Avid Reader

With a team comprising authors, artists, musicians and creatives, Avid Reader is a meeting point for book lovers of all stripes. It’s easy to while away half a day (and much of your pay cheque) on titles from the expertly curated collection.

Owners Fiona Stager and Kevin Guy opened Avid in 1997, inspired by Sydney’s Gleebooks and its focus on hosting literary events. It’s now staffed by some of Brisbane’s biggest bibliophiles, so you’re bound to leave in-the-know.

It’s those very same staff members who will recommend a hot off the press recent release, locate your favourite classic, gift wrap something for your hard-to-buy-for sister-in-law, and order in that obscure art book you’ve been trying to hunt down.

When you eventually drag yourself away from the shelves, the leafy cafe out the back is the good place to peruse your latest purchases. The menu is small but well stocked, with toasted Turkish bread sandwiches, tarts, salads and sweets.

Vegan and gluten free options are available, and Avid also has its own exclusive coffee blend called Avid Espresso. The courtyard is quiet during the day, but at night it buzzes with book launches, book club meet-ups and art exhibitions on the regular.