The Coolest Bookstores in NYC, 12 You Can't Help But Love.

This beloved bookstore was opened in 2004 by Sarah McNally, who hails from a bibliophile family (her parents own the largest independent bookstore chain in Canada). Known for its vast selection of books, the store hosts around 400 events annually! From book signings to author discussions, this is a great NYC bookstore to meet new people and discuss ideas.

My advice The South Street Seaport location is especially charming and the big leather couch is dangerously cozy. There’s also a great in-house cafe dishing out coffee and pastries from local bakeries like Sarabeths and Balthazar, highly recommend!

Book Are Magic is a Brooklyn-based independent bookstore founded by a well known (and local) author, Emma Straub. The impetus of the bookstore is just as important as the service it provides to the community.

Books Are Magic was opened in 2017 shortly after the closure of the neighborhood’s sole independent bookstore, BookCourt. Inviting and vibrant, the interior is best described as “industrial Scandinavian” and feels like the only place to be on a rainy autumn day. Don’t miss the great reading events and speaking panels.

Arguably one of the best-hidden bookstores in New York City, Albertine Books is located within the French Embassy on the Upper East Side. The store is devoted to French literature but carries some English titles as well.

Admittedly, this bookstore is on the smaller side, which makes their vast selection of 14,000 books (spanning two floors), all the more impressive. They’ve made great use of limited space!

Tip to my fellow Francophiles, brace yourself, the bookstore is so cool; you’ll be tempted to book a flight to France the second you walk through the door. The remarkable hand-painted celestial ceiling on the second floor is worth a visit alone!

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Three Lives & Company is quite possibly the most charming bookstore in New York City. Opened in 1978, this gem sits on the cutest corner in the West Village and serves as a reminder of the old New York. This cozy Greenwich Village bookstore is renowned for its carefully curated selection of titles, covering a wide range of genres across its compact space.

Hosting a variety of intimate events and book readings, this local gem fosters a strong sense of community among book lovers. Creaky floors, warm-toned wooden bookshelves and colorful books, when it comes to quaint NYC bookstores, this one takes the cake. Plus, the team on staff are some of the kindest in the city.

Opened in 2009, the goal was to create a community-hub for the neighborhood disguised as a bookstore. The strong sense of community is where this Brooklyn bookstore truly shines. Along with a great selection of books, there’s so shortage of interesting reading events or guests speakers on rotation (check out upcoming events here).

Today, Greenlight Bookstore is the first place that comes to mind whenever I feel the need to attend an author discussion, book signing or simply hear an interesting topic analyzed via panel. The store is well curated and the knowledgeable staff are happy to point you in the right direction or offer a personalized recommendation.

Founded in 1978, The Corner Bookstore has been satisfying the literary needs of New Yorkers for three generations. The name of the game for this independent New York City bookstore is tiny but mighty.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming the size is any indication of a limited selection, it’s surprisingly easy to find a quality read! It’s evident the staff takes great pride in their thoughtful recommendations of new titles to share with customers.

I also feel compelled to mention the impressive children’s section, which seems almost disproportionately large. You’re bound to find classics and relevant new children’s books that touch on current goings-on (political or otherwise).

The Drama Bookshop has long been a staple for the city’s Broadway scene. Dating back to 1912, it’s been an invaluable resource for some of Broadway’s greatest stars for more than 100 years.

As with most bookstores in New York City (and across the country), The Drama Book Shop began to struggle and faced foreclosure. Thankfully, in 2020, Lin-Manuel Miranda (the mastermind behind the Hamilton musical), purchased the store.

Ages ago, Miranda used to rehearse “In the Heights” in the bookstore, a musical that helped launch Miranda to stardom. Nostalgic and sentimental, he couldn’t let this iconic New York City bookstore fail (spoiler alert, it didn’t).

Housing Works Bookstore is a unique New York City bookstore because of the noble cause behind it. This bookstore is managed by a non-profit (by the same name) that ambitiously aims to fight HIV/AIDS and homelessness, and the stigmas associated with both.

As such, 100% of profits from this NYC bookstore are donated to fight HIV/AIDS and homelessness. Everything on the shelves (books, DVDs, housing items, etc.) is donated, but it goes a step further. The store is run by volunteers, so literally ever cent of the sale goes to the cause.

Since the books are donated, there’s no guarantee that you will find a specific title. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, peruse the shelves and pick something up that you normally wouldn’t.

No list of the best bookstores in NYC would be complete without a mention of Argosy Books, the oldest bookstore in New York City. Founded in 1925, this family-owned bookstore has been serving New Yorkers for almost 100 years.

Argosy Book Store specializes in rare first-edition & out-of-print books, and antique maps as well. Spanning 6 floors, the interior is filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, sturdy wood ladders, green lamps and the heavenly smell of old books.

The endearing old-world vibes at Argosy Book Store seem to mess with the space-time continuum, between the decor and vintage books, the hours seem to melt. Some things never change, and frankly shouldn’t.

Founded in 1927, the Strand is the only remaining bookstore from “Book Row” which was a coalition of 48 bookstores that lined Fourth Avenue. Every single bookstore, with the exception of the Strand, closed during the Great Depression.

Today this large NYC bookstore is home to 2.5 million books and serves as a safe-haven for insatiable bookworms far and wide. Visitors are welcome to donate books and peruse the bookstore in search of something new. Definitely spend time exploring the deals on the racks outside the store as well, you might score a deal!

The Strand has several locations but I suggest visiting the flagship store in the East Village (828 Broadway, New York, NY 10003).

Westsider Rare & Used Books is one of the smallest bookstores in New York City. Every inch of the interior is filled with books. As hard as it is to believe, there’s even an upstairs section where you can find vintage records, too. Say hello to the cat that roams the store. And while there’s no guarantee that the title you’re after will be in stock, the hunt only adds to the charm.

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Rizzoli Books is an independent NYC bookstore boasting handsome mahogany bookshelves filled to the brim with an extensive selection of coffee table books. The reason? Rizzoli is a world-renowned publisher of coffee table books. Founded in Italy, Rizzoli chose New York City at their sole US outpost (how lucky for us!). Expect to find unique and fascinating books that span the gamut.