It's on 1 of my list. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- Address972 5th Ave, New York, NY
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
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!