Sullaluna: Must-Visit New York Bookshop & Bistrot

Sullaluna is a must-visit for foodies and book lovers in New York City.

I stumbled across Sullaluna whilst wandering around the West Village, and it became an instant favourite of mine.

This Italian bistrot–bookshop hybrid is a relatively new addition to New York City’s dining and cultural scene, having first opened its doors in July 2024.

The concept is simple: Italian food, coffee, wine, and shelves of illustrated books all under one roof.

It’s an intimate, beautifully designed space that blends good food, good wine, good books, and a cosy European atmosphere.

And if I lived in NYC, this is where I’d be every single weekend. Here’s why.

Food & Drink

The menu is small as Sullaluna focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well. And from what I tasted (and from what I overheard from fellow diners!), they’re succeeding.

For starters, there are a few classic Italian options to choose from, including bruschetta and arancini. As I was dining alone, I went straight into the main courses, but I had my eye on the arancini.

For the primi, there’s a small section of pastas, and I opted for the gnocchi.

It was delicious and I really savoured each and every pillowy piece of tomatoey gnocchi.

There are several secondi and salad options too, if you’re looking for something lighter or less carb-heavy, but the pasta really is the star of the show.

And who goes to an Italian restaurant and orders a salad?

There are also a few different Italian wines on offer, and, at the owner’s recommendation, I opted for the rosé. It was quite a dark rose, and if I’d done a blind taste test, I would’ve said it was a light red.

But, as the owner suggested, it was full of flavours perfect for autumn (or fall, since we’re in NYC). 

For dessert, I got the croissant crema. There was a hazelnut or caramel flavour on offer – I went for caramel, which was divine.

The caramel’s sweetness was balanced by the buttery savouriness of the croissant, with a dollop of cream and scoops of ice cream rounding everything off.

It felt relatively light for such an indulgent dessert, but it was very much a treat yo’self moment.

Throughout the meal, the staff were incredibly attentive, topping up my water, checking in just enough, and generally making me feel well looked after. 

The team at Sullaluna seemed warm, engaged, and genuinely proud of the space they’ve created.

The Bookshop

The bookshop is focused on design books and illustrated books for both adults and children. Lots are in Italian, but some are in English too.

If you love visual storytelling, art books, or beautiful children’s picture books, this is the place for you.

Shelves line the bistrot’s walls, displaying beautiful collections of books, but there’s a large table in the middle of the bistrot with even more options to peruse.

With books right in the centre of the space, it feels just as much about the books and culture as it does about the food and drink.

I had a leaf through some of the books in the centre of the display whilst waiting for my meal, and I saw some others doing the same.

Sullaluna is actually the sister location of a bookshop-café of the same name in Venice.

The owner’s mother runs the original Venetian branch, and he brought the concept to New York out of both admiration and nostalgia.

This family connection adds a lovely layer to the story of the place – it feels like more than just another trendy opening.

It’s not just a restaurant, but a passion project, a continuation of something meaningful.

The owner took the time to chat with me about the food, the wine, and the space itself.

He’s incredibly welcoming, clearly proud of what he’s built, and genuinely invested in every detail, from the dishes to the books to the atmosphere.

Locals will be pleased to know Sullaluna occasionally hosts book clubs and book launches, which I can only wish I could attend.

The Atmosphere

The atmosphere and design are also worth mentioning. Natural lighting flows in from the big glass doors, soft wooden shelving is stacked with colourful illustrated books, and peaceful Italian music plays in the background.

The space is somehow both elegant and cosy, and it’s the perfect space for coworking during the day or a relaxed date in the evening.

I visited on a Friday lunchtime and found a mix of people: some popping in for a quiet meal, others working on their MacBooks, and a few lingering over glasses of wine.

I was told weekends can get very busy and that they often operate on a reservation-only basis, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting.

Weekday happy hour (4–7pm) is another good window to try it, especially if you want something quieter and more intimate than the typical West Village bar.

Closing Thoughts

Sullaluna is stylish, but, crucially, unpretentious, addition to both NYC’s bookshop and restaurant scene.

The pace here is unhurried, and it’s the sort of place where you can ease gently into your meal, sip wine, and enjoy being surrounded by books.

If you love Italian food and beautifully curated books (or simply craving an escape from the city’s chaos!), this little bistrot-bookshop is absolutely worth a visit.

How to Visit

Address: 41 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014, United States

Opening Hours: 12pm-10pm Monday to Wednesday; 12pm-11pm Thursday; 12pm-12am Friday; 10am-12am Saturday; 10am-10pm Sunday

Happy Hour: 3-5pm

Website: https://www.sullalunanyc.com/bistrot/

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