Here’s our selection of New York City’s ten best and most beautiful bookstores, whether in Queens, Brooklyn, or beyond.
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.
Address: 1133 Broadway, New York, NY 10010, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 11AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
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. It’s no surprise that this bookstore ranked 9th in the 2025 1000 Libraries Awards’ Top 10 Most Beautiful Book Places in the World.
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. 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 or not you speak French.
Address: 972 5th Ave, New York, NY 10075, United States
Opening hours:
– Thursday to Tuesday: 10AM – 6PM
– Wednesday: Closed
McNally Jackson Books SoHo
McNally Jackson Books has five stores open across the city in Soho, Rockefeller Center, Seaport, Downtown Brooklyn, and Williamsburg, each with its own unique style that makes them both inviting and aesthetically appealing. Some have aged archways, others have offbeat art installations of books hanging from the ceiling.
Among them is the Soho store, widely considered the best of the bunch for both the quality of its collection and its design. Black bookcases line the space, striking a balance between modern style and classic charm. And if you know what genre you’re in the mood for but can’t decide on a title, each section has a dedicated display table with staff-recommended picks to point you in the right direction.
Address: 134 Prince St, New York, NY 10012, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 9PM
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.
Address: 266 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 7PM
Greenlight Bookstore
Greenlight Bookstore is 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.
Address: 686 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Book Culture
Book Culture has multiple locations, and each embodies a simple elegance. The spaces are filled with beautifully crafted wooden furniture, sitting 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. The original flagship store opened in 1997. It has stronger roots in Columbia’s academic community and is known for carrying a broader range of humanities, literary criticism, philosophy, history, and university-style selection.
Address: 536 W 112th St, New York, NY 10025, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 10PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 9PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 8PM
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.
Address: 485 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: Closed
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.
Address: 116 E 59th St, New York, NY 10022, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 11AM – 6PM
– Sunday: Closed
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.
Address: 1313 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10128, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
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.
Address: 15 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 8PM
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K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
