The 10 Best Bookstores in Singapore

Independent and specialist Singapore bookstores for curated reads, local writing, design books and thoughtful browsing.

Reviewed by our editors · Updated July 2026 · How we rank

Our verdict: Wardah Books is the best bookstore in Singapore right now - best overall specialist curation. Littered with Books runs it closest.

Singapore has fewer large bookstore chains than before, but its independent scene is still strong if you know what each shop does best. The best choice depends on whether you want serious literary browsing, Sing Lit, Chinese-language writing, Islamic scholarship, children's picture books, design references, or affordable secondhand finds.

This ranking favours bookstores with a clear editorial point of view, reliable operations, active catalogues and a real reputation among local readers. Some are destination shops for browsing, while others are specialist online or showroom-led booksellers that serve niches the mainstream market often misses.

01
Wardah Books
89/100
A leading independent bookshop for Islamic thought, spirituality, history and Singapore writing.
58 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199474
+65 6297 1232 books@wardahbooks.com wardahbooks.com
$$ price range
“Best overall specialist curation.” - our editors
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
Wardah earns the top spot because it has a confident point of view and executes it consistently. The range is serious without feeling closed off: you can find classical religious texts, contemporary Muslim writers, children's books, local literature and wider history in one thoughtful space. The shop is also unusually active with events and reading communities, which keeps it connected to regular readers. The trade-off is focus. If you want broad commercial fiction or general pop titles, another bookstore will feel easier.
Why Wardah Books made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
It combines a specialist Islamic and literary catalogue, strong community programming, long-standing local reputation and a well-maintained online shop, making it the most complete independent bookstore experience on this list.
Wardah Books is one of Singapore's most distinctive independent bookstores, located on Bussorah Street near Masjid Sultan. Its catalogue is built around Islamic civilisation, Quran, hadith, theology, Sufism, family, education, interfaith reading, Singapore literature and Southeast Asian context. The shop also runs book clubs, author conversations and reader programmes, giving it more of a literary community role than a simple retail shelf. Its online store is detailed and current, with categories that make specialist browsing practical for both serious readers and gift buyers.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 89/100
Unique Service Proposition18/20
Quality of Service19/20
Accessibility17/20
Value for Money17/20
Innovation18/20
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02
Littered with Books
88/100
A Duxton indie favourite for literary fiction, non-fiction, travel writing and children's books.
20 Duxton Road, Singapore 089486
litteredwithbooks.com
$$ price range
“Best browsing experience.” - our editors
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
Littered with Books is the place to go when you want the pleasure of browsing to do some of the work for you. The selection feels human, not algorithmic, and the shop has a strong track record with readers looking for novels, essays, travel books and gifts with more personality. It is not the biggest bookstore in Singapore, so very specific academic or specialist titles may not be on hand. But for considered general reading, it remains one of the most reliable indie stops.
Why Littered with Books made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
It remains one of Singapore's most reputable independent browsing shops, with a strong Duxton presence, tasteful curation and broad appeal across fiction, non-fiction and gifts.
Littered with Books is a well-loved independent bookstore in a Duxton shophouse, known for a carefully chosen mix rather than mass-market volume. Its shelves typically lean towards literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, travel, cookbooks, graphic novels and quality children's books. The shop has built its reputation on browsing: readers come for the atmosphere, staff picks and titles that sit outside the usual bestseller tables. Its location in the Tanjong Pagar area also makes it one of the easiest independent bookstores to fold into a weekend walk.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 88/100
Unique Service Proposition18/20
Quality of Service18/20
Accessibility18/20
Value for Money17/20
Innovation17/20
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03
Woods in the Books
87/100
Singapore's standout independent shop for picture books, illustrated books and young readers.
206 East Coast Road, Singapore 428905
+65 6684 0138 sayhello@woodsinthebooks.sg woodsinthebooks.sg
$$ price range
“Best for picture books.” - our editors
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
Woods in the Books is excellent because it treats children's books as art, storytelling and early reading culture all at once. The selection is bright but not shallow, with strong illustrated work, local stories and giftable finds. It is also one of the few bookstores here where the physical experience really matters for families. The trade-off is that adults looking for literary fiction or current affairs will not find a broad general catalogue. For picture books, however, it is hard to beat.
Why Woods in the Books made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
It dominates the children's and illustrated-books niche with a distinctive catalogue, multiple accessible outlets and real usefulness for parents, teachers and gift buyers.
Woods in the Books is an independent Singapore bookshop with a clear specialty in picture books and illustrated books. Its main presence includes East Coast and New Bahru outlets, with Books Ahoy! at Forum focused on young readers. The catalogue covers picture books, activity books, homegrown stories, illustrated gifts, cards and programmes for children and schools. It is especially useful for parents, educators and gift buyers who want more than the standard character-led children's shelf.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 87/100
