Balfour Books offers an eclectic and enticing collection of used books at a central location in Toronto. I bought the four volume Everyman edition of John Wesley's journals there on my most recent visit. I also saw a good copy of the Oxford University Press critical edition of William Hogarth's Analysis of Beauty. I already own a copy, so it's still there waiting to find a buyer. They also have a good selection of literature, art books, and other works. It's not exclusively filled with academic titles, but a learned reader will not be disappointed by a visit. I was intrigued by their collection of old paperback books. They're all a bit worn through use, as one would expect, but they are well displayed and offer an insight into a world of casual reading that has largely moved online these days. I was drawn to the shop because they seem to have a collaboration worked out with another august and extensively stocked Toronto used bookseller: Atticus Books. Whilst Atticus has moved to an exclusively online sales model, they do offer an option for a downtown pickup purchase for their Toronto based, or Toronto visiting, customers. So you can double your book purchasing pleasure by visiting Balfour Books for their own stock as well as picking up books from Atticus that you have located through their online catalogue. The shop is open for business again as the public health situation has improved. Bring a mask for your browsing of course, but this is definitely a place that should be on the map for any serious Toronto bibliophile.

Twice I've tried to find books/authors I was looking for here, and twice I've been frustrated by customer service. When I called, the woman I spoke with did not wish to bother looking up whether the author or book I was inquiring about was available. And when I went in person, the fellow behind the desk made a great show of how inconvenient it was for him to go downstairs and find out whether they had any books by the author I was requesting. I want to support local, and I deeply believe in the value of small booksellers, but these experiences have been too unpleasant for me to bother with this bookstore in future.

best bookstore I have ever been to. Let me browse for as long as I needed, and when the owner realized I may need help took time to talk to me and grab a ton of books for me to look at no pressure to buy at all. The decor is warm and antique, with places to sit and interesting books to read. Also the condition and vintage of the books is impressive. I left with a large stack of books and will make this place a usual haunt from now on. I suggest this store to anyone in the area, especially if you are looking for a specific book or a specific subject, they seem to have everything!

I HAD A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE HERE. I came in to buy a book. I asked very politely. The store clerk looked me up and down and without even getting up from his chair, he tells me he doesnt have the book. He wasn't helpful or friendly. I felt totally dimissed and unwelcomed. Another store clerk took the book off the shelf and showed me that they did in fact have it. It was clear now that they didnt want to sell it to me. DO NOT SHOP HERE. I love to support independent bookstores but I do not support discrimination like I experienced here.

Just spoke to a woman that's very unfriendly and not helpful at all on the phone. I felt like I had to beg her to look up the books I'm searching for. In the end I gave up as she kept saying they don't have much selection. As there's other used book stores and ultimately if I need to buy new, then so be it. Unfortunately, I know the owner is a great guy but after that experience, I don't know if I'd want to give them more of my business.

Absolutely amazing bookstore on College! I felt like a kid in a candy shop walking in here. This spot walks the delicate balance between organized and spilling over with books, with books piled and tucked away everywhere yet clearly categorized. Their book selection is amazing, with so many niche works by classic authors, beautiful editions, and other tasteful choices. The prices are also great! I will be back.

An incredibly elegant bookstore, overflowing with vintage books, with classical music playing on the radio. Unexpectedly, it quite possibly has the best selection of pure math texts in all of Toronto. At the back there’s a whole bookcase devoted to foreign-language books, though you’ll have to move around a few boxes to see the bottom shelves. This is what visiting a used bookstore is supposed to feel like.

I love Balfour Books. Bookshops are getting rare, so it's great this one is still around. I often pop in to browse and always leave with something interesting, whether it's an inexpensive paperback or a hard to find art book. They have many rare books that are fairly priced. The people that run the bookshop are very nice and always helpful. It is a gem of a shop on College Street.

Customer service was non existent. Clerk was having a chat with someone on the back patio, didn't acknowledge my presence, even after 5 minutes of lingering around because I had questions about specific books and couldn't find anything among the clutter. Even if I wanted to buy something there was no around to tend the cash! How do you expect to do any business?

Well currated book selection in a smallish space makes this bookstore a treasure. Unlike some of the bigger retail shops, which can be hard to find something, this smaller one has an excellent selection making it easier to discover something. The books are in fantastic condition and affordably priced. Highly recommended.

It's rare these days to find a proper brick and mortar bookstore but one that is a used bookstore is a delight. The fact that it's a five minute walk from my home means I will be breaking my monthly book budget for sure. The staff are friendly but not intrusive and extremely knowledgeable.

I reasonably frequently find interesting books here, mainly in classics, mediaevalia, history, and literary criticism. (They have a good literature selection as well, but my core literature library is largely complete.) Relatively weaker on genre and popular fiction.

One of the coziest bookstores around. I wanted to buy everything, and had to seriously stop myself from doing so. Prices are very reasonable, and if you look hard you'll find great deals! Ended up buying Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf for $3. Highly recommend!

Wow, I love this bookstore and the warm and clear way it’s organized. Cbc on the radio. Dream space. Massive well-catalogued inventory of books. They were able to locate anything you need from Sally Rooney for me, to an obscure book about pirates for my son.

Love this place! Such a calming atmosphere and a solid assortment of books. They have a good selection of older hardbacks on history and poetry, which is a huge plus for me. They seem to sell many classics as well. Definitely check them out—support local!

