May in Downtown New Rochelle

🍽️ NRPL Foundation Event:
Author Talk & Culinary Experience

What if a cookbook author talk came with a tasting of the recipes—featuring dishes inspired by her NYC and Aspen restaurants?

The New Rochelle Public Library Foundation is hosting Cocktails & Conversation with Sabrina Rudin, owner of Spring Café in New York City and author of Healthy with a Side of Happy, on May 14 at 6:30pm at the Dining Lab at Monroe University.

The New Rochelle Public Library continues to play an important role in bringing cultural and community programming to downtown.

Guests will enjoy a curated culinary experience, with Monroe University’s culinary team preparing dishes inspired by recipes from the cookbook, along with two drinks and an engaging conversation about food, cooking, and wellness.
Set in the heart of downtown, the Dining Lab offers a unique setting that brings together food, learning, and community—making this a great midweek night out.

📍 Dining Lab at Monroe University
🗓 May 14 | 6:30pm
💲 Tickets: $70

📚☕ Start at the Library. End at a Café.

How many cafés can you reach in 10 minutes? More than you think.

☕ A Perfect Downtown Pairing: Library + Cafés

Looking for an easy, feel-good way to spend time in Downtown New Rochelle this spring?

Start at the New Rochelle Public Library—the heart of downtown and a true community anchor. Whether you’re browsing for a new read, checking out an eBook, or attending one of their many programs, there’s always something happening.

From film lecture series and classic movie screenings to free live concerts—ranging from jazz to Irish fiddle music—the Library brings people together in meaningful and enjoyable ways.

And when you step outside, you’re just minutes away from some of downtown’s best cafés.

🗺️ Café Walk: 5–10 Minutes from the Library

Within a short walk, you’ll find:

• Affogato Coffee House (opening soon)
• Café Haven at Stella
• CAFETERO Coffee Co.
• Casaroma Cafe
• Coco Bubble Tea
• R Café & Tea Boutique
• Starbucks

Whether you’re in the mood for a latte, matcha, or bubble tea—or simply looking for a place to sit with a book or meet a friend—these spots make it easy to turn a library visit into a full downtown experience.

Take a look at our café map highlighting locations all within a short walk of the Library—it’s a simple way to see just how walkable (and enjoyable) downtown can be.

📚☕ Make a Day of It

Pick up a library book (or download one), attend a program, then head to a café to keep the moment going.

It’s all right here—and all within walking distance.

🌟 Downtown Spotlight

Photos: Joseph Media

This April, RXR brought Clinton Place Plaza to life with its Earth Week Festival—an afternoon focused on sustainability, wellness, and community.

The New Rochelle Downtown BID was proud to support this event, which featured eco-friendly vendors, hands-on activities, and opportunities to learn more about sustainable living, all in the heart of Downtown New Rochelle.

Programs like this highlight how our public spaces can be activated in meaningful ways—bringing people together while supporting a more vibrant and environmentally conscious downtown.