Important Update:The City Guide web experience will be sunsetting on April 28, 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more.Elliott Bay Book Company
Bookstore and Café
Capitol Hill, Seattle
"Great selection, love browsing and reading all the recommendations."(6 Tips)
"Great selection of books and stationary supplies."(5 Tips)
"I love this place-everything to love about a local bookstore."(4 Tips)
"No more used books... an expanded bargain section."(3 Tips)
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112 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- comfortable seats
- novels
- café
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kerryberryDecember 23, 2015Local bookstore with a comfy reading and browsing atmosphere and an in-store cafe. Hard to resist leaving without buying a few books. The store also boasts author readings and autographing sessions.Upvote14Downvote- Rachel ChambersMarch 22, 2014I love this place-everything to love about a local bookstore. They also have great gifts. Locally made Torch candles and a ton of fun, handmade cards are perfect for anyone.Upvote16Downvote
William StricklandMay 27, 2013Used to be located in Pioneer Square, the Elliott Bay Book Company is the local bookstore for those who live on Capitol Hill. You'll find odd titles and local authors here. Don't forget about the caféUpvote5Downvote
BJ OrbaseOctober 16, 2013This. This. This. This is my favorite bookstore. They do so many things right: open spaces and comfortable seating, huge staff recommendations, amazing selection, even in the discount stuff.Upvote3Downvote
This is my go-to bookstore. Absolutely beautiful space, friendly and helpful staff, lovely cafe, and they have nearly every book — or if they don’t, they’ll order it, and get it in a day or two!UpvoteDownvote
Dawn FornearJanuary 20, 2023My favorite bookstore in Seattle! It SMELLS like a bookstore, and it has those good creaky floors. The selection of books is wonderful, and there's a little cafe in the back for a coffee or pastry.UpvoteDownvote
Hein ZegersApril 28, 2013Seattle's best place for book lovers from all over the world. Even more so, if you happen to come all the way from Belgium's university town of Leuven, where this beer originated... :-)
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Bruna MirandaMay 23, 2016Insanely beautiful, large variety of books and genres. Great bookstore to visit when in Seattle ;)
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Alexandra MichelleMay 31, 2016Absolutely incredible. Fantastic selection with handwritten notes from the staff about featured books. Definitely stop if you're walking by!Upvote1Downvote- Carol GillesOctober 26, 2024House of Colour Seattle! Lindy Day is an expertly trained color analyst, stylist, & makeover artist, all of Seattle WA. https://www.houseofcolour.com/stylists/lindy-day-northeast-seattle-washington
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When I'm looking for a book, I usually stop by here. The staff recommendations are spot on and they know the books they sell. A great space to chill out.UpvoteDownvote
Micaela PierceMarch 27, 2017This place is my heaven. Don't miss the turmeric lattes at the cafe. They also don't mind if you browse with your pup!Upvote1Downvote
Alexa Jane BrooksDecember 30, 2014Perfect bookstore setup. Love the wall of recommendations. They also have a shelf for zines. Worth stopping by.Upvote1Downvote- Cynthia LuongAugust 30, 2024Elliott Bay Book Company offers a vast selection of books, a cozy atmosphere, and knowledgeable staff. Their engaging author events and community focus make it a beloved destination for book lovers.UpvoteDownvote
OkCupid Daters' ChoiceJuly 13, 2017Elliott Bay Book Company was voted the Best Intellectual Date Spot by OkCupid users in the first-ever Daters' Choice Awards! Tap Read more for additional date spot categories in Seattle. #daterschoice Read moreUpvoteDownvote
Eleonora ZorziJuly 14, 2015You can find almost anything here. The staff is helpful and they have a good collection of graphic design books.
