This article was produced in paid partnership with Destination Toronto.

Toronto Between the Lines

My best tips for exploring Toronto’s bookshops came from the booksellers themselves. Whenever I mentioned that I was visiting literary places in Toronto for Pretty Book Places, someone would ask where I’d already been. There was almost always another independent shop they wanted me to see. What stayed with me was how much they enjoyed talking about one another’s bookshops.

I was surprised by how different those places turned out to be. There’s a bookshop devoted to romance on Queen Street West and one devoted to horror on Dundas Street West. On College Street, a bookseller told me how she started out with a single shelf. And on the University of Toronto campus, I got to see the first draft of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale up close.

Here are my favourite independent bookshops and libraries in Toronto, including the second-hand shops I’d go back to. I’ve also included a few stops for good coffee, a hotel I’d happily book again and a 17th-floor bar worth visiting for the view alone.

My Favourite Independent Bookshops in Toronto

Flying Books and the Shelf That Started It

I wandered into Flying Books on College Street on a whim and met its founder, Martha Sharpe. She told me how it all began in 2015, with a small shelf and a few books she’d picked out for a friend’s shop. Her shelves gradually found their way into other shops around Toronto. Today, Flying Books has two bookshops and its own publishing programme.

It was easy to imagine that first shelf in the College Street shop. The space is large and modern, but the selection still feels personal. There’s plenty from independent presses, alongside poetry, books in translation and work by Toronto writers. I especially loved the bookmarks with reading recommendations. I would have taken one home even without a book, though the Book Club Pick of the Month ended up in my bag too. Flying Books, 784 College Street

Flying Books at Neverland

There’s something of New York about Flying Books at Neverland, the second location. I loved browsing the shelves, then sitting down at the back for a coffee. You can get a glass of wine there too. My coffee was so good I’d go back for that alone. It’s worth visiting both shops if you have time. Each has a character of its own. Flying Books at Neverland, 371 Queen Street West

TYPE Books

I’d start at TYPE Books if you feel like browsing without a particular title in mind. I passed the new releases, fiction and non-fiction and stopped at a whole wall of magazines. I loved that they had their own space. You can stand there looking at the covers and flicking through a few at your own pace. The Queen Street West shop is across from Trinity Bellwoods Park. TYPE Books, 883 Queen Street West

Hopeless Romantic Books

At Hopeless Romantic Books, it’s all about love stories. The shelves run from contemporary romance to romantasy, and you can browse by trope if there’s one you always go for. I enjoyed going from a shop as wide-ranging as TYPE Books to one that gives a single genre this much room. Hopeless Romantic Books, 1080 Queen Street West

Little Ghosts Books

A few streets away, Little Ghosts Books is for anyone who likes a scare. The Dundas Street West shop specialises in horror, has a café and publishes books of its own. I was in Toronto just before Halloween, which felt like particularly good timing, though the shop’s enthusiasm for unsettling stories lasts all year. Little Ghosts Books, 930 Dundas Street West

Second-Hand Bookshops in Toronto

Seekers Books

I found Seekers Books by chance, just around the corner from my hotel in the Annex. It was one of my favourite discoveries of the trip. There’s a large selection, with a particular focus on religion, spirituality and mysticism and plenty of room for literature and philosophy. If you’re heading out without a specific title in mind, I’d give yourself time to browse here. Seekers Books, 509 Bloor Street West

Doug Miller Books

A little farther west on Bloor Street is Doug Miller Books. I liked its slightly chaotic arrangement. You can go from used books and children’s books to bargain finds and suddenly find yourself looking at a LEGO diorama. Doug Miller Books, 650 Bloor Street West

She Said Boom!

Second-hand books and vinyl share the shelves at She Said Boom!. The College Street shop is particularly good for literature, poetry and philosophy, alongside art, history, science fiction and crime. If you like going from a bookshelf to a crate of records, you’ll be happy here. She Said Boom!, 378 College Street

Balfour Books

I’d go to Balfour Books for art books and photography. There’s plenty on design and architecture too, as well as fiction and non-fiction. The little signs made from Scrabble tiles are a detail I loved. They point you towards different sections as you browse. Balfour Books, 468 College Street

Sellers & Newel Second-Hand Books

Sellers & Newel is a good stop for twentieth-century literature, poetry, offbeat horror and books about jazz. There are occasional evening concerts. The Literary Society series even led to its own record label, Lit Soc Records. If you like the idea of books and live music in the same room, take a look at the programme. Sellers & Newel, 672 College Street

If you also spend half your time in a new city browsing second-hand shelves, I’ve shared more favourites in my guide to the best bookshops in Kraków.

