Top 12 book cafes in New York where you can read over a cup of coffee

Book cafes are the kind of iconic New York establishments that have sadly disappeared over the past few decades, but literary and culinary spaces are certainly on the rise. There are dozens of places popping up in the city where you can buy (or rent) books and enjoy drinks. Edition Time-out collected 12 such places.

1 Book Club

The independent bookstore and bar in the East Village is one of the city's few places of literary nightlife. The establishment opened in 2019 and sells wine, beer and high-quality coffee drinks that can be enjoyed in cozy reading chairs. Nightly activities include readings, drinking and practical jokes, poetry slams, adult spelling contests and more.

2. Cafe Con Libros

A bookstore on a residential street in Crown Heights set up as an intersectional feminist bookstore that features a quirky coffee shop, among other things. In this "black, feminist and bookish" space, readers can find a well-chosen series of progressive books in various genres and relax with a hot mug of tea.

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3. Yu&Me Books

This cozy spot in Chinatown is the city's first independent bookstore owned and operated by an Asian woman. It is created for communication on the background of books and drinks. Drink espresso, wine and beer while browsing contemporary fiction and non-fiction or attend events like readings, clothes swaps, book clubs and more.

4. Cups and Books

On Lefferts Gardens Avenue, this independent bookstore debuted at the end of 2020. Since then, it has thrived as a place to find new reading, sit down with a cup of coffee and pastries, even feast on soup.

5. Better Read than Dead + Burly Coffee

Collaborating with Bed-Stuy, this independent coffee shop and used bookshop offers craft drinks and used books. Find used contemporary titles as well as rare books and relax on a book recliner for two.

6. The Lit Bar

A long-term dream, realized by its owner Noel Santos, has become the only independent bookstore in the Bronx. Here readers will find carefully selected books as well as programs for all ages. The bar itself has plenty of seating and wine.

7. Bluestockings Cooperative

The city's only LGBT-run bookstore is located on the Lower East Side. It is a meeting place for activists, where many radical books can be found. They are collected to help shoppers find reading material that supports transgender children, enjoy a queer romance set in New York City, read feminist fiction, and more. The café sells coffee, tea, and vegan treats, while the back room is a place to read, visit a co-working space, or arrange a meeting. Everyone is welcome, regardless of ability to pay, and the free shop and public pantry offer free snacks, drinks, books, and more.

8. Dear Friend Books

Offering a minimalist aesthetic, plenty of used books, and a spacious reading veranda, Dear Friend Books is a gem that opened in Summer 2022. Enjoy coffee, tea or non-alcoholic fermented drinks while the cafe waits for a liquor license.

9. Topos Bookstore Cafe

A Ridgewood staple since 2014, the independent bookstore sells and buys used books as well as several new titles. The cafe sells Variety coffee and you can sit outside.

10. Archestratus Books + Food

One of the city's few food-focused bookstores, Greenpoint's Archestratus has expanded in 2021 to offer even more book space next to its cafe. Known for a superb selection of new and old books, as well as ongoing promotions, delicacies and more, Archestratus is a gourmet literary paradise.

11. The center for fiction

The non-profit organization dedicated to fiction has a multi-level space in Fort Greene with floor-to-ceiling windows, a writer's studio and co-working space on the second floor. The café has the standard coffeehouse fare, beer and wine, and a spacious reading and writing room.

12. The Drama Book Shop

A Manhattan mainstay since 1917, the bookstore moved to 39th Street in 2020 with support from Broadway icons like Lin Manuel Miranda. Hamilton set designer David Korins and his team designed the new venue to pay homage to XNUMXth century European cafes and reading rooms. In addition to playwrights and plays, you'll find coffee, tea and light snacks here.