Best Bookstores in New York City
Are you looking for the best bookstores in New York City?
I consider myself something of an NYC bookstore connoisseur, as a native New Yorker and an avid reader. Read on for all of my favorite NYC bookstores, hand-picked by a local book lover!
One of my favorite things to do in New York is visit independent bookstores. I’ve been to tons of bookstores all across the city, and below you can find a list of my favorite places to shop for a new book.
Sadly, many independent bookstores have closed over the years in NYC. Did you know there was once even a whole “Book Row” in Manhattan, which consisted of three dozen bookstores in a six-block area? Although there are fewer now, this list has some great independent bookstores you can still check out.
If you’re visiting New York and you consider yourself a bibliophile, you might also want to check out my guide to NYC for book lovers as well as my tips for visiting the New York Public Library.
Here’s an overview of the best bookstores in New York City to discover…
The Strand
One of the most famous bookstores in New York is The Strand. Nearly 100 years old, this bookstore is located in an area of Manhattan that was once known as “Book Row” because of its dozens of bookstores.
The original location of the Strand near Union Square is the last standing Book Row bookstore, and it’s famous because it contains 18 miles of books — 2.5 million volumes! There’s another smaller Strand location on the Upper West Side (which is pictured above), as well as a Strand kiosk along Central Park.
Personally, I prefer the Upper West Side location to the original one, but that might just be because it’s closer to me and I visit more often. The original location is much larger with tons more books, though!
Locations:
- Strand Book Store: 828 Broadway at 12th Street, New York, NY 10003
- The Strand at Columbus Avenue: 450 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024
- The Strand Central Park Kiosk: 60th Street and 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10065
Website: The Strand
Albertine
This bookstore is definitely one of the most beautiful bookstores in NYC. Located on the Upper East Side right across from Central Park and close to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this bookstore is inside a gorgeous Fifth Avenue mansion that belongs to the Cultural Services of the French Embassy.
You’ll find French language books as well as books by French authors translated into English. The highlight of the bookstore is the ceiling upstairs, which has a hand-painted mural of stars and constellations.
This bookstore is a great place to pop into while you’re visiting Museum Mile. Even though it’s just a couple of blocks from the Met on Fifth Avenue, many people have no idea that Albertine even exists.
Location: 972 5th Ave, New York, NY 10075
Website: Albertine
McNally Jackson Books
Another great bookstore in NYC is McNally Jackson Books. This independent bookstore has five different locations, three in Manhattan and two in Brooklyn. Pictured above is the Seaport location.
McNally Jackson has a great selection of books, and they also host literary events at their locations around the city. The Seaport bookstore also has a coffee shop and wine bar to enjoy a drink after you browse.
Locations:
- McNally Jackson Books Nolita: 134 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
- McNally Jackson Books Rockefeller Center: W 48th St, New York, NY 10020
- McNally Jackson Books Seaport: 4 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038
- McNally Jackson Books Williamsburg: 76 N 4th St Unit G, Brooklyn, NY 11249
- McNally Jackson Books Downtown Brooklyn: 445 Gold St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Website: McNally Jackson Books
Three Lives and Company
If you’re looking for a cool independent bookstore in Greenwich Village, look no further than Three Lives and Company. This bookstore has been a neighborhood institution since 1968.
Although it’s a small shop, Three Lives and Company is packed with books. If you’re spending a day in Lower Manhattan and happen to be in the neighborhood, it’s worth stopping in here.
Location: 154 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
Website: Three Lives and Company
Books Are Magic
If you make your way over to Brooklyn, you’ll find the delightfully named Books Are Magic. This independent bookstore has two locations, one in Cobble Hill and one in Brooklyn Heights.
Pictured above is the exterior of the Books Are Magic store in Cobble Hill. Although it’s not a huge bookstore, it has a good selection of books, and they also host regular literary events for the community.
Locations:
- Books Are Magic Cobble Hill: 225 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
- Books Are Magic Brooklyn Heights: 122 Montague St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Website: Books Are Magic
Housing Works Bookstore
If you’re looking for a great used bookstore, head to Housing Works Bookstore. Nearly all the books here are donated, and the shop is fully staffed by volunteers, so all profits go to the Housing Works charity.
