Thinking of visiting Singapore? Don’t miss out on these 12 libraries, bookstores, and book cafés practically designed for book lovers everywhere.
Singapore is a bouquet of multiculturalism, with language and literature shaped by its Malay roots and countless migrant influences.
Book Bar
Contrary to its name, Book Bar is less a book bar and more of a combo bookstore and café. It serves up coffee, tea, and hot chocolate alongside a variety of snacks, light meals, and sweets. The interior has a simple, clean layout peppered with unique decorations, like the tree-shaped shelf clinging to the wall like a vine.
On the book side of things, the collection has a strong focus on literature by Singaporean and Asian authors, plus a great selection of poetry.
Address: 57 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089521
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 9:30AM – 7PM
– Friday & Saturday: 9:30AM – 10PM
– Sunday: 9:30AM – 6PM
Littered with Books
For a place called “Littered with Books,” this two-story bookstore is very neatly put together. Set in a space that’s narrow but long, you can find books along both walls and colorful design choices that give the shop a unique, upbeat vibe.
The book collection includes a healthy mix of local and international titles, ranging from genre fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, thrillers) to nonfiction and children’s books. The second floor, in addition to heaps more books, has a cozy little reading space that gives off a calm, homey feel.
Address: 20 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089486
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 12PM – 8PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 11AM – 8PM
Hook on Books (童言童语)
Hook on Books (pronounced “Tongyan Tongyu” in Chinese) is a Chinese-language children’s bookstore right in Singapore’s Chinatown. With a whimsical assortment of decorations hanging from the ceiling, the contrast of brick and bright white walls makes it feel both welcoming and rustic, a contrast to overly sleek sheens in more general stores.
Here, you can expect to find picture books, fairytales, novels for ages 3+, toys, stationery, and local crafts. It even has a little café for parents and other weary souls in search of childlike wonder.
Address: 114 Neil Rd, Singapore 088852
Opening hours:
– Wednesday to Friday: 11AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 11AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 6PM
– Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Grassroots Book Room (草根書室)
That’s not the only Chinese bookstore, either. Grassroots Book Room is another, not too far away, though it targets a more general audience than Hook on Books. It specializes in Chinese literature, history, politics, and philosophy, and even has some titles in English.
The store also plays host to regular literary events (which you can largely expect to be in Mandarin) like book discussions. And, while not actually part of the bookstore, there’s a nice little café next door where you can enjoy coffee and cakes while you peruse your latest read.
Address: 25 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089839
Opening hours:
– Monday & Wednesday to Saturday: 12PM – 8PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 6PM
– Tuesday: Closed
Rotunda Library & Archive at the National Gallery Singapore
Seated within the National Gallery Singapore, you’ll find Rotunda Library & Archive, a public research library. It holds about 20,000 physical and digital items on Singaporean and Southeast Asian art, and hosts regular exhibitions, such as its recently ended “Into the Modern” event featuring impressionist paintings. The library itself is also beautiful to behold: a round room split into two levels and surrounded by pure white Greek columns. It presents a sort of elegant classicism that any bibliophile can appreciate.
While undergoing enhancements as part of the revamp of the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery until September 2027, visitors can still explore other exhibitions across the Gallery. The space will not be open for walk-in visits during this period, but library and archival materials remain accessible by appointment.
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 7PM
National Library / Lee Kong Chian Reference Library
Singapore’s National Library actually consists of multiple libraries—the Central Arts Library, the Central Public Library, and the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, which spans from the seventh to the thirteenth floor.
Named after philanthropist Dr. Lee Kong Chian for a S$60 million donation, this section of the library specializes in materials about Singapore and Southeast Asia as a whole. It also houses rare 15th-century materials, scholarly collections, and digital resources for research.
Address: National Library, F7-13, 100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 9PM
Wardah Books
Just a short walk from a historical mosque from the 1800s, you’ll come across Wardah Books, an independent bookstore specializing in English-language Islamic literature. Opened in 2002 in a historic shophouse, it stocks over 4,000 titles on Quranic studies, philosophy, history, arts, fiction, and children’s books.
On top of that, Wardah hosts a variety of book clubs, including those focused on women and children, as well as open mic events, book discussions, and author meet-and-greets.
Address: 58 Bussorah St, Singapore 199474
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 10AM – 9PM
– Friday: 10AM – 12:45PM & 2PM – 10PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 10PM
– Sunday: 9AM – 9PM
The Book Cafe
The Book Cafe is exactly what it says on the tin: a chic, book-filled café. This place is overflowing with a hip, modern vibe—at least, on the surface. The Book Cafe is actually a bit of a two-for-one deal. The front of house has floor-to-ceiling windows, one wall lined with magazines, and utilitarian tables and chairs.
However, if you walk a bit further in, you’ll come to a whole different area with wooden floors, comfy couches, and a cozy, homey vibe. And best news: you can eat from the menu, which includes coffee, desserts, and all-day breakfast from either room.
Address: #01-02 Seng Kee Building, 20 Martin Rd, Singapore 239070
Opening hours:
– Monday & Tuesday: 8:30AM – 5:30PM
– Wednesday to Sunday: 8:30AM – 9:30PM
Books Kinokuniya Singapore Main Store
Japan’s biggest bookstore chain strikes again! True to this chain’s reputation for ginormous bookstores, its branch in Singapore is no exception, noted as possibly the biggest bookstore in all of Southeast Asia.
Opened in 1999, it carries over 500,000 titles in English, Chinese, Japanese, French, and more. And as is standard with Kinokuniya, it also sells plenty of magazines, manga, stationery, and Ghibli merch. The main store in Singapore also regularly hosts literary events.
Address: Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 4F, 391 Orchard Rd, #04-20 / 20A / 20B / 20C, Singapore 238872
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 9:30PM
The Zall Bookstore (卓爾書店)
If you want to see a shining example of elegant postmodernism, come to the Zall Bookstore. One part is pure white, which a long arched bookshelf serving as an entryway, while the café section of the store is laid with black marble tile, elegant tables, and plush armchairs.
The collection includes thousands of Chinese and English language books across a wide range of genres and topics. Interestingly enough, it also sells a healthy array of gift items sourced from across Asia. It also has a mini art gallery, adding a dash of culture on top of everything else.
Address: SG 501 Orchard Road, Wheelock Place, #02-18, Singapore 238880
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11:30AM – 8:30PM
Books Ahoy!
Books Ahoy! is a whimsical children’s bookstore by the Woods in the Books team, located at Forum The Shopping Mall. (Yes. Spelled just like that.) Opened around 2015, it’s noted for the regularly changing display in its glass storefront, which always catches the imagination of passing children and adults alike.
Here, you can find an array of classic children’s stories alongside new releases and graphic novels, plus quite a few niche titles you’ll have trouble finding elsewhere.
Address: #02-03/04 Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238884
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 7PM
Bukit Panjang Public Library
Though a bit far from the center of the capital, Bukit Panjang Public Library is nonetheless an important hub for its community. Originally opened in 1998, it was recently renovated, and boy oh boy, does the interior design pops.
In one room, you can find white spiral loop-dee-loops that’ll have you absolutely mesmerized; near the entrance, a ridged wall of geometric mountains awaits. They seriously went all-out in creativity with the design of this place, and it shows.
Address: 1 Jelebu Road #04-04 & 16/17 Bukit Panjang Plaza, Singapore 677743
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 9PM
Join our community of 1.5M readers
Like this story? You'll love our free weekly magazine.
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.
