Hippie used bookstore and coffee shop. Was a bit busy in here. The prices are great though for good coffee. I got the lavender latte with pistachio added. They have alternative milk options. They also have food. They have a small bathroom. You might have to wait a bit for your order. Very nice service. read more

See all

Delicious espresso options, whimsical pastries, the sweetest vibe, and an excellent variety of used books. Whether you're visiting from out of town, or on the hunt for a new haunt, you HAVE to stop here! What a gem! read more

Shelf Indulgence Used Book Cafe - Bathroom wall graffiti - Used Bookstore Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

Overall the place is a quaint bookstore that has a built in coffee shop. The place is quite tiny but has seating for around 15 people. Books range from all shapes and sizes. I had the cinnamon bun coffee with almond milk. Coffee was ok but lacked the normal balance between coffee and milk that you usually find in an almond milk lattee. No latte art - not necessarily a deal breaker but would be a nice touch. Workers were very friendly and offered to help me find a book if I needed help. read more

This place is just wonderful. It's got a great vibe. I stopped in for a laid back morning activity and had a great time. The owner is super friendly and welcoming. There was a rotating group of regulars, so lots of people to chat a bit with. I had a Honeybee latte, which was just sweet enough without being too sweet, a hard balance to hit, and hot and served in a real mug. I found a stack of books that they are shipping home for me, a nice balance of fiction and non, and a couple of things that I had been interested in reading anyway. I'm only in town for a few days, but I wouldn't mind going back! read more

Shelf Indulgence Used Book Cafe - bookshelf - Used Bookstore Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

love it! Great coffee, food (I got a chicken pesto sandwich) books, and environment. They give a punch card with each purchase too!

Loved this cute cute place. While I love an old, dusty used bookstore--- this place is NOT that. It's spotless and bright! My only {minor} {complaint?} issue is that the chairs aren't super comfortable for sitting and eating and reading...... The people working here took my book list and did the [personal shopper] thing for me and went and found things for me. Absolutely lovely! The coffee was amazing and they started a tab for me so I could hang out and even brought me the coffee. These small touches were so so welcome and appreciated!!!!! Great place with a positive vibe and important social mission!!!! Loved it-!!!! read more

Shelf Indulgence Used Book Cafe - a cup of coffee - Used Bookstore Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

I have yet to visit in person, it's on my list. But I constantly order lunch from here on doordash. These are the BEST panini sandwiches and for such a good price. Everything is so fresh, especially the bread and the produce. Portions are good size, and the sides are delicious. No complaints about their food. My new favorite place to order for lunch. So much better than fast food and cheaper too! read more

Great atmosphere! I had a caramel latte hot. Delicious. Nice place to come and enjoy the atmosphere.

Such a wonderful local bookstore and a great atmosphere. They even have vegan treats. :)

I went here for the first time back in 2017 & I really enjoyed the food & atmosphere. Decided to go back today & I enjoyed it just as much! I tried their bbq chicken quesadilla's and my boyfriend ordered the cinnamon bun latte & it was all so good! It's such a cozy bookstore/cafe & the staff is always welcoming! read more

See all

Really surprising find in Sarasota! Cafe first, used bookstore second, this place is adorable with charm and character but also really good food. I ordered an iced coffee and a ham and cheese panini with a side of fruit. Coffee was nice and rich. The panini was excellent. Cheese was melted very nicely and had a perfect balance with the delicious sweet ham, tomato and honey mustard. Portion size was also good, particularly for the sandwich. Coffee came out immediately, whereas the panini took a minute, but I imagine that's because of staffing shortages. Everyone working was beyond friendly! read more

Shelf Indulgence Used Book Cafe - Outside - Used Bookstore Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

Great little coffee shop/book store in Sarasota. Great food and drink options, lots of book options, and the employees were always happy and gave some great book recs! read more

Friendly staff, great coffee. I loved just sitting here sipping my drink and browsing the books!

From the food, to the teas & coffees, to the books, to the company of the employees, Shelf Indulgence is top notch from start to finish. It is my go-to place to take friends who are visiting. No matter what their taste in books, Shelf has them covered. I also appreciate how if there is a specific book I'm looking for, they are able to find it and order it for me if they don't have it already. I truly cannot say enough good things to express just how amazing this place is. It is the hidden gem of SRQ and if you haven't been, you need to go ASAP!!! read more

This little gem is just what Sarasota has been missing! Inside you'll find cozy seating surrounded by beautiful books, some old, some new, and something for everyone to read. We immediately found three books that just had to come home with us. Try the London Fog tea: it's so good, I was craving it the next day. For anyone with pets, someone had their dog in here and the owner gave him a treat, so I'll assume it is dog-friendly. read more

The staff was knowledgeable about the books and helpful with recommendations. There is a variety of used books, organized by genre. I noticed a lot of orders for the avocado toast, but I just tried an iced decaf latte. It tasted more like iced coffee than latte, but it's probably not their speciality (don't let it detour you). There is indoor and outdoor seating, perfect for a rest, chat or read. read more

A bibliophile hot spot. The essence of this place truly feels like home. The lavender latte I had was exceptional, as well as the 10-15 books I thrifted. So happy this bookstore cafe found me. Will be back next time I visit Sarasota! read more

Very friendly staff. Way better than big corporate coffee shops. You can tell they appreciate your business! Great books and of course great coffee. Very cozy and quaint. read more

They do a great job. It's nice to spend money with real people instead of a chain. Give 'em a shot, you'll like it,... read more

Little gem of a small bookstore, great service & coffee. Books are in great shape, nicely priced and my son even found a few comics. Absolutely worth the trip! read more

