Read Shop by The Merchant

The Best Coffee Shops In Atlanta

"If you spend way too much time on BookTok, let us introduce you to Read Shop in Vinings. Since the number of bookstores with in-house cafes has dwindled dangerously close to zero, this feels like a rare find even if they only sell coffee table beauties and NYT bestsellers. The glass book shelves hanging from the central ceiling are straight out of our dream house Pinterest board (which, we started immediately after seeing these shelves). We’ll gladly sit beneath it to peruse a new book with a caffeinated beverage and relive the (almost) bygone bookshop era." - juli horsford

These Are Atlanta’s Essential Coffee Shops

"Part book store, part coffee shop, cozy little Read Shop in Vinings Jubilee features plenty of precisely made coffee beverages and titles to peruse. Fun fact: Read is the sister store to in-town market the Merchant at Krog Street Market." - Beth McKibben, Sarra Sedghi

Read Shop - Review - Vinings - Atlanta - The Infatuation

"If you spend way too much time on BookTok, let us introduce you to Read Shop in Vinings. Sadly, the coffee itself isn’t worthy of its own novel. But the number of bookstores with in-house cafes has dwindled dangerously close to zero so this feels like a rare find even if they only sell coffee table gems and NYT bestsellers. The glass shelves hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room filled with books are straight out of our Dream House Pinterest board (we don’t really have that but after seeing the shelves IRL we’re thinking we should). We’ll gladly sit beneath it to peruse a new book with a caffeinated bev and relive the (almost) bygone bookshop era. photo credit: Mhandy Gerard" - Juli Horsford

Where to Eat and Drink in Smyrna and Vinings

"Is it a bookstore with a coffee shop or a coffee shop with a bookstore? Either way, the cozy Read Shop in Vinings Jubilee features plenty of precisely made coffee beverages and books to peruse. Fun fact: Read is the sister store to intown market the Merchant at Krog Street Market." - Lia Picard

The Dining Trends and Restaurants Atlanta Needs More of in 2022 - Eater Atlanta

"Read Shop combines a bookstore and coffee shop providing a unique atmosphere." - Beth McKibben

Mohasina Kalluru

Google

Cute cafe with hardly any seating though. It took almost 20min to get my hot chocolate. We also tried coconut latte which was so not worth it.

Dokyeom Kim (Derek)

Google

Tiny but taste packed cafe! I tried ice lavender latte with almond milk and my wife tried Americano, Peach turnover. Staffs are kind and atmosphere is very cosy to stay. We had outside patio in nice weather. I enjoyed shining with coffee.

Kristina H.

Google

Thank you for having such a great and personable staff. I can't say that I know everything there is to know about coffee... but i felt comfortable enough to ask questions and talk through suggestions. The coffee and Danish were also delicious! This is a great spot to just sit for a moment and unwind. I'll definitely be back.

Jason Lutes

Google

Experience the ultimate haven for book lovers and coffee connoisseurs at Mycoffeecrawl at The Read, where engaging conversations flow as freely as expertly crafted cups of coffee. With Garrett, the knowledgeable barista, guiding you through the world of specialty coffee, you'll be inspired to explore new flavors and ideas. Come and indulge in a superb cup of coffee, surrounded by the written word, and discover a truly enriching experience.

Christine Racheal

Google

Great spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. I’ve met friends here a few times, but please know that the seating is limited. Service is great and parking is convenient. Love the use of books as decor in this space, plus they sell a few titles here as well.

Maggie Ho

Google

Highly rated chai! I think about the iced pumpkin spice chai latte all the time. It had an amazing flavor and depth to it. Also, the coffee is affordable, not overpriced. The menu is on the simpler side, and there isn’t much seating. There’s also no outlets, but there’s a few seats by the window. I love the book theme, and how it’s a chill cafe to read and sip chai to. There is a free parking lot next to it, and they offer punchable cards as their reward program.

