From Shelf to Kitchen: Exploring the Best Cookbook Stores Worldwide
Embarking on a culinary journey can be as simple as stepping into a bookstore. For those who revel in the art of cooking, finding a dedicated cookbook store can be a transformative experience. These stores, scattered across the globe, offer more than just shelves of recipes; they are treasure troves of culinary inspiration, history, and culture.
Take a chance to explore some of the most remarkable cookbook stores around the world, each with its unique charm and selection in the list below. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook eager to expand your repertoire, these stores are must-visit destinations for any food enthusiast. Join me as I share these cookbook stores that promise to ignite your passion for cooking and broaden your gastronomic horizons. And if you’re like me make sure you add them to your bucket list!
Cookbook Stores In The United States
Archestratus • Brooklyn, NY
Located in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, NY Archestratus offers books on both the fact and fiction of food, plus they carry groceries, Sicilian prepared foods, coffee, tea, beer, wine, and more. They also hold events and classes at their location – check their website for more details.
164 Huron Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Tel: (718) 349-7711
Ben Kinmont Bookseller • Sebastopol, CA
Ben Kinmont Bookseller started in 1998 in New York City and in 2003 they moved to Sebastopol, California. They specialize in 15th to early 19th-century books about food, wine, and more. Visitors are welcomed by appointment to view their books and they can help you curate your cookbook collection.
684 North Main Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Tel: (707) 829-8715
Tel: (707) 829-8715
Bold Fork Books • Washington, D.C.
Bold Fork Books is DC’s only culinary bookstore. They carry new and vintage cookbooks and more. The bookstore was started by Clementine Thomas and Sam Vasfi, both of whom worked in DC’s restaurant industry for years. Don’t forget to check out their events page to see what they have going on.
3064 Mt. Pleasant St. NW
Washington D.C. 20009
Washington D.C. 20009
Tel: (202) 309-8360
Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks • New York, NY
Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks, open since 1997, is known for carrying a wide variety of out-of-print and used cookbooks. I love keeping up with her on Facebook to see what she has recently added to her shop. You never know what she will have as she regularly buys cookbook collections from people. Make sure you visit her website before stopping by as she always updates her hours there.
28 East Second St.
New York, NY 10003
Tel: (212) 989-8962
New York, NY 10003
Tel: (212) 989-8962
Bookends & Beginnings • Evanston, IL
Bookends & Beginnings is not a traditional cookbook store – they sell all types of books – but with a two-time James Beard Award winner at the helm, they are known for having a great cookbook selection.
1620 Orrington Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Evanston, IL 60201
Tel: (224) 999-7722
Booklady Cooks • Phoenix, AZ
Booklady Cooks is an online store which also offers pop-up markets around the Phoenix area. They carry new cookbooks, vintage cookbooks, cookware and tableware.
4252 Fremont Ave N
Seattle, Washington 98103
Seattle, Washington 98103
Tel: (206) 397-4271
Book Larder • Seattle, WA
A community cookbook store offering new and imported cookbooks, cooking classes, author events, demonstrations, and food-related discussions.
4252 Fremont Ave N
Seattle, Washington 98103
Seattle, Washington 98103
Tel: (206) 397-4271
Booklovers’ Gourmet • Webster, MA
A bookstore offering a wide variety of books, including cookbooks, pastries, gifts, and coffee. The perfect place to spend some time browsing the latest releases.
72 E Main St
Webster, Massachusetts 01570
Tel: (508) 949-6232
Coquus Bookstore • Centerport, NY
A boutique providing both cookbooks and provisions for cooks. Located on the northside of Long Island in NY.
90C Washington Dr.
Centerport, NY
Tel: (631) 350-2138
Tel: (631) 350-2138
Food Temptress Cookbook Store • Virginia Beach, VA
Food Temptress Cookbook Store was founded by Reyaka Gibson. She focuses on offering cookbooks by Black authors that preserve food traditions and inspire creativity.
1624 Laskin Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Ink Fish Books
Ink Fish Books carries all types of books new and gently used. They have a passion for books, food, and culture. In their store, they carry locally made food and kitchen products and even create “food and book” pairings.
