Holy moly, what a bookstore! Came here on a friends recommendation and I wasnt disappointed. They have a great selection of books and I loved their Pacific NW section (thats where I got most of my books). The science section wasnt fantastic but how could I ever hold anything against such a great bookstore. And to top it off, its a beautiful place. Probably that best looking bookstore Ive ever been in.
This is a place definitely should not to be missed! Im a big fan of books and really like such kind of places! The selection of books is so huge. I lost my mind when I saw that book collection at first time. I was impressed! And I appreciated for the staff recommendations for books. Very helpful! I want to spend here all my free time!
I love this bookstore! I just spent a year in DC trying to find a bookstore that could even wish to fill Elliott Bay’s shoes and coming up empty. The selection is awesome, the staff is knowledgeable, and the store is beautiful. They’re also great at answering questions or recommendation requests, especially over email when they have a chance to think about their answers. So glad to be home!
Great selection of books at reasonable prices. Classic bookstore vibes. Was mildly disappointed they dont sell used books, but they have a discount section upstairs. Carry most major titles. No seating and cafe inside is shutdown, likely due to covid. Plan on coming back post pandemic.
Our favorite book shop in Seattle. There are great options throughout the city but you just cant beat the vibe they have there, the selection and the surrounding area.They keep up with new releases, have a great selection of local small press releases and more. Theres a section to get lost in for any genre.
Ive been a customer of Elliott Bay Book Company since the 1970s, when it was located in Pioneer Square. I havent been to another local bookstore quite like it. The Capitol Hill location is well organized and open, light and airy,. Youll find the the same meticulous curation of books. And if you dont find the book you seek? No problem! They will custom order for you and it usually arrives within a week. The people who work there love books and are knowledgable and helpful. I cant say enough about this Seattle treasure.
A wonderful book store. Sticky notes abound with comments about the books and authors. A great place to take your time and enjoy looking at their wares.
Best bookstore with a phenomenal range, especially in the design section. Great vibe and staff, I always feel so inspired. Love love love
Awesome shop to browse around. Books are not sold at “deal” prices — given that, I’d suggest visiting and making an experience out of it! Definitely buy something, but don’t rush. It’s cheaper to get books elsewhere if you’re not looking to spend some time and enjoy yourself.
This has to be one of the most famous bookstores in Seattle. I used to live close by and I would come here to go to the great coffee spot tucked in the back. Bottomless drip coffee and a good WiFi spot to boot. This is a great place to find a book and one of my favorite places to work out of prior to the end of times with the pandemic. The staff is ever so kind and the coffee will keep you going on any project youre working on. At the end of a university school day you may find it hard to find a spot in the back coffee shop, but thats what happens at popular nice places. If youre in the area stop by, find a book to buy or grab a coffee. Its a spectacular local business.
Huge selection of books. Super helpful staff. Great all around book store with event space and cool people.
Anytime I go to a bookstore, I find the philosophy section to be underwhelming. This was definitely not the case here. I found some very interesting reads in that section. Along with this, the best part had to be their outdoors section! A great deal of rock climbing and mountaineering reads that were very unique. Would go back again!
One of my favorite places in Seattle, super cute, and the café inside has good fare!! I like the hand-written blurbs about the books by the employees.There are definitely cheaper places to buy books, but it’s a nice place to visit and browse nonetheless.
There are two kinds of book stores: ones that feel cluttered, overwhelming and ones that feel infinite and hook you to stay and browse for a while. Elliott Bay is the latter. They have an expansive selection across a wide array of genres that are neatly presented in a pleasant environment that inspires you to browse. Its the type of book store where if youre not cautious you buy 9 books because its just that good. However, there is a general lack of seating in the store, aside from the cafe which I did find disappointing. Ill be back though because this store is a gem!
In all fairness, I didnt actually go in because I was too excited after going to an author event held outside. The event was so well prepared for and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Next time, I definitely plan on going in!
Great selection of books here; pricing can be a bit high but you shop local
My favorite bookstore in Seattle. Parking can be a bear on Cap Hill. Molly Moons and Lost Lake are nearby. Great fairly deep offerings.Worth stopping in, if you have something on your read list.