Unique Service Proposition18/20
Quality of Service18/20
Accessibility17/20
Value for Money17/20
Innovation17/20
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04
Grassroots Book Room
86/100
A respected Chinese-language literary bookstore with cafe culture and strong local roots.
25 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089839
grassrootsbookroom.com.sg
$$ price range
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
Grassroots Book Room stands out because it carries cultural weight. It is not simply a Chinese bookstore; it is a place where local Chinese literary life has had real continuity. The best reason to visit is the range of Chinese-language literature and the slower cafe-bookshop feel, especially if you want to browse beyond school texts or mass-market imports. The limitation is obvious: readers who are mainly after English general fiction will find it narrower than other shops on this list.
Why Grassroots Book Room made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
It is a key independent name for Chinese-language literature in Singapore, with credibility, depth and a distinctive Bukit Pasoh identity.
Grassroots Book Room is one of Singapore's most respected Chinese-language independent bookstores. Its reputation is tied to serious Chinese literary culture, including Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and wider Chinese-language writing. The shop also has a cafe element, making it a slower browsing stop rather than a purely transactional bookshop. It is valued by readers who want Chinese fiction, essays, humanities titles, translated literature and an environment that still feels connected to Singapore's literary history.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 86/100
Unique Service Proposition17/20
Quality of Service18/20
Accessibility17/20
Value for Money17/20
Innovation17/20
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05
Basheer Graphics
85/100
A specialist Bras Basah bookstore for art, design, architecture, fashion and visual culture.
Bras Basah Complex #04-19, 231 Bain Street, Singapore 180231
+65 6336 0810 enquiry@basheergraphic.com basheergraphic.com
$$$ price range
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
Basheer is the bookstore you visit when a normal shelf of art books is not enough. The strength is depth: monographs, design references, architecture books, magazines and visual inspiration that working creatives actually use. It also benefits from being in Bras Basah Complex, still Singapore's most practical book-hunting building. The honest trade-off is price. Many titles are imported specialist books, so impulse buying can get expensive. For design and visual culture, the curation justifies its place.
Why Basheer Graphics made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
It is Singapore's strongest specialist bookstore for design and visual references, with a deep catalogue that serves students, professionals and serious hobbyists.
Basheer Graphics is a specialist bookstore in Bras Basah Complex focused on visual culture. Its online catalogue and physical shop cover architecture, arts, fashion, photography, interiors, animation, game art, sketching, watercolour, design magazines and Singapore titles. It is especially useful for designers, architects, art students and visual researchers who need books that mainstream bookstores rarely carry in depth. Prices can run high for imported art and design books, but the range is one of the strongest in Singapore for this niche.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 85/100
Unique Service Proposition18/20
Quality of Service18/20
Accessibility16/20
Value for Money16/20
Innovation17/20
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06
Epigram Bookshop
84/100
A Singapore-focused bookshop for local fiction, non-fiction, children's titles and Epigram releases.
1008 Toa Payoh North, #03-08, Singapore 318996
+65 6292 4456 hello@epigram.sg epigrambookshop.sg
$$ price range
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
Epigram Bookshop is valuable because it makes Singapore books easy to find in one place. The range is not only Epigram's own publishing list; it also includes broader local and regional titles across fiction, children's writing, politics, culture and heritage. The showroom hours are more office-like than retail-friendly, so casual evening browsing is limited. Online, however, it is one of the most straightforward places to buy Singapore titles, especially if you already know the kind of local reading you want.
Why Epigram Bookshop made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
It is one of the clearest routes into Singapore writing, backed by an established local publisher and a broad online catalogue of local titles.
Epigram Bookshop is closely tied to Epigram Books and positions itself as a Singapore-focused bookshop. Its catalogue covers fiction, short stories, graphic novels, plays, poetry, culture, heritage, politics, memoirs, children's books and titles in local languages. The Toa Payoh showroom has weekday hours, while the online shop makes the range easier to access. It is particularly useful for readers building a Sing Lit shelf, parents looking for Singapore children's books, and anyone who wants local titles beyond the usual airport selection.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 84/100
Unique Service Proposition17/20
Quality of Service17/20
Accessibility17/20
Value for Money16/20
Innovation17/20
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07
Book Bar
83/100
A newer Duxton indie bookstore and cafe with a strong Singapore and regional reading angle.
57 Duxton Road, Singapore 089521
bookbar.com.sg
$$ price range
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
Book Bar feels built for today's Singapore reader: part bookstore, part cafe, part community table. Its best quality is the attention it gives to local and regional writing, which makes browsing more meaningful than simply scanning global bestseller stacks. It is also convenient if you are already in the Duxton area. The trade-off is that the concept is smaller and more curated than comprehensive. Go for discovery, coffee and Sing Lit energy, not for a warehouse-sized range.
