Topos Bookstore Cafe

I am writing this review to denote the rather unsavory experience of my visit to Topos today, 11/06. Reading about the profound philosophy selection that pertains to fundamental radical text, I was eager to ask the staff about the information I was searching for. I also shared my interest in this (political advocacy). One worker was flipping through a book when I remarked on hearing a lot about it, and asking if they were interested in related subjects. The response was "I can't talk, I am actually busy listing the prices." To which I took at face value, and sincerely apologized because I did not want to overstep. However, I noticed this employee the reminder of the time there was very laidback and on the cell phone and talking to the coworker. Alone, there is nothing wrong with this -- work is exhausting. But ultimately, as a well-meaning patron, it reads as insincere and mean to brush a patron of your business off. I also came up to the counter because I wanted to support an establishment committed to educating locals on what overwhelmingly seems like radical theory. I asked if the worker knew any books on sovereignty, because I wanted to read something novel while also supporting this shop's cause. They seemed very busy, so I abandoned that query and said I was going to sit down. Later, the same worker suggests John Locke. I explain that I am grateful for their efforts but I am not interested in this. I justify it and say I am curious about formerly colonized nations, not Europe. The responses were unsavory...Justifying myself, which felt like nails on chalkboard to get what I am looking for, landed me in them ultimately saying something alongside "Sounds like you should consult JSTOR, or maybe your school library." Taking this at face value, I replied: "Oh, sometimes it is difficult to find something interesting for what you're looking for." To which they replied, "Well that's where getting research skills come in." That felt uncalled for. I try and reconcile. "Well, what do you like to read?" "Fiction, and I guess some non-fiction science." I inquire as to what exactly, and they are largely silent. It was about 1 minute where we stared at each other to where I realize: this is a very cold interaction. I will not be made to feel stupid for trying my hardest to support Topos. Ultimately, their message is very confused by the people they have selected to represent them -- white people. Their customer base is largely white people. The book I was suggested today emphasizes Eurocentric worldviews. Whoever hired these people did not investigate their values or knowledge -- or potentially had installed them in this role on purpose. When people say this place is off-putting, I feel sympathetic to these claims. That interaction where I worked to be sincere and maintained politeness, left me feeling stupid. No, I would not recommend this establishment. And I do not think I will return. Ultimately, the two stars is because I did like my drink. But I would rather go to Bakeri to get the same quality drink and interact with the sweetie staff who will not talk down on me.

The pure glowing light this place metaphorically radiates hits you from several blocks away

This nice little cafe and bookstore has a small selection of books overall, but a surprisingly large portion is devoted to philosophy and radicalism. It’s about one entire large shelf overall, although it’s a blend of new and used books. Everything is reasonably priced and there are some interesting picks. Be sure to check the hardcovers and rarer books as well.

I looove this quaint “coffee shop meets bookstore” I happened upon! The atmosphere was very hipster-chill, clean and fully loaded with amazing books, and plenty of seating inside and out! The service was great, as was the iced mocha (my goto coffee drink), with the winning moment being my finding 5 amazing used art books for a total of $18! Coulda bought the whole store!!! Definitely planning on visiting again, and again, with wife in tow! See you there!

This is such a nice bookstore. Lots of options and the woman at the register is super friendly. The tea and coffee were good. Be aware though: there’s no indoor seating. All seats are outside. Only the books and the register are indoors. There’s some old photos here on Google maps showing seating inside but I guess it was removed due to covid 🤷🏽‍♀️ Anyway, cute place and they have a restroom too which is great.

I was really impressed by their selection of books despite the small size of the shop. Most books I saw were pretty reasonably priced and in good condition. The cafe drinks were also affordable and they had both inside and outside seating for you to read and enjoy a drink.

Very nice and cozy place to go sit down and have tea or go read, all the beverages were very reasonable price. The lady who was in the day I went with my friends were very kind and was very chill and cool. Overall very nice and relaxing place to go I recommend!

Good mix of well curated used books and what smelled like good coffee. We mostly came to scope out the bookstore side. Looks like a well loved neighborhood spot.

Cute little bookshop that serves coffee and pastries! What a find! There isn't that much room to sit inside but there are several tables and chairs outside. Too cold for us and the baby so we got our coffee and pastries to go. My daughter in law got a scone and a chocolate chip cookie and was very happy with it. I am constantly looking for a place that carries a great almond croissant and I think I've finally found one! I'm not sure if it's made in house or delivered but I must say the almond croissant is the best one I've tried so far in the neighborhood - I've tried 4-5 other places in the area. This place is certainly going to be on our list of places to frequent.

