What is better than reading a great book in an adorable coffee shop? Books and coffee have always been a wonderful pair, and many coffee shops are capitalizing on this romance by having their very own bookshelves. Books not only encourage customers to stay & relax with a good read, but they create a culture of togetherness and exchange. Some coffee shops have a “take one leave one” bookshelf model and others sell used & new books alongside their coffee products. Ultimately, more cafes are realizing that books are the secret ingredient to creating a perfect cafe atmosphere.

In my bookstore bios I usually note whether bookstores have cafes, but this time we are looking at some of the best cafes that contain bookstores from New York to LA…

Contra Coffee & Tea

115 N. Orange St., Orange, California

This coffee shop is more of a “coffee bar” with 15 + rotating brews on tap. It is a community space with plenty of room to work and an expansive bookshelf taking up almost an entire wall. The pops of color and their signature orange and turquoise color duo, give the store its sought after Southern California vibe- the perfect place to try new coffee and new books.

Alta Coffee

506 31st St, Newport Beach, California

Alta coffee lives on a small street in Lido Island, Newport Beach. It is a homey, earthy spot in the midst of a flashy and glamorous Newport. They serve coffee as well as baked goods and yummy lunch. They have a “take one leave one” bookshelf in the corner of the store and their comfortable layout and vintage wooden interior is a great place to cozy up with a new used book.

Birch Coffee

5 East 27th St. New York

This coffee shop is well-known for its artisan roasts and uniquely designed interior, a place that could only survive and thrive in the heart of New York City. This expansive coffee shop also has an upstairs portion called “The Library.” There are books to browse, buy, and read at your leisure- if you have the time!

Housing Works Bookstore & Cafe

126 Crosby St. New York, NY

This coffee shop is also a bricks and mortar bookstore. The best part is that 100% of their profits go to funding Housing Work’s lifesaving services. It is not only a great place to drink coffee, read, and shop, but it is benefiting the local community.

McNally Jackson

52 Prince St, New York, NY

This bookstore has a few branches in New York, each with its own full-service, upscale café. Whether you are going to get a great meal, or a great book, McNally Jackson is the place to be.

Caffe Vita

1005 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA

Seattle is a city known for its coffee. There are cafes on almost every corner and Pike Place has dozens of local roasters to try out. Caffe Vita is an independent locally owned company with multiple locations in Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles. In almost every location they have bookshelves available to their customers, but in Seattle the shelves (and the coffee) seem to thrive.

Green Line Cafe

Philadelphia, PA

Yes, there is a “green” aspect to the decor at every location of Green Line Cafe in Philadelphia. This small business has grown tremendously since 2003 and it maintains a standard of service and care for its customers by offering charming atmospheres filled with books and home-made treats.

World Cup Coffee & Tea

Portland, OR

World Cup Coffee & Tea, open since 1999 is a great community space with bookshelves, a cafe, and plenty of work space. They have handwritten menus on chalkboards and the down-to-earth, indie atmosphere that one expects and wants from Portland, OR.

Roebling Point Books & Coffee

306 Greenup St, Covington, KY

This adorable little spot lives in a red brick building. The vintage door and small interior provide a classic southern charm. Inside they have a balanced mixture of bookshelves, working tables, and coffee. It is a must-visit spot in Northern Kentucky.