Cafe con Libros

Coffee shop · Crown Heights

Cafe con Libros

Coffee shop · Crown Heights

724 Prospect Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11216, USA

4 Postcards

Highlights

Café con Libros is a warm, wood-clad haven in Crown Heights where you can sip excellent coffee while diving into a thoughtfully curated selection of feminist literature.

724 Prospect Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11216, USA Get directions

cafeconlibrosbk.com

@cafeconlibros_bk

@infatuation

"One of the few Black-owned bookstores in Brooklyn, Cafe Con Libros in Crown Heights is a place where you can stop in for coffee or tea, attend an intersectional feminist book club meeting, and browse a wide-ranging collection of feminist literature. Check out their website for upcoming events." - will hartman, bryan kim, kenny yang

21 Great Black-Owned Coffee Shops In NYC

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@goop

"COVID-19 update: Open for browsing, online orders, and curbside pickup (order your books a few days in advance). This bookstore-slash-café’s name sums up the kind of Saturday morning we all want: one filled with coffee and books. Settle in to this Crown Heights spot for a slow morning of too many cortados and a few chapters of something recommended by the store’s exceptional staff. The women behind Café con Libros run a stellar feminist book club that meets regularly (currently on Zoom), with an emphasis on titles that reflect an intersectional feminist viewpoint. They also host a monthly podcast, Black Feminist & Bookish, on which store founder Kalima DeSuze chats through the club’s current read with a community member and waxes lyrical about the many delights of Brooklyn. COVID-19 disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations."

The Brooklyn Guide

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@cntraveler

"Kalima DeSuze of Cafe con Libros in Brooklyn credits that list for creating a “tsunami”—a seismic shift in sales for the store."

The Ups and Downs of Being an Independent Bookseller During the Pandemic

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@eater

"Cafe Con Libros serves Irving Farm coffee and espresso drinks and a small selection of pastries, as well as selling over 200 books." - Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

An Egg Sandwich Specialist Lands in Midtown — and More Openings - Eater NY

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Sandy

Google

Love the vibe and atmosphere of this place! Amazing collection of books, and have lots of ways to support the community, and good coffee. A few tables outside for seating.

Laura Klein

Google

I would give it 10 stars if I could. Great coffee and selection of books. Nice seating out front where you can read and enjoy your drink and pastry.

Safiyah Rahaman

Google

The person working there was super kind and helpful! This is a cute little bookstore with wonderful finds from a variety of female authors with an assortment of genres. The store is a bit small with minimal outdoor seating. I got a latte and it was good! Would absolutely recommend!!

M98

Google

Amazing, cute and well sorted bookshop with lovely coffee. I would like to go here every day for the rest of my life!

Nick Barrett

Google

A friendly inclusive place that pairs delicious coffee with a great book selection. This black owned feminist cafe book store is exactly the stop you are looking for. The staff are friendly and engaging. The pastries are tasty and fresh. Overall, I highly recommend it.

Nicole Villacis

Google

Afro-Latinx owned, feminist-queer curated, beautiful book store with great coffee. The vibes are immaculate! Personnel was super nice and helpful, definitively recommend to visit specially now during fall.

Jason Siegel

Google

I signed up for their book club in 2021 as a gift to my wife. She recently asked me to cancel and found that I was unable to log into their site using any of my email addresses so I contacted them by email on May 15th requesting the cancellation. On the 17th, they asked which service it was for and I let them know 3 minutes after their request. It took another 5 days to process the cancellation and I was charged for another month since it was not handled in a timely enough manner. I did leave a voicemail asking that they reach out and process a refund since my request was made to cancel before my charge date. Will amend or remove review depending on their response.

K Stone

Google

POC women owned coffee shop/well curated feminist book store. It has cozy seating for 14 people. Amazing book selections ranging from liberal feminism to radical feminism and plenty of children’s books. Friendly, cozy, and welcoming. My new go-to for coffee dates.

Sandy

Google

Love the vibe and atmosphere of this place! Amazing collection of books, and have lots of ways to support the community, and good coffee. A few tables outside for seating.

Laura Klein

Google

I would give it 10 stars if I could. Great coffee and selection of books. Nice seating out front where you can read and enjoy your drink and pastry.