Mary Jane

Google

I specifically come here for their iced honey lavender oatmeal latte. It's the best thing I've ever had and will likely never change my order! Highly recommend. It's the perfect blend of flavors and the lavender is subtle and not overpowering.

Hannah Smith

Google

You know it’s not good when it’s this color. Bummer. I asked for a vanilla iced latte. I asked if it was only one shot of espresso, they said it was one double, idk looks too light to me.

hal r.

Yelp

Beautiful, gentle coffee shop for an easy morning. Read shop isn't the place to work remote all day. It doesn't really have places for you to open your laptop. But it does have some of the best coffee in town, outdoor seating, an incredible book selection. Read Shop is where you go when you need to sit quietly, catch up on emails or the news, consider a thoughtful response, or write a few handwritten thank you cards. I hope to see you there.

Kyra M.

Yelp

It's convenient to everything in the heart of Vinnings. You may not plan on driving here for just a coffee trip but you will be glad to stroll the area and make this a stop along the way. I love to get my facials at the medispa next door, and then grab a coffee here. The green tea is a solid choice. Mostly I either order a black coffee, or a chai drink of some sort. A solid choice is the vanilla honey oat latte as well. It is a small bookstore with an amazing selection of cookbooks and leisure reads. My daughter is seven and also enjoys sitting with me here as well. It is quite small so sometimes I sit in the cafe area outside as well. Give this place a try and don't forget to tip your barista.

Jenna O.

Yelp

I think this place is a really cute idea and is the perfect spot for a girls date. The coffee is pretty good but I preferred the matcha. The coffee drinks are a solid 3/5 but the environment adds a star to the rating. They have a lot of really fun books and great artwork inside the stop. There is very limited seating inside but there is also seating outside if you wanna stick around. Their food options are limited and I didn't see anything gluten free options.

Ariel N.

Yelp

Super cute coffee shop I just wish there was more seating areas. Nice and friendly staff.

Maya B.

Yelp

I thought my drink was just okay and seating is very limited inside but great place to browse for books and other small gifts!

D J.

Yelp

This place is a true gem! It's tucked away and let me tell you there is no snobby mess or hurried rushing you thru the line like at the other big name coffee shop. Professional staff yes. Great hot cocoa yes absolutely. I'll be back.

Meghan F.

Yelp

The books and materials they have are awesome. I peek in periodically for kids books. The coffee is great. There's limited space to sit and read or work, but let's be honest, that's the hallmark of all good coffeeshops.

Maggie H.

Yelp

Highly rated chai! I think about the iced pumpkin spice chai latte all the time. It had an amazing flavor and depth to it. Also, the coffee is affordable, not overpriced. The menu is on the simpler side, and there isn't much seating. There's also no outlets, but there's a few seats by the window. I love the book theme, and how it's a chill cafe to read and sip chai to. There is a free parking lot next to it, and they offer punchable cards as their reward program.

Kelly L.

Yelp

I came here while waiting for my appointment at the spa nearby and I'm SO glad I did! I have seen this place on social media a ton, and I'm so glad it was literally down the street from the spa. I got an iced caramel latte with almond milk and this coffee is 10/10!! I felt alert yet relaxed, and I spent about an hour there answering emails. I got a warmed butter croissant as well, which was buttery and delicious. The book selection was pretty simple, and I wish they would have had a few more fiction books (but, I'm sure it's based on purchasing data). I love this place and will definitely return!!

Emma G.

Yelp

(2.5/5) Very cute inside and staff was very friendly. Not a lot of places to sit inside because it was pretty small. Had cute cards and cool books (seemed like mostly coffee table books). Coffee wasn't great; got a vanilla oat milk latte and it tasted kind of soapy and couldn't really taste vanilla. My friend got regular milk in his latte and he said his tasted good but couldn't really taste vanilla either. Each add on (vanilla & oat milk) is an additional $1.

Aleara L.

Yelp

Lovely coffee shop that has tasty drinks including a variety of coffee drinks & freshly steeped tea at great prices. Offers indoor and outdoor seating. Plenty of free parking. Would recommend.

