The 15 Best Bookstores in Singapore

Wardah Books is a specialist in Islamic literature on Bussorah Street, in the Kampong Glam heritage area. The shelves cover a range of interests and age groups, from introductory titles to deeper study, and the interior is decorated with care. The staff are helpful when you are looking for a particular subject. It combines well with a walk around the neighbourhood.

The main Kinokuniya store suits readers who want the widest choice under one roof. It spreads over several units on the fourth level and covers fiction, non-fiction, history, politics, graphic and visual books, and music, for all ages and in many languages. Alongside books it sells plants, toys and postcards, so it also works for gifts. Staff are used to helping with specific title searches.

Grassroots Book Room offers a mix of local and overseas titles in Chinese and English, together with artworks and small pieces of merchandise. The quiet shop on Bukit Pasoh Road feels closer to bookstores found in Taiwan and Japan than to a mall chain. A separate cafe next door serves cakes and desserts, so it suits an afternoon of browsing and coffee.

Littered with Books is a small independent shop on Duxton Road with a curated selection of local and classic titles. Handwritten notes and recommendations are scattered through the shelves, which gives the shop a personal character. Staff are helpful, and public parking is nearby. It suits readers who prefer a considered selection to the wide range of a large chain.

Hook On Books is a Singapore-owned children's bookstore with a focus on Chinese-language titles. The shelves hold Hanyu Pinyin readers, picture books and novels, and the nostalgic decor appeals to children and adults alike. A DIY space gives younger visitors something creative to do, and the in-house cafe serves drinks and treats. It suits families raising bilingual readers.

The Bugis Junction branch is a quieter alternative to the Orchard flagship, stocking Chinese, Japanese and English titles across many genres. It offers delivery and in-store pick-up, free gift wrapping, and a membership scheme with discounts. Staff are patient and give good guidance, and the shop provides a calm break from the busy mall around it. It suits readers of Chinese and Japanese books in particular.

Books Ahoy! is a children's bookstore in Forum The Shopping Mall on Orchard Road. Books are organised by topic, which makes it easy to find what a child needs, and the range includes unique titles and small gifts for toddlers and kids. Delivery, same-day delivery and in-store pick-up are available, and the shop is wheelchair-accessible.

Ana Book Store is a second-hand bookshop on the fifth floor of Far East Plaza, with no fixed subject areas, so browsing is part of the point. The owner likes to chat and offers recommendations. Prices are affordable and shoppers regularly find bestsellers and original prints in good condition. It suits readers who enjoy a treasure hunt rather than looking for a specific title.

The Zall Bookstore spans two levels at Wheelock Place on Orchard Road and mixes Chinese, Taiwanese and English titles. The black and white interior is designed to feel calm, with seating areas, a cafe for quick bites and drinks, and a kids' corner. It works as a reading stop away from the Orchard crowds, especially for Chinese-language readers.

Evernew is a second-hand bookshop on the ground floor of the Bain Street building, with a good range of children's books and classics at low prices. Some shelves hold rare collectible titles in good condition. Staff are helpful, and in-store pick-up and card or mobile payment are available. It suits bargain hunters and parents looking for affordable reading.