Libraries in Toronto and a Walk Across Campus

Along Philosopher’s Walk with the Toronto Society of Architects

I met Joël León Danis, an architect and Executive Director of the Toronto Society of Architects, at the Royal Ontario Museum for a private tour of the campus. Next door, he showed me how the Royal Conservatory of Music’s historic McMaster Hall was extended with modern teaching and performance spaces. Philosopher’s Walk begins between the museum and the conservatory. It follows the course of Taddle Creek, which now runs underground.

Joël drew my attention to Toronto’s brick buildings, then showed me a very different way of building in the city at the Academic Wood Tower, which combines timber and steel. Everywhere I looked on campus, people were celebrating their graduation. I picked up a coffee from a cart before continuing to the libraries.

The Toronto Society of Architects also offers a public campus tour called New Meets Old. Philosopher’s Walk and Taddle Creek · Academic Wood Tower

Hart House, University College and Knox College

At the Hart House Library, the plants were the first thing I noticed. At the University College Library, it was the architecture. The high, light-filled East Hall reminded me of a church interior, and I loved the contrast with the substantial black fittings. There are cosy corners to sit, read or study. I’d have felt lucky to have a place like that as a student.

East Hall was the college library’s original home, and the library is back there today. That was something I enjoyed about the campus. You can see the history in the buildings, and you can see how much a part of student life they still are. I also stopped at the Caven Library at Knox College. The history of East Hall at University College · Hart House Library · University of Toronto Libraries

Emmanuel College Library

The Emmanuel College Library made me think of Hogwarts the moment I walked in. I could happily have picked up a book and stayed there. The library is part of Victoria University and is open to the public. Emmanuel College Library, 75 Queen’s Park Crescent East

Robarts Library

The Robarts Library looks rough and severe from the street. I found that enormous Brutalist concrete building fascinating, especially after seeing the historic reading rooms elsewhere on campus. The same complex houses the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. Behind the concrete I’d first seen from the street was one of the most memorable library visits of my trip. Robarts and the Fisher Library

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

I had a quick look inside the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library on my first walk and came back for a tour with John Shoesmith. He’s a librarian there and told me how he uses the collection in his work with students. That impressed me almost as much as the books themselves. The library preserves some extraordinary material and makes it available for teaching and research.

John showed me early editions of Shakespeare and items from the library’s extensive Lewis Carroll collection. The collector Joseph Brabant spent decades gathering editions and other works by and about Carroll. Nicolas Maes and his family added twentieth-century editions and translations. Even a brief look at the collection gives you a sense of how many forms Alice in Wonderland has taken over the years.

What moved me most was seeing the first draft of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. I was allowed to photograph it and touch it through its clear protective sleeve. I’d had no idea I would see that manuscript that morning. And suddenly it was right in front of me, in the city Atwood calls home.

Even without a tour, it’s worth looking in on the public exhibition area. You can also request specific books or manuscripts through the library for use in the reading room. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, 120 St. George Street

If the library visits are your favourite part of a trip too, I’ve written about some of the most beautiful libraries in Europe you can visit.

Toronto Public Library and the Lillian H. Smith Library

What made me appreciate Toronto’s libraries so much was how much room the city makes for them. On campus, there are all kinds of places for students to read, study quietly or work together. Across the neighbourhoods, Toronto Public Library has around a hundred branches. All offer Wi-Fi and computers, and some have dedicated study spaces. I loved how easy it felt to find somewhere to sit for a while with a book or a laptop. Toronto Public Library · Study spaces and services

For children’s literature, I’d put the Lillian H. Smith Library on your list. It houses the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books, a collection of historical children’s books and illustrations. Check the collection’s own visiting hours if you’re going specifically to see it. Lillian H. Smith Library

Literary Cafés and Bars in Toronto

Book Bar in Mirvish Village

I felt so at home at Book Bar that I went twice. I had drinks, browsed the shelves and picked up a few souvenirs to take home. There’s coffee and a little something to eat during the day, and there are cosy corners upstairs. If you’d like to bring your own book club, ask the team about a spot. The shop also hosts readings, talks and other events. It’s exactly the kind of bookshop I like spending time in. I can find a book, have another drink and end up talking to someone who enjoys discussing books as much as I do. Book Bar, 600 Markham Street

Writers Room Bar at Park Hyatt Toronto

Joël told me about the Writers Room Bar. It’s on the 17th floor of Park Hyatt Toronto, and you can visit even if you’re staying elsewhere. I’d go during the day if you’re there mainly for the view. Hyatt lists a lunch menu on Sundays and Mondays. For an evening visit, especially on a weekend, I’d book a table.

