Bookshops in New York

Bookshops in New York are a paradise for any book lover. All over the city, you’ll find shops, each with its own character, ranging from huge, traditional bookshops stocking millions of titles to small, charming shops with a carefully curated collection. Some shops are an attraction in their own right, with beautiful interiors or a café where you can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Eric's Index
The Strand Bookstore

An icon in New York is The Strand Bookstore. This legendary bookshop opened in 1927 and is the city’s largest non-commercial bookshop, with over 2.5 million books in stock. It is famous for its slogan ‘18 miles of books’: nearly 29 kilometres of shelves packed with new, second-hand and rare titles. There’s something for everyone, from bestsellers and literary fiction to art books.

On the third floor I always pop into the Rare Book Room, where the shelves are packed with unusual, old books. Think signed first editions, rare titles and leather-bound classics. And, of course, these come with hefty price tags.

You’ll find The Strand Bookstore near Union Square, where the trolleys full of discounted books on the pavement have become a familiar part of the street scene.

📍 Location: 828 Broadway, Union Square
Three Lives & Company

Three Lives & Company is a charming bookshop in the West Village. The shop has been around since 1968 and is a small, charming place, tucked away on a quiet corner of the neighbourhood. To me, it feels like the cosy living room of a good friend. The focus is on literary fiction, poetry and non-fiction. The well-read staff are known for their personalised recommendations and will be happy to help you find your next book.

📍 Location: 154 West 10th Street, Greenwich Village
McNally Jackson

One of the best bookshops in New York is McNally Jackson. This independent bookshop was founded in 2004 by Sarah McNally and now has several branches across the city. The original shop in SoHo remains one of the best-known, and it’s my favourite. McNally Jackson is renowned for its carefully curated collection, with a strong focus on literary fiction, international authors and small publishers. Several of its branches also feature a café and cosy seating areas.

📍 Location: 134 Prince Street, SoHo
Books Are Magic

The cool bookshops of Books Are Magic are very popular in Brooklyn. The shop was opened in 2017 by the writer Emma Straub and her husband, and a second branch soon followed. The shops are best known for the cheerful pink mural on the façade, a popular spot for photos and on social media. After visiting the shop in Brooklyn Heights, you can follow my DUMBO – Brooklyn Bridge walking route.

📍 Location: 122 Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights
Albertine

Even if you’re not much of a book lover, you should put Albertine on your list. This bookshop on the Upper East Side is housed in the historic Payne Whitney Mansion, and that alone makes it well worth a visit, in my opinion. The building and the shop are stunning. For instance, there’s a statue at the entrance that may well have been created by Michelangelo. The painted ceiling, featuring a golden starry sky, is also a real eye-catcher.

The bookshop is part of the French Embassy, which is partly why you’ll find plenty of French books there, alongside English-language titles. You can visit the bookshop as part of my Museum Mile walking route in Eric’s New York App.

📍 Location: 972 5th Avenue, Upper East Side
Rizzoli Bookstore

Rizzoli Bookstore is an elegant bookshop near the Flatiron Building. The shop has been in business since 1964 and is situated in the historic St James Building on Broadway, just a stone’s throw from Madison Square Park. Rizzoli is often described as the most beautiful bookshop in New York, with high ceilings, a large skylight and charming wooden bookcases. The shop specialises in beautifully illustrated books on subjects including art, design, fashion and photography, and also stocks literature and titles in other languages.

📍 Location: 1133 Broadway, Madison Square Park
The Drama Book Shop

The Drama Book Shop is no ordinary bookshop, but it’s certainly worth a visit. It feels like a film set. The shop has been around since 1917 and is entirely dedicated to theatre and the performing arts, with over 8,000 plays in stock, as well as musical scripts and books on acting. In 2019, the shop was in danger of closing, but was saved by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the musical Hamilton, amongst others. The shop also has a café, where you can settle down amongst the books with a cup of coffee or tea.

📍 Location: 266 West 39th Street, Midtown
Sweet Pickle Bookstore

One of New York’s most unique bookshops is Sweet Pickle Books on the Lower East Side. Two things take centre stage here: pickles and books. The narrow shop offers all sorts of second-hand books and homemade pickles. If you donate four books to the shop, you’ll receive a free jar of pickles in return. The bookshop has its own unique atmosphere, and I really enjoy browsing around here. You’ll pass by it on my Lower East Side walking route.

📍 Location: 47 Orchard Street, Lower East Side
Book Club Bar

The Book Club Bar is a lovely spot in the East Village. This independent bookshop also functions as a café and cocktail bar, making it a very cool and unique concept. You can browse through the books at your leisure while enjoying an espresso, a glass of wine or a cocktail. The atmosphere is warm and cosy, with comfortable chairs and lovely terraces at the front and back.

📍 Location: 197 East 3rd Street, East Village
Barnes and Noble

One of America’s best-known bookshop chains is Barnes & Noble, and there are several branches in New York too. The largest is in Union Square and spans no fewer than four floors. It is the largest Barnes & Noble in Manhattan and is often even described as the largest in the world. You can spend hours there browsing the books, with separate sections for fiction, non-fiction and a large children’s section, amongst others.

The shop also has a café where you can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, and from the top floor you have a lovely view of Union Square. If you’re really looking for a specific book, there’s a good chance you’ll find it here.

📍 Location: 33 East 17th Street, Union Square

FAQ

The Strand Bookstore is probably New York’s best-known bookshop. It opened in 1927 and, with over 2.5 million books, is the city’s largest non-commercial bookshop.

The Barnes & Noble at Union Square is the largest bookshop in Manhattan, with four floors full of books. This branch is even often referred to as the largest Barnes & Noble in the world.

My personal favourite is McNally Jackson in SoHo. The shop really feels like New York and has a lovely atmosphere. Albertine is also lovely because of its historic feel and the ceiling painting.

Yes, several bookshops have a café. For example, Barnes & Noble has a Starbucks, The Drama Book Shop has its own café, and Book Club Bar is actually a combination of a bookshop, a café and a cocktail bar.