A Day of Bookstores, Coffee, and Good Eats

Book Besties Adventure Through Tampa’s Literary Scene

Intro

In June, we set out on a Tampa book tour—visiting six bookstores, sipping on Dutch Bros, and having a quick bite to eat. Here’s a peek at our literary adventure and the gems we discovered along the way!

---

☕ Coffee Break: 

Dutch Bros

Merca: After a long drive (it felt long), we arrived in Tampa 30 minutes early before our first stop, so we decided to try Dutch Bros, since they don’t have any in South Florida. 

I honestly wished we had stopped at a cute café for a better, fun experience. Dutch Bros to me was the same as Cali Coffee, and I don’t care for Cali Coffee.

Idk if it was what I ordered, but it was meh.

I even forgot to take a picture. 

Masha:

As opposed to my bestie’s opinion, I thought Dutch Bros coffee was pretty fire! I am a fan of Cali Coffee; their style and menu are very similar, so stopping by was worth it for me.

---

📍 Stop 1: 

Mojo Books & Records

Merca’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5

Vibe: Cozy & Personable 

What Merca loved: 

If I had known before stopping at Dutch Bros that Mojo has a coffee cafe inside, I definitely would’ve waited to get my caffeine fix 🙁 Missed opportunity, for sure.

I don’t know about Masha (I do, she needs her books new and without a scratch), but I looove a second-hand bookstore. Not only are the books cheaper (always a win), but I feel like you will find more variety and some items you may not find in a regular bookstore like Barnes and Noble.

For instance, Masha picked up this romance book, and the previous owner annotated in the book. The commentary was so funny, I regret not buying the book – so sad 🙁 Lesson learned: if a book makes you laugh out loud in the store, take it home!!!

They also had this cute little café area where you could grab a drink or pastry, and right next to it was a cute seating area — perfect for chatting, reading, or even getting some work done. Major bonus: they had outlets to charge your phone, which was a lifesaver because mine was already dying, and our adventure had just begun.

Let’s not forget the sticker area. “Honk if you’re sad” is so me.

Masha’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5

Vibe: Cozy & Personable 

What Masha loved: 

Although I am a perfectionist when it comes to my books, I do love the idea of book thrifting! 

I thought this place felt very homey-like, and some of the notes written inside the books were hilarious! 

The first thing I see when we walk in is the sticker table and I knew it was going to be a vibe.

Definitely could’ve waited to try out a coffee from here as well, but again, I don’t regret getting one from Dutch Bros. 

(And their pastries and sweet treats looked really good as well!)

It was my first time at a bookstore like this and I enjoyed it very much. 

---

📍 Stop 2: 

Oxford Exchange

Merca’s Rating: ⭐⭐out of 5

Vibe: Not Quite a Bookstore… More Like an Instagram Set

What Merca thought:

Okay, real talk if you’re heading to this spot thinking it’s a haven for book lovers, you’re probably going to be disappointed. I know I was.

I went in expecting an actual bookstore, so I think that set me up for disappointment. If I had known it was more about the vibes than the books, I probably would’ve seen it differently and rated it differently. 

The bookstore was so underwhelming and overrated. Seems harsh, but all the reviews & people suggesting to go here were not for the books but for the Instagram posts.

When you first walk in you are wowed by how elegant it all feels and looks. Then reality sets in, the “bookstore” is actually just a tiny section, and the rest? Overpriced candles, a café, a champagne bar, a cute (but again, $$$) restaurant, and even a candle-making area.

It’s definitely made for the Gram. Like, if you go in knowing it’s a place to grab an aesthetic pic with your coffee and pretend you’re in a Pinterest board, you’ll probably enjoy it. But if you’re expecting literary gems and a quiet place to get lost in a story, this ain’t it – at least for me. 

It’s a cute meet-up spot. Just not one I’d go out of my way to visit again unless I am going for a cute girls date with my besties.