488 Main Street
Warren, RI 02885
Warren, RI 02885
Tel: (401) 368-6827
Joanne Hendricks Cookbooks • New York, NY
Offering a variety of antique cookbooks including some from the 18th century. She also offers some cookware for sale in her shop. Make sure you reach out to her before visiting to make sure she is there.
488 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10013
Tel: (212) 920-9324
Kitchen Arts & Letters • New York, NY
An institution in NYC, Kitchen Arts & Letters opened in 1983. They are really great in helping you find the best cookbooks for you. I had the privilege of visiting their store a few times when I lived in NYC, and I had to restrain myself from buying too much. They are also able to help you locate hard-to-find cookbooks and they ship worldwide.
1435 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY 10128
Tel: (212) 876-5550
Kitchen Lingo Culinary Books • Long Beach, CA
A small culinary bookshop focusing on the crossroads between culture and food. They offer both new and “seasoned” cookbooks plus classes including one called “Butter Tasting.” I don’t know about you, but I am so intrigued by the class title that I wish I was going to be in California for that class!
2116 E 4th St
Long Beach, California 90814
Long Beach, California 90814
Now Serving • Los Angeles, CA
Now Serving is a cookbook and culinary shop in Los Angeles. Make sure you follow them on Instagram so you can find out about their special events including pop-ups at Hollywood Farmers Market.
727 N. Broadway Unit 133
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel: (213) 395-0627
Omnivore Books On Food • San Francisco, CA
Opened in 2008 by Celia Sack, who started out as a rare book specialist and fell in love with antique cooking and food books. Omnivore Books on Food is the only culinary bookstore in the Bay Area. They offer vintage and new books on food and drink.
3885A Cesar Chavez Street
San Francisco, CA 94131
San Francisco, CA 94131
Tel: (415) 282-4712
Plott Hound Books • Burnsville, NC
A locally owned bookshop in the Southern Appalachian Mountains offering a wide variety of books. Ronni Lundy, a James Beard Award-winning author, runs the bookshop so you won’t be disappointed by the cookbook food section.
102 West Main Street
Burnsville, NC 28714
Burnsville, NC 28714
Tel: (828) 536-5175
Read It & Eat Bookshop • Buffalo, NY
Read It & Eat Bookshop is a culinary bookstore. They offer books that celebrate cooking, eating, and everything in between. From cookbooks to food writing they will have something for everyone.
The Valvaere Collective
Suite 5
2929 Main Street
Suite 5
2929 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14214
Talbott & Arding • Hudson, NY
A shop offering provisions including cheeses, meats and seasonal produce. They also offer curated gifts, cookbooks and more. And they have high standards for the products they sell so you can trust you are getting the best.
202 Allen Street
Hudson, New York 12534
Hudson, New York 12534
Tel: (518) 828-3558
The Kansas City BBQ Store • Olathe, Kansas
A BBQ store that cannot be missed. The store was founded by Jeff and Joy Stehney, owners of Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, who have been winning BBQ awards for decades. Joe is even in the Barbecue Hall of Fame! You will find everything you need to have the best BBQ in their store including cookbooks and recommendations from the knowledgeable staff.
The Kansas City BBQ Store
11922 Strang Line Rd.
Olathe, Kansas 66062
Tel: (913) 782-5171
11922 Strang Line Rd.
Olathe, Kansas 66062
Tel: (913) 782-5171
Vanchovy Books • Saint Louis, MO
Vanchovy is a mobile cookbook store selling new and vintage cookbooks. Who know one even existed! They are currently selling at pop-ups in the Saint Louis, MO area. Check out their Instagram to find out where they will be next.
Vivienne Culinary Books • Portland, OR
A woman-owned cookbook store plus a wine bar that offers cookbooks and so much more, including classes, book talks, and private parties.
2724 NE Alberta Street
Portland, OR
Tel: (503) 575-2866
Cookbook Stores In Canada
Appetite for Books • Westmount, Quebec
Appetite for Books offers a vast collection of new cookbooks and food-related books in both French and English. They also offer cooking classes, events, and knife sharpening.
388 Victoria Ave.
Westmount, Quebec
H3z 2N4
Tel: 514-369-2002
The Cookbook Co. Cooks • Calgary, Alberta
The Cookbook Co. Cooks store is filled with cookbooks (over 2000), kitchen wares, and specialty ingredients. On the lower level of their store, they have a cooking school offering hands-on cooking classes. Plus, they offer seasonal produce boxes that you can purchase weekly.
