The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C11H10O3, contains two crystallographically independent molecules (A and B) with nearly matching conformations. Both molecules are almost planar [r.m.s. overlay fit for the non-hydrogen atoms = 0.011 (1) Å] and in each molecule there is a short intramolecular C—H...O contact. In both molecules, the OH group of the acetic acid residue occupies a position approximately antiperiplanar to the C atom of the heterocycle. In the crystal, the two molecules are linked by a pair of O—H...O hydrogen bonds, enclosing an R22(8) ring motif and forming an A–B dimer. The dimers are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming columns along the [010] direction.