This was a cool spot! Great service, cool atmosphere and well-attended. I've got nothing but love for this place and I remember it fondly. A+ read more

Super cute and enjoyable spot to relax! We came across this quaint little place on our trip while looking for a place to get warm during a chilly day. We wanted to find a place to get a warm drink and the Writer's Block exceeded our expectations with their bar! We were able to check out the newest releases from authors, warm up, relax, chill out with some of the locals. read more

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We stopped by after a flight seeing tour nearby (which was great, but we needed some solid ground to settle our stomachs). We ended up staying longer than expected prior to our evening flight because of how fantastic this place is. Extremely comfortable with an eclectic interior, and amongst the most comprehensive menus I've seen at a coffee shop. Everything is high quality to boot: the yogurt parfait was absolutely fantastic and well sized, the coffee was all excellent, and they made the best dirty chai I've ever had. The chocolate fondant cake was top-tier and delicious, like a gooey brownie all the way through and very rich. They have savory food, beer, and wine too; the pastrami panini was delicious. Also notable is a small selection of authentic Cuban items, such as flan- very unexpected for anchorage! The staff and owner were very proud of their establishment and friendly. Best coffee shop in anchorage, I'd highly recommend that anyone needing to stop by somewhere and kill time before a flight look no further than this place. It's also near some hotels, to which I'd also strongly recommend visiting. They have everything you could need! read more

Cute and approachable shop with a good selection of books. Quaint and unique is the mindset here. The photos may make the location look bigger than it is. It is authentic, small, and sweet. The lattes were lovely. read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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The writers block was so cute! Me and my family went there to kill some time and got some Italian Soda and French Chocolate torte. The vibes were amazing and we had the pleasure of seeing some live music too. read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - Book shelves - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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It's always such a treat going to our favorite bookstore in ANC. Vibes and selection are always excellent. Loved the acoustic set playing while we enjoyed our beverages and food. Bought a book as we exited. Doesn't get any better than that! read more

Cutest coffee shop, I just happened to be there on a Sunday and was impressed by the food which is made from scratch and delicious. The chocolate cake is decadent and the Sunday night music was a wonderful vibe. read more

Amazing food. Some of the most unique tea blends I've had and great service! Can't wait to go back.

I finally made a stop in at Writer's Block Cafe and I am so glad that I did. I needed to get some data entry done and I already checked out of my Airbnb so instead of driving around town going from place to place before my flight I suggested we check out Writer's Block to my partner! I love that they have Seattleesque coffee shop hours being open later than 5pm because that's something I've definitely missed when I am working in Anchorage. Their hot chocolate is wonderful and my partner seemed to enjoy his mocha and Block Mimosa. I will definitely be back to frequent this business again in the future. read more

What a fun place this is! It's a bookstore with cozy seating throughout the store. It is perfect to meet up with friends, do some work or just relax while drinking a coffee. They have so much more than just coffee and books. The menu includes beers and wines as well as many delicious food options. I had a mimosa and it tasted great. The staff is great and they will bring your order to the table. A small parking lot is right in front of the cafe. read more

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Cozy/inspiring atmosphere (conducive to creative-intellectual work or a good chat with a friend), delicious comfort food, perfect americano, good books aplenty read more

Came here needing a spot to wait out my flight and was pleasantly surprised. Good vibes, good coffee and good food. If I was a local this would definitely be my spot to study or read! read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - Beer Cheddar Soup - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Great, locally-owned bookstore in a colorful and historic neighborhood of Anchorage! They also regularly host poetry readings and live music. A perfect spot for hipsters of all ages. read more

I was looking for a place to get some yummy coffee and study. Decided to give this place a try. Very warm and cozy interior with plenty of seating area where one can study or peruse some of the many books available for sale here. The lady behind the counter, whose name I can't recall, was super nice. Well rounded individual with lots of traveling experience married to a Cuban who makes the food recipes offered at this place. I ordered the green chicken breakfast burrito which was delicious and their cappuccinos and lattes are very nice as well. Give them a try you'll be glad you did. I'll certainly come back. read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - Only a small part of their book selections. - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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Great book selection! Didn't try coffee but looked great. Would visit again to support local bookstores

