Joburg itinerary: Pairing bookshops and coffee spots

30 Oct 2024

Stop at Home of the Bean for a pick-me-up after browsing the dizzying array at Collector's Treasury. Photo: Home of the Bean.

You'll need to go past Bean There after trawling through L'Elephant Terrible's shelves. Photo: L'Elephant Terrible.

Essentials, sorted. Have a coffee at Bridge Books or pop across the street to The Whippet. Photo: Bridge Books.

Is there anything better than opening a new book while sipping coffee from a steaming mug as the world around you disappears? For those who love good coffee and excellent books in equal measure, we've paired a few of our favourite bookstores with nearby coffee shops in Joburg to make those pages fly.

Book Circle Capital and Bookdealers, and De Baba Eatery

De Baba Eatery in Melville is flanked by bookstores on etiher side. Photo: Johannesburg In Your Pocket.

Three for the price of two. Browse African literature from Book Circle Capital in Melville's quirky 27 Boxes complex or comb the shelves for the secondhand title you've been looking for from Bookdealers on 7th Avenue. Then, hop across the street to De Baba Eatery for coffee and a heavenly almond croissant (or another of their impeccable baked goodies).

Love Books Melville and Service Station

A tried-and-true pairing is Melville's Love Books and its adjacent restaurant and deli Service Station. The cookbook selection at Love Books is amazing and paging through them with a coffee (the brownies from Service Station are delightful) is just the best possible solo time one can hope for. Love Books is also one of the few stockists of the landmark Wake Up, This is Joburg collection – an ode to this dynamic city by Tanya Zack and Mark Lewis.

L’Elephant Terrible and Bean There

Lovely hand-painted signs and other quirky details make L'Elephant Terrible a pleasure to spend time in. Photo: L'Elephant Terrible.

Browse the eclectic L’Elephant Terrible at 44 Stanley and then take your unique find next door to Bean There for a taste of Africa’s finest Fairtrade coffee. We're partial to the Ethiopian dark roast, but any of the day's coffee options will delight you. If the weather is fine, step into the pretty courtyard – a perfect hideaway.

Exclusive Books and Olives & Plates

Despite being in a mall (our first preference is usually for neighbourhood streets) the excellent Exclusive Books in Hyde Park with its adjoining Olives & Plates restaurant makes you feel as if you've stepped into a different world. Buy the latest South African fiction and non-fiction titles, or anything else that strikes your fancy, find a table at the window, and order a slice of cheesecake. You may just end up staying for dinner.

Collector's Treasury and Home of the Bean

A sunny spot to tuck into your book haul. Photo: Home of the Bean.

For browsers it doesn't get much better than Collector's Treasury in the City Centre. It's the largest used and rare bookshop in Africa, with a purported two million items to look at. In addition to the dizzying array of books on offer, there are maps, collectibles, engravings, porcelain, and vinyl records to be found here. After you've unearthed some treasures, walk through Jewel City and top up with coffee at Home of the Bean – with its seriously cool interiors, and one of the best cups around.

Bridge Books and The Whippet

Coffee and a good book, a match made in heaven. Photo: Bridge Books.

If independent African literature is what you're after, look no further Bridge Books. At their charming retail space in Linden there's always someone around to help you find what you're looking for, or recommend something new. Bridge Books is in good company in this characterful suburb. The Linden library’s not far off, and two second-hand book dealers are along the same stretch of road. Where to go once you've got your book haul? The Whippet, of course. The coffee and tea selection is top rate and, if you stay for a meal, the food is freshly made café-style, simple, and tasty.

Hardcopy Books and 4th Ave Coffee Roasters

Wade through the cyclists to grab a strong and really good Americano at 4th Ave Coffee Roasters then waltz up the Parkhurst high street of Fourth Avenue to Hardcopy Books for secondhand and collectible titles.