An unbelievable gastronomic wonderland!! A local gem that needs to be experienced to be believed…what they do is akin culinary alchemy…fusing ingredients in new and tantalizing ways, such as salmon arancini and a delectable focaccia sammy stuffed with greens, ricotta and these marvelous tiny yet crunchy mushrooms (just naming only two of the amazing concoctions I’ve personally sampled amidst a myriad of other incredible offerings!!)…you’ll “umm” and “ooo” with every bite!! Their chief “Wizardress” Paige brings a level of artistry you don’t often see on a “storefront” level and it’s yet another great NYC institution that needs to be patronized and supported lest our fair Gotham degenerates into a massive “Panera-bucks”!! And, oh, they have ethereal baked goods, other yummies, hard to find cookbooks, events, cooking classes, good vibes, nice folks and MORE!!! Go visit this veritable Garden of Epicurean Delights…you’ll feel renewed as a sentient being!!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Parking options
Free street parking

I've been in here several times just to kill some time and browse and once for a charity dinner. This is your typical cramped and cozy bookstore with the twist that most of the books are food related somehow. Looking for an out of print cook book or something niche about a regional cuisine? You have a good chance of finding it here. They also have the usual book store gift stuff like fancy pens and journals. The one time I ate here was for a charity dinner cooked by any outside chef, so I can't speak to their usual food, but the staff did seem to go out of their way to make us feel comfortable. Bottom line, it's a very specific book store but if you're looking for a unique book for a chef or foodie, or yourself of course, this is the place you've been looking for.

simply the best place in the world!!! you need a cookbook? a card? a beautiful gift for a close or distant friend? archestratus will fill your heart, body, mind, spirit, soul, and a bit of time on this mortal plane. come back again and again - it is always evolving and so are we. there is a fruit juice that comes in small bottles that’s imported directly from italy that is the best fruit juice you will ever have. it’s expensive. it’s worth it. save the bottle and drink iced coffee, white wine, sake out of it. remember that we are all part of a community and thank places like this for existing.

Archestratus is more than the greatest food book store and grocery in the city. Under Paige Lipari’s loving tutelage, this shop is chock full of magic, community, love, and humor. The sandwiches will brighten any day. And the juices, the produce, the greeting cards. The books! Even the music playing in the shop will vibe you into bliss. Archestratus is a model for a community-first shop that others can try to copy (see: Big Night) but none can come close. Thank you for always being there, Archestratus !

This place is fantastic for gifts, cookbooks, and sandwiches/light fare. Paige, the owner, is a genius chef. The cookies are the best in New York. Also they have cooking classes and other little events and sometimes music at night (I have been to a vegan dinner and trivia night). It always takes a minute to explain — "it's like a bookstore, but only about cooking, but they also have food and really cute notebooks" — I love that this place exists.

Absolutely loved this store. I came in and was immediately impressed by the selection. The browsing experience was also fantastic. I asked the person at the front to help pick out a few and she was able to help me based on my own self assessment of skill and what kind of thing I was looking for. Picked out two books that I'm super excited to get through and will absolutely be back to grab the others she recommended after.

Truly one of my favorite stores, cafes, experiences in all of New York. The book selection is incredible, I almost always leave with a book I am excited about after entering with the intent to browse. Staff is always friendly and hospitable. The food is truly unbelievable, would eat anything and everything on the menu! I love the variation, I am always delightfully surprised and leave satisfied.

They have a great selection of cookbooks and food-related books at the bookstore, but I've spent the most amount of time at their lovely cafe. The cookies are incredible (I love the rainbows, but the jasmine buranelli and the little devils are so good too), as are the arancini. They also have a well-curated selection of provisions. Get the bread soup and the eggplant parm if you see them!

The sandwiches are amazing and easily some of the best in the neighborhood, but I have to dock a star because the availability is hit or miss. Some days there won't be any and other times only a couple of the menu options may be available which is a shame; browsing books while you wait is a perfect distraction. The grocery items that give off a general store feel are also a nice touch.

Perhaps one of the best bookstores of its type in the world. Shelves upon shelves of cookbooks. Friendly staff, and if you go to the back of the store a lovely little place where one can get a bite to eat. However, for me anyway, when they're available maybe the best rainbow cookies in the entire world. Just for that reason alone it's worth the trip.

I could have spent all day in this perfect shop. They have an incredible selection of cookbooks as well as a well-curated smattering of other things (dish towels, dishes, etc.). I've heard great things about the cafe, but we unfortunately didn't have time. I hear the olive oil cake is *chef's kiss*. Next time!