P.S. I promise I’m not just being a hater, I swear I’m not tripping. I actually saw people show up dressed to the nines just to snap pics. So yeah… It’s definitely a spot, but not a bookworm’s spot.

Masha’s Rating: ⭐out of 5

Vibe: Aesthetic but Book Unworthy  

What Masha thought: 

This wasn’t even a bookstore. It had a tiny little corner section with a few new releases, some of them being signed, and that was it.

 The rest of the space was dedicated to an expensive café/brunch dining area, luxury candles and candle-making, and highly overpriced merch.

The hallway towards the bathroom was cute. So were the stairs leading to a conference room ??? I think. Besides that, nothing really memorable or book-related.  

Everybody we saw seemed like they were either in a business meeting or taking pictures for social media. 

Let’s not forget the fact we spent $10 for parking (it wasn’t even a closed-off space or garage or anything) and we were in there for maybe 10 minutes.

Don’t even bother wasting your time.

---

📍 Stop 3: 

Steamy Lit

Merca’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5

Vibe: It was super cute and for the romance girlies (like myself) AND 100% Instagram worthy 

(serving both)

What Merca loved: 

Ok, was it small? Yes.

But it catered to book lovers and more importantly, romance lovers (ME), they had a cute seating area for a pic or if no one is around, a sitting area to pick out the books you want to buy.

The entire space had this soft, dreamy vibe, and if you are entering your soft girl era, this place is a must-visit. They also had the cutest extras: stickers, journals, Kindle accessories, and my personal favorite—this adorable hat I couldn’t leave without. Honestly, if I hadn’t been on a budget, I could’ve easily dropped $200 in there without blinking.

They even had a little “blind date with a book” section, which I loved… but neither Masha nor I could commit 😂 (next time, maybe).

And my favorite area was hidden for good reasons 😝

The dark romance corner

(insert video)

Would I Go Back?

Absolutely. Next time, I’m going without a budget and a little less self-control (maybe 😅). It’s the perfect stop for a romance-loving girlie who wants a little treat-yourself moment—and a cute photo while you’re at it. Even if you’re just browsing, the vibes alone are worth the visit.

Masha’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5

Vibe: Adorable and Romantic 

What Masha loved: 

This one was definitely the cutest and prettiest out of all of them! I loved every single detail of the decor – you could tell they put time and effort into creating that space.

The “hidden” dark romance section was very well thought out. It had its own private vibe, and it felt like you were entering a secret world.

My favorite part was definitely the indie collabs – from the handmade paper roses to the custom hats, everything was so adorable! 

I had to hold back because I wanted to buy everything inside this store. Merça got me this bookmark and Kindle case, and I couldn’t have been happier. 

10/10 recommend and would definitely go back! 

---

📍 Stop 4: 

The Book Rescuers

Merca’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5

Vibe: Little bit of everything

What Merca loved: We already know I love a good second-hand bookstore—and compared to Mojo, this one was on a whole other level. It felt more like a book lover’s warehouse, with shelves that just kept going. You definitely need time to explore this place properly, which I didn’t do, and that’s totally on me.

What Masha didn’t realize at the time was that this is where my inner hungry monster started to creep out 😅 I was trying to stay focused, but the hunger was getting real.. What a mistake not grabbing a snack before diving into rows and rows of books!

They also had the cute extras: handmade bookmarks, blind date books, and a binder full of stickers that you haven’t seen before.

It’s those little touches that make a second-hand bookstore feel special.

Up front, they had comfy couches so you could take a break from spending hours browsing (because trust me, you will lose track of time in here). But once we wandered toward the back of the store, it got a little warm, and that definitely did not help with my rising hanger levels 😅

The second I hit that back corner, I turned to Masha and was like, “Are you done? I’m ready to cash out.” (I meant crash out… but honestly, both were true at that point lmao)

If you don’t already know this about me…

I have a thing for collecting cookbooks. Whether I actually cook from them or not is a different story, but I love having them. I’ve been on the hunt for a slow cooker/crockpot recipe book since last year (2024), ever since my amazing husband gifted me a Ninja crockpot. And yes, I’ve basically only been making birria in it ever since 😂

So imagine my joy when halfway through the store I finally found one… for just $3! Major win!