Came here for some tea and to browse the books but ended up staying and enjoying a meal. This place is so cozy. There was a poetry reading going on which I did not expect but enjoyed listening to. I had the tabbouleh salad which was light and fresh-a great recommendation from the barista. Will definitely be back! read more

This place has a great vibe. Lots of local art for sale in all the price ranges. Book variety is good and the staff is so friendly. Perfect place to dip in from the rain to get a warm drink and find a new book. read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - Mocha with whipped cream - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Yas. Just yas. Mother fucking jazz and matzoball soup. Cozy chairs and coffee. Books about bondage and other bizarre things. This is an interesting place. Art. Music. Conversation. Wine. Coffee. Yep. Spenard for the win. read more

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I had been meaning to come in here ever since this place re-opened, after it closed it's previous, raunchy personality. I never went in when it was one of THOSE stores! Now, however, it looks intriguing, the parking lot is always full, and looking on Yelp, it's got great reviews, including one from a trusted fellow Elite, Andrew H, so I knew it was only a matter of time before i made it. So we called in today, and there was a mere 2 parking spots left, in a fairly decent sized lot. Immediately we enter, a voice calls over, I'll be right with you, which I like, to be acknowledged, even if you don't get served right away. So you order at a counter, from a blackboard menu. And i was really browsing that menu, too much to even look around at my surroundings. So anyway, i decide I'm going to have the chicken tortilla soup, which is a recent thing with me, as I've not been a fan of cumin. Lately I've been making an absolute ton of hummus, like barrels of the stuff, so my cumin tolerance has improved a lot. I'd say I quite enjoy it now, and have been trying various chicken tortilla soups, so i thought I'd put this one to the test. I told husband what i required him to order, in case i don't like this tortilla soup. It's an actual thing - don't judge me. He likes tortilla soup, and i like pelmeni, so i knew either way we were safe. So then!! So THEN!! I encounter a kindred spirit! I had not expected to find a deep sea friend in this humble Spenard establishment. A rainbow-hued, fellow narwhal-lover! I was wearing a Narwhal t shirt, which she liked, and she commented how much she loved them. I told her I have a Group on Facebook called "Narwhals are better than Unicorns" we had a narwhal bonding time, she told me a new undiscovered fact about Narwhals. She showed me her Narwhal creations that she had made, which i have to say, i am super impressed with. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance Jessa. She was super enthusiastic and passionate about all of the items on the menu, and very knowledgeable. Once we'd ordered, Husband moves over to the dessert display, and there were some artistic and tempting doughnuts on display. I was particularly taken by the summer solstice - a round doughnut, with some abstract white, orange, and yellow on the top. It was a work of art. Husband's fave is normally an apple fritter, but Jessa told us about the peach fritter version. It sounded tempting, and a girl at a table behind us said "You have a peach fritter left?" And she got up, and I said "hey we were were here first!" But i was kidding, as we weren't planning on ordering dessert at lunchtime (the permanent diet - sigh) So we were like, no you go ahead, we're just kidding. I got my tea, exactly perfectly right. The correct heat to the water ie boiling. Good and strong, black tea. And milk, not cream. Oh yes! This is good, this is all VERY good. And then, how sweet right, but the girl who'd gotten the peach fritter, came to our table and gave us half!! Aww, that is so sweet and kind. I did see her behind the counter, so i think she also works here. The peach fritter is delectable, not too sweet, and laden with soft, fruity, moist jewels of peach pieces. So while I'm waiting for food, my eyes start wandering around, and it's difficult for me to describe, the way this space is set out, invites you to sit a while, enjoy the cosy couches, comfy armchairs, nice big windows to people watch, or pick up a book, and read. And different styles of tables and a bar to dine at. Shelves have lots of eclectic items, that I'm assuming Jessa makes - handmade Narwhals and Octopus, Chainmail Necklaces - not your average stuff in a cafe. It's like a meandering hiking trail, but for your eyes, and you look at one part of the space, and then your eyes naturally follow the trail to the next bit, and it's very intriguing. It makes you want to hang around for ages and pester them. So the food comes out. Jessa warns me, the chicken tortilla soup kicks back! Oh good, i do like food with a bit of attitude about it. Both look good. Blake's Pelmeni comes with hot sauce, and is topped with a spice that seems very familiar to me. I use a lot of Ethiopian Berber spice in things when i cook, and this really reminded me of that. It had an ultra-smoky smell, and i instantly wanted to demand half his Pelmeni, and he could have half my soup. But i refrained for once. I did leave him some of my soup though. I had noticed on the menu that they have some dinner options for after 5, and was taken with the hummus and pita, and mixed Greek plate. So i am definitely going to have to try those. I make falafel, hummus, and tzatziki A LOT. It's one of my favourite things to eat, and I know the Greek plate has some lamb meatballs, and English people adore lamb. So there's that. I'll be back!! read more