722-11 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2R 0E4
Tel: 403-265-6066
Calgary, Alberta T2R 0E4
Tel: 403-265-6066
Good Egg • Toronto, Ontario
Good Egg is a shop with one theme: Food! They sell a wide variety of food-related items including cookbooks, kitchen items, pantry items, and more.
156 Augusta Ave.
Toronto, ON. M5T 2L5
Tel: 416-596-1171
Toronto, ON. M5T 2L5
Tel: 416-596-1171
Cookbook Stores In Australia
Books for Cooks • Melbourne
Books for Cooks is a culinary specialist bookstore located in Queen Victoria Market. All of the books that they carry are about food and drink, whether they are new, old, vintage, or antiquarian books. They can help you locate those hard-to-find cookbooks. Plus, they appraise and value cookbook collections.
115-121 Victoria St
Queen Victoria Market
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
Tel: 61 3 8415 1415
Queen Victoria Market
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
Tel: 61 3 8415 1415
Scrumptious Reads • Brisbane
Scrumptious Reads is a bookstore focusing on cookbooks – but they offer so much more. They have a Culinary Evolution Cooking Program which teaches the basics of how to cook. Plus they have culinary experiences where you can enjoy mouthwatering creations that are made by Michelin-stared chef Jan Gundlach. Check out their website to get your ticket to one of their events.
92A Arthur Terrace, Red Hill
Brisbane, Queensland 4059
Tel: 0422 056 651
The Cookery Book • Northbridge
The Cookery Book has been in business for over 39 years. They currently have over 10,000 books in their shop, plus cookery, homeware, and gift items. The Cookery Book can source any cookery book in print in the world!
52 Sailors Bay Road
Northbridge NSW 2063
Tel: 02 9967 8211
Cookbook Stores In France
Librairie Gourmande • Paris
The Librairie Gourmande opened in 1985 and has since been a favorite of gastronomy professionals and cooking enthusiasts. They offer a wide variety of cookbooks and wine.
92-96 rue Montmartre
75002 Paris France
Tel: 33 (0)1 43 54 37 27
Tel: 33 (0)1 43 54 37 27
Librairie Gourmande Dijon • Dijon
A new gourmet bookshop that has opened at the Cité internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijo.
12 Parvis de l’Unesco / Allée Alice Guy
21000 Dijon
21000 Dijon
Tel: 33 (0)3 80 43 44 43
Cookbook Stores In Germany
Bilbliotheca Culinaria • Berlin
Bilbliotheca Culinaria is located in Berlin and it is the largest cookbook shop in Germany. They currently have over 30,000 books on cooking, kitchen, household and gastronomy. While most of their selection is in German they also have a large selection of cooking books in English and French.
Swen Kernemann-Mohr
Zehdenicker Straße 16
10119 Berlin
Zehdenicker Straße 16
10119 Berlin
Tel: 030 / 47 37 75 70
Frank Petzchen Kochbücher & Kochseminare • Düsseldorf
A cookery bookstore and cooking school having over 5,000 cookbooks in stock. They also offer a wide variety of cooking classes and you can even book your own cooking event.
Benrather Straße 6 (am Carlsplatz)
40213 Düsseldorf
40213 Düsseldorf
Tel: 0211 – 152 09 71
Goldhahn und Sampson • Berlin
Goldhahn und Sampson is a food, wine, and cookbook shop located in Berlin. They currently have three locations (see addresses below). Their vast cookbook offering includes many English titles – many released before the German version. They also offer over 500 cooking classes a year!
Charlottenburg
Wilmersdorfer Str. 102-103
(corner of Mommsenstraße)
10629 Berlin
(corner of Mommsenstraße)
10629 Berlin
Prenzlauer Berg
Dunckerstraße 9
(at Helmholtzplatz)
10437 Berlin
(at Helmholtzplatz)
10437 Berlin
Kreuzberg
Eisenbahnstr. 42-43
(an der Markthalle Neun)
10997 Berlin
(an der Markthalle Neun)
10997 Berlin
Koch Kontor • Hamburg
Koch Kontor is a cookbook shop in Hamburg. They offer a space where you can immerse yourself in the cookbooks and even offer lunch a few days a week – cooked from the cookbooks.
