Give Me The Mike’s Best of Minnesota Guides are presented by the Desrochers Realty Group and eXp Realty
There is something special about perusing the aisles and shelves of a peaceful, welcoming bookstore. The staff are intellectual and offer fantastic suggestions.
That is always better than scrolling though suggestions from some random who posted their hot takes on an Amazon review.
I took to my Facebook page, and asked people on Reddit, to learn what bookstores are the best in the Twin Cities. I divided the selections by genre. A note: I did not include an used books section as many of these stores sell and accept used books.
If you have a recommendation that is not listed, let me know by filling out the comment form at the bottom of this page.
Originally post February 2021, updated January 2026
All genres, new print
Magers & Quinn Booksellers
3038 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis 55408
Next Chapter Booksellers
38 Snelling Avenue S, Saint Paul 55105
Content Bookstore
314 Division Street S, Northfield 55057
Fair Trade Books
320 Bush Street #2526, Red Wing 55066
Moon Palace Books
3032 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis 55406
Rare, Out of Print Books
The Book House in Dinkytown
1316 Fourth Street SE Unit 201, Minneapolis 55414
Midway Book Store
1579 University Avenue W, Saint Paul 55104
Scout & Morgan Books
114 Buchanan Street N, Cambridge 55008
Sci-Fi, Mystery
Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore and Uncle Edgar’s Mystery Bookstore
2716 E 31st St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Their original building in Minneapolis was burned down following the death of George Floyd.
DreamHaven Books
2301 E 38th Street, Minneapolis 55406
Once Upon a Crime
604 W 26th Street, Minneapolis 55405
History
Mayday Bookstore
301 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis 55454
Subtext Books
6 W Fifth Street, Saint Paul 55102
Children’s
Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul 55105
Wild Rumpus
2720 W 43rd Street, Minneapolis 55410
BIPOC
Black Garnet Books
2836 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis 55408
Birchbark Books & Native Arts
2115 W 21st Street, Minneapolis 55405
Did you enjoy this roundup of the favorite bookstores in the Twin Cities? Check out my other Best of Minnesota Guides
- 5 best places to play bingo in Minnesota
- 5 best meat raffles in Minnesota
- Hidden gems at the 5 best museums in Minnesota
- 20 Mexican restaurants in Minnesota worth the trip
- The best ice cream shops in Minnesota
- The best restaurant, brewery and winery patios in Minnesota
- 17 best restaurants for breakfast in Minnesota
- 5 best bakeries in Minnesota
- 5 best holiday light displays in Minnesota
- 5 best coffee shops in Minnesota
- 5 best pizzerias in Minnesota
- 7 top spots for a margarita in the Twin Cities
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Excellent choices, and we are lucky to have so many awesome bookstores in our area! I’d like to make an addition to your list: Irreverent Bookworm at 53rd & Bloomington in Minneapolis, just West of Lake Nokomis.
It is woman/family-owned and is open to online orders (free local shipping for orders over $15 or free curbside pickup, free shipping for nationwide orders over $50), or you can shop in-store by appointment.