Safiyah Rahaman

Google

M98

Google

Amazing, cute and well sorted bookshop with lovely coffee. I would like to go here every day for the rest of my life!

Nick Barrett

Google

Nicole Villacis

Google

Jason Siegel

Google

K Stone

Google

Justice K.

Yelp

Delicious almond croissant and iced coffee. The barista was really friendly too. I should have asked her name. This was a Saturday afternoon. I will check out the books next time, it was a little crowded. But I highly recommend the provisions and the service.

Julia H.

Yelp

Such a cute little book shop that also contains a coffee shop inside. I honestly went for coffee but there wasn't any seating inside (and the outdoor table was taken) so just looked around at some of the books instead. A lot of LGBTQ+, POC, feminist books here. Staff is super friendly, and I've heard the pastries are also quite good! It's a small shop so it may not be the type of place you spend hours in but great to check out nonetheless!

Kassidy K.

Yelp

Such a small quaint bookshop cafe! The coffee was amazing! And the book selection was immaculate! Got to pick up a feminist book and jot down a few more books to buy in the future! Was about a 30 minute walk from where I was staying and it was def worth the walk to enjoy the staff and environment.

Ruhi B.

Yelp

This place is special and I'm so happy it exists! The bookstore/coffee shop is small but mighty. The staff is incredibly kind and their coffee menu has a variety of options - more than I thought given their size! They have cute outdoor seating - so this is the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee while you read. The book selection is also fantastic and well organized. I can't quite articulate why the vibes are so immaculate here but it's good people, good vibes. 10/10 check it out!

Grace Y.

Yelp

The coffee is just okay, they get their beans from Irving Farm, and I'm not sure that the staff really know how to make coffee, but come for the book selection and to hang out! It seems like such a cool neighborhood hangout spot and a nice place to chill alone or with a friend. I came with a friend, got drinks, and sat for a while outside under the umbrellas, then we browsed the book selection. The books are categorized into categories like Trauma & Healing, African Diaspora, Asian Diaspora, LQBTQIA+, and Male Allies. They also have a big selection of feminist children's books. I discovered three titles that I'm now adding to my list. Prices are a bit higher than somewhere like Amazon though, but you're supporting a local BIPOC owned woman owned business ‍

Shirin B.

Yelp

I had the best dirty chai latte with oat milk in my life here all while browsing their beautiful selection of empowering female literature. These small little cafes are what make living in Brooklyn so fun!

Angela T.

Yelp

Very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I enjoyed a few recommendations and even got to see how they worked to engage a sweet child who came in with their parent for a quick drink. Great team here!

Kenza W.

Yelp

The idea behind this place is good; the execution of it is lacking. The book selection leaves much to be desired. Not to mention, half of the books are inaccessible and behind the cafe counter and/or hard to read the titles of. There is not any room to browse if more than 2 people are in the store, nor is there a place to sit and enjoy the coffee or a book. Also the staff is not very friendly. The guy behind the counter didn't get me a book on the higher shelf when I asked for it, which was awkward. All in all, this place is a bit too ambitious for the cramped space it inhabits, although I will say again, the idea of a feminist bookstore is nice. Don't plan to relax here.

Marquis B.

Yelp

If you're a fan of great coffee, delicious pastries, diverse representation in books, and champion social justice issues then Cafe Con Libros is the right place for you. The cafe has a cute aesthetic and a lot of of outdoor seating. Staff was friendly and wore masks, and required customers to do the same. Everyone respectfully abided by the store's social distancing guidelines allowing up to 3 customers in the store at a time. I ordered an almond croissant and an iced latte with oat milk. The almond croissant was sweet and savory; it took me two days to finish due to its generous size, which was a plus--literally. The iced oat latte was delicious and was the perfect choice to cool me down.

Athena A.

Yelp

Very empowering and unique coffee shop. What a nice combination of coffee and books. Very sweet owner and nice vibe.

Kayla S.

Yelp

I love the measures this cafe is taking for the safety of the staff and customers by limiting the amount of folks allowed in the space at a time. My cappuccino was warm and tasty--the selection of baked goods was limited although that's likely the time of day I decided to go. There was a book cart if free books for the taking as well as books for purchase throughout. It felt like a safe space right away

Notoya S.