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Great place for a cup of coffee or lunch and stay to shop the books or work on your computer!

You guys, this place is great. It's just what Anchorage needed. I've known about the spot forever. My ex lives close by, so I drove by it probably hundreds of times. Spoiler alert: it used to be an *adult* bookstore where people went to do, y'know, *adult* things. I heard about it again a month ago at Arctic Entries. One of the owners, Teeka, gave a very amusing talk about the history of the space. (if you have a podcast app, you can look it up, it's called "No More Secrets".) So what is it? It's a coffee shop. A bookstore. An eatery. A beer and wine (not yet, but soon!) chillout space. A place to meet up with friends, enemies, and lovers. It reminds me of one of my favorite places to go in DC: Kramer's books. They don't have a ton of books here, but they are all extremely well-curated. They also have a space for kids to look at books and generally hang out and do kids-stuff. Their WiFi is some of the best in town! They open early (7ish) and close late (10ish). As someone that works a 2nd job, remotely, mainly on a computer, I love that I now have an option for a place to go and work at night! (Black Cup was probably getting sick of me) The place was packed when I was there so I couldn't get the best photos of the space, didn't want to creep people out with my "big" camera. But it's great. It's warm, relaxing, and inviting. Lots of wood and track lighting. It's kind of like a gallery. I will become a fixture here, you probably should too! read more

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Food & beverages were super delicious. I had the pel meni with a salad - great. My husband had a Rueben. Personally I hate Ruben's and cabbage, but this was the best Ruben I have ever tasted. Overall, very cute & cool spot. We would definitely be back. I also bought a cookbook. read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - a table full of food - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

We are bit limited when it comes to sit down coffee shops in Anchorage, outside of Starbucks of course. This is a funky, artsy coffee shop with great coffee, frequent music and book events, a bookstore with a wide selection of noteworthy and local authors, tasty comfort food and alcohol-based drink options. What could be better?? You can peruse the shelves which are organized by themes for book options. They even had kids and teen books. You can pre-order a set of copies for your book club if you give them a call. Coffee is great. Typical options. They have an assortment of beers on tap (~ 5), mostly local plus multiple canned options. They also have "Blocktails" which are drinks that can be non-alcoholic (about $5) or have alcohol added (around $8.50). One example is a mojito +/- rum added. Food includes breakfast (all day!), panninis, pelmeni (Russian comfort food / dumplings with sour cream and hot sauce), and pierogis among others options. I've been for music events which are great (but gets crowded), but they also have book readings and spoken word events. Sometimes their Facebook site has more updated details re: events. There is some outside seating when the weather is nice. Decent sized parking lot with free parking. 2 unisex, single bathrooms. Staff are friendly and prices are reasonable. Internet wifi is good. Overall, great to book browse, to grab a coffee to go or to sit and enjoy some music or do a little reading. read more

We went to the Writer's Block Bookstore as a date night to go somewhere new, check out some music, and just to relax. We frankly didn't know completely what to expect, and we left discussing activities to plan to go back. The environment is welcoming, friendly, and a little crunchy. But in a good way, in a progressive way. Where a group of people could sit and discuss policy and write a new proposal kind of way. Very constructive. I was surprised to see the expansive menu and pleased to see the full coffee bar and that there were some beer and wine options. The evening music vibrations on various fliers were varied and seemed as though they could bring different crowds. While the bookstore selection was not huge, it was varied. There was space for meeting and space for people to sit comfortably and work. We are excited to return and spend another date night reading and researching. I might use this as a spot to invite my ladies group for our next meeting spot. 5/5. Good coffee. Great space friendly people. read more

