Spitalfields, E1, Nearest Tube Station: Liverpool Street

Spitalfields is a wonderful and diverse shopping experience, due to it’s array of unique boutiques and outlets. The fact that the developers deliberately avoided having high street retailers is what makes Spitalfields such a special place to browse and shop, it’s the sort of place you shop when you don’t quite know what it is that you want, one could describe it as shopping by inspiration.

There seems a definite emphasis to promote smaller less well known retailers and sole traders who focus on quality workmanship. The area itself has been undergoing major transformation for what seems like years (17 years in fact). Adding the undercover shopping area between the original buildings has definitely helped to promote Spitalfields offering as a major retail player in the City. The open plan type space with its arty displays dotted here and there is a great place to take in a slice of cake (from Patisserie Valerie) and just sit and watch the City bustle go by.

Different sets of people wash through Spitalfields depending on what day you choose to shop there. During the week you will see mostly the lunchtime crowd and tourists all bustling around the wonderful eateries, shops and market stalls, however come the weekend the suits disappear and the local residents emerge as do visitors from all walks of life. If you visit on a Sunday, make sure you take in the Old market, Petticoat Lane or Brick Lane, all of which are just a few minutes walk away.

Despite the modern feel to Spitalfields, the developers have done their best to retain the heritage of the original shopping units that run around the periphery of the new complex, this creates the perfect fusion of old and new and sort of sums up shopping at Spitalfields.  When shopping in Spitalfields make sure you broaden your trip and investigate the surrounding streets (Lamb Street, Brushfield Street & Commercial Road).

Here you will find the likes of A.Gold (a fantastic olde world deli based on the corner of Gun St) and TeaSmith (Authentic Tea Shop in one of the original Spitalfields units on Lamb Street) and Salvo Jure (a divine Italian restaurant – Brushfield Street) to name just a few of our favourites.  During the summer Spitalfields also runs a series of events and attractions in Bishops Square.  Recent and planned events cover everything from tea dances, to fashion shows and live music. http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/events.php.

Start your Journey in Bishops Square

Patisserie Valerie – Coffee house/pastries

Evans Cycles – Cycle shop

Make your way down Crispin Place

Bedales – Wine Bar/outside seating in covered area

Oliviers & Co – Specialist Olive oils

Bodas – Lingerie/Nightwear

Sen – Chinese health & beauty, skin therapy

Source – Women’s accessory store

Chica – Female clothing store, accessories & shoes – *WATC Recommended

Eight Squared – Unusual home furnishings

Benefit – Cosmetics

Oscar Milo – Unisex Clothing

White Stuff – Women’s clothing store

Menu – Menswear

Montezuma’s – So much more than Chocolatiers

4 U Flowers – Florist

Chop’d – Salads plus more

Stop and eat at

Giraffe – Fast healthy food, Meze’s, Stir fry’s, Burgers

Scarlet Dot – Outside eatery / Indian Cuisine

Canteen – European Dining –  *WATC Recommended

Leon – Healthy Fast Food

Carluccio’s – Italian Dining

Spianata & Co – Sandwich Bar

Take in Market Street

Spitalfields Traders Market takes place in Crispin Place 5 days a week from Tuesday through to Friday, Sunday is the largest market day.

There are over 70 stalls that range from:

• Contemporary and vintage fashion,
• Music,
• Bespoke children’s toys,
• Jewellery and accessories and interiors for the home.

Browse in old Spitalfields market

(head through Crispin Place and keep walking towards Commercial Road)

Old Spitalfields Market is the world-famous East London destination.  The forefront for interiors, fashion, the arts and food.  You can pick up almost anything from fair trade cushions and rare vinyl to lovingly crafted notebooks and hand carved toy trains from the stalls and independent shops.
There are jewel encrusted vintage boots for individualist tastes, reconditioned art deco sofas for elegant sensibilities.

Investigate the surrounding streets

City SkinKlinic – Beauty therapy (Botox, non surgical treatments) – Brushfield Street

A Gold – Deli – Brushfield Street *WATC Recommended

Whistles – Female Clothing Store – Brushfield Street

Sausage & Mash Cafe – Brushfield Street

The Arkansas Cafe – Brushfield Street

Sweet Basil – Brushfield Street

Ploy Pilin Thai – Brushfield Street

TeaSmith – Authentic Tea Shop – Lamb Street *WATC Recommended

Pimps & Pinups – Hair dressers – Lamb Street

Tibet Dreams – High Fashion – Lamb Street