Samantha K.

Yelp

Very cute! Super nice barista who made me an excellent latte! I know it's a bookstore but it was dead silent when I walked in (despite there being other customers). I think some quiet music, maybe lo-fi or something, would be a welcome addition

Katrina G.

Yelp

This is a small coffee shop/bookstore. Parking is tight and the inside has limited seating, there is additional outdoor seating. This shop does not have a big book selection, they also carry cards, planner, mugs and candles. I ordered the iced chocolate chai latte and the pumpkin cheesecake danish. The chocolate chai latte was made with oat milk and it was delicious. The danish was also really good. I would definitely recommend this spot.

Niyah H.

Yelp

The Read Shop was a nice overall coffee shop experience. I came by after my dentist appointment to work and get a cold brew. The inside is cute and I was able to find a seat a seat at a stroll by the bar. The staff were amazing and quick with my vanilla cold brew and almond chocolate croissant. Both were really good. I was able to get a lot of work completed and enjoy my coffee all in one take.

Sarah Marie C.

Yelp

Really fun bookstore and nice coffee. They use stumptown which is always too bitter for me. Seating is very uncomfortable (wicker chairs or stools) and the WiFi doesn't really work. But it has ample parking, so I ended up there almost every day I was visiting the area.

Rachel P.

Yelp

Super good coffee spot! I've become a bit of a coffee snob and usually prefer places that make their syrups in house because I find a lot of syrups to taste too artificial. Read Shop doesn't make their own, but whatever they use tastes as if they do! Wasn't too sweet and everything was well balanced. All three of us enjoyed our lattes a lot!

Steve V.

Yelp

We came here on a Sunday afternoon and it was quite pleasant. I am not sure if this is more of a book store, or a coffee shop. The inside has lot of books on shelves and a cool design piece in the middle up toward the ceiling. The Vanilla Chai Latte is I got was good and reasonably priced. The staff was friendly and seemed knowledgable. There are only a few indoor seats (one seating set and some bar seats along the window). There aren't a ton of outlets either, but the ambiance and vibe more than make up for it. There is some seating outside as well and parking in this quaint little shopping center was easy. The bathroom was clean and although I wouldn't recommend staying here for long, a short stay is great!

Crystal N.

Yelp

They're always friendly and actually know how to make a matcha that isn't milky. They ask all the right questions to make sure your drink is exactly how you want it.

Jimmy C.

Yelp

Amazing spot for some reading time with a nice coffee and the store look very clean and good looking like a library!

Cheeritza S.

Yelp

This is a cute lil gem of a spot. We were both satisfied with our drinks, the space was small but clean, & there's outdoor seating. Cool concept for Us book & caffeine lovers. Parking was tight, but folks are II in & out; so it's not hard to find a spot. Enjoy

Billy S.

Yelp

The coffee was very good but when we went there there was like no books aside from cookbooks. The oat milk cortado was amazing and the latte art was very nice but from the photos they post online it's underwhelming.

Sean K.

Yelp

I needed a small pick me up and found this cute coffee shop. Quiet and relaxed place with shelves of books/magazines to purchase and chairs and sofas to hang out and enjoy a beverage and read. I was greeted fast by the friendly staff and had my iced chai in no time. I drank half of it before I even realized I wanted a pic haha. A quaint little coffee shop with a lot to offer!!

Rich P.

Yelp

Great place! Quaint, quiet with quality coffee. Ordered a cappuccino with oat milk and an extra shot...perfect and just the right size. Too many places mix up what a capu should be with a Latte. Not here. The plaza is an enjoyable place to walk around too

Jennifer C.

Yelp

This coffee shop was ehh okay maybe because of the location and not having many seating options. So if you're looking for a coffee shop to get work done this is NOT the place. I got a medium Iced Chai latte with almond milk it was pretty good not the best but not the worst & the sizes are incredibly small the medium was super tiny.

