London's coolest shops

Any wine buff worth their salt has spent at least a couple of hours in Berry Bros & Rudd. Dating back to the 17th century, it has heritage by the bottleful with former patrons including Queen Elizabeth II and Lord Byron. Unsurprisingly, staff knowledge is second-to none but perhaps more of a shock is the ample choice of superb wines under £10 – however, those with much deeper pockets are equally well-catered for. Beneath the shop, the team also take advantage of three large cellars to frequently host tastings, masterclasses and extended dinners. We’ll put it this way: there aren’t many historic places so perfectly suited to thinking about or drinking wine. bbr.com

The Duke of Westminster wooed Coco Chanel in this opulent Georgian residence, so it’s no surprise that a love affair with style continues at Alfred Dunhill’s flagship. After you’ve chosen a bespoke suit or perused the pungent array of leather, saunter through to Bourdon House’s Cellar Bar to swill a whisky after dinner; head to the spa and barber for some preening; or hire out the 12-seater private screening room – just because you can. There's also the private members’ club next door, although you’ll need some impressive connections to get on the list. For more info, visit dunhill.com

The Duke of Westminster wooed Coco Chanel in this opulent Georgian residence, so it’s no surprise that a love affair with style continues at Alfred Dunhill’s flagship. After you’ve chosen a bespoke suit or perused the pungent array of leather, saunter through to Bourdon House’s Cellar Bar to swill a whisky after dinner; head to the spa and barber for some preening; or hire out the 12-seater private screening room – just because you can. There's also the private members’ club next door, although you’ll need some impressive connections to get on the list. For more info, visit dunhill.com

This two-level watch boutique may be small compared to some of its neighbours, but its eye for tradition makes it must for all keen horologists. On the ground floor you’ll find cherry wood cabinets (made by craftsmen in the same Swiss valley as the watch manufacturers themselves) filled a range of Blancpain from its modern divers’ watches to fine haute horlogerie pieces. If you’re looking for a little more than window shopping, clients are taken upstairs to the private lounge and bar where they can select their timepiece in a blissful privacy. blancpain.com

This two-level watch boutique may be small compared to some of its neighbours, but its eye for tradition makes it must for all keen horologists. On the ground floor you’ll find cherry wood cabinets (made by craftsmen in the same Swiss valley as the watch manufacturers themselves) filled a range of Blancpain from its modern divers’ watches to fine haute horlogerie pieces. If you’re looking for a little more than window shopping, clients are taken upstairs to the private lounge and bar where they can select their timepiece in a blissful privacy. blancpain.com

Boasting the best address on the Row, 244-year-old master tailor Gieves & Hawkes balances modernity and tradition with a vibe that’s part-gentlemen’s club, part-design exhibition, part-museum. The brand is fiercely proud of its storied history, having produced attire for the military and the British monarchy, so archive pieces are mounted throughout. Downstairs, master tailors create bespoke suits by hand, as they have done for generations, while above, customers can lounge in the bespoke room as they get sartorial tips from staff, or order whiskies from the store’s very own in-house butler, Joe. He’s on hand to pander to your whims, happily hailing taxis, or arranging for your trousers to be pressed or your shoes polished in time for your next meeting. Meanwhile, the store invites loyal customers and friends to use the space for some downtime. General manager Jolyon Bexon says: “They’ll come in to use the wifi and fire off emails between meetings, or read the paper with a cup of coffee.” For more info, visit gievesandhawkes.com

Boasting the best address on the Row, 244-year-old master tailor Gieves & Hawkes balances modernity and tradition with a vibe that’s part-gentlemen’s club, part-design exhibition, part-museum. The brand is fiercely proud of its storied history, having produced attire for the military and the British monarchy, so archive pieces are mounted throughout. Downstairs, master tailors create bespoke suits by hand, as they have done for generations, while above, customers can lounge in the bespoke room as they get sartorial tips from staff, or order whiskies from the store’s very own in-house butler, Joe. He’s on hand to pander to your whims, happily hailing taxis, or arranging for your trousers to be pressed or your shoes polished in time for your next meeting. Meanwhile, the store invites loyal customers and friends to use the space for some downtime. General manager Jolyon Bexon says: “They’ll come in to use the wifi and fire off emails between meetings, or read the paper with a cup of coffee.” For more info, visit gievesandhawkes.com

If you’re a lover of fine cigars, there is nowhere quite like the oldest cigar store in the world, James J Fox in St James’s. Since 1787 this family owned business has served kings, queens, Sir Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde to name a few. Pop into the museum in the basement for a taste of the history. On the ground floor, you can select from more than 40 cigar brands in over 100 sizes, a fantastic range of aged, vintage, rare and exclusive cigars and a host of pipe selections to choose from, while you can get a taste for your favourite in the sampling lounge upstairs. Experience the very best cigars have to offer. jjfox.co.uk

If you’re a lover of fine cigars, there is nowhere quite like the oldest cigar store in the world, James J Fox in St James’s. Since 1787 this family owned business has served kings, queens, Sir Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde to name a few. Pop into the museum in the basement for a taste of the history. On the ground floor, you can select from more than 40 cigar brands in over 100 sizes, a fantastic range of aged, vintage, rare and exclusive cigars and a host of pipe selections to choose from, while you can get a taste for your favourite in the sampling lounge upstairs. Experience the very best cigars have to offer. jjfox.co.uk