And to top it off, while we were cashing out, I overheard the owner talking about plans to open a café inside the store. I’m already looking forward to going back once that’s all set up. Books and coffee? Say less.

Hanger and all, this stop was totally worth it—especially with that last minute $3 cookbook. With two more spots to hit and a drive ahead, we grabbed our things and hit the road. Let’s keep it going 🚗📚✨

Masha’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Vibe: Rustic and Warm

What Masha loved:

We all know I’m not the biggest fan of thrifting books and second-hand bookstores, but this place made me change my mind! 

To start off, that place was HUGE. An endless amount of bookshelves, literally row after row, you could easily get lost in there! 

Not only did they have an infinite world of books, but they also had a separate little section of vinyls and CD records. It was the coolest thing!

I loved the piano in the corner of the store. Such a cute and fun space. There were also a few surrounding couches and a massive book tree that was so high it almost touched the ceiling.  

The indie merch and bookmarks weren’t really my style. They were also selling random knick-knacks for more than it was probably worth.

 I did buy a keychain because it had a funny quote on it. Story of my life. 😂

Two major downfalls here: 

1. They didn’t have any coffee or pastries, which would make them a lot more money as well as attract a lot more people.
2. There was no a.c! Mind you – it was easily 100°F outside, so it definitely killed the mood. (Merça was starting to get impatient and hangry on top of that, meaning the heat didn’t help).

We could tell the store was relatively new, so it is still a work in progress. I know that I’d be happy to come back here once the renovations are all done and most likely during wintertime!

This tree was almost the size of my TBR pile! (just kidding 😜)

---

📍 Stop 5: 

Tombolo Books

Merca’s Rating: ⭐⭐out of 5

Vibe: A Quick but Cozy Stop

What Merca loved: 

I feel like I didn’t give Tombolo Books a fair shot. Unfortunately, my little hungry monster (a.k.a me) was starting to rage — I was hangry and my phone was about to die. But this was Masha’s special trip, and there was no way I was going to ruin it.

I asked the kind staff if I could plug in my phone somewhere out of the way while we shopped, and they were so sweet and accommodating. That alone made a great impression.

The shop itself is super cute. There’s even a cozy little nook for kids to hang out and read while their parents or older siblings browse. It’s not a giant bookstore you’ll get lost in — more of a charming, quick stop — but definitely worth a visit.

They also had some fun little extras. I absolutely love my coffee-themed bookmark that Masha bought me — it’s adorable and totally my vibe. ☕📖❤️

Would I go back?
Absolutely.
But next time, I’ll eat first. 😅

Masha’s Rating: ⭐️⭐️out of 5 

Vibe: Short and Sweet

What Masha loved:

We were in and out. At this moment, we both had already reached a point of starvation. 

The place itself was pretty small, even though it had a little bit of everything. The kids’ section was adorable, a lot more interesting than the adults’. 

What really got my attention were the accessories. The bookmarks, reading journals, stickers, and pens are what made checking it out worth it!  

They had an outdoor area with a coffee bar and private parking that was also very convenient. We ended up parking far because the GPS was confusing, but it actually had easy access. 

I don’t think I’d revisit, unless I’m on that strip or general vicinity. It reminded me of downtown Fort Lauderdale – so many stores, bars, and places to eat, it’s overwhelming in a good way!

---

🍽️ Lunch Stop: 

Lala

St. Pete

We ended our day with a meal at LaLa. Highly recommend & needed. It was the perfect wind-down after all the walking and pages we’d flipped.