Fun little book shop with books everywhere! On the ground, stacked on top of one another, overflowing out of shelves. If you’re a book-lover, it will feel like the coziest place on earth. The staff were also super friendly, and the books are very cheap.

One of my favourite secondhand bookstores in the city. The shop is home a lovely variety of books on several different subjects—boasting a nice collection of rarer hardcover editions and antiques as well. They also have a great selection of art books!

Phenomenal collection of books, every bit of free space filled with gems one wouldnt find elsewhere (Gibbons! Mad Magazine books! A stacks and stacks of fiction). A person could spend an entire weekend browsing the store’s inventory.

A good stop for a cold day walk. The lighting and the background music from radio makes a really cozy and warm atmosphere. If you are looking for a specific book, ask the owner, he is really helpful. Will go here again definitely.

I sortof got lost here, the number of books, range of genres, and general atmosphere of this place just sucks you in (in a good way). The staff are very friendly and happy to chat and/or share their knowledge with you :)

My favourite used bookstore in the city. They always have a great selection no matter what you may be shopping for, and for a good price for used books. I find it difficult to leave with only one book when I stop by.

One of the best of the old-school independent bookstores. Small but beautifully curated, with treasures both new and used at all price points. Friendly and very knowledgeable owner and staff. Highly recommended.

I LOVE THIS PLACE SO MUCHH. the atmosphere and the vibe here is so nice - they have almost every classic you can find and the prices are so good. LOVE THE WORKERS TOO, THEY HELPED ME FIND SOO MUCH

Great book store experience in here. There are so few book shops like this one still in the city. This place has a unique selection of books and a great atmosphere for browsing.

one of the few nice little book stores left. Friendly staff, good selection, some used and some new. Perfect to grab some reading for the sybway and bus rides.

This place is the absolute best...super knowledgeable, well-read people work there and will be able to actually help you. Can't say enough good things.

Lots of books here, but older titles. A bit pricey but I found a couple interesting ones in the 1.00 bin. The elderly cashier didn't offer any help.

I was so happy to find some books about Ontario history here. Definitely the place for books that are out of print, hard to come by or nobody has!

A book lovers Paradise. They have a great collection with amazing prices. I found books for under 20 which are on Amazon for close to 40 bucks .

It's second hand bookstore with good selection in philosophy, psychology, history of religion, fiction and theatre. One of the best in Toronto.

Selection is amazing but store is super cramped and I don't get the impression management is particularly interested in customer service.

Gorgeous copies of classic books. Love going there for the content and astetic. Picked up some great Hemingway, Dickins, and Doestevsky!

Everything a used bookstore should be, right down to the soothing soundtrack of arcane discussion between staff members.

Incredible, I mean truly incredible, selection! Very nice people who know their stuff. Best of all, great prices!!!

This is a great store with a fantastic selection of books, but I wish they’d open up again. I miss going there.

Nice, smaller bookstore. Good selection of certain types of books. Nice that it has not been forced to close.

A cool little book store with lots of older and newer books as well! The staff was very helpful and patient.

Amazing place to browse. I find something almost every time I go in. A treasure in the neighborhood.

Great price and nice shopkeepers. I went in a half price day so I got a book for only 4 dollars.

Love getting books here. Prices are always good and they have a good selection of used copies.

I found a book not just any book .the neverending story.it felt so real while I'm reading it.

Wonderful used book store with a variety of topics. I could spend all day exploring! …

I really enjoyed browsing here. Great selection and the owners are always quick to help.

Cool collection and lots of variety and great music. What more to ask from a book store?

My new favourite bookstore in Toronto! Great selection, great prices, nice staff

Nice selection of new and used books. Small little shop, quiet, not very busy.

A bit disorganized, but you can find gems if you're willing to dig for them.

I could spend 5 hours in here and still not get bored. Staff are amazing!!

Great local used bookshop, interesting selection of books for sale.

A very well-organized second hand bookstore with great collection!

Great little book shop, pick up a couple of books at a good price.

Great prices and friendly staff. Little hidden pieces of history.

Amicable, great talks with attendant on different genre of books

Books are very reasonably priced with great variety in genres.

They had the books we were looking for. Well worth visiting

Beautiful gem of a bookstore. Love coming here on my break

Amazing, well-curated collection. Something for everyone.

Nice little bookstore. The Platonic ideal of a bookstore.

Good prices and a home of unexpected and awesome finds.

A very nice bookstore. Proprietors are super friendly.

Good sections of books. Love the place and attendance.

Really amazing selection of art and photography books!

Great selection and an incredibly knowledgeable staff.

Excellent selection and even better customer service!

Terrific staff. Wonderful and odd collections.

Nice selection of books with very good price.

Friendly staff, always find unique stuff

Friendly service and very knowledgeable!

Nice place for all who love books.

Very kind and collaborative staff

Great selection and good pricea

Well organized and well priced

One of my favourite bookstores

The best spot for older books

Cute spot, great selection.

Good selection and pricing.

Awesome collection it has

All the gems in one place

Great books, good prices

Remarkably knowledgeable

Nice indie bookstore.

Excellent bookstore

Amazing experience

Full of classics!

Good deal here.

Lost good books

Great selection

Good selection

nice selection

おしゃれな古本屋さん。

Nice staff