Colourful headbands with bows on display in a shop Colourful headbands with bows on display in a shop

The best shopping in Soho

Daniel Sheppard, Content Writer UK, Thatsup Daniel Sheppard, Content Writer UK, Thatsup
Daniel Sheppard

Known for its rich history and cultural diversity, Soho has retained an independent spirit to this day. Even though many of the world's top commercial brands have moved in, this vibrant London area is still home to eclectic record stores, quirky specialist shops, and other unusual retailers, making it one of the city's premier destinations for serious shopaholics, devout fashionistas, and eternal style hunters from all over the world. Our guide to shopping in Soho takes you from vintage boutiques and independent businesses to high-end designer stores and other Soho shops, guaranteeing a top-notch shopping experience.

  1. The best shops in Soho
    1. 1
      Footpatrol London Sneakerhead central
    2. 2
      Sounds of the Universe Beloved record store with an eclectic taste
    3. 3
      Ascot Shoes High-end leather goods
    4. 4
      Oxford Street Europe's busiest shopping street
    5. 5
      Regent Street High-street luxury
    6. 6
      Carnaby Street Picture-perfect shopping destination
    7. 7
      Liberty Come for the building, stay for the shopping
    8. 8
      Third Man Records Rockstar's quirky vinyl shop
    9. 9
      Aesop Quality skincare products
    10. 10
      The Great Frog For that superstar look
    11. 11
      Ffern The fleeting scents of nature
    12. 12
      House of Spells All Potter everything
    13. 13
      Milroy's Legendary whisky specialists
    14. 14
      Hamleys The oldest toy shop in the world
    15. 15
      Beyond Retro Well-known second-hand store
    16. 16
      Yamaha Music London All the gear a musician could want or need
    17. 17
      Gosh! Comics Comic book heaven
    18. 18
      RS No. 9 Carnaby It's only rock 'n' roll but you'll like it
    19. 19
      Cass Art Top place to shop in Soho for artists
    20. 20
      Rapha London Clubhouse Where coffee meets cycling

Jump to

The best shops in Soho

Where to go shopping in Soho

Footpatrol London – Shops in Soho
Footpatrol London
Footpatrol London – Shops in Soho
Footpatrol London
Footpatrol London – Shops in Soho
Footpatrol London
Footpatrol London – Shops in Soho
Footpatrol London
Footpatrol London – Shops in Soho
Footpatrol London
Footpatrol London – Shops in Soho
Footpatrol London
Footpatrol London – Shops in Soho
Footpatrol London
Footpatrol London – Shops in Soho
Footpatrol London

Footpatrol London

Sneakerhead central

The flagship Footpatrol store is one of the best places to shop for trainers. It's known for its exclusive collections and hard-to-find rarities. More than just a retailer, it aims to be a nexus for sneaker culture where fans can interact and share their passion. Offering a diverse range of trainers from prominent and lesser-known brands alike, Footpatrol also provides a selection of stylish streetwear and accessories for the full on-trend look.

Sounds of the Universe – Shops in Soho
Sounds of the Universe
Sounds of the Universe – Shops in Soho
Sounds of the Universe
Sounds of the Universe – Shops in Soho
Sounds of the Universe
Sounds of the Universe – Shops in Soho
Sounds of the Universe
Sounds of the Universe – Shops in Soho
Sounds of the Universe
Sounds of the Universe – Shops in Soho
Sounds of the Universe

Sounds of the Universe

Beloved record store with an eclectic taste

Sounds of the Universe, a revered London record store, started as a second-hand record stall in Camden in the 1980s before securing a permanent spot in Soho. Owned by Stuart Baker, the founder of Soul Jazz Records, the store mirrors its sister label's eclectic genre range from techno to jazz, with a focus on African music, and offers new releases, second-hand rarities, music books, apparel, posters, and other music-related items. You might even find yourself rubbing elbows with the likes of Four Tet or Gilles Peterson as you flip through records.

Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes
Ascot Shoes – Shops in Soho
Ascot Shoes

Ascot Shoes

High-end leather goods

Ascot Shoes offers ready-to-wear and bespoke shoes for men, crafted from top-grade calf and crocodile leathers sourced from Italy and France. With contemporary designs for all ages, their range includes bold, fashion-forward styles, from casual trainers to formal shoes, in both standard and custom sizes. The stylish Soho shop also offers leather accessories such as belts, jackets, hats, bags, and purses.

Oxford Street

Europe's busiest shopping street

Running along the northern border of Soho, Oxford Street is a world-famous shopping street with about half a million visitors daily. Spanning 2km in total, London's premier shopping destination is home to hundreds of shops, including everything from souvenir stores to the flagship emporiums of major clothing brands. Several dining outlets are available in the area as well. If you're looking to go on a Soho shopping spree, this is where you start.

Regent Street

High-street luxury

Regent Street, Oxford Street's somewhat more upmarket counterpart, runs along the western edge of Soho, all the way from Marylebone to St James's. The famous shopping destination brings an assortment of prestigious boutiques and luxury retail stores to the shopping experience, along with the dining outlets to match. Various events and festivals often take place on the street as well.

Carnaby Street

Picture-perfect shopping destination

Once a hotbed for alternative culture, today, Carnaby Street is a must-visit destination for tourists, shoppers, and influencers alike, thanks to its beautiful decorations and plethora of retail opportunities. The pedestrianised area hosts a changing array of vibrant, playful art installations and is home to several urban fashion brands catering to youthful crowds, from sportswear such as Adidas to dedicated cap stores and more.

