Top Places for Luxury Shopping in Midtown NYC

Are you traveling to New York City for a vacation? Have you thought about your luxury shopping options? What comes next for you after a sublime breakfast in Midtown NYC?

Yes, NYC is a buzzing city, and you’ll likely get spoiled by the sheer variety of luxury shopping choices. From Midtown and beyond, the streets of Manhattan glitter with retail stores, each with unique offerings. If you happen to be in a shopping mood in Midtown NYC, just know that the streets are packed to the brim with vacationers, tourists, and locals, often with one aim; exploring the sweetness of this great city.

Still, the often-humid weather and packed streets of this concrete jungle can easily ruin your shopping mood, so plan accordingly. New York City’s sweltering summer heat shouldn’t derail your desire to have a luxurious taste of Midtown NYC. Therefore, we have created this comprehensive guide to luxury shopping in Midtown NYC to make your life easier.

Keen on visiting some stores that are New York City originals? While Soho is part of Lower Manhattan rather than Midtown itself, it’s the main shopping destination of NYC—and for good reason. You’ll want to make the trek to Soho for an array of speciality stores and luxury brands, most of which had their humble beginnings here. Also, when speaking of top brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior, Soho is their outpost.

Stop into Opening Ceremony and shop for your favorite apparel and accessories. The Totokaelo, or thoughtful women's brand boutique ANTHOM, is nearby if you’re interested in women's luxury footwear.

The Webster and Anine Bing are go-to options for those looking for apparel with trendy vibes. Alternatively, you could stop by Kirna Zabête on Broome Street or head to The RealReal on Wooster Street or 2nd Street on Howard Street for cool consignment luxury clothing and streetwear.

If you fancy a walk on the outskirts of Soho, you'll find Dover Street Market owned by Comme des Garçons and Rei Kawakubo on the city's edge. Homeowners seeking luxury household goods can choose between the Roma and Williams Guild, which runs Guild Gallery on Canal Street, or MATTER on Broome Street. An alternative option is the MoMA Design Store on Crosby Street.

Located in Nolita, a subsection of Soho, is luxury men’s streetwear and accessories boutique Aimé Leon Dore, which has garnered quite a cult following since it first opened. You’ll frequently find patrons hanging out outside this cool store all-day or sipping drinks at the in-store coffee shop, as well as skaters showing off tricks and the latest in street stye right outside its doors.

Perhaps the best time to visit Soho is during New York City’s Fashion Week, as smaller brands set up pop-up stores all over the area, bringing adventurers' retail spirit to the market along with various goods and price options.

A third of the iconic stores featured in New York-set films are usually based in East Midtown. The area is dotted with world-renowned department stores that offer a unique New York shopping experience of electric luxury.

You can start at Saks Fifth Avenue, located, as you might expect, on 5th Avenue near Rockefeller Center. If you’ve been here before, you should make plans to revisit. New upgrades and renovations have revolutionized the store's outlook with additions such as a rooftop restaurant and bar (a perfect spot to grab a bite for breakfast before hitting the town), a beauty parlor, and a new abundance of jewelry.

That's not all East Midtown offers; your next destination should be East 57th Street, which hosts international brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Burberry, Chanel, and FENDI, with Gucci and Prada residing only a block away.

Fifth Avenue also hosts a chain of fine jewelry dealers such as Van Cleef, Carter, Harry Winston, Bulgaria, and Tiffany's. If you bring the kids along, head to Rockefeller Plaza at the heart of Rockefeller Center. You can also visit the new FAO Schwarz, American Girl, and Nintendo NY.

Madison Avenue runs through almost the entirety of the East Side, starting at E 23rd Street. It features some of the most expensive retail stores in New York City, making the area a must-visit for any luxury shopper visiting The Big Apple. Businesses here display the finest of products from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the US, and you'll have to dig deeper into your pockets with every item you cross off your shopping list. You will find glamorous brands such as Asprey Howard, Hergest, and Alexander McQueen, which need no introduction.

Gianvito Rossi at 963 Madison Avenue should be the first destination for shoe lovers, but there’s also CELINE at 650 Madison. You also can explore fine dining at the flagship Bottega Veneta on 740 Madison. If you’re into specialty products, FIVESTORY, located on the Upper East Side, must be on your list of places to visit for your apparel, beauty, and jewelry needs.

