A guide to NYC’s prettiest bookstores from Midtown to Brooklyn and the Upper East Side – the most beautiful bookstores (some are must-visit book cafes!)!
Whether you visit New York City at Christmas, during spring or in the dead of fall, the city is a treasure trove of gorgeous, unique bookstores anchored in the community that offer an immersive experience into the literary world.
From Books Are Magic in quaint Brooklyn to Broadway’s Rizzoli Bookstore and the charming Corner Bookstore on the Upper East Side, the places you’ll see today offer more than just books – they also offer looks.
Plenty of, actually.
Whether you’re looking for a romance fiction or an inspiring biography, these are the prettiest bookstores in New York City, and make for must-visit spots for whoever would like to treat their close ones… or themselves.
NYC’s Prettiest Bookstores: 9 Spots For Books and Aesthetics
Before we get started, I have to admit to loving anything related to the book world.
If you ever decide to visit other cities in the world, like Paris or London, you’ll find out, for instance, that London boasts lots of bookish locations, which also include quirky sculptures and spots celebrating Shakespeare.
Paris also offers some of the prettiest bookstores in the world, like famous Shakespeare & Company, close to the Quartier Latin’s floral spots and other cute coffee shops.
When it comes to other cities I’ve lived in or visited, I’ve found that many of Rome’s bookshops, in Italy, are more on the antique and rare book side – another kind of charm from the old world.
Anyhoo; if you’re into rustic, old and aesthetic bookstores, let’s get started with this new travel guide to New York City!
Prettiest Bookstores in NYC: The Corner Bookstore, Upper East Side
Tucked away in Manhattan’s sophisticated Upper East Side, The Corner Bookstore is an independent and unique store with a warm, inviting interior and a carefully-curated selection of New York-centric titles, fiction, and children’s books.
Established in 1978, this gorgeous bookstore draws in visitors who would like to lose themselves in books and find hidden literary gems, only a few blocks from Central Park.
Beyond the old-world charm The Corner Bookstore boasts, it’s also a community place where the friendly staff will help you and advise titles you’d never have thought of – and a bookstore historically famous for its book signings.
Once you’re done wandering around the fully-stacked bookshelves and enjoying the gorgeous bookstore’s inviting atmosphere, stroll down Madison Avenue to admire Christmas lights, or make your way for the world-famous Guggenheim Museum.
Or, walk to Central Park to discover the Burnett Fountain, another must-visit literary location in NYC, since it revolves around Burnett’s The Secret Garden, and particularly beautiful during the fall and the spring.
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Prettiest Bookstores in NYC: Albertine Bookstore
Nestled inside the French Embassy on Fifth Avenue, Albertine Bookstore features an ornate interior that reflects the Beaux-Arts architecture of the mansion it’s established in, the historic Payne Whitney mansion built in 1906.
What makes Albertine one of the prettiest bookstores in NYC, beyond its heavy, glossy wooden furniture and floors, is none other than the starry ceiling in the upstairs reading room.
Inspired by Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and reimagined with zodiac constellations, the painted ceiling adds an artistic layer to an otherwise quite intellectual atmosphere.
Not only can you walk around and browse for your next read, but Albertine Bookstore also hosts events, signings, and located only minutes away from Bergdorf Goodman.
If you’d like to do some shopping in NYC, this upscale spot is perfect for gifts and treats after a visit to both Francophiles and book lovers alike!
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Prettiest Bookstores in NYC: The Ripped Bodice, Brooklyn
The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn, located on 5th Avenue, is not only a family-run business, but also the ultimate store to visit if you’re into romance and fiction.
A colorful addition to New York’s indie bookstore scene, The Ripped Bodice is famous for their unparalleled selection of romance novels and inclusive collections.
Inside the pretty bookstore, beyond books, you’ll find plenty of cute little photo spots and cozy reading nooks – and if you’re into meeting new people, why not attend a workshop, a book signing, or one of the many events The Ripped Bodice hosts?
When you’re done shopping, you’ll find plenty of free things to do in Brooklyn; Prospect Park for a serene walk in nature, or, on select days, the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden – great if you’re tight on budget!
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Prettiest Bookstores in NYC: The Drama Bookshop, Midtown
Originally founded by the Drama League in 1917, the Drama Bookshop in the Theater District in Midtown Manhattan became an independent bookstore in 1923, and is an it-spot for theater enthusiasts.
Inside, you’ll find everything from posters of Broadway classics to rare books, and thousands of plays – but it’s really the 140-foot bookworm sculpture that makes Pinterest, Instagram, and locals talk.
Made of 2,400 recycled materials, the bookstore’s interior, designed by David Korins of Hamilton fame, makes it one of NYC’s most unique stores, and even has an on-site cafe to sip and nibble while you’re reading.
When you’re done admiring this Midtown gem, why not discover other places nearby, like Bryant Park (a must-visit if you’re visiting NYC around Christmas!), Times Square for glowing lights, or the New York Public Library with its iconic architecture and interiors?
