Just like movies and popcorn, coffee shops and books are a match made in heaven. If you’re a bibliophile like me, there’s nothing better than settling into a cozy nook with a strong cuppa Joe, a page-turning mystery, and your phone on silent. Luckily, Westchester has mastered the art of this perfect pairing, with towns full of charming cafés and independent bookstores.
Whether you’re browsing the shelves for your next beach read (summer is the perfect excuse to pick up something juicy) or settling into a quiet nook to crack open your latest purchase, these destinations make it easy to spend a leisurely day sipping, reading, and supporting local.
Coffee and books in Bedford
There’s always some kind of event going on at Bedford Books including an Aug. 12 “Sip & Shop” from 4 to 6 p.m. as part of their last summer hurrah. Since opening in December 2024, owner (and author) Fran Hauser has hosted more than 120 soirees, many of them with bestselling authors. For your pre-caffeine fix before or after, stop at Mast Market across the street or oHHo The Firehouse around the corner. 13 Court Road, 914-688-5857, bedfordbooks.shop.
Coffee and books in Chappaqua
Scattered Books has long been the place to go not only for great books (and fantastic book recommendations) but for their bunnies Moo, Chuck and Chip who you’re welcome to read a book to. As for coffee? Check out either Bobo’s or the coming soon The Farm Cafe (going in where Green & Tonic had been). 29 King St., 914-529-8013, scatteredbooks.com.
Coffee and books in Croton-on-Hudson
What’s better than the smell of freshly brewed coffee? The co-mingling of your favorite books just steps away. Tucked inside The Black Cow is By-the-Dam Books where you’ll find a varied stock featuring a little bit of everything (and what you don’t see can be ordered). Open since November 2021, owner Andy DeRado said being located in the Black Cow was an unintended bonus as it’s long been the heart of Croton. Another bonus? The fact that DeRado is an adjunct English professor at Mercy University and Westchester Community College, meaning he knows books. As a lover of fiction and magical realism, his staff pick shelf tends to lean that way. And, as a young father (he has a four and six-year-old), he also keeps his favorite picture books in stock. As for other coffee options, Matters Coffee, with plenty of room to lounge (and read) is just down the street. 4 Old Post Rd S., 914-274-5888, instagram.com/bythedambooks.
Coffee and books in Dobbs Ferry
HudCo, a co-working space that’s front area is open to the public, is where you’ll find Picture Book, with its curated selection of new releases, fiction, nonfiction, art books, cookbooks, young adult, and more. Open since 2020, the bookstore recently expanded into a bigger space, allowing for an even larger selection. Just in case you missed something, however, owner Sara Davidson sends a weekly newsletter featuring recommendations, new arrivals, and updates on upcoming author talks, book clubs, and community read-ins. Just be warned: the shop is only open weekdays during HudCo’s coworking hours.
Adding to your weekday pick-me-up is drink master extraordinaire Austin Furnas of Boxing Day Coffee, who’s also located within the HudCo space. Though Furnas is leaving July 24 and relocating to the former Wild Culture space in Hastings-on-Hudson, Eyes Closed Coffee, with just as many coffee options, is opening in the same space sometime in August. With Climbing Wolf just up the street along with CaffeLatte, you’ll surely find something to best suit your book/coffee pairing. 145 Palisade St., Suite 200, picturebookny.com.
Coffee and books in Katonah
Since December 2013, the Katonah Reading Room has been the hamlet’s community living room where you can find books, coffee, gifts, toys, art supplies, stationary, puzzles and more. Over the years owner Gretchen Menzies and her staff have perfected specialty drinks and offer a large menu of barista offerings that fit every new coffee craze (you’ll also find plain coffee). She’s also known for partnering with local businesses for food options. That includes a recent alliance with Brewster’s General Bake Shop as well as other vendors who bring in Hungry Gnome from the city as well as Amy’s Bake Shop and Wave Hill Breads. The second floor is designed for community and welcome to folks remote working, meeting friends or simply looking for a cozy place to read. A second room was recently renovated for events like book clubs, writing workshops, art events, author visits and more. 19 Edgemont Road, 914-334-8019, katonahreadingroom.com.
Coffee and books in Larchmont
The list of where you can get a strong brew is long and varied in Larchmont with old-timers like Sunshine Coffee Roasters, Bradley’s, Stanz Cafe, Starbucks and Harbour House Coffee Shop along with newcomers Caffe Monregale, Millie’s Provisions and the four-year-old Bluestone Lane. Once you’ve gotten your drink of choice, J. Anderson’s Books is your destination where Oprah pick “John of John” and Belle Burden’s “Strangers” are among the best sellers lining the shelves. 96 Chatsworth Ave., 914-670-1084, jandersonsbooks.com.
Coffee and books in Ossining
There’s a feel-good vibe to Hudson Valley Books for Humanity which sells both new, used and “pre-loved” books and is known for hosting everything from “Building Bridges Through Books,” a group that reads and discusses books that relate to social or environmental justice, to music, open-mic nights, improv, theater, and wellness activities such as yoga. Owner Amy Hall is all about putting the voices of women, People of Color, and other marginalized communities front and center. Even better: nearby you’ll find First Village Coffee and HERE Coffee + Beer. 67 Central Ave., 914-847-0773, hvbooksforhumanity.com.
