Vse Svobodny
Moika emb., 28. Website
This charming place feels less like a store and more like an old, cozy library. Among its catalogue are mostly books on popular science, philosophy, art, social sciences and books from independent publishers, as well as magazines and charming souvenirs. Several shelves are dedicated exclusively to books (and occasional graphic novels) in foreign languages. Sit down on the couches and enjoy the homely feel! The store is also host to events, lectures and workshops.
Podpisnie Izdaniya
Liteyny Prospekt, 57. Website
Podpisniye Izdaniya shares its space with the coffeshop Meet Joe. With a great selection of English-language fiction (nearly 3,500 books in the catalogue) and a pleasing selection of snacks and pastries, this place on Liteyny Prospekt – just a block away off Nevsky Prospekt – is the perfect spot to have a cup of joe with a nice book. Don’t miss the stairs to the second floor, which hosts the shop’s selection of magazines and newspapers from all over the world.
Anglia
Fontanka emb., 38. Website
The bookshop Anglia has one of the probably largest collections of foreign literature in St. Petersburg, including books on arts, architecture, design, politics, history, music – the list goes on. Located in a building that was once home to prominent Russian writer Ivan Turgenev, this bookshop seeks to maintain the literary ambience of the past by organizing seminars and lectures on literature and culture. The shop offers a discount of 7-10% to university students.
Dom Knigi
Nevsky Prospekt, 28. Website
Dom Knigi - literally “The House of Books” - is a famed bookstore located in the very center of the city, in front of the Kazan Cathedral and just a few steps away from the Nevsky Prospect metro station. This three-story bookshop – situated in the historic Singer House and right below the offices of Russian online giant VK – offers a wide variety of literature in foreign languages from English to Chinese. Here, you may find a magnificent selection of modern and classic literary fiction of various genres, textbooks and language learning books for beginners and advanced students. On the second floor you may enjoy a cup of coffee in the Singer café. Do not forger to take your ISIC card with you – it gives you a 10% discount.
28oi
Obvodny Canal emb., 60; Italyanskaya st., 33. Website
If you prefer a more visual kind of literature, 28oi is the shop for you! The go-to store for any geek in St. Petersburg, it sells comic books, memorabilia, action figures and all sorts of other things – like vinyl discs or coffee mugs. Its selection of English-language comic books includes not only ongoing series from major publishers like Marvel and DC, but also lesser-known current and past series and one-shots from Image, Vertigo, IDW and others.
Svoi Knigi
Repina st., 41. Website
This independent bookshop/publishing house has a good selection of poetry and prose in foreign languages. A cozy atmosphere and a smell of freshly made coffee invite you to stay a little longer and enjoy a great book you just bought here for reasonable money – the shop offers discount to students and teachers.