The mission of Housing Works is to help low-income New Yorkers with housing, healthcare, and other services. Housing Works Bookstore also has a cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee after you browse.
Location: 126 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012
Website: Housing Works Bookstore
Rizzoli Bookstore
One of the most beautiful bookstores in New York is Rizzoli Bookstore. Located in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan, close to Madison Square Park, Rizzoli has been around for over 50 years.
The bookstore specializes in illustrated books and coffee table books on topics like art, interior design, architecture, fashion, photography, and travel, as well as books on other topics.
Location: 1133 Broadway, New York, NY 10010
Website: Rizzoli Bookstore
The Corner Bookstore
This is a cute little bookshop located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Founded in 1978, this bookstore has been an Upper East Side staple for decades. Although it’s not large, it has a great selection.
If you’re already on the Upper East Side visiting Museum Mile institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Guggenheim Museum, it’s just a short walk to visit The Corner Bookstore.
Location: 1313 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10128
Website: The Corner Bookstore
Book Culture
Another one of the best bookstores in NYC is Book Culture. This bookstore has several locations across the city, two in Upper Manhattan near Columbia University and one in Long Island City in Queens. The large location on W 112th Street is also a place to buy textbooks and assigned reading for Columbia students.
You’ll find a wide selection of new and used books at Book Culture. With its original locations close to Columbia University, it’s a popular student bookstore, and it also hosts regular literary events.
Locations:
- Book Culture: 536 W 112th St, New York, NY 10025
- Book Culture on Broadway: 2915 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
- Book Culture LIC: 26-09 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Website: Book Culture
Book Club Bar
The cozy Book Club Bar is a bookstore that’s also a bar and cafe. Located in the East Village, this bookstore is a great place to linger for an hour or more. The bar serves coffee, cocktails, and other drinks, as well as light snacks. There is seating at the bar, as well as some comfy armchairs in the back, where you can read.
There’s even a little terrace outside in the back of the bookstore with tables and chairs for when the weather is nice. When it’s cold or rainy, you can sit indoors by the fireplace. Since this bookstore is also a bar, it’s open late — staying open until midnight or 1 AM in case you’re in the mood for late-night reading.
Location: 197 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10009
Website: Book Club Bar
Drama Book Shop
This cozy bookstore is a calm oasis in a part of Manhattan that I otherwise typically avoid because it’s always so packed with tourists. Just a couple of blocks away from the crowds of Times Square and the theaters of Broadway, Drama Book Shop has a special focus on plays, theatre, drama, and the performing arts.
You’ll find everything from books about Broadway to critiques of Shakespeare to memoirs from famous actors at this bookstore. It has a lovely little cafe and plenty of comfortable seats as well.
Location: 266 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018
Website: Drama Book Shop
Shakespeare & Co.
One of my favorite bookstores in NYC was Shakespeare & Co., not to be confused with the famous Shakespeare and Company in Paris. (The two bookstores aren’t related, despite sharing the same name.)
I’m so sad to report that as of 2025, all three locations of this bookstore have closed. Pictured above was the Upper East Side location that I loved visiting. There were two other locations on the Upper West Side and Manhattan Valley that have also closed. Such a shame, but I’m leaving this up for posterity.
Locations:
- Upper West Side: 2020 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
- Upper East Side: 939 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10065
- Manhattan Valley: 2736 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Website: Shakespeare & Co.
Best Bookstores in New York City
These are the best bookstores in New York City for book lovers.
Whether you live in New York or you’re just visiting, these are the best bookstores to add to your list. Shopping from these places is a great way to support independent bookstores in NYC.
Related Guides:
- A Guide to NYC for Book Lovers
- 10 Things to Know Before Visiting the New York Public Library
- 12 Best Food Tours in NYC (From a Local!)
- Where to Stay in NYC at Christmas: 10 Most Festive Hotels
- 35 Best Quotes About New York City
- Best Free Museum Days in NYC
- 17 Best Free Things to Do in NYC
- Museum Mile NYC: Best Museums to Visit
- NYC Bucket List: 90 Things to Do in New York City
- 25 Best Travel Memoirs by Women
- Around the World in Books: Travel Reading Challenge
- Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World
