Canada’s capital, Ottawa, might wear its official title with pride. But for those who love all things literary, Ottawa’s real charm is on the shelves of its bookstores.
Anyone who has been to Ottawa will know that the city has an excellent selection of bookstores for readers to browse and unwind in. Here are some of our top picks to do just that!
Perfect Books
Perfect Books is a cozy independent bookshop on Elgin Street. Although the store itself is on the smaller side, they have an extensive stock of both fiction and non-fiction books available, as well as some cool merchandise, including shirts and bags.
If you’re searching for something they don’t have, the staff will be more than happy to order it in for you. Plus, don’t miss out on their regular events where they often have book launches lined up.
Address: 258A Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday and Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Thursday and Friday: 10AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar
Down in southern Ottawa, Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar has an impressive repository of new and used books of all kinds. Part bookstore and café, you get the best of both worlds here, where fine literature pairs with hot drinks and tasty snacks like their chocolate mint cookies.
One great thing about Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar is that, because they sell used books, they also accept trades and will give you store credit in return.
Address: 1073 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 0R4, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 5PM
Octopus Books
Get your dose of literature at Octopus Books, an establishment that places an emphasis on texts that promote progressive thought, with topics like climate change and politics heavily covered. You’ll also find a dedicated section produced by indigenous writers.
Their location on Third Avenue is instantly noticeable, as it’s in a building that resembles a small house with beautiful murals spreading across the exterior.
Address: 116 Third Ave, Ottawa, ON K1S 2K1, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9AM – 7PM
– Wednesday and Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
The Spaniel’s Tale Bookstore
Nicely situated on the corner of Wellington Street, the Spaniel’s Tale Bookstore is a community-focused space that delivers a stellar lineup of fiction, non-fiction, and kids’ reads. In-store, they have around 4,000 publications along with access to an additional 12 million that customers can order upon request.
Ever since Spaniel’s Tale Bookstore opened its doors in 2022, the goal has been to bring insightful reads to the people of Ottawa. It’s done an excellent job of that in a contemporary space designed with vintage touches.
Address: 1131 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1P1, Canada
Opening hours:
– Sunday to Wednesday: 10AM – 6PM
– Thursday to Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
Book Bazaar
Come check out the biggest independent bookstore that sells used texts at Book Bazaar on Bank Street. This family-run outlet boasts a collection of over 55,000 covers, featuring numerous rare finds and options on topics such as philosophy, science, and religion.
Having been in business since 1974, Book Bazaar has been the go-to for Ottawans to sell their old books. For anyone else who’d like to do the same, the shop owners request that you call them up in advance, as they have to ensure that their purchaser will be on site during your visit.
Address: 417 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y8, Canada
Opening hours:
– Wednesday to Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 1PM – 5PM
– Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Westboro Books
Whenever you’ve had your fill of big-name stores and want something a little different, Westboro Books on Richmond Road is always a great choice. Their spacious shop, with wooden accents, painted blues, and plenty of room on both the floor and the shelves, makes browsing their handpicked selection of graphic novels and fiction all the more enjoyable.
Westboro Books isn’t just a great place to pick up new reads; it also hosts a variety of author events and workshops that are always a delight to attend.
Address: 314 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X6, Canada
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Friday: 10AM – 6PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
– Monday: Closed
Indigo
With multiple locations across Canada, Indigo is a well-known name across the country. Although chains might not be for everyone, the Indigo location in the CF Rideau Centre covers all bases with its literary offerings, which are split by genre across its two-level space.
Visitors will be treated to an eclectic mix of books at this Indigo location in the heart of Ottawa, as they have everything from fantasy-focused options to French translations. Indigo’s brand extends beyond literature, as they also sell home decor and other lifestyle goods.
Address: 50 Rideau St Unit 135C, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 9PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
Librairie du soleil (ByWard Market)
Anyone who’s a French speaker visiting Ottawa will appreciate Librairie du soleil’s location at ByWard Market. They have three branches across the city, but this particular one highlights books written about topics such as current affairs and philosophy.
Proudly showcasing a massive selection of French-language titles, around 50,000 books line Librairie du soleil’s shelves. For the people spending extended time in Ottawa, be sure to pick up one of their free loyalty cards, as it can earn you up to $28 in savings when it’s full.
Address: 33 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8W5, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: 9:30AM – 6PM
– Thursday and Friday: 9:30AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
The Comic Book Shoppe
Comic nerds, Ottawa has just the place for you with the Comic Book Shoppe in the Bleeker Mall. Renowned for its curated selection of comics, graphic novels, and manga, it’s the perfect stop for anyone who loves illustrated storytelling.
Though the Comic Book Shoppe is filled to the brim, its layout is carefully organized, with tables of comics and visually striking displays that draw you in.
Address: 1400 Clyde Ave., Nepean, ON K2G 3J2, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday and Tuesday: 9:30AM – 6PM
– Wednesday to Friday: 9:30AM – 9PM
– Saturday: 9:30AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
Singing Pebble Books
Singing Pebble Books in East Ottawa is a compact, female-led bookshop, connected to Café Qui Pense that serves a mighty cup of arabica. Fiction and non-fiction texts are up for grabs here, with lots of unique specialties such as metaphysics and personal development.
You’ll immediately notice, upon walking through the doors of Singing Pebble Books, that there’s a strong focus on spirituality. This extends beyond written works as they sell other items, like tarot cards and crystals.
Address: 206 Main St, Ottawa, ON K1S 1C6, Canada
Opening hours:
– Sunday and Monday: 10AM – 5PM
– Tuesday and Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Wednesday to Friday: 10AM – 8PM
Books on Beechwood
Adding to Ottawa’s list of locally owned stores, Books on Beechwood in the New Edinburgh district is another fantastic place to visit for those seeking new titles. There’s no shortage of reading material here, with thousands of books on sale, with special attention given to topics like biographies and history.
If you don’t have a particular read in mind when visiting Books on Beechwood, the staff here know their stuff, so they can give you lots of recommendations based on what they have in stock. Suppose they don’t have what you’re looking for, they can also make an order for you.
Address: 35 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa, ON K1M 1M1, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed
Re-Read Used Books
Established in 2015, Re-Read Used Books in the suburb of Stittsville provides a quieter alternative to Ottawa’s downtown stores. The inventory spans multiple topics and features a dedicated children’s section, perfect for bringing your little ones along to explore and get lost in the aisles.
Many past visitors have praised Re-Read Used Books for its fair pricing, which is always welcome, especially when picking up a few covers at once. When visiting, you’ll likely run into the resident cat, whom you won’t be able to miss, as he’s huge but very friendly and always up for playing around.
Address: 1626 Stittsville Main St, Stittsville, ON K2S 1P3, Canada
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday and Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Thursday and Friday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 4PM