Why Book Bar made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
It brings fresh energy to the independent scene with a local-reading focus, cafe format and a location that complements Duxton's existing book culture.
Book Bar is an independent bookstore and cafe on Duxton Road. It has become known for spotlighting Singapore and Southeast Asian writing alongside contemporary fiction, essays, poetry and giftable books. The cafe format makes it less hurried than a conventional retail shop, and its programming and author-facing energy give it a role in the local literary ecosystem. It is a good fit for readers who want a current, social bookstore experience with a stronger local and regional lens than many general shops.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 83/100
Unique Service Proposition16/20
Quality of Service17/20
Accessibility17/20
Value for Money16/20
Innovation17/20
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08
City Book Room
82/100
A Chinese and bilingual literary bookshop-publisher with Singapore, Malaysian and Taiwanese titles.
387 Joo Chiat Road, #03-02 The Modules, Singapore 427623
+65 6901 1583 citybookroom@gmail.com citybookroom.com
$$ price range
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
City Book Room is compact but serious, especially for readers who care about Chinese-language literature in Singapore and the region. Its mix of publishing, retail and cultural programming gives it more editorial character than a generic import shelf. I like it most for Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong titles, plus the way it keeps older and newer literary threads visible. The trade-off is accessibility: it sits upstairs in a Joo Chiat building, so it needs more intention than a mall bookstore.
Why City Book Room made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
It offers one of Singapore's more thoughtful Chinese and bilingual literary catalogues, with local publishing activity and a focused Joo Chiat presence.
City Book Room is a Chinese-language and bilingual bookstore-publisher now based at The Modules on Joo Chiat Road. Its site lists Chinese books, City Book Room publications, fiction, essays, poetry, picture books, history, humanities, art and design, English books and Singapore-related titles. It is especially strong for readers interested in Singapore and Malaysian Chinese literature, translated works and curated cultural conversations. The shop keeps regular hours with Tuesday closure, and its online store provides delivery for Singapore orders above a stated threshold.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 82/100
Unique Service Proposition17/20
Quality of Service17/20
Accessibility16/20
Value for Money16/20
Innovation16/20
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09
Thryft
81/100
An online secondhand bookstore and recommerce platform with a large rotating preloved catalogue.
71 Ayer Rajah Crescent, #06-25, Singapore 139951
support@thryft.asia thryft.asia
$ price range
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
Thryft is not a cosy indie bookstore, but it deserves a place because it solves a real Singapore problem: affordable access to a wide secondhand catalogue. The search and category structure are practical, and the prices can be much kinder than buying every title new. It is best for readers who enjoy the hunt or want to build a library on a budget. The trade-off is condition variance and no physical browsing, so it suits flexible buyers better than those chasing pristine new releases.
Why Thryft made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
It makes secondhand book buying scalable and accessible in Singapore, with a large online catalogue, sustainability angle and strong value for budget-conscious readers.
Thryft is a Singapore-born online recommerce platform that began in 2019 with secondhand books and has expanded into clothing, vinyl and other preloved items. For book buyers, its main strength is scale: the site lists tens of thousands of preloved items across fiction, non-fiction, children's books, rare books, university press titles and books from Singapore publishers. Its former physical Thryft Hub has closed, so the experience is now fully online. The office is not open for public browsing or collection.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 81/100
Unique Service Proposition16/20
Quality of Service16/20
Accessibility17/20
Value for Money17/20
Innovation15/20
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10
Ethos Books
80/100
An independent Singapore publisher-store for literary fiction, essays, poetry and social issues.
ethosbooks.com.sg
$$ price range
THEBESTSG STAFF REVIEW
Ethos is included as a publisher-bookstore because its catalogue is essential to serious Singapore reading. The strength is editorial depth: its books often engage with society, politics, identity and literature in a way that commercial shelves do not prioritise. It is also useful for teachers, book clubs and readers looking for discussion-led titles. The limitation is format. Without a regular public retail shopfront, it does not deliver the same browsing experience as Wardah, Littered or Woods.
Why Ethos Books made TheBest SG · full scorecardLess
WHY THEY MADE THEBEST SG
Its online shop is one of the most important sources for contemporary Singapore literary and social-issues publishing, even without a conventional retail storefront.
Ethos Books is an independent Singapore publisher with an active online bookstore. Established in 1997 as an imprint of Pagesetters Services, it focuses on literary fiction, non-fiction and poetry that reflect Singapore and Southeast Asian concerns. Its shop sells Ethos titles, e-books, gift cards and book-related items, while its public conversations and education resources extend its role beyond retail. Readers come to Ethos for thoughtful Singapore writing, political and social commentary, poetry, memoir, race and gender, history, heritage and community-focused literature.
THE EDITORS' SCORECARD - 80/100
Unique Service Proposition16/20
Quality of Service17/20
Accessibility16/20
Value for Money16/20
Innovation15/20
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Best Bookstores in Singapore compared

