Best bookstores in Hong Kong
The city is home to a slew of book retailers, from cosy independent nooks to multi-level flagship stores
After staring at a screen all day, sometimes all we want to do is flip through the pages of a physical book. Whether you’re looking for a new novel to dive into, a nonfiction to learn more about the world or an art book to find inspiration, here are the best places to find the title you’ve been searching for.
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Bleak House Books
Located in San Po Kong, Bleak House Books is a little difficult to get to, but we promise it’s worth the journey. The bookstore advertises itself as a community space featuring English-language titles and vintage sheet music. True to its description, it hosts regular weekend readings and talks, so keep an eye on its Facebook for any upcoming events.
Bleak House Books, Unit 05, 27/F, Well Tech Centre, 7-9 Pat Tat Street, San Po Kong, 3705 0251
Kubrick
Named after groundbreaking 20th-century movie director Stanley Kubrick, this bookstore has a great selection of poetry books and indie magazines, in addition to your usual fiction and nonfiction titles. It is adjoined to Hong Kong’s only arthouse cinema Broadway Cinematheque and boasts a café of its own, so you can settle down with a good book whilst you sip your morning coffee.
Kubrick, Shop H2, Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei, 2384 8929
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Hong Kong Book Centre
If you miss Swindon Book Co, which closed at the end of July after operating for more than 100 years, you’ll love Hong Kong Book Centre. Owned by the same parent company, this large traditional bookshop is conveniently located in Central and supplies bestsellers and texts in specialist genres, along with a kids section.
Hong Kong Book Centre, Lower Level, On Lok Yuen Building, 25 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, 2522 7064
Bookazine
One of the last standing English bookstores in Hong Kong, Bookazine has locations across the city, including at IFC and Festival Walk. Not only does the bookstore sell the latest bestsellers, it even has a section dedicated to stationery, gifts and party supplies.
Bookazine, multiple locations including Shop 326-328, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, 2522 1785
Art and Culture Outreach
Known colloquially as ACO, this independent bookstore has been on the forefront of developing the art and culture scene in Hong Kong since 2003. It has helped turned countless residential units in Foo Tak Building – where it itself is located – into artist hubs for creatives to lease at an affordable price. It houses books of all types, including art books, literature books, handbooks and more.
Art and Cultural Outreach, 13/F, Foo Tak Building, 365-367 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, 2893 4808
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Books & Co
Hidden on a steep slope in Sai Ying Pun sits Books & Co, an unassuming bookstore-cum-café filled with secondhand books. Order a cup of coffee, pick from one of the many titles and escape reality for a little while.
Books & Co, 10 Park Road, Mid-Levels, 2559 5199
Eslite
This Taiwanese bookstore has three locations in Hong Kong – and each location is a megastore, spanning several storeys with much more than just books. Eslite stocks a dizzying collection of Chinese and English language books, as well as a variety of lifestyle products, food products and even full-on restaurants in its premises.
Eslite, multiple locations including 8-10/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, 3419 6761
Hong Kong Reader
Head over to Mong Kok if you’re looking for books that will make you think or challenge your perspective. Offering a wide array of Chinese and English books on humanities and social science, Hong Kong Reader is a culturally inspired space with up-to-date publications surrounding ongoing social issues, both locally and globally.
Hong Kong Reader Bookstore, 7/F, 68 Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok, 2395 0031
Kelly & Walsh
Founded in 1876, Kelly & Walsh is a Shanghai-based publisher of English language books. Following the Japanese occupation, it moved to Hong Kong and was ultimately sold to Swindon Books. The bookstore is now located in Pacific Place and carries a diverse selection of special interest books, from art and design to business and travel. It also offers best-sellers as well as a children’s section.
Kelly & Walsh, Shop 204, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway Road, Admiralty, 2522 5744
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Mosses
Established in 2013 as an art publisher in Hong Kong, Mossess is a curated bookstore offering titles by independent authors and publishers from across the globe. If you’re an artist, don’t miss the publications by local art galleries in its store in Wan Chai, some only available for a limited time.
Mosses, 14 St Francis Street, Wan Chai, 2351 2098
Taschen
This global art publisher has now settled into Tai Kwun and opened its doors to art-loving Hong Kongers. It offers a long list of art books, photo books, architecture books, music books and even books that are PG-13!
Taschen, Shop 01-G02, G/F, Headquarters Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2544 8018
