This is my 2400th review! Kitchen Arts & Letters has been on my radar for quite a while. I follow them on instagram and have previously ordered online. I have always wanted to visit in person but never found myself that far uptown at the right time. Today I made it a point to stop in and walked all the way across the park to get here. This is a small store but is completely packed with the most beautifully curated selection I've ever seen. I left with a book and a tote bag. From now on I will make it a point to get here when I'm visiting NYC. In the meantime I'll think of it every time I reach for the tote bag! If you love food and books you will love it here too! There is that Julia Child quote, "People who love to eat are always the best people." It's completely true! read more

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Yes this books store is on my museum list - if you love food you have to check this place out! I heard about a new book called McAtlas by Gary He which chronicles McDonalds cuisines and buildings in over 50 countries. I knew this book would be a perfect holiday gift for myself and so many friends and loved ones. I trekked up to the shop and somehow managed to carry 6 copies back to Brooklyn. I also picked up a couple other super unique books for more gifts. I could have spent all day but didn't have the time this trip. Lots of incredible food books and knowledgeable staff. I loved that all my copies were signed and still the same price - amazing value and even more special. I even got free reusable tote bags. Can't wait to return! read more

Kitchen Arts & Letters - McAtlas in real life! - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

I almost never write reviews, but this store deserves the praise. Very knowledgeable staff, whose love and appreciation of great food writing is only surpassed by their commitment to helping every customer find the right fit for them. I've been coming here for 20+ years and have never had an experience that was less than stellar. You owe it to yourself to visit. read more

Kitchen Arts & Letters - One can never have too many cookbooks. - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

Loved everything about this bookstore! If you're into food & cookbooks, this is a must stop!!!

An independent bookstore that specializes in books on food and drink!? Yes. Cookbooks, food writing, books on drinks...! As someone who loves to cook, read cookbooks (yes, read), and read food writing, I'd been dying to visit Kitchen Arts & Letters for ages. On my last trip to NYC last month, I finally made it! And it lived up to my high expectations. It's tiny, but filled with the most wonderful books and cookbooks. The staff were also lovely and helpful. I got a book that I think would hard to find elsewhere (a history of Russian food by a great food writer)! If you love food, food writing, cookbooks, cocktails, or cocktail books, run don't walk to Kitchen Arts & Letters! What a lovely, tiny gem. read more

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I urge people to patronize Kitchen Arts & Letters. They have been written up many times. They are famous. But I am adding to the acclaim for a specific reason. If we like to drop into a bookstore to browse, or have a question we would like answered by someone with expertise, then we must patronize these establishments and ensure the proprietor can remain in business. I fear that with the advent of the internet, which is now no longer new or novel but simply part of our lives (as in this social media platform), and the consolidation of retail shops into international chains, an independent such as this -- with a specialty -- will be threatened. I am as guilty as anyone else. Most of what I buy, and not only to read, is delivered to my home. But there is a delight to visiting a place such as Kitchen Arts & Letters that the delivery of a box cannot generate. For one thing, you are seeing human beings and interacting with them. For another thing, you can look around -- an algorithm can recommend similar items, but that is not the same as spotting a title on a shelf and realizing it would make a perfect gift. That is why I visited. A work colleague is departing. I'd like to believe we will remain friends. She is expecting a pile of gifts, and she has said so, which is endearing and funny. I have a few already procured. I was searching for something specific, and I might still go online, but I found three different possibilities, all of which I purchased, and based on recommendations by the helpful guy who came right up. This individual loves to cook. She also is a fan of horror movies. So I was trying to find something unique that might blend those together. I ended up with not campy items, but a volume entitled Blood, another Bone, and an Anthony Bourdain graphic novel with similar themes. I expect to go back. Although I have a library, scattered in various venues, I am not an enthusiast for this genre. Looking around, however, I am very much tempted. There is so much here. Cookbooks sell well. They are a type of publication that people value. They are handed down over generations. That is good for the world and for families. We all could learn if we slowed down and prepared a meal at home. read more