I like that the bar is still a meeting place with a literary history you can trace. Canadian writers gathered at the hotel for years. According to Park Hyatt, it also played a part in the formation of the Writers’ Union of Canada. Margaret Atwood set a scene from Cat’s Eye in the bar as it was then. After seeing her manuscript at the Fisher Library, I enjoyed seeing this other corner of Atwood’s Toronto. Writers Room Bar and reservations · The history of the bar

My Favourite Coffee Stops in Toronto

You can stop at the Annex Café in the hotel lobby even if you aren’t staying there. I had excellent coffee there and at Flying Books at Neverland. I particularly liked the beans at Voodoo Child Café & Cocktail Bar (388 College Street). Other favourites were FIKA Café in Kensington Market, Library Coffee (281 Dundas Street West) and Botanic Coffee & Caphê (662 Queen Street West). At Sud Forno, I loved the Italian pastries with my coffee and the feel of the place. Across from Trinity Bellwoods Park, White Squirrel Coffee Shop (907 Queen Street West) makes a good stop after TYPE Books. Annex Café · Voodoo Child · FIKA Café · Library Coffee · White Squirrel Coffee Shop

I spent a lot of time going between bookshops and cafés in Ghent too. You’ll find my favourite addresses in my guide to coffee and bookshops in Ghent.

Toronto International Festival of Authors

For more than 40 years, the Toronto International Festival of Authors has brought readers and writers from around the world together each autumn. The 2026 festival took place over five days at Victoria University, on the University of Toronto campus. The programme included readings, author conversations and smaller masterclasses for anyone who wanted to spend some time working on their own writing.

I explored the venue, took photographs in the foyer and browsed the bookshop that the University of Toronto Bookstore had set up at Victoria University for the festival. If you’re already planning to visit the campus libraries in autumn, take a look at the festival programme while you’re putting together your trip. Festival programme · About the festival

Where I Stayed in Toronto

I had a spacious room with a queen bed at The Annex Hotel. Outside my window was a tree in brilliant red autumn colour, with the skyline behind it. That mix of city life and quiet suited the neighbourhood too. Bloor Street is busy. A turn down a side street takes you past quiet rows of houses. Towards Bathurst and Christie, you’ll reach Koreatown, where Korean restaurants and shops line Bloor Street West.

I ordered breakfast downstairs at the café, where I had pastries, yoghurt with fruit and really good coffee. I’d happily stay here again, especially for the location. Seekers Books, Book Bar, Doug Miller Books and the Royal Ontario Museum are all within walking distance. The Annex Hotel, 296 Brunswick Avenue

Literary Places in Toronto to Explore on Foot

From the Annex to campus. Start at Seekers Books or with a coffee at the hotel. Follow Bloor Street to the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Royal Ontario Museum. From there, take Philosopher’s Walk onto campus. I’d leave plenty of time for the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library and check the exhibition hours in advance.

From College Street to Queen Street West. On College Street, you can visit She Said Boom!, Balfour Books, Sellers & Newel and Flying Books in one outing. If you carry on towards Trinity Bellwoods, you can add Little Ghosts Books, TYPE Books or Hopeless Romantic Books. White Squirrel is a good spot for coffee by the park. Flying Books at Neverland is farther east on Queen Street and worth a separate stop for coffee or a glass of wine.

A City Where People Read

What surprised me most in Toronto was how often I came across people reading. I noticed a lot of young people with a book open in my hotel lobby or a paperback in hand out on the street. I’d been looking forward to the bookshops and libraries long before I arrived. Seeing so many printed books out in the city between those stops made my bookish heart beat a little faster.

You’ll find more from my Toronto trip on Instagram at @prettybookplaces, from bookshops and libraries to my favourite coffee stops.