Such a cute little store with tons of books. I have yet to try their food, but their espresso drinks are great! Staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable! They also accept used books, which I love, appreciate, and much more prefer than dropping them off at some thrift store. read more

This place is a treasure in our city. Good food, excellent book selection and a rich, stimulating environment that is becoming more rare these days. Please go and let your friends know as well. read more

My boyfriend and I visited yesterday for lunch! We traveled from Fort Myers to take a small trip, but wanted to go somewhere we felt safe during these times. We got there by the last hour, so it was not at all crowded, and the seats are decently spaced if you're not the only customer there. The barista was super friendly and the space is so adorable! There are a wide selection of books for great prices. We had these amazing food items as pictured! Totally forgot what they were called, and don't want to mislead anyone, but one of them was a chicken salad wrap while the other was this honey ham with melted cheese and sliced apples on cranberry bread. Perfect after a good drive! We had a simple iced americano and their speciality coffee honey chai latte. Very rich in taste. We took espresso brownies (wish I had taken pictures of those as well) to go before they officially closed and those were AMAZING. Overall, a really great place to visit for lunch. ** These times are tough for small businesses, and we really recommend this cute restaurant to those who appreciate an authentic and relaxing environment with some good coffee. Prices are also really affordable if you're on a budget, and you're still getting a great quality in service and food for what you're paying. (We are so jealous of the locals - wish we could be there every week now!) read more

See all

Ran out of reading material on vacation and found this lovely little coffee shop with a large selection of well organized used books. Coffee was delicious too. read more

Very cute cafe/bookstore! I can't comment on the food (I didn't order anything), but the selection of used books was pretty decent for the small space! And the staff were absolutely lovely and very eager to help (as well as let you mill about if you say you're just browsing). read more

What a gem of a place! Fantastic vibes, amazing coffee, great books at great prices, and friendly staff. So glad we found this place!

I have come here a few times, and I can confidently say this is my favorite cafe in Sarasota. I love that it's both a bookstore and a good place to have coffee or a meal. The baristas are kind and are also very knowledgeable about the books they carry. It's also a good place to study. read more

Wow! What a comfy, sweet place this is. small but relaxing. Books surrounding me. Like a coming home. The ladies running this cafe are so kind & accommodating. My latte was good & the price is so fair. Been open over 2 years...what took me so long to find this gem?! read more

A great selection of used books at very reasonable prices. The drinks are really good and the staff is really friendly!

I LOVED Shelf Indulgence!! It truly brings all of my favorite things together: used books, coffee, and baked goods. They had a great selection of used books, staff recommendations, and blind dates with books. Please support this fantastic local business! read more

What a fantastic surprise! I just happened upon this little book shop after enjoying Leaf & Lentil for lunch. I purchased 3 kids books and 1 for myself. I'll be back for something yummy from their menu & probably a few more books! read more

My review here might be a little biased, as I used to work at the previous business that was here some time ago. So start things off, the place has a really nice selection of books, and had some great music on while I was here. My favorite part about this place is it is like an escape for me. I feel a sense of productivity, and I can actually get a few things done while I'm here. Another favorite part of this shop is the warm conversations you receive from whoever is working. Every time I've come here, the people that are working will have a nice conversation with you, and will actually go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your time spent here, which is something you can't get at a lot of places. Great coffee, great books, great prices, and a generally great place to spend a few hours, I definitely will say I will be coming back here. read more

this place is so cute. not only do they serve up some good sammies,, but they have tons of used books all around the shop that u can purchased. and I am a sucker for books to be honest. I believe I had the Greek sandwich and it was a great way to start my day read more

Coming here is like walking into your grandmas house after a long stressful day. The atmosphere and sense of calmness here is so reassuring and welcoming. You can work on a puzzle or read a book while you wait for you food made by one of the sweetest people in Sarasota. Everything is made to order and packed with tons of love and flavor. Get the Cheddar Apple Panini, it's iconic. read more

Shelf Indulgence Used Book Cafe - Used Bookstore Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Such a cute little spot. Great selection of used books and it's very well organized. I was pleasantly surprised the food was very good too!

Favorite Cafe/ bookstore in town! Best vibes. When I need a book I always check here first, to support a local business and buy second hand books. read more

We just visited this fabulous store with our three children and mother-in-law who is traveling with us. The owner was so gracious and helpful. I had a delicious latte and we purchased several well-priced items that are in great condition - everything from a chess game for our son to a graphic novel for his twin sister, a nonfiction for my husband and several reads for my mother-in-law as well as a gift for my nephew. It was such a pleasant visit. We highly recommend! Note: we had just eaten so we didn't try them but the baked goods looked delicious, too! read more

Found this place on a walk and have now gone there four days in a row. Cookies are great, friendly staff and a variety of paninis and lunch options. I even took my mother-in-law reluctantly (she doesn't try new things easily) and she loved it. Bought a few good books too. read more

This place is wonderful! My new local favorite. I have lived in the area for two years now and this is hands down my favorite cafe that I stumbled upon several months ago. Great coffee & tea , great atmosphere, & genuinely nice people who run the place! 5 stars all the way. (Not to mention the awesome selection of books to read and purchase as you enjoy your coffee. Super cozy!!) read more

Gingerbread hot coco with an espresso shot.....YES! This coffee shop is comfortable and inviting. The book selection is fun and unique and I felt very comfortable browsing the books while drinking my coffee. It's a small cafe, but my family of 4 all found a comfortable spot to sit. The barista was super friendly and personable. Our adult son and his girlfriend visited about 2 weeks later and had the same wonderful experience! read more