5 Best Bookstores in Dubai (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Talise Sterling, Goods and Shopping · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Books Kinokuniya inside Dubai Mall has logged over 10,000 Google reviews, more than ten times the next name on this list, and reviewers describe it as holding a near-monopoly on the large-bookstore experience in the city. The other names here fill in what Kinokuniya doesn't do: used books, comics, religious texts and school textbooks.

Short answer: Books Kinokuniya Dubai dominates on scale with 4.7 stars across more than 10,000 reviews, while BookHero posts the highest rating at 4.8 for affordable used books. Comic Stop rounds out the specialists for collectors. Prices at BookHero start as low as AED 20 for used titles that cost far more new.

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1. Books Kinokuniya Dubai
2. BookHero
3. Comic Stop
4. Borders Bookstore
5. Almuna Bookshop Bur Du…
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How Dubai's Bookstores Compare

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Books Kinokuniya Dubai	4.7 ★	10,168	Massive selection / browsing	View ›
2	BookHero - Oasis Mall, Dubai	4.8 ★	876	Affordable used books	View ›
3	Comic Stop	4.8 ★	338	Comics & collectibles	View ›
4	Borders Bookstore	4.3 ★	596	Books, toys & stationery in one stop	View ›
5	Almuna Bookshop Bur Dubai	4.0 ★	921	School textbooks & study guides	View ›

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Books Kinokuniya Dubai

4.710,168 Google reviews

Books Kinokuniya Dubai is a large-format bookstore inside Dubai Mall carrying books, comics, gifts and hobby items across a huge floor space, part of the international Kinokuniya chain. It's the most-reviewed bookstore in the city by a wide margin, and reviewers note that unlike some other Kinokuniya branches in Asia, books here aren't shrink-wrapped, so customers can browse freely before buying.

What people praise

By far the deepest review base of any bookstore in Dubai, at over 10,000 reviews
Huge selection across books, comics, stationery and gifts under one roof
Books left unwrapped for browsing, unlike some other regional Kinokuniya branches
A dedicated help desk assists with locating specific titles

Worth knowing

Seating is limited for a bookstore this size, so it's less suited to lingering and reading in-store
No attached café, which some browsers note as a missed opportunity

Reputation scorecardrank in Dubai

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume10,168 · 97th

Confidencevery high

Recency4 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown80% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The default choice for scale and selection, effectively the only large-format bookstore experience in Dubai according to reviewers. Go prepared to spend real time browsing.

Website +97144340111 Directions

Fashion Parking - Dubai Mall - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Burj Khalifa - Downtown Dubai - Dubai

#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

BookHero - Oasis Mall, Dubai

4.8876 Google reviews

BookHero is a used and second-hand bookstore chain in Dubai with multiple locations, this one inside Oasis Mall on Sheikh Zayed Road, selling fiction, non-fiction, children's books and more at prices well below new retail. Its own site frames the business around the idea of accessible, pre-loved books rather than new releases.

What people praise

Genuinely large savings versus new retail, with specific examples reviewers cite directly
Book condition consistently described as excellent for used stock
Staff, including one named directly, helped source specific titles for customers
Encourages affordable reading habits, particularly noted by parents buying for children

Worth knowing

As a used bookstore, specific titles and editions aren't guaranteed to be in stock

Reputation scorecardrank in Dubai

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume876 · 87th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown90% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest-rated bookstore on this page and the clear pick for value, especially for families building a home library without paying new-book prices.

Website +971507887025 Directions

Oasis Centre, Basement Level 1,Near 2nd Interchange - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai

#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Comic Stop

4.8338 Google reviews

Comic Stop is a comic book store in Jumeirah selling the latest comics, signed collectibles, action figures and trading cards, run by owners reviewers describe as genuinely passionate about the medium. It's a specialist shop rather than a general bookstore, positioned specifically for comic and pop-culture collectors.

What people praise

Genuinely deep selection of signed comics and autographed collectibles
Staff, named directly by multiple reviewers, described as knowledgeable and helpful
Wide range beyond comics, including Funko Pops, trading cards and graded cards
Owner personally engaged and passionate about the collection

Worth knowing

Specialist focus means it won't cover general fiction, non-fiction or textbooks

Reputation scorecardrank in Dubai

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume338 · 66th

Confidencehigh

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown87% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The specialist pick for comic and collectibles fans specifically, with a genuinely knowledgeable team and a well-curated selection of rarer items.

