Kolkata has always been known for its keen interest in arts and literature. The love for the languages extends into people’s daily life, with students penning poems and writing stories since a young age.
Thus, it is of no surprise that the city harbours some rare gems when it comes to bookstores. From entire streets of second-hand books to stores that specialize in books about sustainability, the city has it all. Whether you are visiting the city for a few days or have been a resident for years, below are few bookstores you must visit.
Here’s the list Of 12 Bookstores In Kolkata you must visit:
Chakraborty and Chatterjee 
Chakraborty and Chatterjee is one of the oldest bookstores in Kolkata. It was established in 1910 by APC Ray. Having started from a small one-story building, it proudly boasts of its current two-storied showroom. It is located on the College street, renowned for being surrounded by bookstores and universities. The bookstore not only carries works of literature in Indian languages, but you can also find a vast number of foreign languages books here. The bookstore is known for carrying rare prints and first edition publications.
If you are a fan of Bengali literature, coming here is a must. There is a vast collection of fiction and non-fiction works, including all known as well as niche genres. A booklover’s paradise, this store is still seeing an increase in physical sales among the rapid availability of books online.
Address: 15, College St, College Square West, Newland, Calcutta University, College Square, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
Contact: 033 2241 6425
National Book Store 
An ode to the history, The National Bookstore was established in the 1990s on the infamous college street, right opposite the Presidency University. The bookstore is located inside an old building, which gives it a unique charm of its own. The store has a solid and enviable collection of books ranging from fiction, non-fiction to rare academic prints.
Thus, it is frequently visited by students and adults of varying ages and professions. If you plan on visiting the National bookstore, it is recommended to have some extra time with you since it tends to get quite busy even on normal days.
Address: 15, College St, Opposite National Book Store, College Square West, College Square, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
Contact: 033 2241 7442
Techno World 
If you ask any student where they purchase their books, the chances are that a majority will recommend Techno World. Located right next to the College Street bus stop, the bookstore houses an immense collection of educational books. They stock books for schools, college, technical courses as well as competitive exams.
They are the first stop to visit when you are interested in purchasing rare academic publications from foreign authors. The high discounts on purchase, as well as the option to pre-order books of your choice, makes it a popular destination. Furthermore, the store makes sure all the books are offered in their recently updated versions.
Address: YMCA Building, 90/6A, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, opp. Grace Cinema, Calcutta University, College Street, Kolkata
Contact: 093319 96116
Dey’s Publishing 
Dey’s publishing functions is one of the oldest publishing house and bookstores in Kolkata. They are known for their association with renowned Bengali authors, like Sunil Gangopadhyay and Shirshendu Mukhopadhya. Their collection includes novels, short stories, travelogues, essays and poetry. The books are designed to be affordable for every individual that walks through the door. Having been associated with hundreds of well-known authors of Bengal, they publish over 150 titles every year.
The visitors can step inside the big library and choose their book themselves. You can browse the books personally and any purchase from the store is subjected to a special discount. If you are keen on finding gems of Bengali literature, Dey’s publishing is the place to go.
Address: 13, Bankim Chatterjee St, Sealdah, College Square, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
Contact: 033 2241 2330
College street 
It is impossible to talk about bookstores in Kolkata and not mention the renowned College street. The historic street is the second-largest second-hand book market in the world, as well as the largest one in India. The area approximately covers the M.G road, running parallel to universities like The Calcutta University and the Presidency University.
The street is dotted on both sides by numerous stalls as well as brick-and-mortar shops. It is said that you can find any book from any part of the world among these shops. From used novels to brand new academic books, from literary translations to books for competitive exams, everything can be found within this one street.
Address: College Street Book Market, Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007
Contact: 087774 51390
Oxford Bookstore 
The Oxford bookstore opened its door to Kolkata in the 1920s, catering to the bibliophiles in the city. The main purpose of the store is to give the readers access to popular international authors. The collection is displayed on open shelves and is arranged according to the different genres. The fiction section consists of books written by authors in various languages, such as English, Hindi, French etc. One can find books on subjects like Fashion, Architecture, Art, Culture, Technology, Sports Nature, Travel and Biographies in the non-fiction sections of the store.
The bookstore is also known for hosting literary events that have been attended by many renowned writers, like Amitav Ghosh, Kiran Desai, Salman Rushdie, Mahasweta Devi etc. Furthermore, the company’s ties to publishing houses like Bloomsbury, Harper Collins and Penguin make it accessible to stock all the new releases and pre-orders. This store is a must-visit location if you want to enjoy browsing books accompanied by a cup of hot tea.
