Balfour Books, College
21 people recommendvia r/askTO21 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Balfour Books on College Street near Bathurst is a used bookshop that visitors recommend widely, and several name it as a good option for used and second-hand titles. One visitor found many of the classics they wanted there in good condition, another says it has the best old copies and prefers browsing there to anywhere else, and a third tentatively says it stocks original science fiction pulp.
Address
Balfour Books, 468 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1A1, Canada
At a glance
- Best for
- Second hand, Browsing
- Known for
- Classic titles, Older copies
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Balfour Books, College, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/Karon_L in r/askTO · Sep 2026
This visitor lists Balfour Books among used-book shops worth trying.
- Recommendsu/katrikling in r/askTO · Feb 2025
Includes this shop on the suggested walking route between other bookshops.
- Recommendsu/ConnectionUsed3684 in r/askTO · Sep 2025
Names Balfour Books on College when asked for favourite used bookstores.
- Recommendsu/CGazdar in r/askTO · Apr 2025
Went to this shop after a friend's tip and loved it.
- Recommendsu/peachmango505 in r/askTO · Oct 2026variety
Suggests trying this shop as another option for philosophy titles.
- Recommendsu/racecarbrain in r/askTO · Jun 2024variety
Includes this shop in a list of favourite secondhand bookstores.
- Recommendsu/historyhoneybee in r/askTO · Jun 2024
Names Balfour Books as its pick in reply to the question.
- Recommendsu/Ok-Natural5458 in r/askTO · Oct 2026
Replies with only this shop's name as a suggestion to the question.
Show all 21 cited comments
- Recommendsu/dramaticbubbletea in r/askTO · Apr 2026variety
Suggests this College Street shop as a past source of Hardy Boys books.
- Recommendsu/OhSanders in r/askTO · Oct 2024
Says Balfour Books is excellent as well.
- Recommendsu/Impressive-House-412 in r/askTO · Sep 2025value
Visitor found many wanted classics there at a much lower price, in good condition.
- Recommendsu/Trick_Mushroom997 in r/askTO · Aug 2026variety
Tentatively says it stocks original science fiction pulp, so worth a look.
- Recommendsu/greyeminence2 in r/askTO · Jan 2026
Calls Balfour great for used books.
- Recommendsu/puffles69 in r/askTO · Apr 2025
Visitor thinks Balfour is a good option for second-hand titles.
- Recommendsu/Used-Gas-6525 in r/askTO · Apr 2025
Visitor says Balfour is their usual go-to shop.
- Recommendsu/kryptonianjackie in r/askTO · Jun 2024variety
Says it has the best old copies and enjoys browsing there more than anywhere else.
- Recommendsu/Beans375 in r/askTO · Oct 2026variety
Says this shop also stocks good titles.
- Recommendsu/phdee in r/askTO · Oct 2026
Suggests this shop as one to browse when there's time.
- Recommendsu/intuifin in r/askTO · Aug 2026
Suggests this secondhand shop in the College and Bathurst area as an extra option.
- Recommendsu/MCD_2020 in r/askTO · Aug 2026
Visitor tentatively suggests this shop while already on College.
- Recommendsu/scrapeagainstmydick in r/askTO · Feb 2025
Agrees with a recommended route that includes Balfour Books.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.