Liberty

Come for the building, stay for the shopping

Liberty London, set in a striking Tudor-revival building, is a prestigious Soho department store renowned for its fabrics. It houses departments for textiles, fashionable clothing, homeware, interior decor, jewellery, and beauty products from various high-end brands. A range of in-store services is also available, including personal shopping, a florist, beauty treatments, and more. During the festive season, Liberty turns part of one of its floors into an iconic holiday shop with all things Christmas.

Third Man Records

Rockstar's quirky vinyl shop

Owned by present-day rockstar Jack White, the bright yellow Third Man Records outpost in Carnaby spans two floors, selling vinyl records, merchandise, and other related music goods and gear. The basement hides a snug concert space for release gigs, secret shows, and the like, and there are other peculiar things to discover, for example, a token-operated lucky dip book machine. You can even record your music straight to vinyl in the shop's recording booth.

Aesop

Quality skincare products

Established in 1987, the Aesop brand has gone from Melbourne to retail outlets all over the world, including Soho. They're devoted to creating superior quality skincare, haircare, and body care products, continuously exploring plant- and laboratory-made ingredients for their formulations. The expert consultants at their stores can help acquaint you with the Aesop collection and offer advice.

The Great Frog

For that superstar look

The Great Frog was launched in London in 1972 and sells bold original jewellery and eyewear, drawing on the rock 'n' roll lifestyle for inspiration. The products at the Soho shop are suitable for men and women alike, with their fine jewellery and accessories truly standing out from the crowd. So much so, in fact, that their pieces have been worn by superstar icons such as Lemmy Kilmister, Harry Styles, and Jay-Z.

Ffern

The fleeting scents of nature

Ffern is a luxury natural fragrance brand whose limited-edition seasonal collections regularly sell out. Their flagship boutique in Soho acts as a multisensory space, offering not just the latest releases, but also an exclusive archive of past products to sample and purchase. You can also relax with a cup of herbal tea and take in the artwork adorning the store, or attend one of their workshops.

House of Spells

All Potter everything

The London branch of the House of Spells fandom shops is situated in Soho. Packed to the brim with all kinds of fantasy memorabilia from shows such as “Game of Thrones”, “Stranger Things”, and “Peaky Blinders”, it's especially popular with Harry Potter fans, as it sells a range of Wizarding World souvenirs. Potter-themed wands, cloaks, sculptures, stationery, and more are all available here.

Milroy's

Legendary whisky specialists

One of the city's premier whisky experts, Milroy's goes back to 1964 and has even supplied spirits to 10 Downing Street over the years. Behind its striking blue façade, the snug Soho outlet of this independent business hides thousands of spirits from around the world, as well as fine vintages and champagnes. The Soho bar also regularly hosts tastings and other events.

Hamleys

The oldest toy shop in the world

There are several branches of Hamleys around London, but it's the original Regent Street flagship that has captured the imagination of countless children over the years. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy browsing the wares at this vast Soho shop, either, as there are so many fascinating playthings, gadgets, puzzles, and more across its seven colourful floors that time is sure to fly by, regardless of age.

Beyond Retro

Well-known second-hand store

Beyond Retro's humble beginnings go back to a London warehouse, but the shop has since grown into a classic destination for vintage and second-hand shopping, even expanding overseas and setting up in Sweden. The big-name vintage store is full of pre-owned pieces, lovingly restored treasures, and one-off finds you won't find anywhere else.

Yamaha Music London

All the gear a musician could want or need

Spread across three levels, the expansive Yamaha Music London showroom carries the full range of the famed brand's instruments and accessories. As the flagship Yamaha store in the country, it's filled with a diverse selection of products suited for novices and professional musicians alike. You can browse an extensive collection of guitars, pianos, drum sets, and woodwind instruments, along with stage and studio accessories.

Gosh! Comics

Comic book heaven

With window displays stacked full of colourful comic books and related paraphernalia, it's hard to miss this corner shop, even in busy Soho. Gosh! Comics is split across two floors, with the bright and vibrant ground floor highlighting independent graphic novels in a variety of genres, from cookbooks to literary adaptations and manuals. Meanwhile, the basement hides a treasure trove of superhero comics by the biggest publishers, including limited editions and rarities.

RS No. 9 Carnaby

It's only rock 'n' roll but you'll like it

RS No. 9 offers a unique retail experience – one dedicated entirely to one of the greatest bands in history, The Rolling Stones. Band portraits, iconic album covers, and other related imagery cover this contemporary flagship shop in Soho, with the lascivious Hot Lips logo splashed on everything, from T-shirts and sweaters to outerwear, champagne flutes, and designer sunglasses.

Cass Art

Top place to shop in Soho for artists

Cass Art has earned a reputation as one of London's premier destinations for artists' supplies. The Soho branch boasts an extensive range of creative materials. No matter what artistic tools or resources you need, this shop is bound to provide, offering a diverse array of high-quality products from leading brands at competitive prices. Additionally, there's a dedicated section for children's art supplies and activities.

Rapha London Clubhouse

Where coffee meets cycling

If you're just as passionate about cycling as you are about coffee, then this spot is perfect for you. Rapha London Clubhouse is a sleek, minimalist bike store that doubles as a café – the focus is firmly on great coffee and all things cycling. It's the ideal place to connect with fellow enthusiasts who live and breathe the sport, browse fashionable cycling gear, and sip a quality brew in a stylish Soho environment.

Shops in Soho – About the guide

The best shopping in Soho – Our guide to the best places to shop in Soho is updated regularly. If you know of a great shop in Soho that we haven't featured in our guide, feel free to get in touch. Please let us know if you see any mistakes in our guide to the best Soho shops. Have you visited any of the shops mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

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At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.