Merca’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5

Vibe: Chill, Flavorful, Fun

What Merca loved: 

Fuel Stop at Lala’s

Right before we got to the restaurant, I was so ready to just call it a day and go home. I was running on fumes — hangry, tired, and just done. But after eating? Whole new person. 😌 I was full, happy, and ready to hit our final bookstore stop and make the drive back.

We stopped at Lala’s, which ended up being the perfect pick-me-up. I ordered the Frenchy Burger, and I don’t know if it was just because I was starving, but it was absolutely delicious. It came with a fig spread (which I think is what made the whole burger so good). It was the perfect balance of savory and sweet. Fancy and flavorful, exactly what I needed.

On the side? Crispy brussels sprouts, of course. My favorite side dish ever — and they nailed it.

Oh, and Lala’s is a karaoke restaurant! We didn’t sing, but the vibe was fun and laid-back. I wish I could remember the bartender’s name because he was awesome and super friendly.

Fueled up and recharged, I was officially ready for the last leg of our book tour.

Frenchy Burger $18 – ½ lb Wagyu Patty, Melted Brie Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Frisée Lettuce, Red Onions, Fig Spread.

Masha’s Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐out of 5

Vibe: Relaxing and Delish

What Masha loved:

I cannot describe how hungry we both were by the time we made it here! 😂

The restaurant was empty and we immediately sat down at the bar. We took no longer than 5 minutes to decide what we were eating, and the food was so worth it. Everything came out super fast and it was delish! 

I tried a bite of Merça’s burger and it was superior to mine, but both were juicy and very flavorful. I also ordered a margarita, but definitely could’ve skipped it. 

We both agreed to come back here for lunch whenever we’re back in Tampa!

‘MERICA BURGER $18 – 1/2 lb Wagyu Patty, American Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red Onions, House Pickles, Dijonnaise. Add Bacon +3 

BLACK TRUFFLE MAC’ N’ CHEESE $17 – Cavatappi Pasta, Lala’s Gourmet Cheese Sauce, Shaved Black Truffle, Breadcrumbs.

---

📍 Stop 6: 

Book + Bottle

Merca’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐out of 5

Vibe: Classy 

What Merca loved: 

After being refueled and ready to shop, we made our way to the cutest little bookstore/classy wine bar combo. I’d call it more intimate than cozy — it had a calm, thoughtful aura that made you want to slow down and stay for a while.

Whether you’re there to read, browse, work on your blog, or just sip a glass of wine with the lovely Booktender (get it? Book + Bartender 😂), this place totally nails the vibe.

It was the perfect final stop — a quiet little exhale to end our book-filled day.

One of the books Masha and I picked up to add to our ever-growing TBR list (because obviously we needed more books 🙃). It was a fun little find we couldn’t resist. This spot really was the perfect way to wrap up the day.

What Masha loved: 

After eating such a late lunch and all the book exploring, we almost didn’t make it to this final stop. But I’m glad we did. 

It was a very small, private store, with exclusive merch and lots of bottles of wine. I saw myself sitting outside, enjoying a nice glass of red wine, reading with my book bestie. We did see a couple of people gathered doing exactly that, and I was jealous.

It was giving “sunset/evening” vibes. The perfect way to finish off our day. If we didn’t have to drink three and a half hours back home, I would’ve stayed here til nightfall.

---

Final Thoughts

Merca’s Final Thoughts: 10/10 would do again — but next time, I’m packing snacks, a power bank, and maybe leaving some space in my bag for all the books I definitely don’t need but will buy anyway. 📚✨

“Hangry” me couldn’t finish it, but “stuffed” me saved it for later. 

And yes, it was still amazing hours later.

Masha’s Final Thoughts: 

100/10!!! Couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate my birthday! (Retweet what Merça said – my phone was dead the entire time, which was annoying, and we’re not gonna eat that late again lol)

Have you been to any of these spots? Drop your recs in the comments—we’re already planning our next tour!