Note: I've never visited the physical location, so this review is solely on the online experiences I've had. In truth, I'm not sure how I ended up finding out about Kitchen Arts & Letters. I wouldn't be surprised if it's because I looked up "bookstores" in the NY area, or if it may have been because Anthony Bourdain gave them a shoutout at some point in time, or if it may have been from the Now Serving bookstore in Los Angeles. Regardless, I've been buying books from Kitchen Arts & Letters for years now and am wholeheartedly appreciative of the goods that they offer. Of course, the bad thing about them being across the country is that I have been completely dependent on USPS and am at USPS' mercy to deliver the books in at least some decent condition. I'm sure the folks at Kitchen Arts & Letters don't love shipping things to me, especially on the several occasions where I've received the books damaged by USPS. But they are grade A people in being patient with me and helping me whenever the books are delivered damaged. Kitchen Arts & Letters team, THANK YOU for what you do. By being a bookstore specializing in cookbooks and being around for years, they have some great gems in that store, and they're pretty great with sending out emails when something fairly rare pops up. You'll probably recognize some big name chefs as authors of some of the books in the bookstore, and then you'll probably also see some really great references that every household should have. You'll probably see some special edition, rare edition, and limited edition books, as well as signed books. I think you'll mainly see brand new books, but, sometimes, there's probably going to be some very well-loved books that would love to go home with you. They also have general merchandise at times, such as olive oil, cards, aprons, puzzles, etc. Regardless, you'll find something for yourself or a special person that can be a great gift. I've only been to NY twice (though I plan to make more trips in the future once the pandemic is somehow over) and I do plan to visit this fantastic bookstore at some point in time and to bask in their full glory. In the meantime, I will be satisfied in ordering online from them and perhaps calling from time to time to check on their availability on some items. Please visit them! read more

If you love to cook and eat, you must visit Kitchen Arts & Letters. We were lucky enough to learn about their used and damaged book sale, arrived early and joined the treasure seeking throngs for bargains galore! This place is a gem! read more

Really happy to update my review with a 5-star. The selection is still awesome, the customer service has since been upgraded. Picked up a book by the late Diana Kennedy and was exposed to a few new books/authors that I've never heard of. This place still remains an oasis for lovers of all food things, really happy to see it survived the pandemic. Go buy a book from 'em, for Pete's sake! read more

While visiting New York we heard about this amazing bookstore and just had to stop in... This place was amazing! They have so many books related to cooking, food, wine, etc... it was very impressive and hard to not spend all day there! It was tough to find just one book, but e got a decent one and are very happy with it. The staff was very friendly and offered really god suggestions as well. Definitely stop in here when in the City! read more

Kitchen Arts & Letters - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

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Love this store! All the cooking/foods books and periodicals you would want to find under one roof. Knowledgeable staff, great selection, well-organized. Books you didn't know you were missing out on. Can't wait to go back on our next NYC trip! read more

I don't think I have found a more specialized book store on everything from cook books to molecular gastronomy guides to food history to food-centric fictions. Kitchen Arts & Letters is the best bookstore ever! When I arrived at the bookstore I was so ecstatic like a kid in the candystore I walked around looking at all the books there. Books from all over the world such as array from traditional ethnic cooking to haute cuisine to modern cuisine. They even sold notebooks for reviewing restaurants as well as 2012 Michelin Guide for NYC. I was intrigued by a book about Japanese cuisine history but it was such a specialized book and limited in edition the publisher only printed few hundred copies. It cost $125! It was more like a academic textbook that I was drawn to. I ended with 2 food science books that I added to my collection! A book by Francois Chartier about complimentary moelcules in wine and food. We also just missed the book signing event of Magnus Nilsson's new book Fäviken he was there just hours before we arrived. What a shame to miss that. I am definitely going back there many more times! read more

Extensive collection of texts. Knowledgeable and very-pleasant-to-talk-to staff. Great service. I mean, they just don't do anything wrong and you walk out of the store with a big smile on your face, and a much larger pile of books than you expected to buy. read more

