6 of the Best Bookshops in Dubai

Looking to for a book to curl up with on the couch, mama? Luckily, Dubai’s got a number of great bookstores to pick up prose for every member of the family and keep everybody entertained. From pre-loved goodies to whatever’s shiny and new, these bookshops in Dubai are the places to pick up your next page turner. Not sure what to get for the kiddos? Check out our summer reading guide for inspo.

Bookmunch Café

We’ve sung praises for this quirky little café and with good reason too. Run by one of our Sassiest Mamas Dareen Charafeddine, it’s part beautiful reading nook, awesome resto and wonderfully curated bookstore. With selections perfect for both mama and bub (seriously, their kids selection is fantastic), it’s a bibliophile’s dream come true with a great community as well – they run poetry and movie nights amongst other fun activities for bookworms.

Bookmunch Café, Al Wasl Square, Al Wasl, Jumeirah, Dubai
(+971) (0)4 388 4006, www.bookmunchcafe.com

Bookworld

Want to give a story another lease on life? This behemoth second hand bookstore is piled high with books, books and more books that you just won’t be able to find at all the other chain stores. If you’re looking to stray away from the New York Times hotties and go for something a little more obscure, here’s the place to do it and keep your wallet nice and heavy.

Bookworld, Plant Street, Satwa, Dubai
04 349 1914, www.facebook.com/DubaiBooks

Bookworm

This one’s just for the tots, mama! Bookworm is a kids-only haven for voracious little readers, with an amazing collection stocking everything from the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid installment to classic Roald Dahl. It’s not just books you’ll find here either: walk through the aisles and you’ll see toys and audiobooks amongst the pages. Tip: head over on Thursday morning at 10:30am for a story session in a gorgeous fairy lit Arabic tent!

Bookworm, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah Road, Dubai
(+971) (0)4 394 5770, www.facebook.com/bookwormdubai

House of Prose

Looking to save a couple of dirhams? House of Prose is one of Dubai’s favourite pre-loved bookstores with more than twenty years in the business and a buyback policy that has us grinning. They’ve got shops in Jumeirah Plaza and Dubai Garden Centre for you to peruse. There’s just no beating the charming curl of golden pages and that old book smell…

House of Prose, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
(971) (0)4 344 9021, www.houseofprose.com

House of Prose, Dubai Garden Centre, Al Quoz, Dubai
(971) (0)4 344 9021, www.houseofprose.com

Kinokuniya

Ask any book lover worth their salt where to get that book everyone’s buzzing about and they’ll probably point you in Kinokuniya’s direction. This Japanese chain has easily some of the biggest stores in Dubai and as such have a huge selection, meaning you’ll be able to find the shiniest new books on their shelves at prices that won’t hurt. Just be careful to keep an eye on the time mama, you’ll be spending hours in there before you know it.

Kinokuniya, The Dubai Mall, Level 2, SF-025, Financial Centre Road, Downtown Burj Khalifa, PO 283578, Dubai
(+971) (0)4 434 0111, www.kinokuniya.com/ae

Magrudy’s

Magrudy’s is customer service to a T and it’s a big mama favourite, with loads of in-store promotions and events happening whenever you wander in. Not only can you snag the books that everybody’s been raving about, but there’s a great kids’ selection as well (did we mention we saw some great SAT prep and GCSE revision guides floating around?). Can’t find what you want? Not a problem, they can order it in for you and deliver it to your closest branch for pick up which is handy.

Magrudy’s, Magrudy’s Mall, Jumeirah, Dubai
(+971) (0)4 344 4193, www.magrudy.com

Magrudy’s, Ittihad Road, Sharjah Road, Dubai
(+971) (0)4 297 4321, www.magrudy.com