Address: 17, Park St, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
Contact: 033 2217 2680
Seagull Books Pvt Ltd 
The Seagull bookstore is one of the most unique bookstores in Kolkata. Rather than stocking up on fiction, this store specializes in translations of literary works from all over the world. It is estimated that a whopping ninety per cent of their collection consists of non-fiction works. Their content includes translations of books regarding philosophy, arts, culture, theatre studies, cinema etc.
They are known as one of the prestigious publishing houses in India, having produced translations of Nobel winning literature. The bookstore has a warm and cosy ambience, amplified by the walls adorned with paintings and sculptures. The vintage decorations, as well as the annual sales, draw many individuals to this shop.
Address: 36c, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rd, • Patuapara, Jatin Das Park, Bakul Bagan, Kalighat, Kolkata
Contact: 033 2476 5869
Starmark 
Starmark is a chain of bookstores, situated across the busy regions of Kolkata. It is a bookstore combined with a reading space and toy shop. They are known for their huge collections of domestic and international authors. If you are new to reading books, the store has the useful bestseller sections right at the entry point. The books are divided into sections according to various categories such as Horror Fiction, Thrillers, Self-Help, History, Romance, Classic Literature, Travel, Young Readers, Children etc.
There are often kiosks where you can ask for help in searching for any title or author. They have an entire children section that caters to books, toys, puzzles, board games as well as a reading and colouring area. It is a popular place among students and young adults. You can generally find them lounging on the padded benches and immersed in different books right at the store.
Address: Starmark, 375, Prince Anwar Shah Rd, South City Complex, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068
Contact: 081001 20120
Earthcare Books 
A unique bookstore in the city of Kolkata, The Earthcare bookstore focuses on books specializing in environmental concerns and sustainability. The store is owned by the husband and wife duo, Bharat and Vinita Mansata. The collection of books is geared towards social, cultural and environmental issues. You can find books on feminism, sustainable framing, the plight of the different social casts in India etc. Few of its notable bestsellers include One-Straw Revolution by Japanese philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka and The No-Nonsense Guide to World Poverty by Jeremy Seabrook.
They also have a special corner for children, focused on illustrated books. The store regularly organizes workshops and events where you can participate and mingle with like-minded individuals. Furthermore, special attention has been put into decorating the store. The old pictures of the city adorning the walls, the bamboo furniture, the ceramic and wooden crafts section, all blend to provide the visitors with a memorable atmosphere. This small bookstore is known for attracting visitors from all parts of the world.
Address: Earthcare Books, Metro Stn, 10, Middleton St, Near Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071
Contact: 033 2229 6551
Piccadilly Book Shop 
The Piccadilly bookstore is one of the famous second-hand bookstores in Kolkata. It is located near the busy new market and is easily one of the oldest in the trade. They carry new titles as well but are mostly visited by dedicated bibliophiles in search of rare, vintage editions. The visitors can sort through their hundreds of book styles to find the one that draws their attention.
You can find novels, short stories, biographies to even comics in this store. With the new age of sustainability and less consumption, it draws its fair share of customers. If you are looking for a trip to a different time, the old bookstore and yellowing pages will give you just that.
Address: Piccadilly Book Shop, A (p), 106, Barnaporichoy Book Mall 1st Floor Market,, College Street, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007
Contact: 098313 89110
Crossword Kolkata 
The Crossword bookstore in Kolkata was established in 1952 catering to both adult and children readers alike. They have an extensive collection of fiction as well as non-fiction. The bookstore is famous for its vast children’s’ section, where the kids can browse to their heart’s content. The children section also includes toys, board games, puzzles as well as various gifts.
Most of the books in the store are unsealed to help the customers get a glimpse before buying. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time going through books, do not worry. All the books in the store are divided according to their genres for easy accessibility. Furthermore, the store provides an attached cafe where you can rest your tired legs and drink a cup of coffee.
Address: Crossword, 320 A, Block A,- 3rd floor, 3rd Ave, DC Block, Sector 1, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700064
Contact: 033 4008 2310
Ananda Publisher 
Ananda Publishers is one of the oldest and most prominent publishing houses in Kolkata. They have their iconic bookstores in several locations inside the city. If you are into Bengali fiction, these bookstores are the epitome of indulgence. You can find the majority of Bengali writer or their works in the stores. Their collection includes hardbound novels of renowned writers such as Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay and Sunil Gangopadhyay, short stories, autobiographies etc.
The publishing house takes special care regarding the quality of the books, ranging from the covers and bindings to the illustrations. The store also offers promotions for free books with certain purchases that guarantee maximum shopper satisfaction.
Address: Ananda Publishers Pvt Ltd, 45, Beniatola Ln, College Row, College Street, Kolkata, West Bengal 700009
Contact: 033 2241 4352