Rizzoli Bookstore

For more than forty years, Rizzoli Bookstore has been an unsurpassed source for superb books on visual topics, foreign language books and periodicals, and an eclectic assortment of music.

Our Store

The flagship store was first established at 712 Fifth Avenue in 1964 and moved into our current location in 1985. The store now occupies three floors of a historic townhouse at 31 West 57th Street, a beautiful setting filled with nooks and crannies that makes Rizzoli Bookstore a welcoming destination that overflows with a treasure trove of books waiting to be discovered.

“There are few treats as sumptuous as a visit to Rizzoli. Every time I walk in, I get the distinct feeling that I could happily stay forever in that oak-walled oasis on 57th Street. And I’m not the only one who feels this way; everyone in New York City speaks about Rizzoli with a particular reverence. It is a strangely nostalgic reverence—a nostalgia for something wonderful from a fine bygone era, something that no longer exists anywhere else.”
—Lesley M. M. Blume, author

Books

In addition to a strong selection of popular fiction and non-fiction, Rizzoli Bookstore is an unsurpassed source for illustrated books covering a vast range of topics including art, architecture, photography, fashion, interior design, gardening, pop culture, and luxe travel.

Foreign Language Titles

Rizzoli Bookstore carries a vast number of titles in Italian, French, and Spanish in genres such as contemporary fiction, classics, mysteries, poetry, non-fiction, biographies, children"s books, and authors in translation.

“Rizzoli carries a great selection of Italian language books and publications on the cultural heritage of Italy, as well as an extensive range of Italian music not available at other stores. With its dedication to Italian culture, Rizzoli Bookstore serves as an important hub for the Italian-American community.”
—Isabella Rossellini

Events

Rizzoli Bookstore is privileged to host book signings and events that spotlight some of today’s foremost authors, artists, and stylemakers, such as artists Christo and Jean Claude and Botero, actresses Diane Keaton and Isabella Rossellini, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, architect Richard Meier, former New York State governor Mario Cuomo, and art director George Lois; leading authors such as Umberto Eco; and revered institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Italian Cultural Institute. Special events such as free wine tastings round out a program sure to enhance the Rizzoli Bookstore experience.

“A venerable NYC institution, Rizzoli is not only an elegant and well-stocked bookstore but a great community meeting place. Shopping there is always a pleasure but what makes the store stand out is its warm and welcoming events series.”
—Heather Drucker, Harper Collins

Music

A great source for hard to find international music, Rizzoli Bookstore is consistently ahead of the curve by introducing customers to imported CD"s before they are popular in the U.S.

Customer Service

These services include special orders (if it’s out there, we’ll find it—and send it directly to you!); phone orders, including for those customers who cannot attend our book signings but would like to purchase a signed copy of a book; shipping; and gift wrapping.

“Looking like an elegant, well-stocked private library in an Upper East Side townhouse, this is the classiest bookstore in town. For those with an artistic bent, walking in here is like achieving nirvana. It’s not just the tables and shelves and counters packed with all manner of tomes. There’s something in the atmosphere that places it several notches above the superstores that may outdo it in floor space but don't top it in terms of selection. Art, photography, architecture, fashion, and interior design books are their specialty, but you can find everything from bestselling fiction to children's literature to sports books to music and dance as well. The volumes are arranged as artfully as an exhibit in the sculpture gallery of a museum. Passionate book browsers mix with earnest shoppers on a mission for the latest Harry Potter in a setting that is at once both expansive and cozy.”
—Rizzoli Bookstore Customer