Rank	Name	Known for	Price
#1	Wardah Books	islamic books · sing lit	$$
#2	Littered with Books	literary fiction · non-fiction	$$
#3	Woods in the Books	children · picture books	$$
#4	Grassroots Book Room	chinese books · literature	$$
#5	Basheer Graphics	design · architecture	$$$
#6	Epigram Bookshop	sing lit · local books	$$
#7	Book Bar	sing lit · cafe	$$
#8	City Book Room	chinese books · bilingual	$$
#9	Thryft	secondhand · online	$
#10	Ethos Books	sing lit · publisher	$$

Bookstores in Singapore - your questions

Which bookstore is best for Singapore literature?

Epigram Bookshop, Ethos Books and City Book Room are especially strong for local writing. Wardah Books and Grassroots Book Room also carry thoughtful Singapore and Southeast Asian titles within their specialist ranges.

Which independent bookstore is best for children's books?

Woods in the Books is the strongest pick for illustrated children's books and picture books. Epigram Bookshop is also good for Singapore children's titles.

Are these bookstores suitable for gifts?

Yes. Littered with Books, Woods in the Books, Wardah Books and Book Bar are particularly gift-friendly because their selections are curated and easy to browse.

Do independent bookstores in Singapore sell online?

Most do. Wardah Books, Woods in the Books, Basheer Graphics, Epigram Bookshop, City Book Room, Thryft and Ethos Books all have online shopping or ordering options.

Run one of the best bookstores in Singapore?

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The 10 Best Bookstores in Singapore

Best Bookstores in Singapore compared

Bookstores in Singapore - your questions

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