From cozy neighborhood nooks to modern flagship stores, take a stroll through Vancouver’s 16 best bookstores and find your new favorite literary hotspot.
Settled on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver has a thriving literary culture built by local writers and book-loving enthusiasts.
The Paper Hound Bookshop
Down Vancouver’s historic Victoria Block, you’ll find a bookstore called the Paper Hound Bookshop selling new, used, and rare titles. It has a ton of personality, found in little touches like the vintage décor and categories labeled “Indomitable Orphans” and “Books with Bears” (which, being surprisingly popular tropes, are both better stocked than you might think).
Known for literature, poetry, and philosophy, it also carries art books, zines, and local small-press titles. It also has a fun former cigarette machine that spits out poems for the change in your pocket.
Address: 344 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1T1, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Massy Books
This two-story, 100% Indigenous-owned independent bookstore is located in this Canadian city’s Chinatown, and it is not shy about its origins or its mission to spread the works and voices of Indigenous and marginalized people.
Not only does this store promote books from a slew of diverse voices, but it also offers information about local Indigenous events as well as hosting quite a few itself. It’s a huge supporter of communities in need, both through funding and the ever-important matter of spreading the word.
Address: 229 E Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6A 4J7, Canada
Opening hours:
– Sunday to Tuesday: 12PM – 5PM
– Thursday to Saturday: 11AM – 6PM
– Wednesday: Closed
MacLeod’s Books
Founded in 1964, MacLeod’s Books is one of Canada’s most iconic antiquarian bookstores. It houses more than 100,000 used, rare, and out-of-print volumes piled into and on top of shelves, packed away in boxes, and even stacked in narrow aisles. It’s the sort of bookish clutter that makes discovery an adventure, stumbling upon books you never would’ve thought to try before.
You can expect to find anything from beautiful, leather-bound classics to paperback novels of every genre.
Address: 455 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2Z3, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 5:30PM
Banyen Books & Sound
Banyen Books & Sound is Canada’s largest bookstore specializing in the metaphysical, offering books, music, and tools for spiritual growth taken from many sources, including Buddhism, Indigenous teachings, as well as more modern and general concepts like mindfulness and ecology. Its catalog ranges from yoga and tarot to philosophy and psychology.
The interior has a warm and welcoming vibe, housing wooden shelves, eclectic furniture, and esoteric decorations. It also, consequently, makes a pleasant setting for talks, workshops, and author events.
Address: 3608 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6R 1P1, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
Iron Dog Books
Introducing Vancouver’s first modern mobile bookstore, Iron Dog Books—or, to be more specific, the bookstore’s permanent storefront in the Hastings-Sunrise neighborhood. Its interior is neat and welcoming, featuring wooden flooring and a balanced moderation of tall bookshelves and midfloor displays.
The shop emphasizes affordable, accessible books with a focus on the local community, hosting a variety of literary events throughout the year. Their mobile book truck still sees some use as well, helping to set up pop-up bookstores for special events.
Address: 2671 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K 1Z5, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
White Dwarf Books
Specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and mystery genres, White Dwarf Books is a beloved destination for fans of speculative fiction across the city. It has some slightly off-center shelving that does a great job of showing off book covers, making it easy for visitors to find old favorites as well as potential new ones.
This actually used to be two different stores, White Dwarf and Dead Write Books (which focused on crime and mystery). However, Dead Write has since merged with White Dwarf, and its catalogue of books and ordering information can be found on the store’s official website.
Address: 3715 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6R 2G5, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 5PM
Indigo
If you want to know what Canada’s bookstore chains are like, try this one on for size. Indigo is relatively recent, opening in 2018, but it has several locations and carries tens of thousands of books alongside gifts, home products, fashion accessories, and electronics. Its book collection is broad, and it often highlights certain titles on small round tables.
Its flagship store is spacious and bright, spanning over two floors with a stylish, modern design. The second floor also has a coffee shop selling snacks and various drinks, plus a very fun children’s section.
Address: 1033 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A9, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 9PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 8PM
Nooroongji Books
This multilingual bookstore is named after the Korean word for scorched rice, and it makes a noted effort in collecting as many titles in as many cultures and languages as it can. On its shelves, you can find books from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Korea, plus a language learning book for most major languages in the world.
Most books are in English, but there’s also a French section. The store has a peaceful, airy feel with plenty of indoor plants alongside seating and weaving atop shelves.