If you are a fan of food books, this is heaven. amazing selection. tons of recipe books incl. special diets, chef biographies, food history books, books on the world's food issues, rare books, postcards, and much more. Friendly and helpful staff. Ask them if you are looking for something specific. Go in and browse, you will find stuff you didn't know existed. I hate to say it, but you may be able to find stuff cheaper online. You should buy it here though - support this awesome place. read more

Couldn't even go in. Was made to feel unwelcome just looking through the window so we left. Went to another business close by and asked if they had ever gone to that bookstore before. They told me they avoid it because one of the workers there made them uncomfortable and when we started talking about our experiences, it turns out it was the same person we had issues with at this shop. read more

What a wonderful surprise! I found a book I've been looking for for years, and several excellent gifts. I am so happy to support a local business and grateful that shops like this exist in my neighborhood. The selection is diverse and comprehensive without being overwhelming. The staff was super helpful and I wanted to buy everything. I'll be back soon! read more

Best bookstore I've ever been in. I could spend hours there. Matt was very friendly and helpful. I was on vacation and had to come in twice and that still was not enough. I bought my books and had them shipped which saved myself money and the hassle of carrying it on the airplane. read more

Kitchen Arts & Letters - The entrance - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

This place is a cookbook lover's heaven. They have cookbooks covering many different countries and styles. I ended up picking up a Chinese cookbook (All Under Heaven), the latest Fuchsia Dunlop book and a Mark Bittman book, but I had my eyes on so many more. The person working there was friendly and happy to wrap the books we bought as gifts. Can't wait to go back! read more

What a treasure! Many years ago, in the early days of the internet and before shopping carts and certainly well before business eviscerating Amazon came along I called the store and ordered a hard to find Italian book on cooking with chestnuts and I still have it. What a delight while strolling down Lex while on holiday to see the actual store! read more

I absolutely love this store! The workers were so friendly and knowledgeable. They have so many little treasures in this store. The only issue I have, is that I wish this store had longer hours and it was bigger, because I would love to spend the whole day there going through each book! I decided to buy two books and a game there. I usually buy my books on Amazon because they're cheaper, but I didn't mind paying full price because I love little local stores like these. One of the books I bought was a Jacque pepin book and I didn't realize until I got home that it had his actual signature in it! I was over the moon! If you have a passion for food and books, this is your store!!! read more

This is the most fun and impressive book stores I've ever seen in my life. I'm soooo glad I stopped in here. I knew they had food books in here, but I didn't know the entire store would be food/drink related books. This library is incredible. You could literally spend all day in here ogling at the books. They have everything from cook books, to wine, cheese, and beer books! And they have a great selection of wine and beer books. As a homebrewer, I was impressed by the collection. They also have a great assortment of food related postcards for sale that I love, also some really great vintage magazine ads torn out of old magazines to be used as prints for decor.We came in just 15 minutes before closing and the staff were happy to have us. They were super nice. All-in-all this is an impressive shop, book store, and playground for anyone that loves food. If you're on Yelp, you'll probably love this place. read more

If you're tired of tuning in to the Food Network for thirty-minute meal suggestions or goumet dinner party ideas, you might want to visit this Upper East Side location, the ultimate cook's and food-lover's bookstore, with one of the most thorough collections of cookbooks ever found under one roof. The stock includes current, rare, out-of-print, and foreign-language titles focusing on the preparation of food and the proper wines to serve with it. The staff will help you find what you need among the somewhat cluttered shelves and give you tips on whipping up dishes both simple and ambitious. read more

Kitchen Arts & Letters - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

Get your cooking utensils out! This is not for the casual fast meal cooking, not even cooking for light entertainment. Forget Martha Stewart. This is cooking as a passion. What you see on the ground level is a small one-room bookstore, but I was lucky enough to get a tour of their basement which has shelves on shelves of their stock. That's why they always have everything you are looking for. Also, great staff who knows everything about food. It was here that I finally learned what sweetbread really is (thymus gland...best place to have it, in my humble opinion: Prune). Thanks to Matt. They also import books from abroad if it's not available through a U.S. publisher. And if you ask for advice on a certain kind of cookbook, they are more than willing to share their thoughts, opinions, advice, etc. read more