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I've been down to this place several times since they've opened up a couple of years ago. The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe is a fairly new establishment that has taken the place of a demolished adult bookstore. Many of the residents were thankful for this move and the place has improved the quality of the area along with newcomer Kingfisher Coffee and Out of the Box down the street, attracting the coffee shop crowd and families on the weekends. Even though the place is considered a bookstore with a limited selection of different genres on bookshelves covering the surrounding walls, the place also offers live music and other social events to keep the place busy throughout the week. The employees here are super-friendly and always a pleasure to converse with. The seating area is cozy with plenty of armchairs and tables for reading, studying, or conversing with friends, but can also be cramped when crowded. Wi-Fi here is fast and secure, but you will be hard-pressed to find an outlet in the area with two tables, one in the middle and one by the pick-up counter for use, a minor issue at best. The menu here is versatile with a wide variety of breakfast, lunch, or dinner items listed. A small chalkboard displays a list of food specials that change periodically depending on what the kitchen can come up with to surprise diners. On a recent visit last weekend, I ordered the Ukrainian Borscht Soup, an item featured on the chalkboard which intrigued me since I never had Borscht soup before. I also ordered a 20 oz. Iced Americano with some sugar-free caramel and heavy cream from their espresso bar. The soup was absolutely delicious with chunks of tender cubed beef, sliced red beets, and a spoonful of sour cream for added zing to the spicy broth base. The Americano was refreshing with heavy cream adding a thicker texture to go along with the caramel syrup, a great combination. The overall atmosphere of the place is laid-back and relaxing which encourages people to stay for awhile and is popular with college students who can be seen studying at different times throughout the day. I mentioned on a previous visit to the owner that vinyl records would boost the business considerably to go with their inventory of books. I'm sure that gave her something to think about and on my latest visit, it was a pleasant surprise to see one for sale from a local band. It's a good start. Hopefully, they can expand that to more choices if the records sell. I also believe that this can place would be an excellent setting for a Yelp event for those who enjoy book discussions or settling down with a cup of coffee and conversing with other Yelpers. In any case, this bookstore/cafe was something Spenard really needed and is the first step to changing the surrounding neighborhood for the better. With the number of people stopping in to visit on a daily basis, the future looks good for this relatively young business. read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - Ukrainian Borscht Soup! - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

I've been a few times, and have enjoyed my time. If I was younger, looking for a cool place to hang out at, this would be the place to chill and think thoughts and sip coffee (anyone remember the Java Joint?). I really like what I perceive this place to stand for: community consciousness, contemporary art, eclectic book selection, with a flair for the spoken word or musical note. I do want to try the pierogis one day. I will come again to support coffee consumption. read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - Good coffee. Though I confess, I chose this over Guatemala because of the name. - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

This small little cutesy cafe and bookstore is all hearts it has a range of wonderful books to buy or read(after you've purchased them) and amazing variety of food and drinks( both alcoholic and non alcoholic). The decor is simple and nice and service is amazing! Food was fresh and drinks were on point! Would definitely recommend this place for a quick stop or a long haul and get a book while you are at it!! read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - Menu - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

As a bookstore and community gathering spot, this place deserves 5*. On the weekday afternoon I was here, there was a mix of groups socializing and people working/studying, and an overall comfortable vibe. Unfortunately, the Americano I ordered was unpalatable, being quite burnt and bitter. Still, I will return, and probably try the house brew next time. read more

They are open for take out and wow - I had the best Vegan Pozole Verde! It is basically beans and hominy and green chilies. The flavorful was amazing and it is a hearty dish. GF to boot! Their drink menu is fun and unusual. They have the typical coffees and teas but they serve up some refreshing drinks - my friend tried a mixed drink without the alcohol and it had big fat blueberries and strawberry bits in it. So good - she didn't share a sip - said get your own! read more

Make sure to hit up the bulletin board with local happenings. They have everything from Swing Dance Lessons to a Merton Presentation weekend. read more

My all-time favorite surprise this holiday season. I was bustling home to do errands and noticed this cafe purely by peripheral happen chance. The inside is comfy and friendly and there is enough conversation from other patrons to make the bookstore cafe feel welcoming. I decide to order a Mocha and was offered home made whip cream. I chose to take a seat at a little cafe table. The Mocha was served in a tall white ceramic cup with an elongated handle. -a beautiful presentation. The drink was wonderful and the whip cream was thick and complimentary to the mocha. read more

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Awesome atmosphere, friendly environment and staff, efficient quality coffee service.

