Best Bookstores to Visit in Washington D.C. in 2025
Washington D.C. bookstores host virtual and in-person events. Whatever you are into, you can find a book club and the chance to revel in that genre or topic with others. Photo courtesy of Chelsey Stone.
by Chelsey Stone
Washington D.C. is one literary city. It’s no wonder; the city’s think tanks, political institutions, universities, museums, and more draw in erudite individuals and thinkers of all kinds. Locals and visitors alike will find plenty of general interest bookstores in Washington D.C., but also numerous ones catering to specific interests: cooking, science, LGBTQ+, and books by or about the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
And you don’t have to read alone in DC. Many of the bookstores in Washington D.C. host virtual and in-person events. Whatever you are into, you can find a book club and the chance to revel in that genre or topic with others. You can also hear from your favorite author or explore the city and travel the world through book-themed outings. There is a literary event happening every day of the week in DC.
I’m a former guide for Read & Run Chicago and now host Read & Run on the Road events in D.C.—here are some of my upcoming events—and I’ve been exploring Washington D.C.’s bookstores since I arrived in the summer of 2024. I’ve been particularly delighted by the book clubs I’ve participated in, including ones that discuss books in translation (Lost City) or about our built environment (Solid State)—and I’ve got my eye out for a food-themed book club event (Bold Fork). I hope to see you at one—or more!—of these book clubs soon.
Until then, here’s my list of the best bookstores in Washington D.C. to visit in 2025.
Because Science
Because Science. Courtesy of Chelsey Stone.
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan | Best for: science enthusiasts
Giving this Washington D.C. store an honorary bookstore mention because of the books for adults and children on scientific topics, like the human body or how to make cheese as well as fun experiments to try. As you browse, you’ll hear a Bill Nye the Science Guy theme song remix playing overhead. One helpful employee dressed in lab coats called the store a love letter to science.
Bridge Street Books
Neighborhood: Georgetown | Best for: the feel of an open-air book market with a storefront
The table of books out front will lure you into this Washington D.C. bookstore offering a curated selection of fiction and nonfiction.
Bol Coop Bookstore
Neighborhood: Bloomingdale | Best for: free exchange of ideas and political empowerment
Bol is DC’s first worker-owned bookstore with a collection of new and used books. The bookstore located within Creative Grounds DC, so grab a coffee and a pastry as well.
Bold Fork Books
Neighborhood: Mount Pleasant | Best for: planning your next meal
Looking to mix things up in the kitchen? Look no further than Bold Fork Books—DC’s only culinary bookstore. Finally brave breadmaking with bread cookbooks, find food travelogues in their food writing section, and tackle cuisines from around the world with their many big, bold, beautiful cookbooks. There’s are also food-themed kids’ books.
Check out their foody book clubs: They host cookbook author talks, potlucks, and more.
Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets’s Anacostia location. Courtesy of Chelsey Stone.
Neighborhood: multiple locations | Best for: perusing books while you wait for a table
A restaurant, bar, community space, and bookstore? This place does it all. At the Anacostia location (and their eight other locations), you’ll find books for adults and kids contributing to “conversations concerning great social struggles.”
Check out their events page for thoughtful conversations.
Capitol Hill Books
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill | Best for: rare and used books
Every inch of this used-bookstore is covered—even the bathroom has shelves of books! At street level you’ll find nonfiction and upstairs sizable fiction and mystery sections. If you’re looking for a used book, chances are you’ll find it here—including rare and unique books.
East City Bookshop
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill | Best for: Browsing the shelves with your favorite companion (your dog)
The storefront of this Capitol Hill bookstore, below street level, is deceiving. Modestly sized and housing bestsellers and new releases on the top floor, the store triples in size once you descend another set of stairs. There is bargain section organized by topic (biography, sports, travel, etc.). And there is a shelf in the center of the room containing all the book club picks for that month (like Reads & Reels or the young professionals book club). Don’t miss the small closet next to the door on your way out filled with photos of all the dogs who’ve visited the store.
JF Books
JF Books. Courtesy of Chelsey Stone.