I love the Strand bookstore. I adore Powell's in Portland, OR. Politics and Prose in DC is terrific as are Prairie Lights (Iowa City) and City Lights (SFO), but I have never wanted to get as lost in a bookstore as when I walked into Kitchen Arts and Letters last week. I could have spent the entire day and an entire mortgage payment in the store. Were it not for our need to move on to museums and meals, I might still be sitting in this monument to food, cooking and the written word. I asked the owner about an obscure book on the History of Sherry which I had asked for as a gift for Christmas. He immediately knew what I was speaking of, apologized the store was sold out, and went on to describe the book and what was great about it. The book was otherwise only available on the author's website. Out of Print, rare and foregin titles seem to be the specialty, but every person who enjoys thumbing through a beautiful cookbook will find something to cherish at KAaL. read more

This is a great bookstore. I found them online last year while browsing and promised myself that I would visit them next time I was in New York. I was there last week and I'm very happy that I did keep that promise. As a kitchen designer I love cooking and learning about the food cultures of other countries. This place had cookbooks of all kinds from all over the world. I could have spend at least an entire day in there easily. I bought a few books and was concerned about the weight in my luggage but the guy working there had the perfect solution: mail them book rate. The book rate ended up being slightly less than state tax. Problem solved. Awesome bookstore, nice and knowledgeable staff = great experience. read more

This is an amazing little bookstore with all kinds of books related to food. Don't take this place as merely a cookbook store. It has tons of cookbooks for sure, and if you ever need one for any type of recipe you have in mind, it won't disappoint you. But this place is far more than that. Food is for being made and enjoyed, but it is also a reflection and documentation of different cultures and historical periods. In this store you can find books about the Basque area and the uniqueness of their food; books about the history of salt, its discovery and its many applications; books about the American gastronomy and how the industry developed, etc. The store also has many out-of-print books that you can rarely find anywhere else. The owners are very friendly and knowledgeable about the books in their store, and can give you very good suggestions based on your reading needs. If you're a person who has a passion for food, this is a place you have to come for at least once. read more

I been here maybe about 6 times. What an amazing place. I first found out about this place from a Chef that I worked for. This is every cook's dream place to be in. Engulf yourself with countless cook books. Out of print books, new books, popular books, all are here. They are not just limited to cook books, they also have books about wines and other restaurant aspects. The atmosphere is extremely friendly. Very helpful people. I was here for about an hour just flipping through books. I highly recommend this place to any aspiring chefs/cooks. read more

Heard about this bookstore and had to visit. It is a staple for my infrequent visits to NYC. Staff is incredibly helpful, savvy, and friendly. I can't wait for my next visit. read more

I love this bookstore! I work nearby, and my husband always knows trouble's happening when I say I've visited Kitchen Arts and Letters. I've never been able to go in and not get a cookbook. The guys in there are fantastic. I called them up one time, looking for a specific recipe, and they found the cookbook it was in for me, and offered to photocopy it because the cookbook was not for sale! How amazing is that?! I think I spend too much time there... last time I went they sent me home with my books in a Kitchen Arts and Letters cloth bag. Why do I always like the crazy expensive books?! They also have a running list of books on order, so if you want something and they don't have it in yet, they'll take your name and call you when it gets in. By the by, I LOVE that mostly everything is written in metric. I've been doing a lot more baking that requires weight measurement not volume and this is the place to get that. I've actually become irritated when an involved recipe is written by volume not weight. I guess it is all a matter of taste. I'm notorious for buying a book, then thinking it over then returning it. At this place, they only give store credit, so make sure you are okay with that when you buy something. Last time I had second thoughts about a rather expensive book I got, returned it for store credit, then used the store credit to get more cookbooks so... lesson learned. This is my favorite bookstore in the city. read more