Amazing place. Truly Bohemian. Like how Starbucks used to be before they went commercial! Love this place

I type this as I'm taking a break from my math and gently swaying to the chill reggae playing softly in medium sized cafe. Such a lovely place to come and enjoy your community and surroundings and human interaction. It does get a bit loud when there is live music, and busy too. But as the band winds down, it gets quieter and a little more chill. Some people are on laptops, some are reading, some are even sewing or knitting. The decor is cute and inviting. You've got a handful of sofa chairs, then small tables with different chairs. Don't be shy if there's an open seat at an occupied table when it's busy, unless you prefer to stand, which you can also do. The coffee and tea prices are acceptable and I'll try some of the food offerings another time. All the staff are wonderful and make you feel at home. All in all, a cool space that I'd pick over Starbucks any day. I'm looking forward to being a common dweller of this lovely establishment. read more

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Saw this place (thanks to yelp) and I HAD to drag my best friend and my boyfriend to check it out. And my goodness, how have we not heard of this place before?? Well like most businesses in spenard, this place is kind of easy to miss/overlook (even though its kind of in plain sight). But once we found it, it was love at first sight. If title-wave were to have a baby, this is what it would be like. The service is great, the food and drink are yummy, and it's an all-around cool place to just chill and hangout. My friends and I weren't that hungry so we wanted to share; we ended up ordering what the nice lady recommended, a panini and Russian Pelmeni(?). We were so occupied by our drinks and each other's company, that we didn't even notice quite some time had gone by until the employee apologized for the wait! Oh, the wait was SO worth it; because every bite into our food was HEAVEN. We even contemplated ordering more... The Writer's block is a new fave :) read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - next time I'm not sharing! - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Love the people that run and work this place. Seriously- so friendly and badass. Love the food. I got the pastrami panini, and chicken tortilla soup. There was a lovely amount of cheese on the sammy! The flavors between the spread, meat, bread and cheese, melted together wonderfully for an excellent mouth feel. The chicken tortilla soup has a great amount of spice to it- both in heat and flavor. I am very excited to get back in there and try more after this pandemic is over! read more

Excellent! The vibe here is awesome! Chicken Tortilla Soup is the best I have ever had. Roast beef panini was delicious , the pesto on the sandwich was phenomenal ! Sweet Potato Ginger soup was a delight. You will not find run of the mill food here, only fresh original recipes. Owner Tika is great ! Great personality. Where else can you find great books, great music and awesome food! read more

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe - Bookstores Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Oh man. What a find when in Anchorage. The Writer's Block is a cool little coffeeshop meets bookstore meets poetry corner with some excellent coffee and tasty bits to snack on as well. It's the perfect place to hide out of the rain and snow, read a good book, or get some study on. Great local hangout with plenty of room and a very welcoming staff. read more

Unique little restaurant with the best food. Migas was great and the paninis were wonderful. Don't forget to get dessert! They make them there. The chocolate brownies were decadent and the Cuban flan was the best we have had in a long while. read more

I really liked this bookstore! It has a high quality selection of thoughtfully curated new and used books. There are books showcasing and celebrating Alaskan culture and heritage. There are classic books, new releases, local writers, and vintage books. We visited on a Friday night and there was a rock and soul live band playing outside that was really good and enjoyable to listen to. There's a kitchen where we had some dinner, dessert, and local cider and we were very happy. The staff was friendly, authentic, and nice. Overall, it was a wonderful, relaxing, and enjoyable summer evening! If you like books and are visiting Anchorage, I would highly recommended this bookstore! read more