This review is mainly for the second location on myrtle. Loved their coffee and I was a regular for a while but I can't take the poor customer service of this place any more

It would be better if you didn't feel like you were constantly annoying the workers by doing things like ordering a coffee and asking where a certain type of book is.

An amazing bookstore and community space -- always worth a visit! You can purchase a great copy of a worthy book here for a fair price.

This place is so great. Books are at a really good price and they have a large variety considering how small the space is. I love grabbing a morning coffee and starting a new book while sitting outside.

So far this is the best used bookstore I have been to in New York. They have an excellent selection of used books that are like new - including pretty recent releases. The prices were very fair, and there is even a $1 book section that includes popular books. I cannot comment on the cafe portion except to say that it was quite busy.

I am not the type of person to expect any over the top customer service but the baristas at topos are are nasty nasty people. I have been met with aggressive behavior multiple times and even called stupid when I didn't know the specific name of a drink order. There are lots of coffee shops close by with really nice baristas, go there instead.

This place is a joy--and an unexpected one in this part of Ridgewood. The service is great. The stock is always turning over, so go often to see what's recently come in.

it's alright. the drinks aren't anything out of this world, the baristas are nice enough i guess. the book selection is cute.

It's a Ridgewood staple that has been around forever. All the bibliophiles and yuppies that wanna look smart hang out there. Right now, since there's nothing to do cause of pandemic, a lot of people just hang out on the sidewalk outside. It's not the biggest store in the world, but the selection is nice and interesting. Definitely conversation starter books. You can get them to order books for you too. They buy used books but selectively. You can email them a list of what you got and they can tell you if they want to buy them or not. It's a culturally important place because frankly bookstores are dead and fingers crossed this will never be.

I usually don't feel welcomed or comfortable in here as a black person. Very white establishment. Overall, okay book selection and the chai is good.

Thoughtfully curated selection of books, coffee, and pastries. Thoughtless and indifferent service.

Anytime I think of book stores I am reminded of Belle from Beauty and the Beast. It's a dream to find a nook on a fall day cozied up with a hot coffee and a good book. Topos is the kind of bookstore that has that magical spell. This place is absolutely adorable. And I'm thrilled they serve Gimme! coffee. They also have loose leaf tea for the days I want something hot but I still want to sleep. I came last night which felt like a fall evening for an intimate poetry reading. There were three readers and all had their own personal style. I loved hearing about creepy baby dolls from Sola Saar. And there is something about living in NY that makes rats a part of your every day life. The piece "Affinity for Rats" from Keri Smith was an endearing take on NY's rodent of choice! I hope they do more readings in the future. I guess the only thing that would perfect this bookstore/coffee shop is cats. I would not mind a cat cuddle puddle. I did notice it does happen to be Topos mascot. Their tote bag has an adorable kitty face. I might have to add to my collection of tote bags. I can see many more bookworm visits in my near future.

Nice selection of used books, new photography books, and some new books, great coffee, good prices used books, and very friendly staff!

Topos is a nice little cafe/bookstore in Ridgewood where you can study, buy/sell books, and have your coffee and pastry all in one place. The seats fill up quickly and stay filled most of the time. Somehow, we were able to grab 4 seats at the front counter. Their coffee and almond croissant were delish. They use Variety Coffee. Coffee prices were more than fair. Add a different type of milk to your latte for just 50 cents more. Their wide selection of books can be purchased at fairly low prices. You can also sell books to them at much lower prices. Definitely a place to check out if in the area.

What a great little bookstore and addition to the neighborhood. Stopped here today for some ice coffee and to decompress. Staff was friendly and the atmosphere was chill. I decided to donate a few copies of my book, Mars 3D. Dr. Paris.

Excellent service. They were very sweet to my child. Excellent prices as well! Would recommend this place!

I love this place so much. I initially visited for a pop up Persian food shop. I stayed for the fantastic range of books and great prices. They also have great coffee year round!

I sure wishTopos would be open! I used to walk there on Sundays and browse the $1.00 book shelve. I have found many great biographies there. Cappuccinos are excellent. Staff amiable. Guess what? People actually talk there, not just stare at laptop!!!

I love this place! A very relaxed and friendly vibe. Great coffee (beans are from Gimme Coffee! in Ithaca, NY). And an incredibly well-curated selection of used and new books to explore. Definitely worth checking out!!

I periodically go to topos. My order is usually a cold brew but now for the second time I ordered a latte and they used their ungloved finger to deal with the espresso. This is the second time and it's disgusting.