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Prettiest Bookstores in NYC: Rizzoli, Broadway
Located in the heart of Manhattan’s NoMad district, Rizzoli Bookstore on Broadway, first opened in Midtown in 1964, is a must-visit place for anyone into books, architecture, and history.
Elegant columns, striking Fornasetti murals, the Saint James Building in which Rizzoli Bookstore is nestled feels glamorous, almost overwhelming, as does the impressive collection of books Rizzoli offers.
Specializing in architecture, art, photography and culinary literary, Rizzoli Bookstore also boasts a curated selection of French, Italian and Spanish books – great if you’re trying to learn a new language!
When you’re done browsing, it’s time to enjoy some of NYC’s landmarks; just a short walk away, you’ll find the Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park.
Should you want to spend some time in Flatiron, one spot to visit absolutely, especially if you’re very hungry, is Eataly Flatiron.
With its tasty Italian specialties and its food market downstairs, Eataly is very pretty restaurant to visit during the fall in NYC, but also at Christmas and spring for striking decor that follows the seasons.
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Prettiest Bookstores in NYC: Sweet Pickle Books
Now, with Sweet Pickle Books on the Lower East Side, we have one of the quirkiest bookstores in New York City – opened in 2020, Sweet Pickle Books embodies a lovely fusion of the literary and culinary worlds.
Embracing the area’s rich history as a hub for Jewish pickle vendors, and combining it with her lifelong passion for books, Leigh Altshuler decided to take a community-focused approach, accepting book donations in exchange for jars of pickles.
Unique reads, handwritten signs, and a playful layout: Sweet Pickle Books definitely is one of the prettiest bookstores you could visit while in town.
It’s also great to treat yourself to a new read before visiting the Tenement Museum, the Essex Market or, if you’re hungry, the Katz’ Delicatessen for its famous pastrami sandwiches.
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Prettiest Bookstores in NYC: Housing Works Bookstore, SoHo
Located in the lively SoHo neighborhood, Housing Works Bookstore is one of the most interesting places to visit in NYC because it’s not just a bookstore.
Established in 1996, this bookstore is indeed part of the Housing Works nonprofit initiative aimed at combating homelessness and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS – the books are entirely donated, and the staff are mostly volunteers.
Over two stories, the Housing Works Bookstore offers charming views; floor-to-ceiling shelves, wooden staircases, a cute on-site cafe, and everything from rare books to fiction can be found there.
If you’d like to meet new people, you’ll find that community-based Housing Works Bookstore is also a vibrant cultural hub: live music, storytelling series and book launches also take place there, in addition to the odd charity gala and wedding.
When you’re done enjoying the lovely vibe, make your way to the New Museum on Bowery for avant-garden exhibitions, take in the charm of the Little Italy area around Mulberry Street, or why not take a walk around Soho’s cast-iron buildings?
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Prettiest Bookstores in NYC: Lit. Bar, Bronx
Opened in 2019 by African American and Puerto Rico Noëlle Santos, the Lit. Bar on Alexander Avenue in the Bronx is one of the area’s only independent bookstores, and one that champions Black and Latino voices.
The diverse selection of titles highlights locals authors, bridging the Bronx’s past with its evolving present – the mission, here, is to celebrate literature and the Bronx’s culture.
When you’re done browsing the curated selection of Afro and Latino books, make your way to the Bronx Museum of the Arts for another layer of arty to your way, or visit the New York Botanical Garden for its incredible miniatures and manicured gardens.
And, if you’re a sports fan, consider visiting the Yankee Stadium, home of the Bronx Bombers, to anchor yourself into NYC life a bit more!
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Prettiest Bookstores in NYC: Books Are Magic, Brooklyn
Books Are Magic in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, might be more famous for its vibrant pink mural outside, but it’s a beloved neighborhood staple at this point, with shelves packed with bestsellers, hidden gem books and children’s books.
The store is known for hosting regular events that help anchor reading a bit more in the community, including author readings, panels, and kids’ story time.
If you’re visiting NYC with kids, why not take part in an event to further take in the city’s creative atmosphere?
When you’re done at Books Are Magic, explore Cobble Hill’s quaint streets and make your way to the Brooklyn Bridge Park, perfect to get free views of NYC, or the New York Transit Museum, located in an impressive decommissioned subway station.
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NYC’s Prettiest Bookstores: 9 Spots For Books and Aesthetics
Thus finishes this guide to the prettiest bookstores in New York City: exploring them is like diving into the city’s very core; creative, unique, diverse, and always unexpected.
Whether you pop by the Drama Bookshop close to Broadway or want to discover the neighborhood warmth of Books Are Magic (and take a picture in front of the famous mural!), you’ll hopefully have found new spots you can’t wait to visit.
Across every borough, from the Lower East Side to Midtown, these bookstores aren’t just for book lovers.
They’re for history and architecture lovers, for dreamers, and for anyone looking to discover the true NYC off the beaten path.