Website +971504527141 Directions

Shopping Center - Shop#21, Ground Floor, Dar Al Wasal - Al Wasl Rd - Jumeirah - Dubai

#4🕑 Open 7 days

Borders Bookstore

4.3596 Google reviews

Borders Bookstore is a bookstore inside Mall of the Emirates carrying books alongside toys, stationery and drawing supplies, positioned as a wider lifestyle retailer rather than a books-only shop. It stocks titles in multiple languages, including Arabic and English, alongside gift sets and school supplies.

What people praise

One-stop shop for books, toys and stationery in a single visit
Multilingual stock, including Arabic and English titles
Attractive, eye-catching in-store displays noted by multiple reviewers
Wide range of gift sets, including Qur'an editions, alongside standard retail

Worth knowing

Multiple reviewers found prices high relative to the actual book selection on offer
Book selection is described as more limited than the toy and stationery sections might suggest

Reputation scorecardrank in Dubai

Rating4.3 / 5

Review volume596 · 76th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenessphone · hours

Rating breakdown59% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A convenient combined stop for books, gifts and stationery, though go in expecting a smaller pure-book selection than the price point might suggest.

+97143415758 Directions

Emirates Mall, 2nd Floor, Near Vox Cinema, Sheikh Zayed Road - 4th Interchange - Dubai

#5🕑 Open 7 days

Almuna Bookshop Bur Dubai

4.0921 Google reviews

Almuna Bookshop Bur Dubai is a centrally located bookstore in Bur Dubai specialising in school textbooks, study guides and stationery, serving as a go-to source during back-to-school season. It carries religious books alongside its academic stock, and reviewers note it gets notably busy during peak textbook-buying periods.

What people praise

Central Bur Dubai location, easy to reach for many families
Wide selection of CBSE and other curriculum-specific textbooks
Fair pricing on textbooks noted compared to other outlets
Staff described as helpful in quickly locating specific required titles

Worth knowing

One detailed review describes a recent change requiring some school textbook purchases to go through the school directly rather than in-store
Gets busy and can feel crowded during peak back-to-school season

Reputation scorecardrank in Dubai

Rating4 / 5

Review volume921 · 92nd

Confidencehigh

Recency2 months ago

Info completenessphone · hours

Rating breakdown47% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The practical pick for school textbooks and study guides, though confirm current arrangements with your specific school before assuming all required titles are available in-store.

+97143529294 Directions

Post Office - Street # 74 , Musalla Rd - near Al Mussallah Road - Al Raffa - Dubai

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the store’s live Google star average. Review volume shows how many customers have rated them, ranked against other Dubai bookstores. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.7 from over 10,000 reviews carries more weight than a 4.8 from a few hundred. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much do books cost in Dubai? (2026)

Pricing on this page comes directly from real prices reviewers cited for their own purchases, giving a genuine sense of the range across new and used books.

Job	Typical price
Used book (BookHero)	AED 20 to 40
Bulk used-book order (BookHero)	AED 150 for 12 books

Figures compiled August 2026 from specific prices reviewers reported directly in their Google reviews for the bookstores on this page. New releases and specialty titles vary by store and edition.

Serving all of Dubai

These bookstores span Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah, Mall of the Emirates and Bur Dubai. Searching for a bookstore near me? Every listing above shows a live phone number or website so you can check current stock before visiting.

What to ask before you shop for books

Does the store stock the specific title or edition you need, or can they order it in?
For used books, what condition grading does the store use?
Are school textbooks purchased in-store, or do they need to go through the school directly?
Does the store offer a rewards or loyalty programme for regular buyers?
Is delivery or reservation available if you can’t visit in person?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these bookstores?

We started from every bookstore in Dubai with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Where can I find affordable used books in Dubai?

BookHero specialises in used and second-hand books at prices well below new retail, with multiple locations across the city.

Is there a dedicated comic book store in Dubai?

Yes. Comic Stop in Jumeirah specialises in comics, signed collectibles, action figures and trading cards for collectors.

The bottom line

Books Kinokuniya is the safe default for sheer selection, while BookHero is worth a visit if value matters more than having the newest release. Whichever you choose, call ahead if you’re after a specific title.

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