Wonderful selection, very thoughtfully laid out sections. A haven for introverts.
Has a huge collection of books and most seem very fairly priced. Large range of topics and the staff at the information desk was very helpful and found me what I was looking for. I could easily spend hundreds of dollars in this store.
Best books store in Seattle, so many different sections with really knowledgeable staff. Great little cafe in the back as well. Great spot to grab a coffee, do some work, buys some books and learn!
Excellent selection without being too overwhelming with great staff recommendations.
If a large bookstore could get any more classic, I’d be surprised. I could’ve spent hours in here browsing the different aisles, reading the personalized notes from the staff, and wandering around the two floors. Love how cozy it is here too. Coffee shop in the back (I didn’t try) so grab a cup and support!
I give the Elliot Bay Book company a relative five stars which is to say that it is the best book store in Seattle The selection is very good for a bookstore of its size and the staff are knowledgeable, well-read, book lovers. However, Seattle doesnt have anything that ranks as a world class bookstore to compare EBBC against. For that youve got to go to Portland or farther.
Great local bookstore. They carry a wide selection of books in a pretty well organized store. They also carry some stationary and items like tarot cards and other miscellaneous items. Ive tried the café food once and it was decent if not slightly overpriced.
I would give this book store a six star review if possible. Their mark bittman collection rivals any other. I was not disappointed by the puzzle collection
Love a good bookstore, and this one is! Hope the cafe opens again soon..then 5 stars!
I love this bookstore so much, I could spend hours walking around and reading the the recommendations from staff placed all around the store.
Great bookstore, excellent staff selections and descriptions. Some good bargain books in balcony section.
Very cozy, lots of staff recommendation description cards and nooks with themes of books grouped together, still requiring masks for entry and overall good vibes.(Doooo wish they would beef up their tiny Manga selection though, Cap Hill has zero Manga options.)
A quiet place to take time with your thoughts and meander. Much smaller than the old bookstore in Pioneer Square. Appreciated.
Absolutely one of the great American bookstores - please go buy books here!
Just being in Elliott Bay is like being at home. But this home is warm, beautiful, filled with books, and has a coffee shop. At any given point they are sure to have new books, hidden gems, vintage, and great reccommendations.
So many books to look at! I love all the recommendation notes on the shelves too, those are super helpful
I stopped here on a whim. I had a couple books on my Amazon list which I hoped to find. Would much rather support a local bookstore than Amazon. The staff were incredibly helpful pointing me in the direction of the books I was looking for. Then stop at Odd Fellows next door to enjoy your new book!
Browsing for books in a good bookstore like this is so superior to the online experience! The physical arrangement and knowledgeable people meet personal, human, needs. Im new to the area and Im delighted to find such a great bookstore in my new home.
Huge bookstore with a huge selection of books. You can sit there and read too, if I am not wrong they have book club and there as well. The ice cream store right beside is a good place to buy an ice cream and chill and read the book too. They have an information counter for all your queries as well.
Hah talk about not knowing where you are and finding a bookstore .... but it was definitely interesting and I found a book
A fantastic selection of books on endless shelves. A peaceful energy.
A wonderful selection of books. Sadly the cafe and bathroom were closed.
Pretty good selection, the Cafe was closed so a little disappointing but understandable.
Loved it. In a world of technology its so nice to browse a real bookstore.
Perhaps one of the best bookstores. Not only from a standpoint of book selections but the list of visiting authors makes this bookstoreexceptional. Always come back here when I am in Capitol Hill, as it remains a favorite place for me in Seattle. I always find so many books I want to own of every category.
So cute. Could spend hours here!
Only the best book store on the West Coast...
Laid back atmosphere and very nicely laid out store.
Who doesnt love a good bookstore with friendly service? They ordered some books for me and were very prompt about letting me know when they arrived.
They got some books. Not nearly as big and wonderful as Powell’s in Portland (sorry Elliot Bay). A nice selection and I found a book I like.