I have been here twice so far, and each time has left me satisfied and happy that such a cheerful place exists. The baristas are cute, friendly, and easygoing. The people watching on the street is great. The books make me happy. And my iced chocolate milk has been tasty both times-I super appreciate the oat milk option and the accommodations!

Still my neighborhood favorite. They have Variety coffee, the best staff, and an incredible collection of new and used books. Oh! And the products by Your Other Left Ear are amazing!!

Topos may look small, but they've got a really good selection of zines by local writers, classics, and contemporary titles. Most of the books are used and usually everything that I pick up is under $10, averaging about $5. I always wonder how places like this stay in business, but I'm just glad that they're around! They sometimes host events and there is always a person or two loitering around, enjoying the books. Don't miss the science fiction section, it's tucked away in the corner to your right as soon as you walk in. The staff is also nice and helpful. Chat them up if you're looking for some recommendations.

My first visit and first impression was excellent. The guy behind the counter was quick and efficient even though some friends of his were in line before me and obviously wanted to chat about a recent show they were all at. The barista quickly spoke to them, (even though the friends wanted more conversation time), made their order and proceeded to help me. All in a smooth and professional manner. I was imagining standing there for 10-5 minutes waiting for him to finish his conversation but not this time. The hot coffee was excellent and the coconut dark chocolate muffin was incredibly good. It had just the perfect amount of chocolate, with a very light crumb topping, and light coconut flavor. Get this muffin with a hot coffee on a fall or winter day and the rest of your day will be wondrous because of it. Oh and check out the books too! So many great books here! This place makes me feel like I am in the Pacific Northwest at a coffee shop in Olympia, WA.

This place is surrounded by hippies, one of the coworkers was bald and had grown her armpit hair and dyed it purple. It was too overcrowded for such a small place and the books are overpriced. They make you pay $7 for one book and when you try to sell in something they'll pay you at most $3

Topos is one of the most charming cafes I've ever had the pleasure of spending an afternoon in. From the cozy bookstore aesthetic to the welcoming staff, this little shop screams love story. I'm a tea guy (I know, I know) so I haven't tried the coffee. If you're looking for good tea in this neighborhood this is the place. I sat for maybe an hour once and the barista offered a free refill as soon as I looked up from my book. I didn't get the sense he was watching me intently, I think he was just attentive. He also had great taste in music. The bookstore end of the business is awesome. They take orders, buy books back, are knowledgeable, and even tell you where to get books they might not carry. To me that's the sign of a business that cares. Alright enough geeking out about this spot. I recommend it for a relaxing morning or evening. Go alone or with a buddy, there's not a ton of space and it's been decently full every time I've gone.

A cute, kitschy indie bookstore tucked away on a quiet street in Ridgewood. They will buy some of your used books from you, but they are very picky about what they choose to take in and therefore likely won't take in a lot of items. Basically, the more obscure the title, the more likely they'll buy it from you, pending that said title is in good condition, of course. Staff was friendly when I had gone and their selection is well curated. Worth a peek if you happen to be in the area.

I am new to the neighborhood and this bookstore looked appealing from the outside. Decided to go in and left after an hour with 4 books! Prices are decent. There's a variety of books from history to music etc. Its a nice place to enjoy some quiet time and read. I will definitely be going back!

1/12/2014 As of now, they haven't officially opened the cafe area (expected to open later this month). The person who helped me was the mother of the owner: very kind and helpful. She explained that "topos" means "place" in Greek. She also had a plate of cookies out for guests. There's tons of natural light, and simple and comfortable decor. They have a small selection, but it all seems very intentional. Rosa Luxemburg, Gramsci, Susan Sontag, Amiri Baraka, and lots of Marx... There's a lot of great titles to comb and they're all decently priced (prices marked in pencil in the corner of the first page); most of the books I looked at were under 10 dollars. The majority of the collection is used, but even the few new selections I saw were marked below market price.

What a wonderful place! Possibly the best used books selection I've seen in a long time. Lack of wifi and good coffee make for a very unique atmosphere. I can't wait to go back over and over again.

This is a very peaceful place, it eases your mind. Great environment for reading, old school vibe throughout. Barista was very nice, they have a good variety of coffee and cakes. Cool crowd, love it :)This is my first time here and definitely not the last!

Having topos in the neighborhood makes working remotely 100x more enjoyable, even something to look forward to. The atmosphere here is really intellectual and playful, but not pretentious at all. It is really decorated with such care and the selection of books is like no other i've been to - you can find anthropological studies, rare anime, religious texts, and all the most fascinating contemporary literature. Beyond books, they offer really lovely loose leaf teas, they use gimme coffee beans which are fantastic, and decent scones. Also, their staff is so friendly and knowledgable, and you'll usually find them having a lively conversation with someone in the store. This place really makes me feel the thriving COMMUNITY in ridgewood.