Yelp

Black,feminist & bookish ! Do I need to say more. A black owned feminist bookstore . Get your black woman magic, bookworm fill all in one location . This place have multitudes of books celebrating women from all backgrounds, nationalities, cultures etc..no woman could feel left out here. I bought a hibiscus tea that was fresh( no sugar added ) but they do have sugar packets if you want too. At this time only three people are allowed inside for about ten minutes . There will be a line outside and I mean why not, who wouldn't want to be in here .

Montserrat V.

Yelp

I've participated in a few workshops, came to have their delicious coffee while I work on my computer or just seat to read. Founding Café con Libros has been one of the best experiences that I've had. There's a sense of community since almost everyone who crossed the door says genuinely "hi". I constantly meet new people that are interested in the same topics that I am. Café con Libros it's cozy, has a friendly environment, the music is great, the pastries are delicious, it feels like I am giving myself a treat when I come here. Now, I am currently exhibiting my embroidery work and hoping to start giving workshops, the process has been great, I found a space that aligns with my values and supports my endeavors and it has clear rules. As an artist, exhibiting my work in a feminist bookstore owned by a woman of color is an honor.

J J.

Yelp

My *go-to* coffee spot when in this neighborhood (Crown Heights). The coffee is delicious, the staff are always warm and welcoming and i LOVE LOVE the books! Loads of seating outdoors, which I take full advantage of in the summer. They require masks, which I appreciate. Too many businesses are slack. I love Cafe Con Libros. You will too.

Wanjiru W.

Yelp

I leave this review with a very heavy heart. I had been dying to come here for the longest time and finally got the opportunity to do so today. I want to be very clear, this place is charming, they had the book that I wanted & I fell in love immediately. However. When it came time to pay, I took out cash when the person told me how much it was. He quickly told me that they do not accept cash but only cards and Apple Pay. Here's the problem. How can you say that you are an intersectional feminist establishment but then categorically discriminate against people who do not have that mode of payment? This is a Black neighborhood. Where many marginalized & low income people do not have access to the banking system. By you saying you only accept cash, you are saying that not everyone is welcome here. The person behind the till never understood what I was saying, which was even more alarming because truly I would hope that the people who work there are familiar with what intersectional feminism is and how it works. I cannot in good faith support this establishment as it is not inclusive and this cashless system is indeed discriminatory and elitist.

Priti K.

Yelp

It's nice to be in a safe space where you can kind of get away from the outside world. There's something to be said about being in a place where you know everyone has a similar heart and mind..where we all believe that social justice is most important, that inclusivity in all its forms is priority. I recognized a lot of books on the shelves. Please also add this phenomenal book I'm reading now called "The Nowhere Girls" by Amy Reed and also an all time favorite "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyaasi. Must reads! Oh, and the coffee and service is great! I wish Café con Libros much love and success!

Sara D.

Yelp

Absolutely loved this bookshop and coffee shop! A gem! The coffee was great and I could have looked at every book in the shop! Definitely check it out, and go back regularly.

Gina J.

Yelp

I ordered a few books from Cafe con Libros in hopes of supporting a local business owned by a BIPOC. It took a little while for my orders to arrive (not their fault but the wholesalers I would assume) but they were super communicative and transparent about order and shipping times throughout the entire wait. I'll definitely be ordering from them again and can't wait to visit their location!

Annie E.

Yelp

I can't say enough AMAZING things about this spot! Coffee, pastry, and all the change making books! They have a freebie box too. They keep you caffeinated, fed, and make the world a better place. What more do you need??

Eliza R.

Yelp

Amazing bookstore, they have lots of great books and if they don't have what you want you can always order it online and pick up there!

Alexandra P.

Yelp

I love Cafe con Libros! Perfect spot to pick up a new social justice/feminist oriented read, get a gift for a friend, or just get an excellent coffee. Great lil space to hang out in if you have time, or you can take your coffee to go. I know I'm always going to be able to discover a great new author here, and the coffee (and chai) is seriously good. every person I've spoken to behind the counter has been so friendly and helpful, and I've even chatted with a few fun neighbors here. Support your local (black-owned) (feminist) bookstore! Woohoo!

Charles Q.

