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The dark front of Argonaut Books at the foot of Leith Walk, with its café tables behind the big window and a neon Books sign by the door.
Edinburgh

Argonaut Books

A community bookshop and café at the foot of Leith Walk, in the old Leith Central station building, open since 2021 and a Scotland finalist for Independent Bookshop of the Year in 2026.

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Welcome

There's something lovely about a bookshop with a café in it, and Argonaut Books is a good one.

It's Leith's community bookshop, a light, airy room at the foot of Leith Walk in the old Leith Central station building, open since December 2021, and in 2026 it was a Scotland finalist for Independent Bookshop of the Year at the British Book Awards. The booksellers stock only books they feel passionate about, so the mix of new releases, old favourites and backlist is one you won't find anywhere else. By the big front window there's a little café, with coffee from Artisan Coffee Roasters, teas from PekoeTea and traybakes from TastyBuns, and you're welcome to sit and read for a while. Look out for book clubs, writing groups, film screenings and launches. It's open every day from 10am, until 6pm Sunday to Thursday and 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and the Foot of the Walk tram stop is a few steps away.

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Before you go

A bookshop with a café inside, and events most weeks.

Where
15-17 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH6 8LN, at the foot of the Walk.
Open
Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 8pm. Open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day; closed for about ten days every January.
Café
Coffee, tea and traybakes, to sit in or take away.
Access
At ground level and fully accessible, with toilets.
Getting there
On the bus routes down Leith Walk, by the Foot of the Walk tram stop; a car park behind the shop.
Phone
0131 259 7816

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
10am–6pm
Tuesday
10am–6pm
Wednesday
10am–6pm
Thursday
10am–6pm
Friday
10am–6pm
Saturday
10am–8pm
Sunday
10am–8pm

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Where it is

At the foot of Leith Walk, in the old Leith Central station building, EH6 8LN.

Close byThe foot of the Walk and Leith.
  1. Buns and bakes on the window counter at Krema Bakehouse, looking out over Leith Walk with a bus passing on the far side.Krema BakehouseA bakery at the foot of Leith Walk, opened in 2022, with bakes inspired by Greek flavours and modern patisserie, soft-serve ice cream and bespoke cakes.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Tartan and check wool scarves hang on a white shop railTBCoThe first shop of the Tartan Blanket Co., on Great Junction Street in Leith, opened in 2022 by founders Fergus and Emma Macdonald.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society - The VaultsThe Scotch Malt Whisky Society - The VaultsThe members' rooms of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Leith, in a wine merchants' bonded warehouse of 1787 that has been its home since 1983.Under a mile 2 min by road
  4. The counter at Sloe Lane Bakery, full of pastries, loaf cakes topped with cream and chalked labels.Sloe Lane BakeryA small independent bakery on Leith Walk, baking pastries, cakes, sourdough and baguettes from scratch, with Carter coffee and tables outside.Under a mile 3 min by road
  5. The black and white front of Handsel on Leith Walk, its name in white letters above the door and windows of homeware and gifts.HandselAn independent gift shop for the home on Leith Walk, opened in 2020, selling art, homewares, jewellery, cards and zero-waste goods, with a picture framer in the same shop.Under a mile 3 min by road
  6. Origano's dining room on Leith Walk, with a copper-clad counter before the tiled pizza oven, bare stone walls and a candle on a wooden table.OriganoA pizzeria on Leith Walk in the only surviving part of the Victoria India Rubber Mill, with pizzas fired on the stone of a wood-burning oven and antipasto platters to share.Under a mile 3 min by road
Directions
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