Cool intimate spot. I always stop by if I'm in the area. Very interesting books on the shelves that have seen some better days. The coffee is delicious and cool vibes.

Been here more than 4 years, awesome bookstore and cafe. Five seats inside and outside seating. Kids books and adult books, they have readings and are planning movies.

Recently I was in the neighborhood to meet some friends. It was a Sunday night and I was looking for coffee shop. So this place popped up on my Yelp app. Wow I walked in and there is this huge red Soviet Union flag over counter. Red with sickle and hammer like communist,socialist or marxist to each his own really doesnt bother me. Just interesting because if this was 70's there be cold war fight hahaha. So I ordered a hot chocolate. I sat down at one of the tables just for a bit. The hot chocolate was like meh ok. It was hot and nice but the flavor was lacking. Next time maybe will try the latte or iced mocha my old standby. There was plenty of reading material with book shelves all around this corner store coffee shop / bookstore. Staff was friendly and polite!

Topos is my NYC daughter's go to. Named for a kitty, this place has a wide variety of milks - and books. Teeny but still boasting a coffee counter, tables in and out this place has a cherished Vibe. Its not Norh Beach's City Lights( SF) but its very own literati bookstore. I like the Oat Milk Lattes. ALOT.

Seating is limited and no restrooms but the coffee was great and the bookstore is so cute! A great place to work for a couple of hours.

Topos is one of the most pleasant spots in all of NYC. There is a real community vibe going on in here AND it has delicious coffee. The inside is super cute and filled with art and fun objects everywhere you look. I often come here for a quick coffee but end up staying & having great conversations and usually walk away with a new book or two. Topos completely lacks pretension and everyone is extremely nice and chill! In addition to great coffee the book selection is vast and ever-changing - something for everyone! 5/5!

Got lost around here and ended up spending an hour inside. So quaint and charming. Great selection of books and very affordable coffees in large cozy mugs.

Great coffee (with non-dairy milk options) and book selection! Everyone that runs the counter is super nice. I meet my friends here all the time to have a coffee or tea outside! So pleased I found Topos!

There is something quite reassuring about a bookstore in which the staff are so well-read and informed that when you approach the counter with a carefully selected item, they look you in the eye and say "that's a good one... you'll enjoy it." Not that I expect every employee of every bookstore to have read every book that graces their shelves, but it's just kinda neat to stumble on a scenario like that. And I was fortunate enough to stumble on it at Topos! This lovely, creative shop is off the beaten path and I highly recommend seeking it out. They have amazing selections, many that my sister had been seeking for years. From vintage dime store novels to literary classics and everything in between, Topos is a truly unique shop. They offer coffee and pastries. There are a few indoor tables and a bit of outdoor seating. I don't think there is A/C but I noticed a large fan towards the back. The day we visited, business was a little slow so the incredibly sweet and friendly store clerk was more than happy to make the most creative iced mocha I'd ever tasted. I scored a little stack of truly unusual treasures that thrilled me to the bone. Topos is a real gem and there is no doubt that we'll be back to visit as soon as we can!

Great place for coffee and books. I love working here, very quiet place to read and write. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about their books. They have a very nice selection and I f they don't have the book you want they can order it for you. I have done this twice. It is a great chill place to hangout. So glad this place moved into the neighborhood.

Best coffee in Ridgewood hands down! I love gimme coffee so much I even bought a bag for home brewing. Great selection of used and new books. I love this place!

The drinks here are too expensive. The staff are rude. Definitely not recommended.

The coffee is better than most coffee shops, and the books are cheaper than most book stores. It can be tough to get a table if you're trying to work, but there are plenty of shelves to browse if you need to kill time. Some really cool old editions of classic books. Outdoor seats when it's nice out.

A priceless gem in a great neighborhood. It's a small, quaint space but the selection is impressive. I buy a book almost every time. Plus the baristas are awesome. Last time I went, King Crimson was playing in the background. Need I say more?

Loved their art history collection and selection of philosophical works. Cafe is super cute, but not enough for a meal! Just FYI! Lovely and relaxing place for an afternoon read. We definitely left with way too many books

Cosy, cute and warm. Bookstore and cafe---the heavenly combo for the perfect weekend hangout!

Good selection of books that is always rotating, good prices, good coffee and reliable pastry snacks. The coffee is slightly more expensive than nearby milk & pull but it is worth it for the environment. Friendly staff, staple neighborhood spot. Great place to sit and get work done or meet friends. Good place for the occasional reading or book event too. Can't go wrong.