Australia’s 8 best bookshop cafes revealed

Few things beat getting lost in a great book – except perhaps enjoying it with a perfectly brewed drink in hand.

A good book is a travel essential, packed in the hope of finally finding a quiet moment to get lost in its pages. Across Australia, bookshop cafes offer the perfect setting to do just that. With shelves filled with literary treasures and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee (or a glass of wine), these spaces bring together the best of both worlds: stories and sips. Whether you’ve brought a novel or are searching for your next great read, these bookshop cafes invite you to browse, linger and indulge.

1. The Chestnut Tree Bookshop & Cafe, West Footscray, Vic

The Chestnut Tree in Victoria — This bookshop has book clubs for everyone.

Tucked away in a vibrant neighbourhood on the edge of Melbourne, this bookshop is more than just a place to browse – it’s a community hub with heart. Passionate about giving back, The Chestnut Tree supports local schools, donates to the neighbourhood house and supports environmental initiatives. It’s as much a place for coffee catchups as for finding your next great read. Settle into a cosy corner with a coffee and a sweet treat – cookies, gingerbread or the ever-popular Smarties cookie and a babycino for the kids. It’s a place where books, conversation and community come together.

If you’re looking to join a book club (Mums and Bubs, ‘Decolonise Your Bookshelf’, General Fiction and Junior are few) or connect with local writing clubs and festivals, there’s something for every book lover here.

2. Willows & Wine, West Melbourne, Vic

interior of Willows and Wine bookstore — Willows and Wine is all about books, wine, cheese and good times.

Ever heard of a book cellar? Willows & Wine isn’t quite a bookstore, nor a wine cellar, and it’s not exactly a cafe – it’s an intimate, dimly lit retreat where books, wine and good food come together underground.

This cosy spot has a curated selection of books you won’t always find in traditional bookstores. The shelves highlight works by Black, Brown and First Nations authors alongside a mix of new and second-hand titles. Online sales aren’t offered as Willows & Wine’s mission is to create an in-person experience worth lingering over.

Books line the walls alongside bottles of wine, setting the scene for long, leisurely visits. The menu features cheese and charcuterie boards, gourmet mushroom or cauliflower toasties, and small plate items like olives and purple potato crisps. Whether you’re in the mood for a read, wine, beer, cocktails, tea or coffee, there’s something to suit every taste.

3. Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore, Bondi Beach, NSW

exterior of Gertrude and Alice — This Bondi Beach hotspot is a go-to for coffee and literature lovers.

If you’re after a bookshop cafe where you might sip coffee beside a celebrity, Gertrude & Alice in Bondi Beach is the place to be. Although don’t expect any fanfare, A-listers are treated just like locals here. This independent bookstore, named after literary icons Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas has been a local institution for 24 years. With 25,000 new and second-hand titles, books fill floor-to-ceiling shelves. Communal seating encourages discussions between strangers that, over the years, have sparked friendships and even a love story – one couple who met here later returned to tie the knot in the store. The cafe serves a selection of classic cafe dishes and is famous for its lentil stew and chai tea.

4. Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore, Paddington, NSW

interior of Ampersand bookstore and cafe in Paddington, NSW — Ampersand Cafe is widely recognised for a good reason.

Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore is a literary haven that’s earned global recognition. Ranked 11th among the world’s most likable bookstores in 2023, and listed among the top 150 bookstores to visit before you die, the store has 30,000 books spread across three floors. Its collection spans all major genres alongside rare and collectible second-hand finds.

But this place isn’t just about the books. The cafe serves an extensive menu of fresh, house-made meals, from brunch classics to hearty pies and salads. They also make their own chai tea, bircher muesli and granola which add to its charm. Whether you’re here for a page-turner or a perfectly brewed cup, Ampersand is a place to linger.

5. Miles & Henry Bookstore Cafe, Alstonville, NSW

This store’s motto is “Come for a browse, stay for a while." Inspired by bookshop cafes around the world, Miles & Henry is a passion project brought to life by Kerry Tolson — an avid traveller, writer and collector of all things vintage. The idea first took root in a bookshop in Nepal, where she sat surrounded by pre-loved books, sipping chai and dreaming of one day creating her own literary haven.

Named in tribute to two trailblazing Australian writers – Miles Franklin and Henry Handel Richardson – Miles & Henry is a place where carefully curated books, cosy reading nooks and a welcoming cafe come together. With a fresh, locally sourced menu, visitors are invited to browse the books and soak up the atmosphere with a cup of coffee in hand.

6. Whileaway Books & Coffee, Port Douglas, Qld

Whileaway Bookshop in Port Douglas — Come to this Port Douglas gem for a relaxed afternoon.

