10 Most Gorgeous Indie Bookstores in New York City

New York City has a lot of independent bookstores – and we’re going to take a look at the most visually stunning ones, both big and small.

Rizzoli Bookstore

The inside of this bookstore could easily be mistaken for a Renaissance painting. From the austere black columns to the intricate, almost angelic wallpaper stretching above the dark wooden shelves, there’s a reason why they claim to be the most beautiful bookstore in New York City. Its aesthetic bent is appropriate, too, as its collection focuses mainly on the visual arts: art, architectural design, and photography. You can also expect to find a variety of international titles, such as European magazines and newspapers.

Albertine

You don’t need to be a 19th-century astronomer to appreciate Albertine’s interior decor – though it might help. Filled with leather seating, classic wooden paneling, and a ceiling painted like the night sky, complete with an astrological solar system, this bookstore is a delight for anyone who loves stars and the night sky. Albertine is also notable for having a huge collection of French-language books. English-only speakers don’t have to worry, though; aside from the beautiful decor, there is plenty of English literature as well to keep you happy.

The store is in the same building as the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, and you’ll know it immediately by the painstakingly sculpted marble lobby upon entering. The whole place is eminently photogenic and a must-visit whether you can speak French or not.

McNally Jackson Books

McNally Jackson Books has five stores open across the Big Apple, each with its own unique style that makes them both inviting and aesthetically appealing. Some have aged archways, others have off-beat art installations of books hanging from the ceiling. They’ve also been known to set up creative displays, such as a cardboard castle in the children’s section. Their stores have a hearty collection of fiction, non-fiction, and even art books.

One notable aspect is that McNally organizes its fiction by country of origin rather than more traditional methods. It’s a perfect arrangement for anyone curious to learn about other cultures and places in the world.

The Drama Book Shop

One of the first things that will catch your eye as you walk into the Drama Book Shop is its gravity-defying art display of books spiraling across the store. This shop is dedicated to all things theater and film, with scripts, plays, and cinema-related books. It was famously bought by award-winning songwriter and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda and his partners in 2020, so you know this place has a true lover of theater behind it.

The Drama Book Shop also has an in-store café for anyone looking to supplement their reading with a bite and a sip of aromatic coffee.

Greenlight Bookstore

Greenlight Bookstore is another independent shop with two locations – one in Fort Greene and another in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. It’s well-known not just as a bookseller, but as a center for various literary events such as book signings and readings, as well as discussions on current social issues. The main shop opened in 2009 and features a central white shelf that helps to brighten an already open and spacious interior.

Book Culture

Book Culture has two locations, and both embody a simple elegance. Expect an abundance of flowers placed just so atop beautifully crafted wooden furniture, side-by-side with carefully selected books.

The store keeps things fresh by selling crafts, stickers, and stationery alongside their books. Many reviewers praise the fun and unique layout, saying it’s a joy to wander through, looking for new books to enjoy.

Bauman Rare Books

Want a chic layout with bright, colorful art displays? Or perhaps the latest selection of bestsellers and popular, trendy titles? Well, sorry to disappoint, but Bauman is the polar opposite of most modern bookstores – and that’s exactly its appeal. (Joke’s on you! I happen to like both types of shops.)

Bauman Rare Books is a picture of classical elegance. If you want rare or old books (think 15th-century onward), this is the place to go.

Argosy Book Store

This shop is old school to the bone. Packed with vintage maps, pictures, prints, and books, Argosy is a veritable treasure trove of rare, out-of-print snapshots of history. Opened in the 1930s, this nearly century-old bookstore has a distinctive style. It’s almost masked by the rows of books and picture frames, but you can see it if you look closely at the intricate ceiling molds, the careful curation of lesser-known but solid literature, and the reading room that looks like it could have been modeled after a 19th-century explorer’s tent.

The Corner Bookstore

While not as glitz and glam as some of the other shops on this list, the Corner Bookstore has a simple, subtle elegance. Its charm attracts a fair share of customers – not with looks, but with a knowledgeable and friendly staff. It has a fantastic array of books, curated for high quality. Though small, this independent store hosts various book signings that make for an intimate but pleasant stay.

The Center for Fiction

The Center of Fiction isn’t just your average bookstore. The front of the house has a shop and café with floor-to-ceiling windows and an enormous bookcase. But behind the scenes (or in this case, upstairs) is a huge members-only space, complete with a working space, a no-tech reading room, and an outdoor patio. Whether you go for the membership or not, it’s a chic stop in downtown Brooklyn where you can pick up a new read.