Karolinenstraße 27
20357 Hamburg, Germany
Cookbook Stores In Greece
Cookbookstore • Athens
Cookbookstore is an online store in Greece that also has a physical location in Athens. They offer cookbooks, knives, chef’s clothes, and more.
Emm. Benaki 17
PC 10678
Tel: 211 11 00 297
Cookbook Stores In Hungary
Cookbooks.hu • Budapest
An online cookbook store in Hungary that offers cookbooks and magazines in foreign languages to bridge the gap of what normally can be found locally. They now have a showroom that is open a few days a week so that you can pick up orders or browse through their cookbooks.
Tompa utca 22.
Budapest, Hungary 1094
Cookbook Stores In The Netherlands
Books for Cooks • Amsterdam
The first Dutch antiquarian bookshop for gastronomic culture and older cookbooks.
Oudemanhuispoort 4 kast 1 en 2
1012 CN Amsterdam
Tel: 31 6 51768845
De Kookboekhandel • Amsterdam
Opened in 1977 De Kookboekhandel is a local gem in Amsterdam offering cookbooks from all over the world in different languages. They receive shipments every week from many different countries.
Haarlemmerdijk 133
1013 KG Amsterdam
Tel: 31 (0)20 – 622 47 68
Mevrouw Hamersma Kook Boekwinkel • Amsterdam
A cookbook store with a large selection of cookbook, both new and used. They also offer cooking workshops and events including pop-up lunches – where renowned chefs cook lunch. If you have some cookbooks you no longer want that are in great condition, you can sell them back for a voucher to get new ones!
Gerard Doustraat 226
1073 XC Amsterdam
1073 XC Amsterdam
Tel: 020-7716092
Cookbook Stores In The United Kingdom
Books for Cooks • Notting Hill, London
A famous cookbook store located in Notting Hill and filled to the brim with cookbooks. They have a cafe where they test the cookbooks and even offer workshops and demonstrations in their upstairs kitchen.
4 Blenheim Crescent
Notting Hill, London
W11 1NN
Tel: 020-7221-1992
Tel: 020-7221-1992
Cookbookbake • Brighton & Hove
Cookbookbake is a cookbook shop and demonstration kitchen. They can help you find those hard-to-find cookbook gems.
7 Victoria Terrace
Brighton and Hove
Hove BN3 2WB
United Kingdom
Tel: 44-1273- 779520
Online Only Cookbook Stores
Blackbird Cookbooks
Blackbird Cookbooks is an independent online cookbook store based in Durham, North Carolina. They offer a wide variety of vintage and out-of-print cookbooks for readers, cooks and eaters. They specialize in Southern and community/charitable cookbooks. If you live in the Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill area they offer free delivery for orders over $50.
Cookbook Village
Cookbook Village is an online store that specializes in vintage, used, and rare cookbooks. They offer a wide variety of cookbooks that will complement any home cook’s collection.
Lizzyoung Bookseller
Lizzyoung Bookseller sells rare books, memorabilia and manuscripts focusing on Food & Drink History and more. They have a large selection online but if you don’t see what you are looking for make sure you reach out to them as they have more uncatalogued stock that they will happily look through for you.
Rabelais
Rabelais is an online store focused on the acquisition, research, and sales of rare printed and manuscripts related to food and drink. They offer appraisals, consulting, and more working with collectors, special collections librarians, and food professionals.
P.S. They have a summer pop-up from July 4th weekend through the end of September. Check out their Instagram for more info.
The Cook’s Bookcase
The Cook’s Bookcase is an online store that focuses on unique books and memorabilia on cookery and wine. They can help you complete your home collection, or they can buy your collection.
Exploring cookbook stores across the world offers more than just a shopping experience; it provides a deep dive into the rich tapestry of global culinary traditions. These stores, with their carefully curated collections, knowledgeable staff, and often unique atmospheres, are sanctuaries for those who find joy in the kitchen.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a rare culinary tome, seeking inspiration for your next meal, or simply want to immerse yourself in the world of food, these cookbook stores are destinations worth visiting. As you journey through their shelves, you’ll discover new flavors, techniques, and stories that will enrich your cooking and dining experiences. So next time you find yourself in a new city, seek out its cookbook store and let your culinary adventure begin. Happy cooking!
