17 Best Shopping in West Village, New York City

Looking for that unique gift or souvenir you'll never find in a corporate chain shop? Then stop into this matchbox-sized charmer specializing in the wacky, whimsical, and charming. There are novelty greeting cards, funny coffee mugs, books for kids, and candles with unorthodox scents. There's a second location in the East Village on East 9th between 1st Avenue and Avenue A.

One of the city's best book selections is displayed on the tables and counters of this bookshop, which highlights the latest literary fiction and serious nonfiction, classics, quirky gift books, and gorgeously illustrated tomes. The staff's literary knowledge is formidable, so don't be afraid to ask for suggestions.

The flirty, whimsical dresses at this boutique are perfect for cocktail parties. To complete the look, throw on some of the designer's colorful pumps and sharply tailored coats.

Frequent flyers can one-stop shop at this travel-themed store, which puts a creative spin on everyday accessories. Look for bright luggage tags, passport holders, satin sleep masks, and innovative storage for everything from shoes to toiletries.

This unprepossessing nook stocks some of the most elegant (and expensive) designers in the world, ranging from Lanvin to Yohji Yamamoto. If you have to ask how much an item costs, don't try it on. This location carries clothes for both men and women.

From the outside in, this shop is oh-so-charming, with an old-fashioned sign and sandwich board welcoming shoppers and passersby. It specializes in decoupage-adorned items like quirky trays and paperweights. Owner Carol Kaas, who uses antique prints, vintage postcards, historical maps, and ephemera in her work, also custom-decoupages trays using wedding invitations, photos, baby announcements, or other paper keepsakes.

Peddling design-friendly gifts, weird toys, curious gadgets, wind-up objects, and quirky curiosities, Kikkerland makes for a fun browse. Maybe you didn't even realize you really need that solar-powered waving Queen Elizabeth II figurine or that set of cat butt refrigerator magnets, until you lay eyes on it here.

Simple and understated, this store focuses on one thing: selling top-quality men's shoes. Owner Steven Taffel, who previously worked at Prada, has stocked his shop with selections from John Lobb, Church's, and Edward Green. These shoes are meant to last a lifetime, and many have a price tag to match. Bespoke footwear is also available.

Feeding the Village's sweet tooth since 1923, Li-Lac indulges shoppers with its almond bark and coconut clusters as well as such specialty items as chocolate-molded Statues of Liberty. The coconut rolls and chocolate-covered graham crackers tempt even the most stubborn dieter. To see how the small-batch chocolates are made, visit Li-Lac's Brooklyn factory.

Since 1895, long before the world coffee craze for high-quality, single-origin, fair trade coffee beans, this atmospheric family-run shop has been offering whole coffee beans from the world's best coffee regions (such as Yemen, Ethiopia, and Colombia), as well as up-and-coming places like Vietnam. On the tea side, there are loose-leaf teas from all over the tea-producing world, including Darjeeling.

Creating high-quality jewelry in a sustainable way, this sleek shop sells customizable gold and silver objects with handpicked stones, from rings to necklaces to bracelets, and much more.

Beauty products and skincare created by women, for women and made right in New York City. Savor Beauty was begun by Angela Jia Kim, an erstwhile classical pianist, who was inspired by her Korean heritage to tap into Korean self-care rituals. The small-batch beauty products for sale here are all natural and animal cruelty-free.

Browse through racks bulging with vintage finds from the 1920s through the '90s. Retro wear includes everything from prom dresses to soccer shirts. Although most of the nondesigner finds are affordable, Screaming Mimis also carries pricey vintage designer duds from Valentino, Chloé, and Gaultier.

Who knew Scandinavians were obsessed with candy? And there's much more than Swedish fish at this gleaming white emporium: look for hard candies, gummies, licorice, and chocolate, too. Have fun pronouncing the names of treats like Bumlingar Jordgubb and Zoo Klubba.

Set a few blocks away from the mecca of high-roller fashion shops that is Bleecker Street, Téchin designs high-quality men's wear with sharp, clean lines that is sourced first from Italy and then finished in their atelier in the Garment District, just up the avenue from the shop.

You might find yourself wishing for 10,000 things from the showcases in this elegant boutique, which moved to the West Village from its old TriBeCa haunt. Designs run from delicate gold and silver chains to long Peruvian opal earrings. Many shapes are abstract reflections of natural forms, like twigs or seedpods. Prices start around $190 but quickly rise.

Pick up your copy of A People's History of the United States or anything by Noam Chomsky at this three-decade-old diminutive bookshop, which also peddles novels and non-overtly political nonfiction. Or just stop by to discuss what Bernie Sanders has been up to.