A Bookish Guide to the Upper West Side

Jun 10

Are you looking for a neighborhood with great bookstores, delicious food, and world famous landmarks? Then the Upper West Side is for you!

Hi! I’m Hayley, your bookish travel gal. I put hours of research into all my trips to make sure I visit the best places I can!

I started my travel Instagram (@bookmoretravels) in May of 2024. And while my insta content focuses on more bookish and nyc- I wanted another space to share all the fun places I go to. Read on for our bestie day in the Upper West Side!

Check out my vlog where I bopped around the Upper West Side when my bestie came to visit! Or read on for a complete guide with all my recommendations.

The Bookstores of the Upper West Side

There are six bookstores in the Upper West Side and all of them are major pieces of NYC’s literary world. Book Culture and Strand are both family owned mainstays in Manhattan, PowerHouse is a Brooklyn publisher with a handful of location in Brooklyn now making it’s way to Manhattan, and Westsider is a classic and storied secondhand bookstore.

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Book Culture | 536 W 112th St, New York, NY 10025

This store spans two floors where you can find fantastic books. Bottom floor will be bestsellers and full price books, but make your way up the stairs for great deals on new books and a selection of used books at a discount! There will be something for every reader here.

Book Culture on Broadway | 2915 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

This is a smaller outpost of the iconic Book Culture. Still has great deals on new and used titles. They also host events in this space!

The Strand (UWS) | 450 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

The Upper West Side location of this iconic bookstore, with a huge selection of both new and used books over two floors. It is also a great place to buy cute gifts! And you can’t miss the bargain carts outside. This location has a fantastic kids book selection and fun reading room (with a spaceship room!) to bring the little ones!

The Strand at Lincoln Center | 2020 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

A gorgeous bookstore on the UWS. Be mindful of their no photography signage inside the store.

What used to be a Shakespeare & Co has been recently renovated to another Strand location. This one has a full service coffee bar with seating to grab a drink and read for a while.

PowerHouse at Columbus Circle | 10 Columbus Cir Third Floor, New York, NY 10019

The newest bookstore location of PowerHouse Books (a local publisher). This location is still in its soft opening, but it’s a great addition to the neighborhood!

Westsider Rare & Used Books Inc. | 2246 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

This bookstore is a staple of the UWS for a reason! It is small, but stocked floor to ceiling with used books. Make sure to head up to the lofted space for their rare books! It has all the cozy vibes and has become one of my favorites bookstores in the city, too bad it’s a trek for me all the way from Brooklyn! Make sure to add it to your list for your next visit to NYC!

Where to Eat

From $5 cheap eats to fancy sit down spots, there’s a food option for every occasion in the Upper West Side! Here are the places I have tried and loved.

Billy's Hot Dog Cart | The Turin, Central Prk W, New York, NY 10025

Billy has been serving some of the best hot dogs in NYC out of his cart for years. It may be a new location, but if you are a fan of hot dogs then this is the spot for you!

$5 for a dog and a drink and a great deal

Cafe Luxembourg | 200 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023

This UWS staple has been serving the neighborhood for decades. Upscale French food with an extensive bar menu and cozy banquets make it great for a date night or just a fancy evening out.

Gray's Papaya | 2090 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

There are few places where you can get a meal for $5 in the city anymore, but the local’s special gets you one dog your way and a medium drink! This classic hot dog joint is a must visit when you are in the area.

The Hungarian Pastry Shop | 1030 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

This classic bakery is a favorite for locals. So many yummy options to choose from!

So many types of pickles and Jacob’s Pickles!

Jacob's Pickles | 680 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025

Their motto is Pickles, Beer and Biscuits- and if you like any or all of those three things you are set. Generous portions for food and a whole menu of pickled items make it a great sit down spot!

The miso vanilla croissant was our favorite at La Farine!

La Farine Pâtisserie et Café | 2394 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

This two floor bakery and cafe is a perfect spot for brunch with friends or to work for a while. They have a rotating menu of pastries and drinks and plenty of tables to sit and enjoy.

Shalel | 65 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023

This is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. It truly feels like you are stepping into another world when you descend the steps. The tagine is to die for, their espresso martinis is one of the best and they even have a whole waterfall inside their lounge! A perfect retreat for a group.

Tiki Chick | 517 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Come for the $5 chicken sandwiches, stay for the fabulous tiki drinks! It’s a fun party vibe perfect for friends and dates.

Where to Shop

Here are a couple shops that I have loved on my visits!

Gold Leaf Stationers | 606-608 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

A neighborhood stationery shop where you can find any sort of home craft supplies!

Goods for the Study UWS | 2105 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

I love getting gift ideas from this shop- their tables are always full of unique products for the home and office.

Magpie | 488 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

A small shop with a lot on offer. Check out their eco friendly gifts and clothes in the back.

The Sunshinery on 86th | 551 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

The Sunshinery on 69th | 106 W 69th St, New York, NY 10023

Two locations of the cutest gift shop in the area. I loved their New York themed items and cards. A great place to shop!

Zabar’s | 2245 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Maybe one of the most famous grocery stores in NYC? Made famous by She’s Got Mail, this neighborhood staple is a place where you can almost any food items (and all lines take both cash and card!) I love their dried fruit selection and bakery the most.