Niaz P.

Yelp

A very cute spot in vinings! It's pretty quiet and some seating is there to do work. They have some books for sale too if you want to read while you're there. The s'mores latte was delicious! It hit the spot for sure. Definitely check this place out!

Patrick R.

Yelp

Read Coffee Shop merges the best of Vinings with the best of coffee! Their cups come with built in cup sleeves which is certainly innovative, and they use a Portland, OR coffee roast (Stumptown) which is neat. Drink quality is superb too, Max cooked my iced mocha up right. Only thing about Read Coffee is the dining room is not great for doing work in. Since Vinings is the #1 place for young professionals to live in Atlanta this doesn't seem like the brightest decision on Read's part. There are only about 10 seats in the whole establishment, 8 of them are inconvenient/small bar seating or outside seating. If you're not trying to do work though Read's the best coffee shop in Vinings.

Rand E.

Yelp

A fun and comfortable place to enjoy coffee and a dessert. Grab a book or magazine and find your seat and sip / eat and brew up some action.

Tashrifa K.

Yelp

My iced vanilla latte was delicious. This place mostly sells cookbook. I was hoping for more books but it was really pretty inside.

Coleton M.

Yelp

Comfortable, Relaxing, and the Perfect spot to hang out and get your work done. LOVE IT HERE! _________________________________________________________ PARKING & LOCATION | [The location of the store is a community shopping area that is known to the local area and it is near Comma Cafe. They have their own parking spaces which is enough to find parking in front of the store.] _________________________________________________________ EXTERIOR & INTERIOR | [The exterior of the store is designed similarly to the other businesses around them. When you walk into the store, you are introduced to a world of books and it makes you feel like you are productive!] _________________________________________________________ IS IT CLEAN? | [The place is pretty clean for the most part.] _________________________________________________________ FOOD & DRINKS | [The coffee here was not that bad. Pretty simple and basic in my opinion for the coffee. I got their Iced Caramel Coffee. It wasn't too strong and it wasn't all bad. The only thing I didn't like as much was that they didn't go ahead and put the lid on the cups for some reason which gives me fears of accidentally spilling while walking.] _________________________________________________________ SERVICE ‍‍| [The people here were very nice and straightforward. They got everyone's order correctly and with the detail. ] _________________________________________________________ OVERALL | [The place is perfect if you are looking for a work spot and to relax in the city area. I love it here because of that and how you can just enjoy the day. The coffee could be a little better, but I love the store and how it is very aesthetically pleasing and comfortable.]

Rose A.

Yelp

Order: 12oz Vanilla Honey Oat Latte - hot Apple pastry iced water because you know... hydration Pastry- nice and soft a little flaky had a nice glaze over top. It had a nice apple flavor that didn't taste artificial. Treat yourself. Coffee- was a great choice from my usual vanilla latte. It had a smooth nutty taste to it with the hint of the honey and oat. The vanilla rounded the flavors well. I certainly savored it. Overall this is a really cute spot in Vinings to come and get a cup of coffee and a treat with a book in hand to get a little quiet time. Verdict... come and stay a while. Note the books are for purchase.

Tayona A.

Yelp

The pictures make the store look bigger than what it is although I still loved every bit of it. I wasn't so sure what to order so I decided to try the vanilla honey oat iced latte. The coffee was very strong and the honey was all at the bottom not mixed, I still drank it though. It's a nice area to come and finish up any online work or just to enjoy some books and coffee. It's also very dog friendly !!

Dakota D.

Yelp

What's better than coffee?? Books and coffee! Ordered the Caramel Latte with oat milk. Enjoyed my visit and it's located in a cool little area in Vinings.

Munzer Q.

Yelp

Just an amazing spot to grab coffee, baked goods and a great selection of books. The place has inside and outside seating and just has great vibe of welcoming people. Free Wi-Fi. Also available. Just an awesome spot to enjoy your drink and relax. Check it out.

Hernley J.

