364 Best Places to Shop in New York City, New York

The racks of this pint-size shop are hung with trendy pieces from cult-favorite women's wear designers like Samantha Pleet and Sessùn, as well as accessories from the likes of A Peace Treaty and Illesteva, all hand-picked by owner and designer Brookelynn Starnes.

This brand is known for comfortable but stylish footwear and its designer and limited-edition collaborations. All kinds of shoes from sandals to boots to pumps are available.

A mecca for those who love role-playing games, this shop stocks board games and classic soldier sets, as well as fantasy games.

A literary fixture in Carnegie Hill since 1978, the staff at this charming book nook thoroughly selects current nonfiction and fiction titles among such categories as art, poetry, biographies, cookbooks, and mysteries. Influenced by many families residing in this UES neighborhood, the bookstore puts an emphasis on children's books, even having an area within the store for young readers. The employees are quite knowledgeable, and author readings, lectures, and signings happen here frequently.

The flirty, whimsical dresses at this boutique are perfect for cocktail parties. To complete the look, throw on some of the designer's colorful pumps and sharply tailored coats.

At this light-filled New York flagship, try on the iconic DVF wrap dress in myriad patterns. The blouses, shorts, and skirts are equally feminine.

The jewelry and housewares designs at this small, Australian-owned brand are inspired by nature and organic shapes. Resin is used to craft jewelry and vases in bold colors like hot pink and orange. The tableware is striking and very covetable.

Very white and very glossy, this boutique sets a serene background to showcase the luxe men's and women's ready-to-wear collections along with handbags, shoes, watches, and accessories. If you're not in the market for fine jewelry or designer dresses, peruse the latest status bag.

This small wine and spirits shop specializes in small-batch bottles, particularly from lesser-known and up-and-coming wineries that focus on natural and low-intervention wines. Pick up a bottle of pét-nat from the Czech Republic or some amber wine from the Republic of Georgia that had been aged in underground amphoras.

The New York location is one of only two U.S. outposts of Rei Kawakubo's Dover Street Market (the other is in Los Angeles, with additional stores in London, Paris, Tokyo, Singapore, and Beijing). It's basically a multilevel fashion emporium: each floor hosts miniboutiques from high-end labels including Prada, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Alaïa, and Comme Des Garçons, alongside less well-known designers and street wear. The seven-story building is worth a look just for the people-watching. The in-house Rose Bakery is the perfect spot to refuel with a casual gourmet lunch or brunch.

If you're looking for a script, a lesser-known translation, obscure film, or Broadway hit, chances are you can find it at this charming, uniquely New York store. The range of books spans cinema, music, dance, TV, and biographies. The shop also hosts events with leading playwrights.

Described as "Savile Row meets Rock 'n' Roll" by GQ, Duncan Quinn provides bespoke services for everything from chalk-stripe suits to collared shirts, as well as ready-to-wear, in a shop not much bigger than its silk pocket squares. All the bespoke suits are made in New York City, and although made-to-order doesn't come cheap, the details are exquisite, with options like mother-of-pearl buttons.

If you're stumped on what to buy the man in your life, head to Dunhill. This London designer's exquisitely tailored menswear and accessories like wallets, briefcases, hats, and cuff links are pricey but created to transcend trends.

Even if you thought you didn't need anything, you'll find something that catches your eye in Little Italy's oldest Italian gift shop—it opened in 1910. The jam-packed space is stocked—and stacked—with kitchen utensils, religious icons, party decorations, souvenirs, and so much, much more.

Oh, to be a kid in a candy store! Economy Candy has been making life sweeter since 1937, and the floor-to-ceiling shelves and candy-and-nut dispensers here are filled with bulk specialty and brand-name goodies, from every flavor of gummy candy and jelly bean—you can purchase by flavor or just by color—to nuts, halvah, and chocolate-covered everything. There are also everyday chocolate bars like Baby Ruth, Butterfinger, and M&Ms (available in bulk or in five-pound bags). If you’ve never tried Canadian chocolate bars like Coffee Crisp, Aero, and Crispy Crunch, you’re in for a treat.

Unique vintage accessories, clothes, shoes, and jewelry make this shop, a few steps down from street level, a must-hit for shoppers with a discerning, quirky fashion sense. Recent finds have included a beaded clutch in the shape of the Statue of Liberty, a 1960s Schiaparelli silk scarf, and a pair of floral sequined slippers.

A five-minute walk from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George, Empire Outlets is the first and only outlet center in New York City. Constructed with the intention of luring Manhattanites and tourists to Staten Island, the outdoor shopping mall has since fallen victim to the increasing decline of brick-and-mortar retail shopping, with many empty spaces for rent. Even their culinary food hall struggles to keep vendors. That said, Empire Outlets endures with factory outlets for Old Navy, Banana Republic, Levi's, Nike, and Nordstrom Rack, along with eateries Shake Shack, Wasabi Steak & Sushi, Taiwanese bakery chain Bake Culture, and the rooftop Clinton Hall Beer Garden, serving juicy burgers and 20 rotating draft beers.

The eponymous designer specializes in vintage-inspired jewelry and antiques: delicate Art Deco earrings, vintage lockets, and necklaces fashioned from antique charms. The Erica Weiner collection includes pieces under $200.

In summer 2023, three young, hip, fashion-loving friends with roots in the Lower East Side opened this sleek concept store, hoping to bring back the joy of physical shopping after online purchasing became so dominant during the pandemic. The 7,000-square-foot shop boasts men's and women's clothes from young, up-and-coming, and familiar designers. There's also a section for books, gifts, and housewares.

This Italian fashion house is known for its trademark paisleys and bold patterns, which cover everything from suits and dresses to lustrous pillows. Etro's downtown location combines the best of Italy with a SoHo loft, with high tin ceilings, brightly colored rugs, and industrial lighting.

Forget the souvenir shops near Times Square. Exit9 is the place to go for cool New York City--theme items, as well as fun, whimsical gifts to bring back home. Ever wanted a prayer candle in the image of Anthony Bourdain, Dolly Parton, Bad Bunny, or Prince? A T-shirt that says "East River Swim Team"? A tea infuser in the form of a yellow submarine? Or a New York City coloring book? You can find all that and more at this amusing shop.

Famed toy retailer FAO Schwarz lives on in full, fun swing at 30 Rock, occupying 20,000 square feet of prime Midtown real estate. Explore the Build-a-Bear Workshop, play with cars on a racetrack, make your own bracelet, and tickle the oversize keys of the walk-on piano keyboard—featured in the 1988 Tom Hanks movie smash Big. The store's iconic clock tower is here, too, along with its famous life-size toy soldiers, a zillion stuffed animals, and a rocket-ship centerpiece.