8 Best Bookstores in Tampa, Florida

A city in southwestern Florida, Tampa is best known for its spot on the Gulf Coast, and more specifically on the very aptly named Tampa Bay. Consequently, Tampa has some gorgeous beaches, but there’s far more to a trip to Tampa than that. 

Awaiting you are museums, historic neighborhoods, a thrilling amusement park, and— of course— plenty of places to shop. Though there’s plenty to do, it might be nice to have a way to relax. If you plan on spending at least a day on the beach during your stay, as you should, what’s better than a good book to bring along with you?

If and when you go shopping in Tampa, you won’t want to pass up on these great bookstores in the area to purchase a real page-turner. And even if you don’t think you’ll have time for much reading on your trip, the energy inside a bookstore is unparalleled. It can be a lot of fun to just browse the shelves.

Fortunately for you, a few of these bookstores also happen to be supported by GiftYa, a virtual gift card company. With the GiftYa app, you can send a loved one money to spend at a specific participating location, and they can then set up that balance with an existing credit or debit card.

It makes gift giving super easy on your end, as well as on the recipient’s! How often do people forget to bring gift cards with them in person? With GiftYa, that will no longer be an issue! So, consider purchasing a GiftYa for someone you know, and consider visiting one of the many bookstores in Tampa, Florida, while you’re at it.

Barnes & Noble

Well-known bookstore with multiple Tampa locations.

Countless books for you to discover at every location! Image courtesy of Instagram.

11802 N Dale Mabry Hwy | Tampa | barnesandnoble.com

There are three Barnes & Noble locations in Tampa, two of which are on North Dale Mabry Highway and one in the University of Tampa. This one in particular offers not just in-store shopping but curbside pick-up and delivery for the books that you buy! They have a vast selection, too.

Barnes & Noble offers fiction, nonfiction, eBooks, audiobooks, teen and YA novels, kid’s books, and the system makes it super easy for you to find whatever it is you’re looking for. There are also toys, games, stationary, music, movies, and gifts for you to look through while you’re browsing the shelves.

This location is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Sundays.

“This particular store has been around for some time and is very organized by both genre and types of books. Whether you need educational, kids, teens, adult, fiction, non fiction [they] have most of what you might want.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Barnes & Noble

Target

This store is a one-stop shop for everything— including books!

The book section at Target boasts a lot of popular titles that are definitely worth a read. Image courtesy of Instagram.

13658 University Plaza | Tampa | target.com

Everybody knows and loves Target, and though it might not be the first store you think of when you wonder where you should go to buy a book, it is a great place to look for your next read! The book selection at Target is bigger than you may expect for a store that sells everything else, too.

However, it’s also a great idea to go to Target if you’re looking for anything else— a snack, toiletries, a gift, etc. So, it might be the perfect place to go if you’re looking for more than just a book.

Hours at this Target are from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. all seven days of the week.

“I love this Target though because it is in such a good location for me… The employees are also always smiling and willing to help when I need something I can not find.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Target

Office Depot

Not quite books, but notebooks and stationary!

 If you’re looking for a workspace set-up in your room, Office Depot is the place to go. image courtesy of Instagram.

6285 W Waters Ave | Tampa | officedepot.com

Though the shelves at Office Depot aren’t exactly stocked with novels, it could be a great place to go if you’re looking for some of the other things that bookstores usually have in stock, such as stationary. 

If you’re looking for a new journal or a fancy pen, the selection here will likely be better than it is at a regular bookstore, since that’s Office Depot’s specialty. Perhaps if you’re walking around and planning to visit several bookstores in the area, you could also make a stop in this store.

This office depot is open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sundays.

“The team at the Waters Ave Office Depot are great to deal with. Rob in particular has gone out of his way on many occasions to make sure our order was completed on-time and correct.” - Google Review

Buy  a GiftYa for Office Depot/Office Max

Oxford Exchange

Restaurant, shop, and bookstore all in one!

The books are not only a pleasure to read, but the way they’re arranged in this bookstore is also a sight to see all by itself! Image courtesy of Instagram.

420 W Kennedy Blvd | Tampa | oxfordexchange.com 

Oxford Exchange is a very popular spot in Tampa, and for good reason. It’s much more than a bookstore as you can also shop for bath, living, kitchen, study, and nursery spaces as well as accessories and gifts.

