Indie Bookstores in Tampa & Orlando, Florida
Bookstores are some of my favorite places to visit, both as a reader and a collector of books. As an Orlando native and a Tampa resident, there are a few local indie bookstores that are near and dear to my heart. To celebrate the spirit of the independent bookstore, and to inspire your next bookish adventure, I’ve put together this guide to the best indie bookshops in these two cities in Central Florida. Read on for these must-visit indie bookstores in Tampa and Orlando for book lover! Don’t forget to sign up to my newsletter to get the latest and greatest in book reviews, Tampa recommendations, and more!
Left to Right: Oxford Exchange Bookstore, Book + Bottle, and Steamy Lit
The Charm of the Indie Bookstore
Indie bookstores are special places, equal parts bookshop, community center, and reader oasis. These shops draw readers in for many reasons, not least of which is the sense of local culture they offer.
What is an Independent Bookstore?
First things first, an independent bookstore — or an indie bookstore — is a store that is locally owned and not part of a chain. Their inventory is guided more by local reading habits, and they often host a range of events, including book signings, book clubs, and more.
Why Are Indie Bookstores Important?
Indie bookstores are important because they are independent. They are not subject to corporate governance and pressure in the way that big box bookstores are. While this can inherently place indie bookstores in a more precarious position from a business standpoint, it offers them great freedom in terms of the cultural zeitgeist.
As a small, local operation, such businesses are necessarily integrated into the community they serve. This character influences the books they sell, the events they hold, and the miscellaneous products — often from local vendors — they offer. In a sort of symbiotic relationship, these bookstores support local culture while supporters of the bookstore bolster the local economy and entrepreneurship.
Why I Love Visiting These Bookstores
Personally, I love the romanticism of an indie bookstore. And I’m not even talking about the romance bookstores that have been popping up (I am also a big fan of those, to be sure). Independent bookstores are little portals into a book lover’s utopia, quiet spaces designed for us to wander and ponder what literary adventure we’ll take next. Every time I walk into such a shop, I feel my blood pressure drop a bit and the anxieties of daily life lift off my shoulders. To be surrounded by books and likeminded people is truly something special, something comforting.
In both Tampa and Orlando, I have “my bookstores” — the favorite spots listed here that I’ll prioritize visiting regularly. When traveling, I inadvertently created a tradition of visiting indie bookstores wherever I can. So far, I have gone out of my way to visit indie bookstores in at least 7 states, and it’s a practice my husband and I will maintain going forward.
The Best Indie Bookstores in Tampa, Florida
Oxford Exchange Bookstore
When it comes to aesthetically inspiring bookstores, Oxford Exchange‘s Bookstore must top that list. Sure, I might be a little bit biased in saying that since I got married there (they even posted about it!), but that doesn’t make it any less true. And yes, I will use this as an excuse to share one of my absolute favorite wedding photos:
Located in a gorgeous mixed-use space, the OE Bookstore is bookended (pun intended) by a great tea bar, coffee bar, home decor shop, candle making station, and restaurant. The bookstore has a great rotation of new releases and beloved classics and is consistently ranked as one of the top indie bookstores in Tampa. They also host a ton of great author events and book clubs, so be sure to check out their schedule before you go!
Visiting Oxford Exchange
Address: 420 West Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL 33606
Useful Links: Website | Instagram
Learn more about the OE Bookstore and why Oxford Exchange is one of my favorite spots in Tampa here!
Steamy Lit
Originating in Deerfield Beach, romance bookstore Steamy Lit opened a second location in Tampa in late 2024. Dedicated to romance novels, Steamy Lit started out as a romance book subscription box in 2021. When the subscription box became a huge success, founder Melissa Saavedra went on to open the Deerfield Beach location in order to create a space for romance readers and authors.
Saavedra also established the Steamy Lit Literary Collective, a foundation dedicated to providing women romance authors of color and non-binary/gender queer authors a platform to share their voices and their work. You can learn more about the Steamy Lit Foundation here.
In the Tampa location, you can expect to find a wide array of romance novels, organized by theme or trope. However, that isn’t all Steamy Lit offers. Beyond the books, themselves, they have a great selection of bookish merch and curated home goods and gifts from local creators and businesses.
