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.

Mythical, historical and most of all, spectacularly beautiful, Buchan Caves demands you take your time – and a tour.

In the pools of water, so still they could be mirrors, the reflections of the stalactites make these limestone towers seem even taller. Almost 400 million years ago, an underground river carved through the rock to create the Buchan Caves . Now, artworks created by dripping water adorn these subterranean galleries: stalactites hanging from the ceiling, pillars connecting some to the ground, even curtain-like wave formations clinging to the stone.

Visit the caves for the day or stay onsite in the campground or at the self-contained Caves House. (Image: Ben Savage)

“This is called the Fairy Cave because it’s full of fairy dust,” a guide tells visitors as they enter a cavern glittering with “calcite that’s solidified into thousands of tiny little diamond shapes”. Buchan Caves is Victoria’s largest cave system, but Fairy Cave is a highlight and, along with nearby Royal Cave, is accessible only by tour. Naturally cold, naturally dark, these caverns deep below the surface light up as the local experts tell their stories.

couple walking in cave — You’ll need to book a guided tour to see the caves. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Among the hundreds of caves, some can be easily accessed from the surface. For instance, a casual stroll along the FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk, as kangaroos watch on from beneath acacia trees, leads into the 400-metre-long Federal Cave and its natural steps of white limestone. A slightly longer track, the Granite Pools Walk heads through soaring forest down into moss-covered gullies where the calls of lyrebirds trill through the leaves.

A quick history lesson on Buchan Caves

Among the geology and the nature are millennia of history. This part of East Gippsland connects the high country to the coast and was long a place of refuge for the local Gunaikurnai people on seasonal migrations to the mountains. Archaeological studies show humans lived here up to 18,000 years ago, with artefacts such as small stone tools found around the site. But not too far into the caverns – oh no! The Gunaikurnai didn’t dare venture deep into the dark at Buchan Caves, telling stories they were inhabited by gnome-like nyols (small grey-skinned creatures that could steal memories).

The Buchan Caves Hotel was rebuilt after burning down in 2014. (Image: Jess Shapiro)

By the early 1900s, more people had started to hear about these incredible caves and so the Moon family set up home at the site and started to run tours below ground for intrepid visitors. More than a century later, their historic residence is available as accommodation, with the three-bedroom house sleeping up to eight people and now equipped with modern amenities the Moons could only have dreamt of.

But whether you stay overnight or just spend the day here, it’s worth taking your time to explore more than just the main caves, to get a deeper understanding of one of Victoria’s fascinating geological attractions.