438 Best Shopping in New York, USA

There are now several & Other Stories in New York and California, but this was the first U.S. outpost of the popular shop owned by Swedish megastore H&M. The inventory focuses on midrange clothes and bold twists on staples designed in Paris and Stockholm. Chunky sweaters, pointy-toed flats, and printed coats are just the beginning. This is a great place to browse: you're sure to find something delightful and not over-the-top expensive.

Step into this emporium of eclectic home goods from around the world, and you might feel like you've found your fantasy-land nest. An astounding array of colorful rugs, antiques, textiles, furniture, and bedding, including sleek sofas and Balinese daybeds is spread over several floors. The ground level is a chic marketplace of antique stemware, ceramic tableware, fine jewelry, and wellness products. There are no less than three in-house restaurants from Jean-Georges Vongerichten, which are destinations in their own right. The selection of unique jewelry on the first floor is wonderful, if you're looking for a gift.

Arguably the best place to buy fragrance in Manhattan, this lovely smelling boutique's super-knowledgeable staff help shoppers find the perfect scent. High-end (and predominantly European) brands like L'Artisan Parfumeur and Astier de Villatte are stocked, along with luxurious skin-care products, pricey candles, and room diffusers.

If Victoria's Secret is too tame for you, try this British-based lingerie shop, which has a naughty twist. Showpieces include corsets, lace sets with contrast-color trim, bottoms tied with satin ribbons, and some fetish-type leather ensembles. A great selection of stockings is complemented by the garter belts to secure them.

Immortalized as the "miracle mile" in Long Island–native Billy Joel's song "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," is the ultimate shopping destination for the Gold Coast elite. Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Yves St. Laurent are among the dozens of upscale shops for the rich, famous, and merely fabulous.

Stock up on wine, spirits, and everything else alcohol-related at this sprawling, below-sidewalk-level shop; it often has the bottle you can't find anywhere else. Among Astor's other assets are a wine library, a kitchen for cooking classes, and a tasting most evenings.

Competitive prices, vast inventory (new and used), and a fair return policy make this bustling emporium a favorite with both pros and amateurs looking for audio and video equipment, new cameras, computers, or tech accessories. Be sure to leave a few extra minutes for the checkout procedure; bear in mind, too, that the store is closed early Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. B&H is also known for its ingenious, ceiling-height, conveyor-belt system to move packages.

Yes, you can find dance shoes here for a tango competition, pointe shoes for an aspiring ballerina, or tap shoes for your secret wannabe life as Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers. But this shop for men, women, and children in the shadow of Lincoln Center is also a great resource for super-comfy sneakers and walking shoes that provide TLC to your tootsies whether you are in rehearsal or just walking to or from errands or sightseeing, and at half the cost of the tip-of-the-tongue brand names. You can pick up leotards, tees, and other necessities for dancing or the gym as well.

Only a few stores in New York occupy an entire city block, and the uptown flagship of this classic New York retail institution is one of them. The main floor is a buzzy, glittery maze of mirrored cosmetic counters and perfume-spraying salespeople. Navigate past this dizzying scene to find good buys on designer clothes, shoes, bedding, housewares, and more. In true upscale Bloomie's style, in-store personal shoppers will help you score styles for yourself (or gifts for others) like a VIP.

Who needs to go downtown for cutting-edge fashion? This store stocks sleek designs from the likes of Ulla Johnson, Loeffler Randall, and A.L.C. The selection of bags and jewelry is just as stylish.

Upper East Siders shop at this pricey French children's boutique for the beautiful designs and impeccable workmanship—think pony-hair baby booties, hand-embroidered jumpers, and cashmere onesies. The flagship has a loftlike design with whimsical touches, such as a large indoor tree and a cloud sculpture.

Readers young and old delight in Manhattan's oldest and largest independent children's bookstore. The friendly, knowledgeable staff can help select gifts for all reading levels. Don't miss the extensive Oz section, plus the collection of old, rare, and collectible children's books and original children's book art.

The clothes at this classic American haberdasher are, as ever, traditional, comfortable, and fairly priced. Summer seersucker, navy-blue blazers, and the peerless oxford shirts have been men's staples for generations; the women's and boys' selections have variations thereon. At this flagship store, which Brooks Brothers has occupied since 1915, tailors are on hand for fittings; an appointment is recommended.

For many New Yorkers, this downtown fixture is the place to hunt for the mother lode of discount wares. Seven floors are crammed with everything from designer shoes to half-price cashmere sweaters to high-end housewares, though you have to sift through racks and fight crowds to dig out the gems. Devoted shoppers with ample time can uncover some dazzling finds, and early birds can beat the throngs. Don't miss the children's section either, or basement-level luggage bargains.