Coffee and books in Peekskill
You have your choice of three bookshops in this northern Westchester city, two of which offer an array of tomes for bargain hunters. Make your first stop the ever loveable, ever-quirky Bruised Apple Books, which has been buying selling and trading all sorts of used, out of print and sometimes truly rare books since 1993. They also have records, CDs and movies. But what really gets you is their local yocal vibe with books and maps about history and the outdoors in the Hudson Valley. 923 Central Ave., 914-734-7000, bruisedapplebooks.com.
Bibliophiles can also find an assortment of used books at Field Library Book Store, which is run entirely by volunteers and gladly accepts donations. 934 South St., 914-736-7030, thefieldlibrary.org.
Last but not least is Bookshop, an artist-run shop featuring artists’ books, zines, original print editions, original art, sketchbooks and journals, along with other handmade items. It’s currently open by appointment with regular hours beginning in September. 102 S. Division St., bookshopbookshop.square.site.
Coffee and books in Pleasantville
The Village Bookstore has been in business since 1972 (though under different ownership), a huge accomplishment for an independent store. Along with all the latest and greatest, as well as all the oldies but goodies, they offer a Silent Book Club which encourages you to bring a book and read in community at the Take 3 Wine Bar & Cafe at Jacob Burns Film Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays. Specific upcoming dates include Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10. 10 Washington Ave., 914-769-8322, thevillagebookstore.net.
Coffee and books in Rye
Like Larchmont, Rye is also coffee central with The Granola Bar, Sunshine Coffee Roasters, Petite Bretagne, Le Pain Quotidien, Starbucks and the soon-to-be-opened Maman within steps from each other. Coming from the train? Winfield Street Coffee offers an array of drinks (as well as cocktails) at the Metro North train station. There’s only one bookstore, however: Arcade Booksellers which is filled to the brim with all kinds of literature. 9 Theodore Fremd Ave., 914-967-0966, arcadebookstore.com.
Coffee and books in Scarsdale
Virginia, the resident English Springer Spaniel at Bronx River Books was negotiated into the lease when the store opened eight years ago and ever since has been a big draw. Named after Virginia Woolf (who had the same breed), she just turned 12, which led to a 12% off sale. This bookstore, which boasts being “defiantly independent,” also lays claim to having over 17,000 books in addition to hundreds of thousands of additional titles via the search feature on their website (where you can always order from).
Their goal? To be a destination and a haven for readers of all ages, including contemporary and classic fiction, quality children’s and young adult selections, suspense and speculative fiction titles, and books about contemporary affairs, history, science, great lives, practical philosophy, cooking, arts and music, parenting, fitness, local Westchester history and area activities. 37 Spencer Pl., 914-420-6396, bronxriverbooks.com.
Scarsdale also gets bonus points for having a bookstore in a library. Boleria Brazilian Bakery, which opened in Mamaroneck during the height of the pandemic, opened its second location inside the Scarsdale Public Library last May offering both coffee and baked goods. 54 Olmstead Road, 914-229-8663, boleriany.com.
Coffee and books in Sleepy Hollow
Owner Leah Bloom opened the Sleepy Hollow Bookshop in 2022 as a place for the community to gather over books, beanbags and coffee. The children’s bookstore, which spans the ages from infant to young adult, is designed for families to read together. It’s also designed for folks who simply want a baked goodie and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. 95 Beekman Ave., 914-631-0541, sleepyhollowbookshop.com.
Coffee and books in Tarrytown
Consider Tarrytown the king of “oldies but goodies” when it comes to coffee shops thanks to Coffee Labs Roasters and Muddy Waters Cafe. Both are great pre-or post-gaming options when your destination includes Transom Bookshop. The bookstore, which opened in 2021, offers a mix of genres including fiction, literature, poetry as well as a cross-section of psychology and self-help. There are also book adjacent items like stickers, stationary, bookmarks and apparel. Owner Chris Stipe came up with shop’s namesake to make it feel as if you’ve crossed over into a new place where you can discover something unexpected. 23 Main St., 914-848-4232, transombookshop.com.
Coffee and books in Pound Ridge
Booksy Galore refers to itself as “little bookstore with a big heart.” That’s because it offers a lot more than books. Along with vinyl records, vintage typewriters, journals, coloring books, puzzles, and used books, you’ll often spot little gems among the shelves such as a “take a poem” and an “everyman’s library” circa 1900s with short descriptions about four styles of bindings. Owner Susan Williamson is also big on conservation and repurposing. 67 Westchester Ave., 914-764-3171, booksygalore.com.
Coffee and books in Yorktown Heights
At Libri you get three concepts in one: a bookstore, a cafe and a flower shop. Open since last April, the shop is the brainchild of Anita and Berat Bllaca who wanted to have a shop honoring the things they love. The couple, who previously owned businesses in Albania where they’re from, offer shelves of books (built into their coffee counter) where patrons can borrow something while they sip a drink, or grab something from another shelf to buy. Libri, by the way, means “book” in Albanian. 1961 Commerce St., 914-304-3994, libriny.com.
Reading events in Westchester
Love books? Two events to put on your Google calendar include the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, scheduled for Sept. 26, and the Westchester Book Festival, which returns to Katonah Nov. 7.
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester bookstores and coffeeshops brew up cozy combo. Where to go
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