Yelp

I was in search of a new coffee shop, and read shop was brought to my attention. From pictures I loved the aesthetic so I wanted to check it out. First off Read Shop is such a quaint little book store. It was much smaller then I was expecting. I personally wouldn't go to read shop to get work done per se. I would maybe go to get a coffee and look around on the book shelves to see what books they had. The majority of the books I saw were cooking, traveling, and interior design books. It's a very cool and intimate coffee shop. Definitely worth checking out. You're welcome!

Andrew B.

Yelp

Vinings has its own vibe, you know? It's a pretty affluent suburb of Atlanta, complete with stately homes and imposing private schools. Oh, WTF am I saying, I have no credibilty to criticize here - I was grabbing a drink while my kid finished up her lacrosse camp down the street. Read Shop occupies a high-elevation suite in the Vinings Jubilee, facing the Bartaco side of things. You'll climb some decent steps to approach a modern entrance. When entering, you'll notice the same design language as can be found in Daily Dose, an eastside BeltLine spot of same ownership. There is a good collection of books on art, cuisine, music, everything is very colorful and tasteful. Honestly, if I were looking for a statement piece for my coffee table, I might come here; they seem to curate pretty well. Otherwise, the dining room is friendly and has some nice furniture, while it is not exactly spacious. I would not bring a laptop here for an extended work sesh. The staff were chatty, and happy to discuss the particularities of the neighborhood. I don't get up to this area much and it's nice to ask a few questions. They brew Stumptown if you're into that. Myself being fresh off of some no-caffeine orders from my doctor, I instead ordered an iced peppermint tea, which arrived as requested with an ever-so-gentle splash of honey. It was a very pleasant drink on a hot day.

Ash C.

Yelp

Stumbled upon this gem browsing for coffee shops in the area. Read Shop is a small coffee shop and bookstore. There's not much space to do work, but there are a couple seats inside and a couple tables outside. You can grab a seat and enjoy a good book! We tried the seasonal special coconut iced latte and a caramel latte. There is only 1 person working so the items take a little time to be prepared. The drinks were decent.

Lauren H.

Yelp

The inside is cute but pretty small. There were some cute options for coffee table books, but if you want actual books, they only had one small section with NY Times Bestsellers. I'm not sure if there are more options in the back, but I don't know how you'd know what else is available. The cards and stationary section at the front was super cute though. We got there about an hour before closing and the staff definitely seemed ready to get out of there. The iced lavender latte was decent but not the best I've had and the bakery items were average. If you are in the area, you can definitely stop by but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there.

Atiya J.

Yelp

We went unexpectedly here on a rainy Sunday after not being comfortable at another coffee shop and it was a pleasant surprise! I was lucky to get a seat because there are only a few and they fill up fast on the weekends! The coffee was delicious (i think Stumptown) and our barista was really friendly and let us sample to see what we liked. Lots of free parking and outdoor seating as well

Chelsea G.

Yelp

Beautiful boutique bookstore with the perks of coffee, pastries, and a unique atmosphere. Things you should know: I. PARKING There is a FREE private parking lot out front ~ Very nice. Very easy. II. SERVICE No complaints III. QUALITY The Americano is dense and fruity ~ I'm a big fan. I wish the store had some sugar free syrup options to be able to customize beverages in a guilt-free way, but the coffee is still phenomenal by itself. IV. CAPACITY Finding available seating can be tricky depending on the time of day you come here

Ada S.

Yelp

Super cute place! Limited seating but great coffee- I got the vanilla oat milk latte a large for $6.50 and it was super good quality! Good book selection and friendly staff.

Tuong Vi P.