Yelp

Adorable bookstore and coffee shop. The prices are very fair for both - I'm pretty sure the pastries are cheaper here than actually going to Bien Cuit, and the barista did a good job making our espresso drinks. Definitely a neighborhood gem

Joanna G.

Yelp

This is a cool little bookstore and coffee shop in Brooklyn. Come here to check out both the reads & and the awesome food and drinks. I've never been disappointed by their coffee! And I also like that the bookstore is promoting many great women POC writers. Cafe con Libros is indie NYC at its best!

Alana G.

Yelp

I've been meaning to review this local cafe. They have a great selection of books, and if you're a foodie their coffee is excellent, and their pastries as well. They get their pastries from another local baker (Bien Cuit - I'll review them separately) so it's a two-fer! If you're looking for a small bookstore in the neighborhood where you can sit down and relax and browse, this is definitely the spot.

Cat C.

Yelp

Love the mission - keep doing what you're doing! The community needs Cafe in Libros!! Also as a heads up I couldn't locate y'all on Foursquare, might want to register your spot on that app as well so folks can find you! All my best.

Melissa C.

Yelp

Love this place! We've been in a few times since they opened in 2018 and love that they combine two of our favorite things - books and coffee. The store is cozy and welcoming, and we can't wait to be back once the pandemic is over. I've ordered a few books online since the quarantine started, and shipping was relatively fast considering the sheer magnitude of orders they've been receiving lately (communication was also great). Highly recommended!

Felicia K.

Yelp

Just, I really like that place, and I think you'll love it too! Cool vibe. Everything I've tried so far has been fantastic! Everyone was so accommodating. We will definitely return.

Gabriel F.

Yelp

Cafe con Libros is great! I have ordered many books online without any problems. Affordable and quick. https://www.cafeconlibrosbk.com/order-a-book I also love their brick and mortar store. We have visited many times with our baby nephew and staff have always been incredibly welcoming. Very family friendly establishment. The Matcha tea is made with care, hand-whisked and fresh! It was frothy, strong and delicious! 10/10

Afnan R.

Yelp

Cozy spot with great coffee and pretty awesome croissants. It's reminiscent of small coffee shop you'll find across the pond. They take great care in their pours and are friendly, even to out-of-towners like me:)

Elisa K.

Yelp

I am thrilled that a black-owned cafe and feminist bookstore exists in NYC!! This is definitely the place to go if you want coffee (or yummy Kenyan tea) and find books written by powerful feminists and femmes across the spectrum that will enrich and feed your mind and soul. I visited the store recently and the owner helped me to pick out two books based on my current interests and curiosities. Those books are currently nourishing my soul! It was inspiring to be able to connect with the folks in that space and find a community of people who love books, politicized conversations, and coffee just like me. Highly recommend this place!

Erin H.

Yelp

Great selection of books! The latte was delicious and the cafe had a very welcoming and warm vibe.

Lauren D.

Yelp

so happy we finally made it in! such a warm + beautiful space, excellent book curation, great service + super pleased with the coffee. it's not close enough to home for me to be super regular, but I will definitely support as often as I can.

Alice W.

Yelp

Wonderful selection of books, affordable coffee. Most importantly, the atmosphere is so warm and wonderful, a great place for a cozy conversation with a friend. The owners are friendly and very helpful.

Giorgi P.

Yelp

I love this place! They're right down the block from me and they have great coffee and great books. The staff are super friendly too; all in all the store is a great part of the neighborhood community!

Jenny B.

Yelp

Lovely bookstore that has heroically survived COVID-19. I've enjoyed talking to their proprietors for a couple of years now and always enjoy receiving the monthly book-club selection. Great coffee, too. Go there.

Francesca P.

Yelp

Interesting books! I had a couple of them that appealed to me. Seating was comfortable and the croissants are bomb! I'd recommend coming in. (:

Brady M.

Yelp

Cute, clean, and wonderful atmosphere. Best coffee for the price in the area, no question about it.

Nat T.

Yelp

The ambiance of the coffee shop is great! The owners are warm and they have a great book selection! I bought Americanah and Octavia's Brood! I think I've found my new workspace!:-)

Christina R.

Yelp

Service was great! Awesome book selection for an affordable price. My new favorite spot.

Cenita W.

Yelp

What a wonderful place! It is warm, the coffee is excellent and the books feed the soul. It will be a landmark in the community for years to come.

