Food hygiene meets Google reviews. Find your unicorn.
🏠 71 Balham High Road, London, SW12 9AP
Tier Achieved:
Mythical. Spotless AND the best of the best.
Like a unicorn — squeaky clean with top-tier food. This is the dream. Book it.
Backstory Books is an absolute delight, combining the pleasures of reading with sipping on a fine wine. It’s like your favorite cozy corner of the world where you can indulge your inner bookworm while enjoying a cheeky glass of something strong. With a stamp card that rewards you for your literary sins, this place is making reading feel like an even better guilty pleasure.
The staff are friendly and actually know their stuff, meaning you can get book recommendations as good as your grandma's chocolate chip cookies. Whether you’re on a mission to find a specific title or just browsing, you’re bound to leave with an armful of books and maybe a bottle of something nice to take home. If you haven't been here yet, what are you even doing with your life?
"An amazing independent bookshop which also sells wines!"
"There’s a great range of stock."
"Brilliant selection and knowledgeable staff."
Backstory Books — Food Hygiene Rating: 5/5
🗓️ Last inspected: 18 December 2025