64 Best Places to Shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The flagship shop of the locally based national chain takes up three floors of an elegant Rittenhouse Square building (once someone's mansion, of course). The sales floors that encircle the grand stone staircase are brimming with lush colors, floral patterns, and vintage and unique styles that offer a departure from the ordinary. Pretty jewelry, stylish shoes and handbags, and other accessories add an enchanting femininity to fashion. Head downstairs for the brand's BHLDN bridal line featuring an array of dreamy wedding dresses, elegant jewelry, bridesmaid dresses and more. Downstairs also offers a selection of Anthropologie's lauded home line, including candles, glassware, pottery, pillows, and mirrors. Be sure to check out the third floor for racks of bargain-priced sale items, and don't forget to look up at the towering first-floor ceiling of the onetime front parlor.

Harriett's Bookshop is the first shop from owner Jeannine Cook, who opened it in 2020. The store, which is named for Harriet Tubman, was created with the mission of celebrating female authors, artists, and activists, and has become a hub for Black culture in the city. Harriet's hosted the launch of Will Smith's book tour in 2021, and regularly hosts cultural events. Wander in for a curated selection of books, many by black authors, or schedule a visit during one of the events.

Serious shoppers will want to make a trip to King of Prussia Mall, the largest retail shopping complex on the East Coast. The Plaza, Court, and Pavilion at King of Prussia provide elegant places to stroll and shop. There are nearly 400 specialty shops and six department stores, including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and Crate & Barrel. The mall is about 20 miles from downtown; SEPTA Bus 124 or 125 from 17th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard runs to the mall.

America's oldest candy shop is truly a wonderland of sweet treats, with a wide assortment of beautifully made handcrafted delights, such as chocolate assortments, clear \"toy\" candy, seasonal goodies, and candy-filled gift boxes. (They also have an incredibly rich hot chocolate during the colder months.) While perusing, you can learn all about the history of this lovely shop that first opened in the 1800s.

This is the flagship store of a highly respected national chain that stocks the world's largest selection of 16th- to 19th-century prints and maps, specializing in botanicals, birds, and the American West.

Tucked away in the rear of the Independence Visitor Center, this locally owned shop sells souvenirs made by area artists. You can purchase unique Philly-focused items such as clothing for kids and adults, ornaments, stickers, pictures, cards, jewelry, and much more. You'll need to enter the building to access the shop, but it's worth a look.  This is an ideal spot for a rest near all the historical sights.

They don’t make shops like this University City mainstay anymore. An international newsstand, stuffed with foreign periodicals, newspapers, postcards, and hip art publications, they also run a café of sorts, offering coffee, tea, and chocolate, and an old-school smoke shop selling specialty tobacco products. The patio seating is small—enjoy your paper and espresso with a little people-watching and feel like a displaced revolutionary or European or both.

Stunningly simple earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are designed and handcrafted locally at this store-workshop by two women (Anna Bario and Page Neal) who create environmentally friendly pieces. All materials are reclaimed, ethically sourced, or retrieved using low-impact practices. Even the packaging—reclaimed glass bottles with cork stoppers—is green. Appointments are preferred

You don't need an admission ticket to the Barnes Foundation to shop at this well-curated space that showcases distinctive artisan-made items for the home, jewelry, and accessories in a range of prices, as well as books and artsy souvenirs related to works in the museum. 

Cute and clever housewares and more from artisanal makers fill this small shop, called by the owners a modern general store. The tempting choices, including stationery and cards, pillows and candles, pantry staples and kitchen items, and some picks for kids, aren't inexpensive, but they are distinctive. Another location is in Queen Village.  

This delightful little bookshop has choice selections of fiction, art, cookbooks, and biographies invitingly displayed in the heart of Chestnut Hill's commercial corridor. There is also a healthy-sized section of Philly-centric books as well as kids' and young-adult books.

This shop is filled with unique clothing and toys for haute tots. Specialties include handmade goods, imported fashions, Philadelphia-themed clothing, and styles not available elsewhere.

Beneath the royal-blue canopy and white-marble entrance, you can find a large department store full of avant-garde Italian imports and dozens of other styles and designers, from Oscar de la Renta to Dior. The store has departments for extra tall, large, and short men; formal wear; and shoes; and there's free valet parking and many tailors on the premises.

