Back to Portland
Bookstores·Downtown·Portland, ME

Back Cove Books

5.0Google rating(60 reviews)
Back Cove Books

Known For

Small but deliberate selection with zero filler on the shelves

Back Cove Books keeps things bright and airy with a vintage interior that feels more personal than precious — a small, well-loved selection where every title seems to have been chosen deliberately. Worth the detour from downtown proper.

🕐Best time to visit: Weekend mornings when new stock tends to appear

651 Forest Ave Ste 1, Portland, ME 04101, USA

Our Take

Back Cove Books has the well-loved-shelves-and-reading-nook energy of a bookshop that someone built because they genuinely love books, not as a business plan. A perfect rating from a small but devoted crowd puts it right at the charming-and-worth-the-detour line.

The Vibe

bookshopPortland, ME5.0 Google

FindCuteSpots Original

78/100

✦ Cute Score ✦

5.0Google rating
Open in Google Maps

Location

Downtown

651 Forest Ave Ste 1, Portland, ME 04101, USA

More spots in Portland

✦ Free Weekly Dispatch

Love spots like this? Get hidden gems delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More spots like this

Green Hand Bookshop
84
Bookstore4.9

Green Hand Bookshop

Green Hand Bookshop specializes in used, rare, and independent titles inside a space that manages to feel both cozy nook and bright, with vintage interior…

cozy nookhidden gem
Grump & Sunshine Bookshop
60
Bookstore4.5

Grump & Sunshine Bookshop

Grump & Sunshine Bookshop leans into its bright, airy personality with a vintage interior that keeps things warm rather than sterile. The name sets the tone —…

local favoritebright & airy
Longfellow Books
75
Bookstore4.7

Longfellow Books

Longfellow Books has been a bright, unhurried presence in Portland's downtown for decades, with a vintage interior that feels earned rather than decorated.…

hidden gemlocal favorite
Letterpress Books & Gifts
61
Bookstore4.6

Letterpress Books & Gifts

Letterpress Books & Gifts occupies a charming storefront with exposed brick and a bright, airy interior that makes every visit feel like a small occasion. The…

bright & airyvintage interior
Coffee By Design
66
Coffee Shop4.6

Coffee By Design

Coffee By Design has held its ground as a Downtown Portland fixture through genuinely good sourcing and a bright & airy space that makes you want to stay…

great for photoslocal favorite
Nom Cafe
72
Coffee Shop4.7

Nom Cafe

Nom Cafe pairs its vintage interior with bright-and-airy bones in a way that makes Portland's grey winter feel genuinely manageable. A local favorite with a…

great for photoslocal favorite
Big Sky Bread Company
71
Bakery4.7

Big Sky Bread Company

Big Sky Bread Company has been feeding Portland from its bright & airy Cape Elizabeth bakery long enough that the vintage interior feels genuinely lived-in…

floral decorlocal favorite
Smalls
72
Coffee Shop4.7

Smalls

Smalls earns its name ironically — the vintage interior and bright-and-airy space pack more personality per square foot than cafes three times its size. It's a…

great for photoslocal favorite

Is this your business? Claim or edit this listing — we'll get back to you within 24 hours.