I had a wonderful experience in this unique book store/cafe. The owner, Paige Lipari, is warm, friendly, and very accommodating to your needs. Her Italian specialties are authentic and scrumptious! I look forward to returning to sample more of Paige's homemade goodies that she makes daily. Highly recommended!

Cool place but they closed their regular book section, so now you can only get cook books. This wouldn’t be an issue normally since they’ve also got food and other things, but since they didn’t have a toaster for the sandwich I got, I can only in good conscience rate 4/5. Toaster could push them up a rating.

This is my spot! I love the staff and food and always feel at home. I especially love their cookies and arancini. They also throw fantastic events. Such a creative idea to organize cookbooks by subjects like Travel, Children’s, Bios, Romance, History, etc. All cookbooks are more than just their ingredients!

Delightful little place to stock up on some very nice pantry items or to grab a tasty bite to eat. The menu seems to change on a daily basis and with the seasons. I sure hope they bring back the lamb mince pies that I found there once last year! I check every time I go by in case they have them again :-)

Magical Cookbook store and accompanying market and Cafe with a selection of high quality Sicilian provisions and produce. Great place for lunch, early dinner or tea and cookies. Conceived and run by a talented, discerning and warm-hearted woman of Sicilian heritage. Very good energy and a special place.

Owner is horribly nasty & abrasive, unnecessarily as I was polite and merely asked a question. It’s quite shocking someone running a small local business - one where we have been good and repeated customers - treats people this way. They just lost a customer as a result …

This bookstore has been curated with love and an attention to detail that can be seen at every turn. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful! The food in the cafe is amazing. I recently moved and miss it! I used to drive to Huron Street JUST for those goodies!

an incredible selection of cookbooks and/or food related books. i could spend hours in there flipping through pages. everything from baking, to meat, to drinks to any type of cuisine you can think of. also, a whole bunch of vintage books. check it out!

One of the best food spots in greenpoint is Cosa Speciale here in this (food themed!) bookstore. A hidden gem... authentically created food... gourmet flavor but with very relaxed counter service. It feels like eating in your chef friend's

Personalized cookbook store & Sicilian cafe w/ a lovingly curated set of (mostly) food-related items. Cafe is cozy, food & baked goods are delish. Go on the weekend for arancine happy hour w/ a free drink.

Paige is a great person Greenpoint is lucky to have her vibrant ethereal light shining down upon it from above and her evil earthly darkness emanating silently from below. Rainbow cookies are outstanding

This is an amazing shop. The people working there are so nice and helpful. A great selection of culinary books and the best cookies and sandwiches. Brooklyn is lucky to have such a wonderful place!!

By far my favorite cafe in NY, the best Sicilian meals n bites, sweetest staff, lovely owner. This is the one place that makes me miss living here, I always stop by when I get the chance to go.

Always lovely and natural environment, at a cozy scale. The Saturday Birreballz! Happy Hour is an incredible treat and good way to sample some Brooklyn and Italian hops, in a bookstore no less!

An essential business in our neighborhood. Paige and her friendly staff are excellent. The food is delicious and authentic. Well curated book collection and the atmosphere is unmatched!

Came for arancini happy hour and to pick up some TART vinegar. It was good, kinda expensive. It’s further out so definitely a spot more for those living around the area.

Been coming here for years. Wonderful people, food, books. Adorable wares. Vibes. Quirky and fun. Everything you could want in a Brooklyn cookbook store plus “magick”.

Had an amazing dinner tasting menu with delicious homemade pasta. They are offering this on Thursday for a few months more. Dont miss this opportunity! Loved it.

Paige is the absolute best. The arancini and pie are highly recommended but the groceries/produce (and really everything in the store) are also awesome.

This place is one of my favorites in Brooklyn! I recommend it to everyone and try to go to blue plate Thursday's every week, but especially pizza night!

It’s a very adorable shop. I love that it’s part bookshop and part grocery store. I saw a lot of recent and vintage cookbooks. I saw cute kitchen stuff.

Good people. Good books. Incredible food. Some great staple items. I just bought an olive oil from here that is beyond. A locally owned business too!!

A hidden gem tucked away in Greenpoint, with a phenomenal book and food selection , nothing else like it. The pastry selection is is an added bonus.

Favorite store in all of Greenpoint. Paige and staff bring such passion and joy to all the books, home goods, food and events. Bellissima!

Beautiful unique books of all kinds especially related to food. Tasty as heck coffee. Best (though only) arancini I've ever had.

a shop packed with wonderful stuff. best place to buy gifts for people who enjoy eating or thinking about eating

Probably the best meatball Sammy's I've ever eaten! Staff is great, food is amazing! Book store is fun too!

Staff was knowledgeable and very kind, selection was brilliant

Great place for lunch, early dinner or tea and cookies.