If you're on the Upper West Side or in Downtown Brooklyn, you can check out more discount shopping at the other two locations, at Broadway and 66th or at City Point, respectively.

The designs in this swoopy, gold-adorned space consistently push the fashion envelope with brash patterns, unlikely juxtapositions (tulle and neoprene), and cuts that are meant to be thought-provoking, not flattering. Architecture students come just for the interior design.

Is Little Italy in danger of turning into Little Spain? No, but this dark, narrow shop with shelves stocked with imported Spanish goodies is the perfect spot to purchase what you'd need to re-create a Galician picnic. In addition to top brands of tinned fish, impeccably prepared foods, and skillfully sliced ham, there's a tapas counter in the back for more elaborate snacks.

The dishes, china, and glassware for resale come from all walks of crockery life, including corporate dining rooms and failed restaurants, so you never know what you might find. Fishs Eddy also sells its own lines of dishes and kitchenware, which have both classic and whimsical looks.  The shop is a great place to pick up New York–theme gifts such as mugs and trays.

Located inside an Upper East Side town house, this luxurious mini department store carries clothing, accessories, shoes, and home decor for men, women, and children in an elegant setting (think marble floors and lots of velvet and silk). It specializes in independent designers but also showcases creations from heavy hitters such as Proenza Schouler and Dior.

Although it specializes in crafts and jewelry, Handmade and More also carries toys, clothing, and a selection of quirky cards.

Operated by a nonprofit that puts all proceeds toward combating AIDS and homelessness, this New York institution has an impressive collection of previously owned books of many genres. Literary, cultural, and benefit events are held here frequently—including StorySLAMS put on by The Moth. There's a full calendar on the website. The café is a popular spot for laptop-toting creatives types. 

If you're after that casually glamorous Parisian vibe, look no further than Isabel Marant. Long a favorite of globe-trotting fashionistas, the tailored jackets, shorts, and flirty dresses are eclectic and sophisticated, with textured, deeply hued fabrics.

This chic New York–based boutique was started by two women who believed that sexy, pretty lingerie should be everyday wear—and comfortable, too. The stock consists of well-known brands like Cosabella and Natori, as well as Journelle's own line. Staff are approachable and helpful. There are now a handful of Journelle stores around the city, including in SoHo and on the Upper East Side.

Opened in 1983 by the late Nach Waxman, a member of the James Beard Foundation’s Hall of Fame, this is so much more than a cookbook shop, with its vast selection of books on food history and culture, operations and technical manuals, and a "terrific array of great food writing," too. With more than 12,000 books and magazines in stock, it's no wonder that culinary icons like Julia Child and three-star Michelin chefs have been among the charming shop's customers.

Chocoholics beware: you could find yourself in serious trouble at Krause's Chocolates, a second-generation-run confectionery. Candy-cane-striped columns beckon you inside, where the aroma of Karl Krause's closely guarded recipes envelop you. Grab a basket to hold your wares; this chocolate is so fresh it's likely to melt in your hands. Krause's also has a shop in Rhinebeck that's located behind Montgomery Row.

Stop in at this artisanal chocolatier's small store and tea salon to purchase some treats and dive into a cup of thick, heavenly hot chocolate. The Paris-based outfit sells handmade truffles, chocolates, and pastries that could lull you into a chocolate stupor. There are additional outposts in Rockefeller Center and in the The Shops at Columbus Circle in the Deutsche Bank Center.

Make a beeline for this store if you love French designers. Owner Ludivine Grégoire showcases of-the-moment Gallic (and a few Italian) designers like Vanessa Bruno, Jérôme Dreyfuss, and Carvin French.

This canopied marketplace offers an array of funky African and African-inspired jewelry, Afrocentric art and wood carvings, and festive clothing, mudcloth fabrics, and colorful textiles peddled by vendors hailing from countries like Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, Gambia, and Ghana. On weekends with nice weather, more vendors open and some shops can tailor items for you right on the spot. It's a one-stop shopping experience: patrons can get their hair braided, sample traditional African cuisine, or pick up some beautiful (authentic) African garb.

A well-chosen collection of clothes, accessories, and objects from some of the most exciting independent designers in the world is on display at this minimalist, industrial-chic boutique. Try on a hot-pink blazer from Eckaus Latta, a colorful patchwork blouse by Sophie Andes Gascon, or a classic silhouette from Paris Georgia. Zadeh's own line is also available, and she sometimes stocks flea-market finds from her travels.