@infatuation

21 Great Black-Owned Coffee Shops In NYC

"Kalima DeSuze of Cafe con Libros in Brooklyn credits that list for creating a “tsunami”—a seismic shift in sales for the store."

The Ups and Downs of Being an Independent Bookseller During the Pandemic

test

@eater

"Cafe Con Libros serves Irving Farm coffee and espresso drinks and a small selection of pastries, as well as selling over 200 books." - Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

An Egg Sandwich Specialist Lands in Midtown — and More Openings - Eater NY

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Sandy

Google

Love the vibe and atmosphere of this place! Amazing collection of books, and have lots of ways to support the community, and good coffee. A few tables outside for seating.

Laura Klein

Google

I would give it 10 stars if I could. Great coffee and selection of books. Nice seating out front where you can read and enjoy your drink and pastry.

Safiyah Rahaman

Google

M98

Google

Amazing, cute and well sorted bookshop with lovely coffee. I would like to go here every day for the rest of my life!

Nick Barrett

Google

Nicole Villacis

Google

Jason Siegel

Google

K Stone

Google

Sandy

Google

Love the vibe and atmosphere of this place! Amazing collection of books, and have lots of ways to support the community, and good coffee. A few tables outside for seating.

Laura Klein

Google

I would give it 10 stars if I could. Great coffee and selection of books. Nice seating out front where you can read and enjoy your drink and pastry.

Safiyah Rahaman

Google

M98

Google

Amazing, cute and well sorted bookshop with lovely coffee. I would like to go here every day for the rest of my life!

Nick Barrett

Google

Nicole Villacis

Google

Jason Siegel

Google

K Stone

Google

Justice K.

Yelp

Julia H.

Yelp

Kassidy K.

Yelp

Ruhi B.

Yelp

Grace Y.

Yelp

Shirin B.

Yelp

Angela T.

Yelp

Very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I enjoyed a few recommendations and even got to see how they worked to engage a sweet child who came in with their parent for a quick drink. Great team here!

Kenza W.

Yelp

Marquis B.

Yelp

Athena A.

Yelp

Very empowering and unique coffee shop. What a nice combination of coffee and books. Very sweet owner and nice vibe.

Kayla S.

Yelp

Notoya S.

Yelp

Montserrat V.

Yelp

J J.

Yelp

Wanjiru W.

Yelp

Priti K.

Yelp

Sara D.

Yelp

Absolutely loved this bookshop and coffee shop! A gem! The coffee was great and I could have looked at every book in the shop! Definitely check it out, and go back regularly.

Gina J.

Yelp

Annie E.

Yelp

Eliza R.

Yelp

Amazing bookstore, they have lots of great books and if they don't have what you want you can always order it online and pick up there!

Alexandra P.

Yelp

Charles Q.

Yelp

Joanna G.

Yelp

Alana G.

Yelp

Cat C.

Yelp

Melissa C.

Yelp

Felicia K.

Yelp

Just, I really like that place, and I think you'll love it too! Cool vibe. Everything I've tried so far has been fantastic! Everyone was so accommodating. We will definitely return.

Gabriel F.

Yelp

Afnan R.

Yelp

Elisa K.

Yelp

Erin H.

Yelp

Great selection of books! The latte was delicious and the cafe had a very welcoming and warm vibe.

Lauren D.

Yelp

Alice W.

Yelp

Giorgi P.

Yelp

Jenny B.

Yelp

Francesca P.

Yelp

Interesting books! I had a couple of them that appealed to me. Seating was comfortable and the croissants are bomb! I'd recommend coming in. (:

Brady M.

Yelp

Cute, clean, and wonderful atmosphere. Best coffee for the price in the area, no question about it.

Nat T.

Yelp

The ambiance of the coffee shop is great! The owners are warm and they have a great book selection! I bought Americanah and Octavia's Brood! I think I've found my new workspace!:-)

Christina R.

Yelp

Service was great! Awesome book selection for an affordable price. My new favorite spot.

Cenita W.

Yelp

What a wonderful place! It is warm, the coffee is excellent and the books feed the soul. It will be a landmark in the community for years to come.

Cafe con Libros

Cafe con Libros

Photos

Highlights

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