Think of London and you think of retail therapy. And there are plenty of places to shop, from Battersea Power Station and Sloane Street to Oxford Street and Westfield. But did you know that Canary Wharf has recently been ranked the UK’s number one shopping destination, according to the Retail Health Index published by Green Street?
It was only twenty years ago that Canary Wharf was known as being a slightly soulless financial district. Today the area has completely changed, with a boom in residential properties, upmarket stores, cool bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as art, sports events and plenty of green spaces. In 2024, footfall to Canary Wharf increased by over 7% to a whopping 70 million, with the majority of users coming into the area to visit the attractions rather than going into the office. And that’s thanks in no small part to the 40 new retail, leisure and hospitality openings in 2024, bringing the total to 320.
So where are the best places to shop?
The Canary Wharf Shopping area includes Cabot Place, Canada Place, Churchill Place, Crossrail Place and Jubilee Place where you can find brands such Jo Malone, Kiehl’s, Paul Smith and Monica Vinader alongside high street favourites including Reiss, Space NK, Zara and Cos. Recent additions have included Watch House, Trinny London and Office Shoes, with much loved luxury lifestyle brand Diptyque due to open its new store in the next couple of months.
“We’re excited to open Diptyque in Canary Wharf, a dynamic hub that blends a thriving community of professionals, tourists, and residents. Its prime location and bustling energy make it the perfect setting to introduce our unique fragrances to a diverse audience.” Amanda Morgan, Managing Director UK for Diptyque.
Once you’ve finished shopping, there are plenty of places to eat and relax too, with over 80 cafes, bars and restaurants to enjoy. Modern European restaurants such as Horvada, Roe, and Marceline have all recently opened, as well as the ever-popular Kricket, which serves modern Indian cuisine. If you fancy a quick pit-stop, there’s a Joe & The Juice, Gail’s Bakery and Chai Guys.
“We continue to enhance our retail, leisure and hospitality offering, curating a thriving seven-day destination for all those who work, live and visit the Canary Wharf.” Shobi Khan, Chief Executive Officer of Canary Wharf Group.
Easy to get to
Apart from the range of great shops and places to eat, Canary Wharf has fantastic transport links too. Canary Wharf station is on the Jubilee line and the DLR, and is now also served by the Elizabeth Line, with quick travel times from Paddington and Liverpool Street. Or for something a little different, you can also catch the Uber Boat by Thames Clipper from Tower Bridge to Canary Wharf - a quick seven-minute journey.
Visit the Canary Wharf shopping directory.