On 71st Street, you'll find The Row's New York flagship, while Zitomer (originally New Yorker) is on 833 Madison. Other places you won't want to miss include historical coffee shops all along Madison and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Midtown of the West Side has grown into a fully-fledged luxury shopping hub from the more traditional retail shopping center it was a decade ago. Today, it offers a versatile shopping experience for luxury shoppers and those running on a budget.

Central Park Tower looms over this part of the city and is renowned for its restaurant-in-the-retail experience at Nordstrom. Shoppers can now enjoy snacks, drinks, or full-course meals while on their shopping spree at places like Wolf on West 57th Street.

The area is also ideal for rough weather or late-night shopping since spots like The Shops at Columbus Circle offer a 24/7 shopping experience. After your evening shopping adventure, you can catch up on jazz performances at Lincoln Center.

Lastly, several smaller retailers such as Diptyque Paris, Wolford, and Jo Malone London are located at the magnificent Williams-Sonoma flagship, where you can get various luxury goods. The Shops at Columbus Circle is self-contained with the 5-star Mandarin Oriental on the top floor.

Hudson Yards has been operational for only four years but has established itself as a luxury shopping corner in Midtown NYC. The yard features an indoor mall overlooking the Hudson River, making it an ideal spot for shoppers finishing a stroll through the High Line. You’ll also get to witness a live jazz performance at The Shed.

The unique design of the building gives off a Dubai shopping vibe, hence its popularity with celebrities and affluent shoppers. Patrons get to explore exclusive offers from Dior, Fendi, Todd, and Vilebrequin within the mall. Did we mention that dining options here are near-infinite? For example, you can choose between Spanish cuisine at Mercado Little Spain, British specialties at Queensyard, or the stunning rooftop restaurant at Restoration Hardware. 

Now that we've explored key Midtown areas that are luxury hotspots, here is a snippet of key specialty stores that you should look for. We’ve eliminated some renowned international brands everyone is already familiar with, though you’ll still find them in Midtown NYC.

A New York landmark since 1901, Bergdorf Goodman’s offers the absolute best in luxury women and men fashion, beauty, and modern luxury. It features ten floors—including a dedicated beauty level—three top-rated restaurants, and an in-store salon.

This Barcelona-based store has some 2,000+ stores across the globe. In NYC, Desigual offers eclectic patchy knits and embellishments for all age categories.

For some of the most exquisite jewelry offerings in the world, head to Cartier on 5th Avenue to find a Paris-inspired shop that never disappoints even the most discerning of shoppers. With an array of divine fragrances, accessories, watches, leather goods, and jewelry, Cartier is the go-to place for elegance. From gorgeous wedding rings to his-and-hers watches, this refined shop has you covered.

Located in Soho, Kith is a luxury mainstay for curated and ultra-trendy streetwear, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and children.

If you’re looking for quality and luxury audio equipment, HARMAN offers you options such as JBL, AKG, Arcam, Revel, Harman Kardon, and Mark Levinson. In addition, the store comprises two floors of unending display of speakers, headphones, home audio, and amplifiers.

Eileen Fisher has you covered if you want comfy to wear, such as cardigans, organic cotton v-neck hooded tunics, and cropped jackets. The store is one of the many eco-friendly luxury options in NYC and is located on 5th Avenue.

We’ve spared the best for last. Saks Fifth Avenue is the epitome of expertly curated luxury fashion and personalized customer service all rolled into a truly one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Located on the eponymous Fifth Avenue, this flagship store offers everything from cosmetics to footwear, women and men’s clothing, interior design, and Barneys at Saks, a destination for emerging designers and intriguing pop-up shops.

Luxury shopping in Midtown NYC is a fun-filled activity. The area has one of the highest concentrations of luxury brands globally, including famous restaurants and coffee shops. Therefore, it’s wise to slate a few days for this activity, and even better if your schedule coincides with a few local events. If you want to move to the Midtown NYC neighborhood, reach out to an experienced real estate agent today for guidance.