7 Best Bookshops in Chennai That Must Be Visited (2026 Guide)
Few cities in India can match Chennai’s literary legacy. Home to India’s oldest surviving bookshop alongside renowned modern retail chains and famous second-hand book markets, Chennai offers a fascinating book-buying experience that is as memorable as the books themselves. The 7 best bookshops in Chennai that simply should not be missed by a bookworm have been given below.
1. Higginbothams, Mount Road
- India’s oldest bookshop still in existence, founded in 1844 by an English librarian who arrived in India as a stowaway aboard a ship.
- Houses a massive collection of books, including rare titles on Indian history, art, heritage, philosophy, fiction, children’s books and much more.
- Although Higginbothams has several branches across Chennai, the Mount Road flagship store is highly recommended for its magnificent colonial architecture, featuring high ceilings, a grand wooden spiral staircase and beautiful stained glass windows.
- Besides books, you’ll also find an excellent range of stationery, merchandise, travel and lifestyle products, board games and craft kits.
2. Odyssey, Adyar
- Founded in 1995 in Adyar, Odyssey is a multi-storey bookstore offering an extensive collection of books across virtually every genre.
- Its plush, spacious interiors and thoughtfully curated ‘New Arrivals’ displays create a relaxed and enjoyable browsing experience for book lovers.
- In addition to books, the store features a wide selection of stationery, toys, board games, collectibles, gifts and bags, making it a one-stop lifestyle destination.
- Odyssey also supports Chennai’s literary community by regularly hosting book launches, author interactions, reading sessions and other community events.
3. Crossword, Velachery & Royapettah
- Crossword established its presence in Chennai during the 2000s and now operates multiple branches across the city, with its flagship stores located at Phoenix Marketcity (Velachery) and Express Avenue Mall (Royapettah).
- Designed as a premium lifestyle retail store, around 60% of the space is dedicated to books, while the remainder features high-quality stationery, board games, gifts and toys.
- The Phoenix Marketcity branch impresses with its sleek, ultra-modern design, while the Express Avenue branch offers a more classic and elegant ambience, making both among Chennai’s finest bookstores.
- Both flagship stores are especially popular for their extensive Manga and comics collection, alongside a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.
4. Om Book Shop, Velachery & Anna Nagar
- Established in Chennai in 2015, Om Book Shop operates two major branches in the city at Phoenix Marketcity (Velachery) and VR Mall (Anna Nagar).
- The stores are particularly popular for their aggressive discounts and seasonal sales, especially on classic titles published by Om Books International, one of India’s leading trade publishers.
- Featuring cozy, well-organized interiors, the stores provide a comfortable browsing experience with walls adorned with inspiring quotes from renowned authors.
- Alongside classics, you’ll find a wide selection of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and gift-worthy titles at attractive prices throughout the year.
5. Moore Market, Velachery & Thousand Lights
- The Moore Market bookstore chain pays tribute to the legendary Moore Market flea market that once stood beside Chennai Central railway station, carrying forward its rich literary legacy in a modern setting.
- Its two flagship branches are located on KNK Road (Thousand Lights) and at Grand Square Mall (Velachery). The KNK Road store features a dark, Gothic ambience inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, while the Velachery branch blends a Harry Potter theme with elements of old Madras history.
- While the vast majority of books are brand new, both stores also feature a dedicated ‘Pre-Loved’ section where you can pick up quality used books, particularly fiction, at significantly lower prices.
- Both flagship branches include a cozy Barista café corner, making them ideal places to relax with a book while enjoying coffee, beverages and light snacks.
6. Used Books Factory, Mugalivakkam
- Founded in 2017, Used Books Factory has grown into one of India’s largest online marketplaces for pre-owned books, with its only physical store operating from its warehouse hub in Mugalivakkam.
- The vast majority of books are pre-owned and are typically priced between ₹175 and ₹250 leading to discounts up to 90% off the original retail price, making it one of the most affordable places in Chennai to build your personal library.
- The store regularly offers creative bulk-buy deals, including popular promotions where you can fill an entire box with as many books as it can hold for a fixed price.
- While the collection mainly consists of popular fiction and non-fiction titles, you can also request the team to source specific books that you’re looking for whenever possible.
7. Discovery Book Palace, KK Nagar
- Founded in 2009 in KK Nagar by a local writer and screenwriter, Discovery Book Palace was established with the mission of reviving and promoting Tamil literary culture.
- Although the store features a carefully curated shelf of English books, its true strength lies in its vast collection of Tamil literature, historical research works, regional translations and progressive socio-political essays, all meticulously organized for serious readers.
- The first floor houses a dedicated art gallery showcasing paintings and artwork by local artists, adding another cultural dimension to the bookstore.
- Beyond retail, Discovery Book Palace is also a leading independent Tamil publisher, having published and distributed over 500 Tamil literary works across a wide range of genres.