This bookstore is also a restaurant where guests can have a delicious meal, and it’s a great space for people to hold private events, especially for those who love books!

Oxford Exchange is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the weekends.

“This is one of the most wonderful restaurants I've ever been to. It is inside of an exchange with a bookstore, coffee shops, kitchen trinkets, etc. It was so fun to walk around and shop.” - Yelp Review

Mojo Books & Records

In Tampa for your reading and listening needs.

The books at Mojo Books & Records are arranged in a way that will make it easy to find what you’re looking for, or discover something new! Image courtesy of Instagram.

2540 E Fowler Ave | Tampa | mojotampa.com 

Mojo Books & Records, just as the name suggests, stocks fiction and nonfiction books as well as new and used vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes. They’ve been open since 2007, and pride themselves on atmosphere and an abundance of options. They even sell coffee and tea!

You also have the option to sell or trade your collection to this store, if you decide to stop in during buying hours— from noon until 6 p.m. every day but Sunday. You can also choose to sell for store credit!

Mojo Books & Records is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sundays.

“Very cool place by USF. Selling records as well as books and they have a coffee shop inside. Brilliant concept. Next time I do plan to try the coffee.” - Yelp Review

USF Bookstore and Cafe

Books and much more on the University of South Florida campus!

Books stocked specifically for graduates are a must at a university bookstore. Image courtesy of Instagram.

4202 E Fowler Ave | Tampa | usf.edu

It may be called a ‘bookstore,’ but this store is also a go-to spot for USF collegiate apparel, so definitely stop by if you’re taking a trip to Tampa to tour the university! T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, drinkware, and other gifts— you can find it all here.

The cafe is also a great place to get a quick meal, with plenty of freely available seating space so that you can take a moment to relax from walking all around Tampa.

The USF bookstore is open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays. It’s closed on Sundays.

“They have a nice selection of items, especially if you need a last minute gift… You can get all your supplies and books here and they will now match prices of competitors.” - Yelp Review

Coliseum of Comics New Tampa

The go-to place for comic books, figurines, and nerdy game nights in New Tampa!

There’s no doubt you’ll be able to find a comic you can enjoy at this store with how many choices are available. Image courtesy of Instagram.

19402 Bruce B Downs Blvd | Tampa | coliseumofcomics.com

With locations all over Florida— in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Clermont, and Jacksonville in addition to Tampa —Coliseum of Comics has become a favorite of the community, and it’s definitely the place to go for comic books.

Besides the books themselves, however, there’s also a wide selection of figurines— primarily Sideshow and Funko! Pop. Plus, several different locations offer game nights, including the New Tampa one! There’s Friday Night Magic on Fridays, Dungeons & Dragons on Mondays and Wednesdays, and more options at other locations.

Hours at Coliseum of Comics are from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and from noon until 6 p.m. on Sundays.

“I love local comic book stores and will always try to support them when I can. CoC [has] a good selection of new and used comics as well as figurines, cards, books, and more.” - Yelp Review

Bookworm Used Books

Secondhand bookstore in nearby Riverview, Florida!

This adorable used bookstore in Riverview, Florida, is just 12 miles outside of the Tampa area! Image courtesy of Instagram.

7414 Commerce St | Riverview | 813-443-0968

It may not be in Tampa itself, but Bookworm Used Books is very close by and definitely worth the extra miles. The beauty of a secondhand bookstore is that you never know what you’ll find, and you’ll certainly be able to find a book that’s just as much of a hidden gem as the bookstore itself.

In addition, the books here are very affordable, and the owners are very friendly and will do their best to help you find what you’re looking for— even if you don’t have anything specific in mind, you’re likely to leave with a book you can be super excited about.

Bookworm Used Books may be closed on Sundays and Mondays, but it’s open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. every other day of the week.

“Every time my daughter comes to visit from RI she makes a point of visiting your store…They have a fantastic selection of books for all interests and know just the ones to recommend based on your interest.” - Yelp Review

If you want to find a new book to fall in love with, you’ll definitely be in good shape to do so if you choose to visit one or more of these bookstores in the Tampa area. Consider investing in your next favorite read, and consider purchasing a GiftYa for a loved one while you’re at it.