Lisbon Bookstores For English Speakers
I am a committed life-long book worm. A love that’s seen me work in books on and off throughout my life. From being the GM of a successful bookstore chain, to working with precious rare & antique books…you could call it a minor obsession.
Lovely local bookshops like Bertrands or Ler Devegar have their own charms but limited English selections that are basic and uninspired. Thankfully, Lisbon now has a few English bookstores around town and seem to be doing well! These are small, individual businesses with perfectly handpicked selections and great - if not somewhat niche - taste. So put down that kindle and enjoy the comfort only a real book can bring!
If you’re looking for some reading material specifically on/from Portugal, you can check out my list here.
Good Company
This store is everything a bookshop should be. The staff are true book nerds, who greet you warmly upon entry. Regulars chat with the staff who willingly engage about whatever they’re reading. There are also a few handwritten notes around the store where they share their recommendations. The selection is small but curated like the following recommendations below but I feel the fiction crosses a few more genres than the others. The coffee is great here, though I have yet to try their food or wine. There is cafe seating outside and downstairs is for working, leaving the upstairs a laptop-free zone which is nice. They have book clubs and author events also.
Salted Books
Not gonna lie, I find the vibes opposite to the above with minimal staff engagement as they sit at the POS on their phones. The upside being, if you want to browse the best selection of literary and of-the-moment fiction, you can do so here in peace. While still small, the largest selection of contemporary female authors is here, the non-fic is decent and the children’s selection is easily the best. This is the store I come to most regularly and have never walked away without a book I’ve been excited about, even if the in-store experience tends to be slightly lacklustre.
Note: As I publish this the ownership is changing hands so perhaps the in-store experience will change.
Bestie Tip: The slogan on their bags is fabulous and perfect for your instagram.
Fable
A tucked away little gem, this place brings together two of my favourite things - coffee and books. The cafe upstairs does a great flat white, as well as healthy food (and a fantastic mural). The books are downstairs. It’s probably the smallest selection of the stores but owner Melissa has chosen the best zeitgeisty fiction and non fic. From biographies to spirituality, gender & queer themes, self improvement and entrepreneurship, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone. The staff are always lovely and they also do regular writers workshops and the like if that’s your thing.
Under The Cover
Calling all my artsy, foodie, design orientated, travel loving, style conscious, culture obsessed, creatively minded bestieeeees! Here is your new favourite place.
The books here are international magazines, journals and large books covering every subject that makes life worth living. Everything here is contemporary, cool, stimulating. But not in an intimidating way. This is where you can re-kindle your love of Monocle, Granta & Kinfolk, but also find something completely unique. Typography? Tea drinking? Tennis Courts? Celebrating queerness? City planning? It’s here.
I firmly believe every major city should have a store like this. Definitely worth a look when you’re near the Gulbekian. Extra points for the great store name.
Bestie Tip: When you’re stuck for a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person, come here.