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    The Best Bookstore

    5.0 (15 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    I seen these Scammers on my social media feed saying the same type of food was the best they had at 20 different places
    Juan V.

    Walking through San Francisco it's good to see new businesses open up especially in the downtown area. What is really good to see is a new book store open in San Francisco. There are lots of good bookstores around San Francisco but a new bookstore claims to be the best bookstore. I am always intrigued when some restaurant in SF claims they have the best burgers , ramen , pizza, gyros , sushi , empanadas,sandwiches, croissants, dim sum, wings, matcha, and coffee. This bookstore makes the claim in its name and it's called Best Bookstore. On a Holiday stroll on Powell street in the heart of Downtown San Francisco next to Union Square there is a new book store with lots of interesting titles. Inside has lots of space to browse the latest books and some books recommended by the Best Bookstore staff. They also have magazines. There are lots of books of many different subject matters. Come to the Best Bookstore and buy a book as a Holiday gift . There is nothing better than reading and enjoying a good book indoors on a rainy night. Come to Downtown San Francisco on Powell street and "explore"on a stroll and see all the Christmas Holiday "decor" everywhere and see it on the retail "floor"and inside at the "Best Bookstore" The Best Bookstore is located on 226 Powell next to Sam's Cable Car Lounge" bar" across the street from the tracks of the "cable car " less than three blocks from the Starlite Room rooftop "star" and a block and half up the street from One65 Patisserie & Boutique which has Golden Ossetra "Caviar"

    Kathleen A.

    I'm so excited to have a bookstore in the union square area! We stopped by on our last trip into the city and were not disappointed. It was nice to walk into an organized and full store with people reading and discussing the latest best sellers. I have a sweet spot in my heart for bookstores that showcase books about the local area and the San Francisco table exceeded expectations. There were a few that are already in our collection and many more we get to explore. I'm looking forward to stopping by more often and picking up some enjoyable books.

    Front entry with handwritten notes of high level book reviews, bestsellers, and staff recommendations.
    Meghan H.

    A bookstore in Union Square? An independent bookstore? A team dedicated to books? Had the sweetest interaction here today and wish we lived in the city again to make this my local place. The team (especially Lillian!) clearly cares about helping customers finding books they want to read and will love. I appreciated the variety in book selection, handwritten signage, and also their small extras that have become synonymous with bookstores (stickers, cards, bookmarks). Definitely making it a point to support them on an ongoing basis.

    a bookshelf

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    2 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    18 days ago

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    7 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Lovely and knowledgeable staff, great book selection, bright space in this new bookstore, opened November. Looking forward to more events!!

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    7 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Gotta love a bookstore in the heart of SF. Surprisingly broad book selection for a small shop, and some cute gifts too.

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    7 months ago

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    Ask the Community - The Best Bookstore

    Review Highlights - The Best Bookstore

    A place like this deserves support, especially right now.

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    City Lights

    City Lights

    4.4
    (816 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    One of the neatest bookstores in the US. The Poetry room upstairs is wonderful. So much fun…read morehistory here to learn about. And this bookstores has some amazing staff book recommendations with little tags on the bookshelf telling you why they loved that book so much; found some great new finds that way. Dont forget to get your books stamped with their bookstores stamp on the way out!

    An amazing bookstore and so glad I asked chatGPT to give me some ideas for a stroll around SF near…read moreUnion Square. Well, ok, this place isnt close to Union Sq, about a mile away, but it was a perfect delicious end destination for a post dinner stroll! I like bookstores and I like eclectic, unique ones. I'll go to Barnes & Noble if I had no other choice, but my favorite bookstores are independent ones and ones where they carry very unique books you can't find elsewhere. This bookstore made my inner little nerdy self so happy. I immediately got lost up front looking at very recent publication by Ai Weiwei. I then wandered onto the main floor and found an entire section of Asian works, which you will not find at B&N. I also found books from Norwegian writers too which I had never seen before, which thrilled me. I then made my way up to their attic floor which is dedicated to poetry and seems I just missed Allen Ginsberg's Howl centennial celebration. Ugh! I then came back down and then proceeded to their basement section and again I was quite pleasantly surprised by the depth and breadth of Asian themed books they had. They had plenty of the Chinese classics in English and found so many different versions of Journey to the West, I was completely overwhelmed. And then, saw an entire section on Africa and I had to fight hard to not pick up a copy of a book titled Prison Letters, which is a collection of Mandela's letters while imprisoned. I ultimately settled on two books by Ai Weiwei as he has continued to inspire me to be proud, to not conform, to be brave, to speak up, to be authentically and unapologetically me, to honor my ancestry and to push boundaries and to fight for what matters. And it just so happens too that my Chinese give name is also Weiwei. I loved coming to this bookstore and it will definitely be on rotation for me when I am in SF again.

    Photos
    Downstairs
    Downstairs
    The upstairs location of the bookstore.
    The upstairs location of the bookstore.
    The bottom floor that you have to go downstairs to.