Yelp

I'm a big fan of the Read Shop, mostly because it combines some of my faves: books and coffee. There are some tea drinks and things to nibble as well. The service is always fast and friendly. Seating can be challenging if more than 6 other folks decided to get something and chillax inside but you can easily go outdoors, as there are a good numbers of tables and chairs there. Unless it's crazy hot or cold, but you'll have to gauge your own comfort level. Anyway, the last time I visited, which was about two weeks ago, I got my go-to of an oat milk latte with no syrup. I added one packet of Sugar in the Raw, as I'm wont to do. Good cup of coffee that I sipped as I caught up my good friend and fellow Yelper, KK. It was a chilly late morning and we camped outside all bundled up for a bit as we waited for indoor seating to free up. Luckily, it was but a 5-minute wait. As far as books ago, I think you'll find the latest and greatest here and there may be a slant towards attractive books to fit the decor. But the Read Shop may not be the most hardcore bookstore there is. It is multipurpose in that it sells coffee and books and maybe more importantly, an atmosphere and experience.

SaiAnni H.

Yelp

The fig and goat cheese pastry was phenomenal. I enjoy the inside of this coffee shop. A great environment!

Asma A.

Yelp

Located inside the Vinings Jubilee parking lot. Aesthetics wise, the ceiling was my favorite! A huge bookcase chandelier was the most unique thing I've seen. While there's only one little area for some cozy and comfortable seating that seats roughly 4, there are plenty of bar stools around. However; I couldn't sit and read on a bar stool for a few hours while enjoying my coffee. They do have seasonal latte drinks. Today I tired the maple syrup latte with cinnamon, which I enjoyed because it was not too sweet. The maple syrup isn't artificial, it in fact comes straight from the maple trees. They do have fresh pastries from Elon bakery (a big disappointment for me).

Madison W.

Yelp

The baristas are super welcoming and the coffee and espresso drinks are lovely. On par with any other cafe I've visited. I was a bit disappointed with the seating (or lack of) in the cafe. I'd suggest that this location is probably best for shoppers or people who want on the go snacks and drinks. Plenty of parking the surrounding parking lots and several clothing stores.

Khyla L.

Yelp

This place came up when I searched for a BOOK shop. This was a coffee shop, there were several coffee table books on the wall, but this should not come up in a search for books! The staff was nice. They do sell stumptown coffee, which is very good coffee. If you are a reader and your goal is to have a selection of books, this is NOT it.

Stephanie S.

Yelp

It was a very aesthetic place. A small and cozy book and coffee shop. There are so many business shop in the area/square too.

Sunny D.

Yelp

A cute little store that is underwhelming. It could have been because we went closer to closing time but the coffee was as lifeless as the staff. It is such a cute place with a limited amount of books and comfortable chairs but we did not feel welcomed. The books were also very limited in selection. I was a little disappointed as I am a bookworm and coffee lover and I left disappointed. I was hoping for more books and if that is what you also prefer, you'd be better served going to Barnes and Noble.

Christina K.

Yelp

Really nice cozy coffee shop and great location with lots of parking. My only complaint is that the place is quite small and there's not much seating at all. I was lucky that someone was leaving as I arrived, otherwise I would have had nowhere to sit at all and I even came on a random Tuesday. I overheard the baristas saying that it got extremely busy during the weekends. I got a cortado that was excellent! I think this is a great place to come and grab a coffee, but not the best place to stay and do work since there aren't that many spots

Kayla M.

Yelp

The cutest coffee shop in Vinings GA! As soon as I walked in I became obsessed with the floating bookshelves in the middle. Perfectly displayed, really everything in this store. I noticed and later confirmed they are afflicted with The Merchant, at Krog street market. I only ordered a Cortado with oatmilk, but to me it was the best Cortado I've had recently! It tasted so smooth to me. The staff had good energy which I always love when I visit places. If I'm ever in the area again I will definitely come again.

The Best Coffee Shops In Atlanta

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Read Shop - Review - Vinings - Atlanta - The Infatuation

Where to Eat and Drink in Smyrna and Vinings

The Dining Trends and Restaurants Atlanta Needs More of in 2022 - Eater Atlanta

"Read Shop combines a bookstore and coffee shop providing a unique atmosphere." - Beth McKibben