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle | Best for: Books about China and Asia, Chinese-language books
JF Books is the continuation of the Jifeng bookstore, which served Chinese bibliophiles for 20 years before the government forced its closure in 2018. An outpouring of support for the bookstore garnered much global media attention. The bookstore found a new home in DC under a new name and continues to provide Chinese-language social science and humanities books, as well as English-language books about China and Asia and books written by Asian Americans.
Kramers
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle | Best for: bucket list bookstores
Kramers was Washington D.C.’s first bookstore/café when it opened in 1976. There is now a bar and restaurant in case your book browsing leaves you hungry (or thirsty). You’ll find a sizeable section of books on local history—plus a wall of socks. Kramers is listed in 150 Bookstores You Need to Visit Before You Die, so it’s always bustling inside—even on a Tuesday afternoon.
In addition to book clubs, they host biweekly literary trivia nights, if you feel like testing your book knowledge.
The Lantern
Neighborhood: Georgetown | Best for: community bookshopping
Discover donated new and rate books at this volunteer-run bookstore.
Little District Books
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill | Best for: LGBTQ+ love
This “queerest bookstore in all of Washington” celebrates LGBTQ+ authors and stories.
Lost City Books
Lost City Books. Courtesy of Chelsey Stone.
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan | Best for: passing through open doorways and into the unknown
If you’re looking for art and architecture books, pause at the landing between the first and second floors at Lost City. On the second floor is a sizable LGBTQ+ section, as well as a back room with floor-to-ceiling shelves of mystery books on the left, romance straight ahead, and sci-fi(?) on the right.
Their book clubs include literature in translation and books from small presses, as well as books of poetry.
Loyalty Bookstore
Neighborhood: Petworth and Silver Spring, MD | Best for: diverse discoveries
This bookstore is on a mission to diversify the book industry, bringing diverse books and events to the community.
Middle East Books and More
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle | Best for: Middle Eastern studies
What began in 1982 as a book club to promote U.S.-Middle East understanding has become a bookstore with literature, poetry, nonfiction, and Arabic books about the region (with pottery, olive oil, and gifts available as well). They are expanding; so as of February 2025, you’ll find a selection of their books in smaller space next door.
The Newsroom
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle | Best for: newspaper and magazines from around the world
Have you ever needed to find a niche magazine on a topic like Boat or Witches? Or a magazine from a country outside the US? Well, you’ll likely find it in Dupont Circle’s The Newsroom. You can find more common magazines as well, so long as you can squeeze between mind teetering piles of newspapers. On shelves near the door and between the magazine displays you can new and used books.
Politics & Prose
Politics and Prose. Courtesy of Chelsey Stone.
Neighborhood: multiple locations | Best for: connecting with fellow bibliophiles at one of numerous events at one of numerous locations
Don’t be fooled by the name, this bookstore contains literary books of all kinds, not just the political. While their book groups meet online, you can take day trips and walking tours; travel to Prague, England, Paris, and more; take a class; or simply attend one of the many author talks and events to meet fellow book people in person.
The Potter’s House
Neighborhood: Lanier Heights | Best for: enjoying southern fare before or after browsing the shelves
This bookstore and café is a pay-what-you-can nonprofit. The books are curated for social movements and cultural studies, and the café serves up, among many delicious treats, buttermilk biscuit breakfast sandwiches.
Second Story Books
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle and Rockville, MD | Best for: rare and used books—some very niche!
This large used bookstore has everything you’re looking for, including the rare and out of print.
Sankofa Video and Books
Neighborhood: near Howard University | Best for: books by writers of African descent
This bookstore offers books, movies, and events by people of African descent.
Solid State Books
Solid State Books. Courtesy of Chelsey Stone.
Neighborhood: multiple locations | Best for: something for everyone
This general interest bookstore’s book club genres include horror, all things cities and urban planning, and more.
Ready to explore more of Washington D.C.?
Join Read & Run on the Road organizer Chelsey Stone’s upcoming Washington D.C. events.
Chelsey Stone (she/her) is a freelance editor and writer. She's worked on projects like Adam Nimoy's memoir and written for Runner's World, Bicycling, and National Geographic (about the Chicago River!). A former Chicagoan, she's now living in the Washington, DC area. She spends her free time visiting all the free museums she now has access to. Learn more on her website and follow on Instagram @chelseygrassfield.