Carnaby Street is one of London’s most electric shopping destinations, situated in the beating heart of London, Soho. Not constrained to a mere solo street, Carnaby Street is rather a network of 14 pedestrianised lanes with over 100 shops and 60 restaurants and cafes.
Whether you want to update your wardrobe, shop for loved ones or sit back and soak up the vibrant atmosphere in a coffee shop, coincide your stay at the Montcalm with a trip to Carnaby for the most invigorating shopping experience in London.
Here are the 13 best shops you must not miss!
1) Department of Coffee and Social Affairs
First things first; coffee. Before you hit the shops take time to sit down with an espresso, cappuccino or one of the speciality cold brews at this quality coffee shop. Good coffee and excellent customer service are the backbone of this much-loved cafe. They also host a variety of Coffee School classes and are home to ‘Brewing for Taste’ where you can learn how to make quality coffee at home.
2) Cowshed
The range at spa and beauty brand Cowshed spans mood-enhancing bathing goods, deluxe facial beauty products and evocatively scented candles and diffusers for the home. You can even opt for an express treatment whilst you shop. If you make a trip to the Montcalm Spa, picking up a natural product to take home from Cowshed will keep the post-spa radiance going.
3) We Built This City
Quirky, unique and revolutionary are the words that spring to mind when you step inside We Built This City. Fundamentally a gift shop, this indie store sells a bit of everything. You’ll find a multitude of creative stocks ranging from wall art to homeware, tote bags to statement jewellery items, books to novelty socks. They also have a multitude of London themed gifts so you can take home a special memento to commemorate your time in the city, or present to your loved ones.
4) Être Cecile
Blending British wit with Parisian charm, Être Cecile is know for creating punchy prints using luxury fabrics. You will be able to find something stylish, sleek and thoroughly unique to don after you emerge from your treatments at the Montcalm Hotel Spa! The Être Cecile range included stripy dresses, graphic shirts and fetching midi skirts. If you’re after something more tongue-in-cheek check out their range of tee-shirts.
5) TOMS
TOMS stock seasonal footwear for women, men and children including boots, sneakers and their their classic slip-on alpargatas. These lightweight, canvas slip-ons come in an admirable scope of colours and are ideal for summer. But really, the thing we love most about TOMS is that with every purchase made they pledge to help a person in need from a network of over 70 global countries.
6) Mor
Mor use organic and natural materials to create handcrafted jewellery, which makes every item utterly distinctive and destined to make a statement. Bracelets, rings, necklaces, cufflinks; you name it, Mor make it. More than jewellery, their collections are a masterpiece of the finest design. With pieces starting at around £25, we invite you to book a London hotel offer and put the saving towards a complete set of new jewels
7) Antidote
Antidote is a delightful wine bar and wine shop with a bountiful stock of imported wines, most of which are organic, biodynamic or natural. Celebrate the end of your shopping venture by sipping a glass paired with cheese or charcuterie on their outdoor terrace. Alternatively, pick up a bottle to go, pair it with a luxury London hotel deal and saviour it in your room!
8) Sherry’s
Sherry’s is Carnaby Street’s longest serving independent retailer. Conceived in 1979, this womenswear and menswear boutique recently celebrated their 40th anniversary in fact!
Some of Sherry’s most famous patrons have included Whoopi Goldberg and Liam Gallagher. They stock limited edition garments from a small supply of boutique brands as well as their own modest collections. They also offer a tailoring service.
9) Crumbs and Doilies
If you need a sugar boost, make a pitstop at the cutest cake shop on Carnaby Street! Crumbs and Doilies’ cupcakes are made from the finest ingredients and baked fresh on site. You can order personalised and baked-to-order. Favourite cupcakes include Red Velvet, Vanilla Rose and Salted Caramel. Slightly more unusual flavours include Chocolate Guinness! Make the most of current London hotel offers and pick up a box of the most scrumptious souvenirs in town.
10) RÆBURN
RÆBURN takes a unique and innovative approach to creating menswear, womenswear and accessories collections. Founder and Creative Director Christopher Raeburn is known for his re-appropriation of military fabrics and in particular for iconic outerwear created from de-commissioned parachutes. If you want unusual clothing, call into RÆBURN.
11) VIU
Welcome the return of summer with a dashing new pair of sunnies! Swiss eyewear brand, VIU, produce high-end designs and superior quality at prices accessible to all shoppers. Choose between cats-eye, aviators, wrap-arounds and wayfarers, plus plenty more shapes. Sunglasses come in a variety of colours and patterns. VIU partner with traditional and independent manufacturers in Italy and Japan, to create stylish shades which won’t fail to catch your eye as you stroll through Carnaby Street.
12) PIXI Beauty
Since opening at the turn of the millennium, the Pixi London Flagship Boutique has become a beauty oasis, offering a sanctuary from women’s hectic everyday lives. Their mission is to show that makeup enhances your natural look. The range uses botanicals to create a naturally radiant glow, making women flawless in a few fuss-free minutes.
13) Johnny’s Chop Shop
This retro barbershop offers classic hairstyles with a modern twist for contemporary men. Choose between a trendy buzz cut or full cut, a beard trim or a traditional hot towel shave for the ultimate grooming experience. With the neon signs in the store, you’ll be transported right back to 60s Las Vegas.