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    The bottom floor that you have to go downstairs to.
    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

    4.5
    (544 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Finding a bookstore in San Francisco can be a challenge depending which side of city you are and…read morewhat you are looking for as far as subject matter. There are various bookstores which face the street sidewalks of San Francisco and are easy to enter and exit. There is a bookstore in San Francisco which is hidden from the public side walk and accessible through a mall on the second floor. It's located inside the Japan Center in Japantown and it's called Kinokuyina. On a Spring stroll inside Japan Center I landed inside Kinokuyina. In the land of the rising sun Kinokuyina is a bookstore was founded in 1927 in Japan and turns 100 years next year. This San Francisco location is the first in the USA which opened since 1969. They have other locations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore,Hong Kong, Taiwan,and the Philippines. Inside you will find lots of books in Japanese Kanji and English Manga. They also sell lots of novelties and t-shirts. This a great international bookstore in San Francisco. It's almost Summer say bye to the month of "May" they have a location in San Francisco another down the road by San Tomas Expressway in "San Jose "they have lots books of "display" from manga to "anime" Come visit they have books for any age "group "you can find magazines with the latest "scoop"so you can stay in the "loop" and you can even find a book like some in SF about "poop"

    I've visited only two of Tokyo based Kinokuniya Bookstore's seventeen U.S. locations, San Francisco…read moreand Seattle, but because of my affection for Japanese food and culture, it left a strong impression, and I return from time to time. Did you know they have six stores in California and four in Texas alone? I'll gladly reconfigure my thoughts about Texans, that they that can support the existence of four Kinokuniya bookstores. Respectfully. I enjoy browsing the SF store, especially the travel section, cookbooks, and unique magazines. They have all the requisite kawaii stuff including Miffy, Moomin, Studio Ghibli, and Sonny Angels. Having Google Translate at the ready in camera mode, makes exploring some of the Japanese titles even more fun. A unique, immersive bookstore experience.

    Photos
    Studio Ghibli plushies are back (3/10/26)
    Studio Ghibli plushies are back (3/10/26)
    Moomins!
    Moomins!
    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

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    Green Apple Books

    Green Apple Books

    4.6
    (1.5k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    If your idea of a good time is an afternoon spent rambling around in a 5000-plus foot maze among…read morethe books, then Green Apple Books is for you. What I love here are the carefully curated staff selections that are found everywhere. There are always unexpected finds and books you'd never unearth online all housed in this labyrinth of a store. The tables of discounted and used books upstairs are worth a browse. The atmosphere is welcoming, dusty, and this old Victorian house is perfect for wandering. One of my favorite Sunday rituals: browsing until I find something unexpected, and then heading down Clement for dim sum, some thrifting, maybe a Kamei treasure, a strawberry crepe, and some Asian groceries. A Green Apple visit makes the outing complete. San Francisco still has a few good remaining bookstores, and the selection hidden in the winding nooks and crannies at Green Apple, keep it near the top of my list.

    I was walking by when I saw the bookstore. First time here. They had several carts with books on…read moresale. It was hard to go over the books as they were not organized. Once you go inside it is a tight place but cute. They have new and used books , two floors. What I liked were the flashcards in front of books giving a little description and thoughts on books. I felt some new books were overpriced. However their clearance and sale books were a great deal. I got an art book for $6. Service was not personable. I was not greeted even at register when I was ready to pay. The lady just charged me. She didn't offer any bag either. It was a little awkward. I love visiting bookstores. However, this one might be the one least friendly I encountered. Overall they have a good selection of books.

    Photos
    We are looking for some gifts for the kids. May have found one. Lol.
    We are looking for some gifts for the kids. May have found one. Lol.
    Bobbing for apples - so fun!
    Bobbing for apples - so fun!
    Laser cut Green Apple Bookmark - gorgeous details

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    Laser cut Green Apple Bookmark - gorgeous details
    Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe

    Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe

    4.5
    (256 reviews)
    5.7 mi
    $$

    Ahhh, I don't even know where to begin, I love this place! It has everything I could want in one…read morespot: books, coffee and matcha, pastries, plants, cute little trinkets, and even a kids' corner for my boys. Not only does it have all of that, but the drinks aren't just pretty to look at, they're actually so good. I also love how community-oriented the space feels. It has such a warm, welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. I even signed up for their rewards program because I already know I'll be back. I didn't get a chance to explore the back of the store during my last visit, so that's at the top of my list next time. Such a fun place to spend a slow morning or afternoon!

    Community-oriented cafe in the Outer Sunset district!…read more Blackbird is located across the street from Hook Fish, meaning that parking is packed and hard to find, so use public transit! I have gone to Blackbird a handful of times and have enjoyed the experience each time. Blackbird is primarily a bookstore, but they do have an outdoor window where you can order drinks ranging from matcha (Rocky's Matcha, if you're curious about which brand they use), lattes, and tea. They also carry a good amount of pastries (even mid-day, they have a lot of goodies), which I really appreciated. When you order your drink, you have to enter inside the bookstore to wait for your drink to be called, but you can take the time to stroll around and look at their book selection and trinkets. Heads up: the seating here is limited but very lovely. Inside, there are a couple of community tables, but their outdoor area is absolutely magical, with lush greenery and benches for you to enjoy your drinks. This time around, I got one of their seasonal drinks, a honey lavender vanilla latte, and I paired it with an Earl Grey olive oil loaf. The portion of the pastry was generous and moist, while the icing was not too sweet. Overall, a great pick for a cafe if you're in the area.

    Photos
    Iced peach matcha (@joeynht)
    Iced peach matcha (@joeynht)
    Ham and cheese croissant (@joeynht)
    Ham and cheese croissant (@joeynht)
    Rose Pastry

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    Rose Pastry

    The Best Bookstore - bookstores - Updated July 2026

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