Address: 1F Net Loft, 1666 Johnston St unit 6, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S2, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Spartacus Books
Spartacus Books is a nonprofit, volunteer-run bookstore and resource center founded in 1973 by local university students. Touted as one of North America’s longest-running collectivist, radical bookstores, it makes its presence known with books on anarchism, women’s studies, Indigenous literature, social justice, and more.
Spartacus also houses zines, comics, DVDs, and hosts cultural events, author talks, and activist meetings, acting as a community hub committed to social change.
Address: 1983 Commercial Dr #101, Vancouver, BC V5N 4A8, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 8:30PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
Kestrel Books
This independent bookstore specializes in used, rare, out-of-print, and antiquarian books. Originally located on Broadway, it moved after a fire to Cambie Street, then relocated again in 2006 to its current address in Kitsilano.
It has a curated collection spanning from comics to medieval manuscripts, and Kestrel Books serves collectors and readers of all ages and budgets. It won the Silver Award for Best Used Bookstore in Vancouver in 2010 and gets tons of praise for the kindness of its owner and fair pricing.
Address: 3642 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6R 1P1, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
Carson Books & Records
For book and music lovers alike, there’s Carson Books & Records, an independent bookstore and record shop. It has a laidback, bohemian vibe, books stacked on top of and in front of shelves, a veritable treasure trove for any bibliophile.
The shop sells used and out-of-print books, and is not shy about what it’s willing to put on its shelves—classics, recent literature, nonfiction, fantasy, sci-fi, cookbooks, new age, and more. Its collection of vinyl records isn’t quite as extensive, but it is still notable nonetheless. You can sometimes find a few choice records displayed outside the storefront, including jazz, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Address: 4340 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday & Wednesday to Saturday: 11AM – 10PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 10PM
– Tuesday: Closed
Kidsbooks
Who could better understand the importance of reading to young children than a librarian? Kidsbooks was established in 1983 by former children’s librarian Phyllis Simon, and as you might have guessed from the name, it specializes in books for kids.
The interior is lively with colorful tiling and creative art displays, but it’s not overwhelming—rather, it serves as a perfect complement for reading. It offers a vibrant selection of books for kids of all ages—from board books to young adult novels. The store features distinct areas for babies, preschoolers, middle graders, and teens, along with puzzles, games, and educational toys.
Address: 2557 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2E9, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 5:30PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5:30PM
Broadway Book Warehouse
Originally part of an independent discount bookstore chain from 1980 and bought by Black Bond Books in 2012, Book Warehouse keeps its focus on bargain books, including overstocks, reprints, and remaindered titles. Book Warehouse itself has several different locations, with its spot on West Broadway being the first-ever store.
Even under new ownership, it still dedicates itself to selling discounted titles, highlighting local Canadian authors but with books across all genres and interests.
Address: 632 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
Tanglewood Books
Located in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighborhood, Tanglewood Books displays a collection of new, used, out-of-print, and rare books across many genres. The store is housed in a charming heritage building with red slat walls and a forest green-framed storefront with gold accents. Inside, the atmosphere is cozy, featuring high shelves crammed with books.
Tanglewood Books gained some fame for appearing in the 2018 movie First Love, and given its picturesque appearance, it’s easy to see why.
Address: 2306 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2E6, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 10AM – 6PM
– Friday to Sunday: 12PM – 6PM
Upstart & Crow
Upstart & Crow is a bookstore featuring a carefully curated selection of books from indie publishers, plus a small selection of gift items from local female- and BIPOC-owned businesses. The interior is very artsy, with abstract paintings and small but poignant decorations that give the space life and personality.
Upstart & Crow is host to various programs, workshops, and projects meant to support writers and engage the community in important topics. It’s dedicated to celebrating poetry, literature, and making the most of its local community.
Address: 1387 Railspur Alley, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R7, Canada
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Friday: 10:30AM – 5:30PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
– Monday: Closed
Canterbury Tales Bookstore
This bookstore might seem a bit ordinary—even bland—on the outside. But as any reader knows, you don’t judge a book by its cover, and inside its walls, Canterbury Tales Bookstore has quite a way with adding little touches to the decor that add a lot of fun to browsing.
Of special note is its seasonal Halloween display, featuring fake skeletons and loads of great horror titles and Halloween-themed books to spook things up. Overall, the store has a good mix of secondhand literature and new releases across a wide range of fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, and more. While it recently experienced some temporary closures earlier this year due to the owner’s passing, it’s back up and running as strong as ever.
Address: 2010 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4A9, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday & Thursday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 6PM
– Tuesday & Wednesday: Closed
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K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
