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    The Book Cellar

    4.3 (323 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Book Cellar Photos

    THE BOOK CELLAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for working
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Book Cellar

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    Kent Brylle C.

    the coffee here is gas. i got their iced mocha and this is such a cut small cafe to read a book on a sunday morning

    Bethany O.

    Adorable location, friendly staff, and a great selection. They planned a wonderful author event as well, very well organized and a lot of fun. A great spot to sit and enjoy some peaceful time, and a wonderful local business to support.

    Me and Molly Yeh at a Book Cellar signing!
    Salena C.

    We've been spending some quality time at The Book Cellar lately and I'm just obsessed!! I recently went to a book signing with Molly Yeh from Food Network and they did such a great job controlling flow of traffic and allowing people with kiddos to go first. I was impressed with the way they handled such a large crowd. We later went back on small business Saturday and met a kids author, and they even gave us a 40% off discount! Such a steal! The book selection is fantastic. They seriously have absolutely every book my son could ever want, while also having a ton of things both my husband and I are interested in, too! I guess what I mean to say is no matter your preferred genre, you're sure to find something here. You can also just come and relax with a latte and sweet treat, too! I'm just all about this special little place. I love it! We will keep returning. :)

    My finds!
    Randa U.

    This is a fantastic book store that is deceiving when you see it on the outside. It looks small, but is deep and has aisles to get you lost in whatever you need. There is also a nice little café to order coffee and enjoy your new books. It's a great independent bookstore in Lincoln Square and you will always find something there for you to read, even if you went in looking for something else. What I really enjoyed about this shop is the customer service. Very helpful and kind staff. They go out of their way to help you find what you are looking for. They even provide recommendations, it feels very personalized, even if you have never been there before. Everyone from the floor staff, café team, and the cashier is more than friendly and seems invested in your interests. I haven't experienced customer service like that in a long time. You can also join their rewards program for free. You get 10% off your first purchase (glad I purchased three books, lol) and then you get some amount off when you spend $350. Believe me, that's easy to do in a place like the Book Cellar. It's free to join and your online purchases will go towards your spend amount. You'll get the discount when you purchase and redeem in store. This shop has been here for many years and I always enjoy going in. I recommend everyone to come in, they have something for everyone.

    Aesha E.

    It's been so long since I've been to The Book Cellar! That's mostly down to the fact that I tend to read ebooks almost exclusively due to ease of use. But walking through her made me want to start picking up physical books again. The Book Cellar isn't large, but it's packed. Obviously they have books of just about every genre, and will order for you if they don't have what you want. In addition to books, they have gift items and tchotchkes, cards, and the like. I bought a miniature puzzle in a little tube that is of TBC! They also had a lot of other puzzles and some other games. I came in here to pick up a copy of a book I'd read about on Block Club Chicago, which they did have in stock (signed copies, even!). Prior to the pandemic I'd been here for book readings, to see The Kates perform, and that sort of thing. They have a cafe area but events and cafe are not in use at the moment due to the most hated event of our time, the pandemic. The staff here were all wearing masks when I was in and although I'm not sure if they require them of visitors since the state dropped its mandate, they do have them up front near the door for folks to put on so I'd suggest it would be good to do to take care of your fellow humans and the hard working staff!

    Daniel E.

    So happy that my sister took me to The Book Cellar, as it was such a good visit, the way an independent bookstore ought to feel. Located on the west side of the thriving Lincoln Square business district, we walked to this wonderful shop, but parking was available along Lincoln Avenue and in a nearby public parking lot. There's a lot to do all around The Book Cellar also. Such a comfortable atmosphere - there's a few chairs around the perimeter, a coffee/tea shop on the premises with tables, and an old fashioned book store look. I enjoyed browsing, as they had all the books that I wanted to graze. The Book Cellar has an adult reading program, a children's section, plus a loyalty program. They host appearances by guest authors, an impressive list of upcoming visits on their calendar. The customer service at the register couldn't have been better, such a pleasant woman who loves her job and was such a great representative of the store. The Book Cellar is a quality book store, and I wish they would have been open when I lived in the neighborhood a generation ago.

    Karen R.

    Cutest little book shop/coffee. Coffee nice and warm and plenty of reading material. Located in such a cute shopping center, make sure to pay for parking. Can't wait to come back!

    Signed John Green books!! He's one of my favorite authors so this was really cool to find!!

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    3 months ago

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    22 days ago

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    2 days ago

    Has a lot of narrative non fiction so it's good for that supposedly. Books galore here and nerds also.

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    2 days ago

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    9 months ago

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    5 months ago

    The best Chicago bookstore! We love the owner and come here for a new book and coffee/drink often!

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    5 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Favorite local bookstore! Owner is amazing and the store has an incredible selection of books and such a cozy atmosphere.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great stock, friendly staff, warm vibes, help available if requested: cappucino too..

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great local bookstore! Staff is great, selection is curated, and the cafe is lovely also. Support your local bookstores!

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Love this little shop. Reminds me of Powell Books in Portland Oregon but on a much smaller scale. Great selection for any reader.

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    2 years ago

    The Book Cellar hosts great readings. Has wonderful staff picks as well. I always find a couple necessary purchases with each visit.

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    Ask the Community - The Book Cellar

    Review Highlights - The Book Cellar

    Cozy and personal with terrific events and monthly newsletters to learn about new books and author visits.

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

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    Sandmeyer's Bookstore

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    Printer's Row, South Loop

    Sandmeyer's Bookstore is a gem! Everyone who works there is so friendly and it makes for a great…read moreatmosphere. It feels really cozy inside and I could spend an hour or so perusing the book selection. They also have a nice variety of bookish gifts and cards. The best part is the sale corner in the back where you can find books of all kinds marked down to really reasonable prices. I'll always stop at Sandmeyer's when I'm in the area!

    What a gorgeous location to have a bookstore! Sandmeyer's Bookstore sits in Printer's Row and is a…read morevery lit and airy environment. The selection is not too bad, considering they are recovering from a flood. There are so many titles and a vast array of topics available. I found some classics, fiction, a wonderful selection in their non-fiction area, and translated books. They also provide you with lists of books that have won prizes or coincide with different regions in the USA and the world! I thought that was very helpful. It's a medium-sized store, but their displays are quite prominent. Everything is easy to grab (no ladders or staff needed to get to the high books). All the areas are labeled and it's visually pleasing. The staff was nice, too. Checkout was easy and they were friendly. Prices are standard of paperbacks and hardcovers. You are paying for an indie bookseller (I paid about $40 for two books, which includes tax). I wasn't at all disappointed with the price. They also have a loyalty program for those that are regulars. I really am happy I checked out this spot. It was beautiful and friendly. There was a lot of books and totes to chose from, it was hard not to leave with more in my bag!

    The Book Cellar - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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