The showroom of interior designer Andrew Martin is like no space you’ve ever been inside. Seemingly every object and artefact ever created is crammed under its roof. Giant Egyptian statues flank the stairwell. Superman hangs from the rafters. A vintage toy racing car, big enough to seat a small child, stands on an oak table. It’s been described as a playground for adults and you can see why: in every corner is something to catch the eye and loosen the wallet. This is shopping done as a museum exhibit. andrewmartin.co.uk

The showroom of interior designer Andrew Martin is like no space you’ve ever been inside. Seemingly every object and artefact ever created is crammed under its roof. Giant Egyptian statues flank the stairwell. Superman hangs from the rafters. A vintage toy racing car, big enough to seat a small child, stands on an oak table. It’s been described as a playground for adults and you can see why: in every corner is something to catch the eye and loosen the wallet. This is shopping done as a museum exhibit. andrewmartin.co.uk

If Andrew Martin masquerades as a museum, Dover Street Market is nothing less than a modern art gallery – only with designer labels on display. Designed by Rei Kawakubo of luxury Japanese brand Comme des Garcons, the place is so achingly hip it’s basically smoking Peruvian roll-ups and quoting Balzac. Concrete floors, iron shacks, miniature playgrounds, metal dinosaurs: if the clothes weren’t so beautiful they’d be overwhelmed by the decor. All this splendour get too much? Venture to the Rose Bakery on the top floor and thoughtfully chew on a croissant.doverstreetmarket.com    

If Andrew Martin masquerades as a museum, Dover Street Market is nothing less than a modern art gallery – only with designer labels on display. Designed by Rei Kawakubo of luxury Japanese brand Comme des Garcons, the place is so achingly hip it’s basically smoking Peruvian roll-ups and quoting Balzac. Concrete floors, iron shacks, miniature playgrounds, metal dinosaurs: if the clothes weren’t so beautiful they’d be overwhelmed by the decor. All this splendour get too much? Venture to the Rose Bakery on the top floor and thoughtfully chew on a croissant. doverstreetmarket.com    

Located in the eternally cool hubbub of East London, Ted Baker & Moore is a hipster’s haven with an industrial chic vibe. The lifestyle store has plenty on offer aside from its garments: colourful Quella speed bikes hang from the exposed breeze-block walls as part of the ‘Raising the Handlebars’ collection, while horn-rimmed glasses, gleaming watches, fragrances and trainers appear alongside high-tech audio equipment and stationery. If gawping at all the lovely shiny things has made you thirsty, grab a seat at the store’s Everbean coffee shop and sip on a cappuccino to recharge, or head into the in-house barber, Ted’s Grooming Room, for a wind-down treatment. It offers traditional Turkish shaves for those that like the sharp look, while bearded hipsters can opt for a quick trim, instead. For more info, visit tedbaker.com

Located in the eternally cool hubbub of East London, Ted Baker & Moore is a hipster’s haven with an industrial chic vibe. The lifestyle store has plenty on offer aside from its garments: colourful Quella speed bikes hang from the exposed breeze-block walls as part of the ‘Raising the Handlebars’ collection, while horn-rimmed glasses, gleaming watches, fragrances and trainers appear alongside high-tech audio equipment and stationery. If gawping at all the lovely shiny things has made you thirsty, grab a seat at the store’s Everbean coffee shop and sip on a cappuccino to recharge, or head into the in-house barber, Ted’s Grooming Room, for a wind-down treatment. It offers traditional Turkish shaves for those that like the sharp look, while bearded hipsters can opt for a quick trim, instead. For more info, visit tedbaker.com

If you’ve just spent a grand on a trench coat for your other half, you’ll probably be in need of an energy boost. Seek solace from it all in Thomas’s: an all-day cafe serving classic British fare, set within Burberry’s vast Regent Street flagship. Named after the Burberry founder, the relaxed art-deco diner is decked out with black-and-white marble floors and lantern chandeliers, and dishes up everything from afternoon tea to fresh lobster and chips. Once you’ve recovered from your spending spree, you’ll be ready to indulge further: thankfully, Thomas’s is decked out with a gifting area, where you can purchase all manner of personalised gifts for your loved one (or yourself, of course). For more info, visit burberry.com

If you’ve just spent a grand on a trench coat for your other half, you’ll probably be in need of an energy boost. Seek solace from it all in Thomas’s: an all-day cafe serving classic British fare, set within Burberry’s vast Regent Street flagship. Named after the Burberry founder, the relaxed art-deco diner is decked out with black-and-white marble floors and lantern chandeliers, and dishes up everything from afternoon tea to fresh lobster and chips. Once you’ve recovered from your spending spree, you’ll be ready to indulge further: thankfully, Thomas’s is decked out with a gifting area, where you can purchase all manner of personalised gifts for your loved one (or yourself, of course). For more info, visit burberry.com

The vintage clothes shop that makes all other vintage clothes shops wet themselves. Over 20,000 pieces featuring brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Barbour, Burberry and many, many more. With over 50 years of style accounted for, if you can’t find an item that takes your fancy, maybe fashion isn’t for you. You want a new look to compliment your new style? Headcase Barbers visit the store every weekend to ensure your haircut is as cool as your clothes. blitzlondon.co.uk

The vintage clothes shop that makes all other vintage clothes shops wet themselves. Over 20,000 pieces featuring brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Barbour, Burberry and many, many more. With over 50 years of style accounted for, if you can’t find an item that takes your fancy, maybe fashion isn’t for you. You want a new look to compliment your new style? Headcase Barbers visit the store every weekend to ensure your haircut is as cool as your clothes. blitzlondon.co.uk