Its hard to find a large bookstore these days and this one scratches that itch.Sections that are usually hard to find, much less with variety, were well represented here. Horror, LGBT+, and even history had multiple cases, not just shelves.The downside was that even though they were pumping air in it was still somewhat stuffy.If you have Covid concerns they ask that you limit a trip to 30 minutes and have sani available. Support the small!
Theres nothing quite like a local bookstore, and this one is simply packed to the gils with an awesome selection of books across any category I can think of. Its a pleasure to just wander around and explore their selection, and I love supporting a local business by making purchases there.
When people lament the loss of great bookstores, it’s places like this that they’re thinking of. This is the quintessential bookstore — wide selection, roomy stacks, the right refreshments and plenty of space to browse. The staff notes on various selections are insightful, often funny, and universally well-written.
Fantastic! Great selection of local, regional, fiction, and others. Great recommendation section, or ask a bookseller, theyll have plenty to suggest!
Awesome place! If Im in the area again would definitely return!
Great book store. They have a review/summary for the books on the staff recommended shelf. The books are sorted orderly and the store in general is also pretty spacious.
Expansive bookstore with a wide selection and plenty of recommendations for a variety of tastes.
Beautiful store. Good, well organized selection. Friendly, helpful staff. Very nice place, even during a pandemic. Probably amazing when not needing social distancing.
Cool place. Good vibes.
Lots of incredible books, I feel like I could spend hours here.... also oddly enough their hand sanitizer smells really good?
In an era of online options Elliott Bay book company is a step back into the wonderful tradition of browsing for books, making an experience of the day and encouraging love reading in a cozy environment. We go there often to meet friends and explore and always find something worth bringing home
Cutest book store with worker recommendations all over the store and a full wall of reviews of favorite books that is constantly updated. I love bookstores and this is one of the best. I collect the bookmarks they give you too, super fun
The only negative comment I have about this place is how much money I spend there. Such an amazing book store.
The best selection in town, with the kindest staff. They also have a lovely loyalty card system, which is a joy to cash in on, as an avid reader. Great gift section, too!
One of the best libraries I have ever been to.
Awesome bookstore in a peaceful part of South Seattle close to Cal Anderson park, Plum Bistro, and Mighty-O donuts. Staff were extremely covid-conscious. Looking forward to coming back here next time Im in town.
This is a special place staffed by caring people who want you to find the right book.
Clean, organized, helpful employees. Greeted at the front. Great book selection, Stop in!
Just your average book store. Being in downtown Seattle, its understandable that their bathroom was closed, and they have a 30 minute time limit. But as a paying customer, it was still pretty annoying
Really love this book store. Excellent selection of just about everything.
Always friendly helpful service and great recommendations.
Love the vibe of the place. Great book collection too.
@addsomeglamour loves a good bookstore
Offers a wide range of books, magazines, some comics, YA literature, childrens literature, and book reading accessories. Many genres and authors are represented, currently youre allowed to browse the store or pick up, there are also people there to help you find books.
Elliott Bay has to be one of the best local bookstores. The staff is always so kind and the selection is outstanding.
Many great books recommendations :)
Great selection. Really neat place.
Huge selection with helpful staff. Check it out!
My neighborhood book store that always seems to have what Im looking for, and what I didnt know I needed.
Excellent bookstore! Would have been 5 stars, but the bag they put my books in had a strong perfume smell which was really off-putting on the drive home.
Amazing independent book store with cozy atmosphere and interesting architecture
The staff is super helpful. They do not have a public restroom so if you go, make sure you have used a bathroom before you arrive. Additionally, you are not allowed to stay longer than 30 minutes. Quite a challenge when perusing a bookstore
This is one of those book stores that if you cant find it here you cant find it anywhere. Not only that but their workers are obviously avid readers and there are recommendations throughout the store and in all genres.
A great selection of books for every taste, in a lovely old building with wood floors. Due to COVID the café is closed, theres no place to sit down, and they ask that you not stay more than half an hour, which is not the fault of the store, but is the only reason I gave four stars instead of five.