Daunt Books in Marylebone takes the top spot, thanks to its stunning Edwardian interiors and exceptional book selection.
London has long been a literary powerhouse, home to legendary writers like Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Dickens, as well as modern icons like Zadie Smith, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Bernardine Evaristo. With such a rich literary heritage, it’s no wonder the city boasts an incredible array of bookshops catering to every kind of reader.
From classic novels and glossy coffee table books to rare antiquarian finds and indie comics, London’s bookstores offer something for everyone. In Time Out’s newly updated list of the city’s 45 best bookshops, one particular spot has claimed the number one title.
London’s top bookshop
For dedicated book lovers, the winner won’t come as a surprise. The original branch of Daunt Books in Marylebone, said to be the world’s first custom-built bookshop, has been crowned the best in the city. With its breathtaking Edwardian design—featuring oak balconies, conservatory-style ceilings, viridian-green walls, and stained-glass windows—Daunt is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the mind.
Beyond its Instagram-worthy interiors, Daunt Books is a haven for literature. Specializing in travel writing, the store offers a carefully curated selection of guidebooks, maps, history books, travelogues, language references, and fiction, all neatly arranged by country. But its shelves extend far beyond travel—literary fiction, biographies, and gardening books are also well-represented.
Who else made the list?
Taking second place is Bookmongers, a beloved second-hand bookshop on Brixton’s Coldharbour Lane, where customers can browse an eclectic collection under the watchful eye of the shop’s resident cat, Popeye. Foyles, the iconic bookseller with its massive flagship store on Charing Cross Road, rounds out the top three.
Want to explore more? Check out Time Out’s full list of the best bookshops in London, covering everything from stylish boutique bookstores to the largest bookshop in Europe, second-hand treasure troves, and niche specialists.
For World Book Day, we also spoke to five authors about the books that best capture the essence of London. Photo by Ewan-M / Ewan Munro, Wikimedia commons.