Looking for the best bookstores in Singapore, whether you want a wall of new releases, a quiet indie corner, or a bargain bin of pre-loved paperbacks? This is an editorial shortlist of shops that are frequently recommended by local guides and regularly cited by readers, spanning big chains, curated independents, secondhand haunts and specialist stores. It is written for both casual browsers and serious collectors, and it is a starting map rather than a definitive ranking, so treat it as a set of good places to begin.
How to choose
- Match the shop to your mission. A chain is best when you need a specific title fast or want to compare many editions; an indie is better for discovery, staff recommendations and local writing. Decide which you want before you set off, because the two experiences are very different.
- Check the stock focus, not just the vibe. Many of the best shops are specialists, whether that means art and design, Chinese-language titles, children’s picture books or Islamic literature. A pretty storefront means little if it does not carry your genre, so scan the shelves or the website first.
- Ask staff for recommendations. In a good independent, the person at the counter has usually read half the shop. Telling them what you last loved is the fastest route to a book you did not know you wanted.
- For secondhand, inspect condition carefully. Look for foxing (brown spots), musty smell, water stains, cracked spines and missing pages before you pay. Pre-loved pricing should reflect wear, so a marked-up copy in poor shape is a red flag.
- Confirm the outlet before travelling. Bookselling is a tough trade here and locations shift, downsize or close. A quick call or a look at social media saves a wasted trip, especially for smaller shops with short or irregular hours.
- Look for cafe-in-store and events. Several shops now pair books with coffee, book clubs, launches and pop-ups. If you like to linger or meet other readers, that programming can matter as much as the catalogue.
- Bring your SG Culture Pass if eligible. A number of participating bookstores accept the government credits, which can quietly offset the cost of a good haul.
What to expect
Book prices in Singapore vary more by type of shop than by title. New books at the big chains sit at recommended retail, imported hardbacks and art or design titles run dearest, and locally published fiction and poetry is usually gently priced. Secondhand shops are where the real savings live, with many paperbacks going for a few dollars and rotating stock that rewards repeat visits.
Formats range widely too. Expect new English titles almost everywhere, strong Chinese-language and Japanese sections at the larger stores, and niche depth at the specialists, from graphic design monographs to illustrated children’s books. Some shops are browse-and-buy only, while others fold in a cafe, a reading nook or a calendar of events, so the visit itself can be part of the appeal.
| Type of shop | Typical price band | Best for | Cafe or events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big general chain | $$ | Latest releases, wide range, gifting | Sometimes |
| Independent / curated | $$ | Discovery, local writing, staff picks | Often |
| Secondhand / used | $ | Bargains, out-of-print finds | Rarely |
| Specialist | $$ to $$$ | Art, foreign-language, children’s, niche | Sometimes |
Price bands used below (a rough guide, subject to change): $ = wallet-friendly, $$ = mid-range, $$$ = premium.
Our shortlist
Last checked: August 2026. Outlets and details change, so please confirm directly before you visit.
These ten shops are grouped by what they do best, so scan the axis that fits your mood.
Big general chains
Books Kinokuniya (Orchard and islandwide) – One of Singapore’s largest bookstores and the default first stop for many readers, with an enormous English catalogue plus deep Japanese, Chinese and other language sections. Best for finding almost any current title under one roof and for gifting. Price guide: $$
Popular (islandwide) – The familiar mass-market chain dotted across malls and heartland centres, strongest on textbooks, assessment books, stationery and mainstream titles. Best for a quick, convenient buy close to home rather than curated discovery. Price guide: $$
Independent and curated
Littered with Books (Tanjong Pagar / Duxton) – A charming, tightly curated shophouse store regularly cited among the city’s favourite indies, with a carefully chosen spread of fiction, non-fiction and children’s titles. Best for browsing quality picks in an atmospheric two-storey space. Price guide: $$
Book Bar (Tanjong Pagar / Duxton) – A bookstore and cafe with a strong lean towards Singaporean and Asian authors and poetry, where you can pair a coffee or a light bite with your browsing. Best for local literature and a relaxed sit-down. Price guide: $$
Secondhand and used
A Million Books (Paya Lebar) – A warehouse-style, largely volunteer-run secondhand shop known for its eclectic donated stock and its charitable bent, with proceeds channelled to environmental causes. Best for cheap, serendipitous finds and browsing with a conscience. Price guide: $
Evernew Book Store (Bras Basah Complex) – A long-running secondhand institution, trading since the late 1980s, packed with pre-loved fiction, non-fiction and classics at friendly prices. Best for patient rummaging in the historic book-lovers’ hub of Bras Basah. Price guide: $
Ana Book Store (Far East Plaza / Scotts Road) – A veteran secondhand store tucked inside a busy Orchard-area mall, with shelves of used titles stacked floor to ceiling. Best for a central browse away from the usual tourist trail. Price guide: $
Specialist
Basheer Graphic Books (Bras Basah Complex) – A revered destination for art, architecture, design, photography and typography, with floor-to-ceiling stacks and a cult following among creatives. Best for graphic and design titles you will not find at the chains. Price guide: $$ to $$$
Grassroots Book Room (Chinatown / Bukit Pasoh) – An independent Chinese-language bookstore with a thoughtful selection spanning literature, history, philosophy, film and the arts, and a quiet, contemplative feel. Best for Chinese and Taiwanese titles and unhurried browsing. Price guide: $$
Woods in the Books (Tiong Bahru) – A beloved independent specialising in picture books and illustrated titles, at home among the boutiques of Tiong Bahru. Best for children’s books, illustration and gifts for young readers. Price guide: $$
Tips
Which bookstore has the widest range?
For sheer breadth of in-stock titles, Books Kinokuniya is the usual answer, thanks to its scale and its strong multilingual sections. If you simply need a common title conveniently, a nearby Popular outlet is often the more practical bet.
Where can I find cheap secondhand books?
Head to dedicated pre-loved shops such as A Million Books in Paya Lebar or the long-standing secondhand stores in Bras Basah Complex like Evernew. Prices are low and stock rotates, so go in with an open mind and check condition before you buy.
Are there bookstores with a cafe?
Yes. Book Bar in the Duxton area pairs a literature-focused catalogue with coffee and light bites, and several other independents run reading nooks, book clubs and events. If lingering is the point, look for shops that programme regular happenings.
Where should I go for art, design or foreign-language books?
Basheer Graphic Books in Bras Basah Complex is the go-to for art and design, Grassroots Book Room in Chinatown for Chinese-language titles, and Woods in the Books in Tiong Bahru for children’s illustrated books. Each is a specialist worth a dedicated trip.
How do I make sure a shop is still open before I visit?
Small bookstores here change hours, downsize or relocate more often than you might expect. Check the shop’s own social media or website, or call ahead, especially for indie and secondhand stores that keep short or irregular hours.
Explore more: Singapore cafe culture guide, Best homeware stores in Singapore