Visiting Steamy Lit in Tampa
Address: 2832 S MacDill Ave Unit C Tampa, FL 33629
Useful Links: Website | Instagram
Tombolo Books
Located in the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg, Florida, Tombolo Books is a great option if you want to browse for books with a delicious coffee in hand. Connected to Black Crow Coffee, this bookstore and coffee shop combo is perfect for catching up with a book loving friend or for a solo self-care day.
Coffee aside, Tombolo is near and dear to my heart in terms of indie bookstores in Tampa go because of its great atmosphere and top tier book selection. With a colorful exterior and eclectic interior, Tombolo has all the small bookstore vibes you’ve been craving. Besides the obvious star of the show here — the books, themselves — the shop has a great selection of reading-related trinkets, tote bags, and gifts.
Tombolo hosts a huge number of book events and author talks, along with an array of book clubs based on genre. Personally, I love their themed book events (like their romance book day event!) and book fairs — definitely keep an eye out on their Instagram for more details!
Visiting Tombolo Books
Address: 2153 1st Ave S. Saint Petersburg, FL 33712
Useful Links: Website | Instagram
P.S. Tombolo Books is within easy walking distance of two great breweries: 3 Daughters and Pinellas Ale Works (also known as PAW).
Make a day of it and explore the local literary and brewery scene!
Book + Bottle
This bookstore and wine bar is an absolute gem of a find in St. Pete. I first visited while in town for my bachelorette weekend, and have been back many times since. As far as indie bookstores in Tampa go, the vibe at this one cannot be beat. A small, woman-owned operation, Book + Bottle runs on the belief that “little kindnesses can make our community and world a better place.” Basically, if you’re on the hunt for a bookstore and bar combo, look no further — this is the best one out there!
Book + Bottle is adorable, and they have a great range of both books and drinks to offer, as well as coffee, tea, and light snacks. Basically, it is very easy to spend a whole day there just browsing and reading! Like the other indie bookstores on this list, Book + Bottle hosts a variety of events, from book clubs to writing sessions, wine tastings to midnight releases. Be sure to check out their Instagram for details on their upcoming events!
Visiting Book + Bottle
Address: 17 6th Street North St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Useful Links: Website | Instagram
Must-Visit Indie Bookstores in Orlando, Florida
The New Romantics
A new indie romance bookstore in Orlando, The New Romantics stocks books from a wide range of authors in the romance genre. Founded by Jane Rodriguez, this romance bookshop set out to “create a safe, diverse space for all romance readers and uplift the romantic stories we read.” In that, I would say it is clear they succeeded.
The store is absolutely adorable, truly an oasis for any romance reader and lover of all things Taylor Swift. The whole shop is so well organized, with clear markers of different tropes and subgenres within the romance world. Beyond the stellar selection (and knowledgable staff), though, the merch they stock is fantastic. Think adorable stickers, bookmarks, Kindle accessories, home goods…they have it all! And the prices are totally reasonable! Win-win-win.
Also, I just realized The New Romantics has a monthly book box subscription and wow do I need it!
Visiting The New Romantics
Address: 3018 Corrine Drive Orlando, Florida 32803
Useful Links: Website | Instagram
Writer’s Block
With two locations, Writer’s Block Bookstore is a giant in the indie book community of Central Florida. Built on a mission of supporting national independent books that are not always found in big box stores, Writer’s Block has built a safe space and community center for readers of all interests. Their work extends beyond the walls of their bookstores, as well, through their philanthropic support of a long list of local non-profits.
While I haven’t been to the newer location in Winter Garden, the Winter Park Writer’s Block bookstore is a mainstay of any trip to Orlando. Located on Park Ave in Winter Park, this bookshop is the perfect place to browse post-lunch on the avenue. In fact, I got my wedding dress from a shop across the street from this indie bookstore, so every fitting was followed by a visit to Writer’s Block!
Visiting Writer’s Block
Address: Winter Park Location – 316 N Park Ave Winter Park, Florida 32789 // Winter Garden Location – 32 W. Plant Street Winter Garden, Florida 34787
Useful Links: Website | Instagram
Have you visited any of these indie bookstores in Tampa or Orlando?
Do you have a favorite indie bookstore besides the ones listed here?
Give them a shout out in the comments below!
Looking for more fun spots in the Tampa and Orlando areas?
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