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David WunderlinFebruary 4, 2019This is the best place in Seattle. I love reading books and this is the place where you can find any type of book.UpvoteDownvote
Creighton DeSimoneSeptember 24, 2017Relaxed atmosphere. Great coffee in the back. Love the tips left on the shelves. It’s a great way to communicate with other readers.UpvoteDownvote
Daniel PlemmonsMarch 11, 2018Don’t forget to go upstairs for the fantastic history and biography sections.Upvote1Downvote
Miraj ShahJuly 11, 2015Wonderful wood-trimmed space, quiet place to meditate and enjoy from a wide variety of books, not unlike a beautiful library!UpvoteDownvote
Alex KimMarch 29, 2015Great spot to catch up on some reading and explore some new booksUpvote2Downvote
Elliott Bay Book Company, at home in new digs on Capitol Hill, is a local treasure. Step inside and find NW outdoor books and hiking guides -- and get outside away from the urban bustle on the Hill. Read moreUpvoteDownvote- L. T.February 23, 2017Super knowledgeable staff! Looks like a great spot for reading and grabbing a coffee with a friend or two.UpvoteDownvote
Rachel EubanksMarch 11, 2014Amazing indie bookstore that was full of locals! Huge selection, creatively curated, and plenty of room to sit and read.UpvoteDownvote- Randy McConnellMarch 15, 2024I really like the atmosphere, good coffee, and nice interior. This is a good place to study or chill with friends.UpvoteDownvote
Lucie CorianderJanuary 18, 2012Best bookstore in the U.S. Can be pretty busy on weekends, but staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Been going there 16+ years aka since toddler-hood and it's still brilliant.UpvoteDownvote
David DimmettApril 11, 2013Got some nice books on Seattle and the Pacific Northwest for my kids here. The place has a lot of character and some great stationary.UpvoteDownvote
Sarah FoleyMarch 28, 2015Always love to pop in and browse after eating next door at Oddfellows. Don't miss the stock upstairs, too!UpvoteDownvote
Jeff PetersenSeptember 28, 2014Great selection and a fantastic sale section as well. The staff knows their stuff. Very helpful.UpvoteDownvote- A great study spot...when there's a table available. Also, be warned - the wifi can get VERY spotty at times.UpvoteDownvote
Trevor WidemanOctober 12, 2014New books, magazines, and zines. Very spacious store with a lovely cafe at the back.UpvoteDownvote
Sandy WhittingtonSeptember 27, 2014Wonderful assortment of journals and postcards, as well as some cool + off the wall games.UpvoteDownvote
If you belong to a book club you get a discount for books ordered through EB. Also their staff can do a presentation of suggested titles tailored to your group's reading interestUpvoteDownvote
Stays open as late as coffee shops in the area (10p). Free internet. Great place to relax and recharge.UpvoteDownvote
Adam HickeyJune 7, 2015One of the largest local bookstores around. Be sure to read up on staff recommendations.UpvoteDownvote
Mack MaleJune 4, 2017Fantastic store with great selection and plenty of spots to relax.UpvoteDownvote
eric bornemannFebruary 5, 2021Incredible bookstore- wonderful place to waste an afternoon.UpvoteDownvote
My favorite bookstore ever. Staff recommendations throughout help you find your next book!UpvoteDownvote
Curtis MApril 6, 2015A very eclectic independent book store, which is a refreshing change from all the carbon copy chain stores that seem to be taking over.UpvoteDownvote
Agatha YuSeptember 10, 2014Great collection of books! fun place to just hang out and read before you purchaseUpvoteDownvote
Tobias SchmidtApril 9, 2018I'm almost surprised that bookstores even still exist. This is a particularly fine specimen.UpvoteDownvote
DJ CMay 26, 2014Lovely store with a great selection for a wide range of audiences. Great cards tooUpvoteDownvote
The cafe in the back is a great low key place to get a sandwich or a coffee and readUpvoteDownvote
Patricia LeeJuly 25, 2015Nice selection of books, but I wasn't blown away. I think NYC bookstores set the bar high for me. May have also been disappointed by the slow wifi connection...UpvoteDownvote
Farrar, Straus & GirouxSeptember 24, 2014Meet Ted Rall on Friday, November 21, 2014 at 7:00 PM as he reads from his graphic novel After We Kill You, We Will Welcome You Back as Honored Guests. Read moreUpvoteDownvote
Em ReidSeptember 16, 2014Amazing independent bookstore. The travel writing section upstairs is particularly good.UpvoteDownvote- Farrar, Straus & GirouxSeptember 16, 2013Meet literary critic John Freeman on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM as he reads from his new book, How to Read a Novelist. Also with Nicola Griffith. Read moreUpvoteDownvote
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Elliott Bay Book Company
1521 10th Ave (btwn Pike & Pine)
Seattle, WA 98122
United States
Seattle, WA 98122
United States
Located in the heart of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood business...(Show more)
Open until 10:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 10:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Sun
- 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
(206) 624-6600
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Yes
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Places inside Elliott Bay Book Company
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"Great coffee and a great work environment.don't forget to grab a book! Hands down my favorite discovery on this trip."
Andy Keil
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"Good curated books selection. I found what I was looking for (A Thousand Days in Venice)"
Kuo-yu Liang - 7.3
"I was surprised at the variety of sections, topics, and genres. You're almost guaranteed to find something interesting. A lot under 10 bucks, as well."
Jack Reeves
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