Wow.... a place just for books about food/cooking/wine/etc. Two words... FOODIE. PARADISE. Or as the chef next to me says, "No...no.. it's not a foodie paradise... it's food porn." Well, then... I guess it's a mix of both. Foodie porn paradise? Did I mention that I own over 30 cookbooks& I'm well under the age of 30? Buying them is kind of a problem... I'm off to a pretty decent start at having a library "when I grow up." Good thing I don't live near here... but of course wish I did! Yea, it's one of those places. read more

Great bookstore. This is a place to have one of those magical "New York moments" if you are a foodie. The staff is generous, knowledgeable, and not pushy. They want you to be happy, not buy stuff for a senseless reason. One of the best afternoons I spent was in this place. read more

Holy Cow. I have never seen so many cookbooks in one place. The El Bulli collection ($150-$250 a piece, but still...), sous-vide selection, kids, Italian, cheese, French, regional, chef, novels... If it was written about cooking or for cooking it can be gotten here. I feel like a kid in a candy store here, I want it all!!!!!!!! read more

This place is cookbook heaven! The selection is outstanding, the staff so darn knowledgeable, and the service always courteous and friendly. Whether you are a first time cook or an industry legend, this place caters to all. Believe me, I was living in London the last four years and while London has its own well respected cookbook shop, the range at Kitchen Arts and Letters is far more extensive. I love both shops but if I had to choose, K A & L would win! As an aside, its too bad that cookbooks that are originally printed in countries that use the metric system of measurement need to be converted over for American cooks/kitchens. For shame! read more

Love this unique cook book style shop. Its a true find on the UES. If you love to cook or are just interested do not miss this place in Carnegie Hill. read more

Heard about this spot from one of my Chefs. This is like a library for cooks and Chefs. I went there to buy a traditional Italian book with background information. The guy in the front desk was very helpful and knowledgeable. I was in and out of there in no time. This just now became my go to spot for cookbooks. read more

This place is truly one of a kind, which is hard to say about any place in Manhattan. Kitchen Arts & Letters has a wonderful assortment of recipe and food related books, from food history to molecular gastronomy, quick meals to detailed guides on charcuterie and everything in between. The staff is great. They're truly interested in food and are very enthusiastic. If I didn't know any better (which I don't), I would guess that it was mandatory for them to peruse through every books that comes through the store. Crispin, who assisted me, was a great help. I described to him what I was looking for and within a matter of minutes was huddled in the corner with a pile of 15 recommended books to read through. "Don't worry about putting those away when you're done," he said. "We can put these books back on the shelf in the dark... and on one foot," added his co-worker with a big smile on his face. Needless to say, I walked out with more books that I planned on purchasing. I almost want to give this place four stars with one star taken off as a warning to patrons. If you're into food, be prepared to spend some money at this place. With its great selection and friendly staff, you won't be able to resist picking something up. read more

A special type of bookstore that specializes in all things food and drink. The staff are more than helpful, they are extremely knowledgeable and also have a passion for the books and sample many of them. If you are from out of town, they can ship your purchases so you don't have to carry them home. read more

Have been cooking long enough to know that I don't know enough. I wanted to expand into Thai, Indian and get another italian cookbook. The guys who work here asked me a few questions to gauge what level of involvement I wanted to get into for each style. They were friendly, helpful and not the slightest bit condescending. It's a small store with each title considered and curated. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

The end all and be all of cooking book shops. When I went to culinary school, I was so happy to have this shop in my neighborhood. They have everything from culinary textbooks to home cookbooks! Now, I come here with my son and we both shop. If you love to cook, this is Mecca. read more

I am not a fan of Kitchen Arts & Letters. I used to go to this store quite a bit and have spent a lot of money here, but have stopped going due to the unfriendly staff that gives unwarranted attitude. If you're looking for a vintage cookbook do yourself a favor and head down to the Village to Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks. They have a wide assortment and are much friendlier. read more