Nestled among the rainforest and reef, Whileaway offers a book selection that reflects its stunning surroundings. From holiday reads to deeper explorations of Port Douglas to new releases, owners Sarah and Jon ensure there’s something for everyone.

For Sarah, owning Whileaway was always more than a passing thought. She first worked here 15 years ago as a barista, quietly imagining what it would be like to run the store herself. That romantic dream became reality three years ago when she and Jon took over. Now, visitors can browse the shelves before enjoying coffee and a bite to eat in the air-conditioned cafe or under the shaded outdoor seating. And if you’d rather stay by your nearby hotel pool, order a book online and Jon will personally deliver it – so you don’t even need to leave your lounge chair.

7. Millpoint Caffe Bookshop, South Perth, WA

Milpoint Cafe interiors — Millpoint Cafe’s historic spot is a drawcard for many book lovers.

Could there be anything better than a bookshop in a heritage-listed building that was once home to renowned author T.A.G. Hungerford? Yes – one with a cafe too! Millpoint Caffe Bookshop has been a beloved independent bookstore in South Perth for over 15 years.

The crew here love being asked for reading suggestions but are just as happy for you to browse at your own pace. The store champions local and Australian authors and also stocks a wide range of genres to suit all tastes. The adjoining cafe is just as much of a draw, known for its legendary coffee scrolls.

8. Fullers Bookshop, Hobart, Tas

cafe in Fullers Bookshop — The folks at Fullers Bookshop are experts in books, and apparently in coffee, too.

A cornerstone of Hobart’s literary scene for over a century, Fullers Bookshop is renowned for its large selection of new and second-hand books and staff who have a reputation as “masterful recommenders." Their book buyer has been curating selections for over 30 years, earning a reputation as one of the best in the business, according to staff.

Tucked within this award-winning bookseller is Afterword Cafe. With a buzzy atmosphere, great coffee and talked-about toasties, the Hobart cafe hosts over 150 book events and book clubs each year – one of the largest event programs in the country.

The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

The Mornington Peninsula can be the kind of place where salt-tangled hair feels like a badge of honour – proof you’ve been somewhere wild, raw and real. Peel back the layers and you’ll discover stories that anchor this region to something other than its famed food and wine.

This land is the traditional Sea Country of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people. Long before grapevines were planted and artisanal goods were crafted, the Bunurong Traditional Owners lived in deep connection with the land and sea. Today, places such as Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary echo that tradition, with families exploring its rockpools in search of colourful sea stars and crabs at low tide and learning how these fragile ecosystems have been cared for across countless generations.

a group of people visiting the Port Nepean National Park — Take in the rugged coastal landscape at Port Nepean National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

A visit to Point Nepean National Park feels like stepping back through time. The fort, built in 1882, protected the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay until the end of the Second World War. It was here that the first Allied shot of the First World War was fired – at a German cargo ship trying to escape just hours after war was declared. Nearby, the old Quarantine Station, one of Australia’s first permanent quarantine facilities, established in 1852, still stands. Walking through the hospital and disinfecting complex evokes stories of those who arrived from faraway shores.

Not far from here is a story of survival that inspired the Aussie phrase ‘you’ve got Buckley’s chance’. In 1803, escaped convict William Buckley vanished into the bush near what’s now Sorrento. Everyone thought he had no hope of surviving, but he reappeared 32 years later, having lived with local Aboriginal people.

Even the waters here hold history. The infamous stretch known as The Rip, just three kilometres wide at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, is among the most treacherous waterways. Countless ships were lost here in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1967, Australia’s own Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming off the coast, never to be found.

a seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay — A seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

But for all its danger, the sea here also holds extraordinary beauty. Dolphins are often seen near Sorrento’s cliffs, while below the surface, seagrass meadows and rocky reefs teem with life. Marine tours offer a viewing to this underwater wonderland, while back on terra firma, walking trails lead along beaches, through coastal scrub, and over rock pools.

And if you think you’ll forget about the Mornington Peninsula once you’ve left? You’ve got Buckley’s chance.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the suite interior at InterContinental Sorrento — Luxury interiors at the historic InterContinental Sorrento. (Image: Greg Elms)

Point Nepean Discovery Tents is immersive glamping beside the historic Quarantine Station. Or upgrade to luxury at the 1875-built InterContinental Sorrento .

Playing there

an aerial view of Cape Schanck Lighthouse — Make your way to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Bayplay Adventure Tours offer eco-adventures from snorkelling with sea dragons to kayaking with dolphins and cycling Point Nepean. Cape Schanck Lighthouse is fascinating to explore on a guided tour, which takes you into the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage.

Eating there

Portsea Hotel is a beautifully restored 1876 Tudor-style pub right on the beach, serving seasonal local fare.