Kelly & Walsh is home to a great selection of coffee table books, classic and contemporary literature and what has to be one of the city’s most impressive culinary book collections.

Passionate about encouraging and supporting a love of reading, Kelly & Walsh regularly hosts author visits and author events.

Kelly & Walsh Pacific Place, Shop 204, L2 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2522 5744

Kelly & Walsh The Landmark, Shop B59-60, B1/F Landmark, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2801 6131, kellyandwalsh.com

Don’t miss: 11 Round Coffee Tables That Will Make an Artistic Statement

Tucked away on Chancery Lane and shrouded by trees, this sanctuary is home to a remarkable collection of rare, signed and first edition books that include works of modern and classic literature, children’s literature, food and wine, history and travel, economics and finance, and sport and hobbies. 

Lok Man Rare Books’ website stays up to date about what’s in store, but we highly recommend visiting the store itself—accidentally coming across a first edition copy of classics such as Truman Capote’s Breakfast At Tiffany’s or Richard Adams’ Watership Down is an experience that any book lover deserves to experience.

Lok Man Rare Books, 6 Chancery Lane, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2868 1056; lokmanbooks.com

Read also: Feeling Stressed? These Books Can Help You Find Inner Calm

True to its name, Muse exists to provide inspiration with its meticulously curated selection of beautifully crafted books.

A hidden gem housed in the basement of Hotel Stage, Muse comprises a cafe, a small art gallery and of course, a bookstore housing titles that range in topics from plants to retro Hong Kong-style apothecary labels and plenty of art, as well as stunning illustrated books made from textured silkscreen.

Muse Art & Books, B/F, Hotel Stage, 1 Chi Wo Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 3953 2222

Don’t miss: 5 Travel Books For Your Wanderlust Needs

For 20 years, Flow Books has been the go-to store in Hong Kong for both brand new books and second-hand bargains.

Amongst novels and textbooks, this cosy oasis in Sheung Wan is also a treasure trove of collectables such as first editions, out-of-print titles and even auction items. 

Flow Books, 1F-G, Kai Fung Mansion, No.189–205 Queen's Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, +852 9278 5664; flowbooks.net

Don’t miss: Neighbourhood Guide: Where To Eat, Drink And Shop In Sheung Wan

Housed in the same complex as Broadway Cinematheque, a cluster of four cinemas that boasts the city’s most varied programming and home to many of the city’s film festivals is a charming bookstore named Kubrick (named after director Stanley Kubrick, naturally). 

As well as housing Hong Kong’s best selection of film, art and other lifestyle books, a huge selection of DVDs and movie memorabilia, the community-driven venue also has a charming cafe and hosts regular talks and workshops with local writers and filmmakers. 

Kubrick, 3 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2384 8929; kubrick.com.hk

Don’t miss: 8 Record Stores to Visit in Hong Kong

Taking over three floors and more than 40,000 square feet of Hysan Place in Causeway Bay, Taiwanese chain eslite has tens of thousands of titles to choose from—over a third of which are in English.

There’s also a dedicated and extremely diverse magazine section, lots of corner sections selling quirky lifestyle products and even a built-in Moleskine concession should you feel inspired to unleash the writer in you.

If you’re in Kowloon, eslite also has a branch in Tsim Sha Tsui that’s equally as impressive, complete with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour.

eslite, 8/F-10/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 3419 6789; eslitecorp.com

Read also: 9 New Books You Should Read in January 2022

This family-run business was established by the couple, Mohan and Nisha Mirchandani in 1985 with Mhan coming from a family of booksellers and later passing down the business to their daughters Shonee and Arti, who now run the book chain.

Bookazine is one of Hong Kong’s leading chains of independent English-language bookshops with selections ranging from fiction, children’s stories, food and wine, travel and so much more. The company now has numerous branches across the city and holds occasional events such as book signings, talks and workshops.

Bookazine, various locations, bookazine.com.hk

Don’t miss: Where to Get Books Delivered to Your Home in Hong Kong

Calling all bibliophiles and coffeeholics. Books & Co is the perfect place to hang out and spend hours browsing through their selection of books.

Grab one of their titles over a stack of overflowing books and enjoy a cup of coffee. Located in downtown Hong Kong, the bookstore slash cafe is definitely a great choice if you’re looking for some quiet time. The bookstore is also a popular filming and Instagram spot and recently spotted there is Mirror’s Anson Lo.

Books & Co, 10 Park Road, Mid-Levels, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2559 5199, facebook.com/BooksAndCo

Don’t miss: The Best Cafes and Coffee Shops to Work From in Hong Kong

The Commercial Press is one of the leading book publishers in the city as well as a leading bookstore chain.

Over the years, it has put great effort into promoting culture and education by introducing different types of books that range from art, pictorial books on history and culture, reference books and textbooks, which are their most notable publication. So if you’re looking for academic titles, The Commercial Press is your go-to bookstore.

The Commerical Press, various locations, +852 2334 7217, cp1897.com.hk

Read also: 10 Beautiful Bookstores Around the World

Cosmos Books offers a variety of English and Chinese books on top of organising book fairs and press conferences for new book releases.

Their selection of social science and translation titles are among the best in the city. Next time you're in Wan Chai, don’t forget to put Cosmos Books on your radar.

F, Basement & 1, 30 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai, +852 2866 1677, cosmosbooks.com.hk

Read also: Neighbourhood Guide: Where To Eat, Drink And Shop In Wan Chai

If you’re looking for a place that specialises in antique, first edition and out-of-print books, Lily Bookshop is the place to be. Here, you’ll find classic novels and autobiographies that you probably can’t find anywhere else.

The store also sells English and Chinese secondhand titles. Hidden inside a building, Lily Bookshop isn’t that obvious amidst the bustling crowds in Central but it’s a treasure trove of rare finds.

Lily Bookshop, 1/F, Kai Fung Building, 189–205 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 6977 5833, facebook.com.lilybookshophk

This article was originally published on July 17, 2019 and was updated on January 18, 2022.

NOW READ

Stuck in Quarantine? Here are 7 Worthwhile and Meaningful Books to Read

5 Books and Podcasts to Help You Create a Sustainable Beauty Routine

15 Must-Read Books by Asian Authors