Canadian works. Firefly & Fox is happy to place special orders and even offers bicycle delivery for local orders.

Location: 13 Norfolk Street, North Simcoe

Kawarthas and Northumberland

Take Cover Books

With a large following on Instagram and TikTok, Take Cover Books is a popular spot for young readers seeking recommended books.

The shop hosts author readings, events and book club meetings on the last Wednesday of every month. Browse through the Staff Picks collection or search through the diverse selection of books for your next ideal read. The store’s full inventory is available for online ordering.

Location: 59 Hunter Street East, Peterborough

Furby House Books

Serving book lovers since 1989, Furby House Books is a large, Victorian-accented bookstore where you’re sure to find your next good read.

Located in the heart of historic Port Hope, this independent bookstore boasts hundreds of thousands of discounted new release books available for pre-order, fiction, non-fiction, romance, mystery and more for every reader.

Order books online, attend literary events and sign up for a Furby House audiobook subscription to listen to new or favourite books on the go.

Location: 65 Walton Street, Port Hope

Ottawa Region

Book Bazaar

If you love finding great bargains on used books, stop by the Book Bazaar, one of the top used bookstores in Ottawa.

This family-run business has been open since 1974 and is the largest independent bookstore in Ottawa.

The tall bookshelves are packed with new arrivals, classic literature and gently used sheet music, all in good condition and spread across two floors. The store specializes in Canadiana, Indigenous, philosophy, religion and science books. Famous senators, parliamentarians and international literary figures are known to have visited this extensive bookshop.

Location: 417 Bank Street, Ottawa

Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar

With the finest local roasts, cool vibes and plenty of new and used books, the Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar is the perfect spot for an exciting day of reading and conversations.

Located in the Glebe neighbourhood, the store is a comforting bookstore cafe, making it a favourite for students, socialites and book lovers.

Snack on light bites and cookies with a cup of coffee from the shop’s café and peruse the 90,000 curated books. You’ll find everything from bestseller books to classic literature.

Location: 1073 Bank Street, Ottawa

Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

Master’s Book Store

Master’s Book Store has been a cornerstone of the Haliburton Highland literary community for over 30 years.

Explore a large array of books, gifts, maps, DVDs, art and more. Kids will love playing with the puzzles, games and crafts available.

The bookstore hosts regular events such as author readings and book signings. Read in a comfortable chair inside the store or on the sunny outdoor patio.

Location: 195 Highland Street, Haliburton

Mill Street Books

Mill Street Books is a progressive and community-minded shop that offers a wide selection of books, including contemporary, classic literature, non-fiction and children’s books.

Beyond books, you can buy stationery, puzzles and games. As a vibrant cultural hub, Mill Street Books hosts book events, community gatherings and signings.

Location: 52 Mill Street, Almonte

Muskoka, Parry Sound and Algonquin Park

Cedar Canoe Books

Cedar Canoe Books is a place for book lovers in the Muskoka community and beyond to gather and embark on adventures through storytelling.

This quaint, indie bookstore features Canadian bestsellers, fiction, non-fiction, kids’ books, Indigenous stories and more. You’ll also find gifts like candles, tote bags, local art and bookmarks.

Shipping across Canada is available, with free local delivery in the Huntsville, Port Sydney and Bracebridge area.

Join the Cedar Canoe Books “Canoe” book club for fun Meet the Author events held on-site.

Location: 72 Main Street East, Huntsville

Northeastern Ontario

Allison the Bookman

Experience quality customer service and a vast collection of unique books at Allison the Bookman.

Open since 1973, this used bookstore showcases novels that have been picked up from airports in Japan, Europe and the United States. This family business began three generations ago in the Allison family, with the tradition of collecting books.

The store’s online catalogue allows you to search over 100,000 books by genre and offers suggestions on what you’d like to read next. You can also drop in for regular author readings and book events hosted on-site.

Location: 342 Main Street East, North Bay

Chat Noir Books

Situated in Temiskaming Shores, Chat Noir Books offers a fantastic selection of bestsellers, Indigenous, French language and local Northern Ontario books.

Sit underneath the shop’s tin ceiling with a cup of fair-trade coffee in one hand and a good book in the other. Browse through illustrated books, manga, novels, stationery, tarot cards and more. Alternatively, play board games or mingle with other wanderers and adventurers in the community—everyone is welcome.

Check on upcoming events taking place at Chat Noir Books.

Location: 57 Whitewood Avenue West, Temiskaming Shores

Bay Used Books

Since 1975, Bay Used Books has been Sudbury’s only used bookstore, providing affordable books to readers in Northern Ontario.

With over half a million books spanning the 370 square metre, two-floor literary haven, Bay Used Books hosts an extensive catalogue from classics, self-help, French, children’s, history books and beyond.

Before picking up new reads, participate in the store’s trade-in program and trade in your old books for store credit.

Location: 124 Elm Street, Greater Sudbury

Northwest Ontario

Entershine Bookshop

Discover many new books at Entershine Bookshop in Thunder Bay.

You’ll find this small bookshop in the city’s historical Bay and Algoma district. Browse through hundreds of books, ranging from general fiction to non-fiction to kids’ books, with many written by local authors. If the shop doesn’t have what you’re looking for, you can ask the friendly staff to place a special order for it. The bookstore also hosts regular literary events.

Join the bookshop’s monthly subscription program for a curated book box containing a new hardcover, local coffee or tea, a special treat, artisan bookmarks and other goodies.

Location: 196 Algoma Street South, Thunder Bay

Ontario’s independent bookstores are cozy, creative spaces where stories come to life. From sunlit cafes filled with second-hand treasures to shelves curated with diverse voices and local legends, find a long-lost classic and chat with booksellers who know their shelves.