Muirs Bookshop
Muirs Bookshop
4.5
About
Opening in 1905 Muirs Bookshop is New Zealand's oldest operating bookshop. Set in a long, narrow colonial building the shop is full of the very best literature for adults and children. The many thousands of books are accompanied by a large selection of magazines, cards, wrap and some games.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
26 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Marc B
Hamilton, New Zealand4 contributions
Sept 2015
Awesome bookstore. The way they should be. Comfy chairs, normal current best sellers but some real gems too. And they have a 2nd hand section too. Café upstairs with a range of papers and books to thumb
Written 15 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Marc for your great review of our bookshop. Little literary gems are what we are always adding to our mix. Hope you had a chance to have a coffee in the sun yesterday - it was a beautiful day. Regards, Kim Pittar - owner
Written 16 September 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
samandhenry
Dunedin, New Zealand549 contributions
Jan 2015
Up there with the best in the country. Not to be missed, this place is a local legend and for good reason. Simply fantastic selection of books and associated. Who would have thought that Gisborne could hide such a cultural gem!
Written 24 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Samandhenry - so glad you enjoyed your time in Muirs.
Kind regards
Kim Pittar
Owner
Written 26 November 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Manuela S
Gisborne, New Zealand15 contributions
Oct 2015
The Muir's Bookshop looks old-fashioned in a very positive and cosy way. The staff have a big knowledge, they are very friendly and helpful and if you can't find what you are looking for, they order it and it arrives in no time. What I particularly like about the Muir's bookshop is the combination of the store on the ground floor and the coffee shop on the first floor. Enjoy your coffee with a yummy muffin or a light meal and start reading what you have just bought! The balcony isn't very big but it is a great place to sit outside and watch the coming and going on the main road - which of course isn't as spectacular as in a big city but it still is very charming in its own way.
Written 25 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Manuela for your really great review. So glad you could enjoy both our bookshop and cafe.
Regards
Kim Pittar
Owner
Written 27 October 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KMacca
Christchurch, New Zealand227 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Lovely little bookshop with what appeared to be a great range of books however, was primarily there to grab a coffee and unfortunately, disappointed with result. Coffee took quite some time to come out and when it did, it was burnt which was not ideal. Did appear to be a good selection of muffins and sweet treats in the cabinet but need to work on the coffee. Would have been great to get out on the deck but weather did not permit us. Lovely surroundings though in renovated building with some nice detailed wood work in quiet setting
Written 26 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
epicure49
Brighton, UK517 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
This is a wonderful haven of bookish calm with a fabulous collection in all sections. Spacious and super relaxing...And topped with a terrific cafe upstairs serving really good coffee, cakes etc and with a balcony from which to observe the gentle folk of Gisborne below... Really great place to while away an hour or more.
Written 16 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks epicure49 for your fantastic review of our cafe. So pleased you had a lovely visit and yes, we are often accused of being an easy place to while away several hours.
Kind regards
Kim Pittar
Owner
Written 18 February 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jana K
Gisborne, New Zealand7 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Very rekaxed, pleasant way to spend some time as a change from the beach or when the weather is iffy, great range and when we were there some good specials of books we had been wantng to get our hands on
Written 13 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hotelinspector72
Gisborne NZ66 contributions
Sept 2015
All the latest books (and catalogues too:) and an extremely wide number of titles on every possible subject. Greta place just to browse whilst others do their thing. Good Coffee too upstairs.
Written 1 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the great review. Hope you had a good stay in Gisborne. Regards Kim Pittar, owner.
Written 4 October 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TerylC
Upper Hutt, New Zealand96 contributions
Jun 2015 • Business
One of the best bookshops in NZ. There is such a wide range of books available and something to suit everyone. I purchased an adults colouring in book!!! A must see if you are in Gisborne and like books. No second hand books, just new.
Written 11 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Teryl for you great review. Yes, adult colouring books are all the rage at the moment and there are more to come. Keep an eye on our website for the exciting ones to come. We do actually have an ever-increasing second hand section now too, so I will show you next time you visit. Regards, Kim.
Written 14 June 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maggie R
Sydney, Australia11 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
Being an ex-Gisborne-ite, I visit all too rarely, but always make sure I pop into Muir's and never leave without purchasing books for my 2 young grand daughters.Also, I was so impressed with a Lemon Cake I enjoyed in the Cafe, I was able to obtain the recipe from Kim and used it in our Cafe in Berry NSW. Just the best book shop and terrific staff who really know their books. I will be back
Written 21 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Maggie - sorry for the delay in responding - have only just seen your wonderful review. So glad you enjoyed your visit to Muirs and we look forward to seeing you again - Kim.
Written 14 June 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Piwis
Nelson, New Zealand78 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
Stopped here for lunch on the way through Gisborne.
The coffee was good, nice and strong and quite well blended. More surprisingly the food was very good. We did not have high expectations as the cafe only appears to sell cabinet food and cakes. We had the vege and bacon filo pastries. Both were well filled, tasty and served with a nice lentil salad.
The coffee was good, nice and strong and quite well blended. More surprisingly the food was very good. We did not have high expectations as the cafe only appears to sell cabinet food and cakes. We had the vege and bacon filo pastries. Both were well filled, tasty and served with a nice lentil salad.
Written 24 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for you great review. Yes food is good because it's freshly made everyday and put into the cold cabinet for display.
Written 25 February 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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