The charming, worn-in feel of this store lined with wooden shelves befits the merchandise for sale: the focus is on rare, small-press used and new books, although it's not unheard of to find a $4 Hardy Boys paperback next to a first-edition Edward Gorey. The store also acts as a venue for fringe musicians from near and far. Follow Brickbat on Instagram (@brickbatphilly) to stay abreast of the latest arrivals.

Rent adult road, mountain, and hybrid bikes—helmet and lock are $5 extra. Located in a small strip mall away from the cute shops but across from an entrance to Wissahickon Valley Park and convenient to the running/biking trail along Kelly Drive to the Philadelphia Art Museum.

French Art Deco, Modernist, and post-war furniture and objects from the 1940s and '50s tempt discerning collectors at this fine establishment, which has moved to a large, open space in northeast Philadelphia from its original Rittehouse Square townhouse.

Established in 1994, the studio's work continues to excel, with distinctive jewelry in gold and platinum made right behind the counter. The shop also sells an excellent collection of crafts in wood, glass, pottery, and silver.

You’ve seen shops like Cardenas Oil & Vinegar Taproom in small-town downtowns all across the country. At this Italian Market shop, they’ve got the requisite refillable oils and vinegars (in flavors that include blood orange and coconut) but distinguish themselves with a serious lineup of rare, unadulterated elixirs sourced from Italy, Spain, and even South Africa. The team is generous with samples.

This small boutique is filled with a wide array of locally made jewelry, unique accessories, and vintage clothing. There's also home decor items, handbags, and fun gift items. It's a fun shop to browse while exploring Old City. 

Coming to Saturday's farmers' market, open 10 am–2 pm, is reason enough to stroll around Clark Park with a coffee, fresh bread, and a hunk of cheese. The market grows in size in relation to the fairness of the weather. The park, especially from May into September, often has additional events on weekends, including the Clark Park Music Fest, Shakespeare in Clark Park, and craft fairs. The Green Line Cafe is a good coffee shop on the opposite corner.

Part record store, part music gear store, this laid-back spot has a great selection of vinyl that's not huge but nearly all of note. Similarly they often have some obscure synths and music effects boxes that have been refurbished and are reasonably priced.

This exclusive shop features high-end, unique men's streetwear, shoes, sneakers, shirts, and accessories from the likes of Converse, Nike, Vans Vault, and Dior.

The first location of the famed specialty cheese shop, this Di Bruno’s looks laughably tiny compared with the enormous branches in Center City and the suburbs. Slight in size though it may be—it’s long, narrow, and cavelike, with salamis hanging from the ceiling like stalactites—it's absolutely jam-packed with all the specialties you expect from la famiglia. Peruse all the cheeses, oils, antipasti, and charcuterie you want, comforted by the assurance that the gregarious employees behind the counter will always break you off samples.

Shopping at Downerss kind of feels like going shopping with your best friends, even if you're on your own. The super-friendly staff will help you sort through their selection of reasonably priced (lots of pieces are under $100), trendy women's clothing and accessories. They're happy to weigh in on fit or grab an extra size. Browsing the constantly changing selection is a great way to spend an afternoon in the neighborhood.

This shop makes eco-friendly soaps, organic scrubs, shampoos, and other skin- and hair-care products locally and infuses them with scents like cherry almond bark and coconut lime. They have also expanded their product line into hand-poured candles, natural perfumes, and a variety of giftable selections.

This long-running shop, in a new location across the street from its original home, has the feel of a folk art museum, its shelves stocked with vibrant handmade textiles and garments, Day of the Dead art, instruments, carvings, masks, jewelry, and decorative pieces sourced from all over Mexico and South America. Across the street, the former space, now home to the expanded space of Jim's Steaks, is adorned with the mosaic murals of Philadelphia artist Isaiah Zagar; he and his wife, Julia Zagar, a fellow artist, founded Eye’s in 1968, directly shaping the artsy, bohemian reputation that’s long been associated with South Street.

One of the nation's oldest gourmet supply stores offers amateur and pro cooks alike an impressive selection of kitchen tools and equipment. Family-owned since 1906, Fante's is famous for oddball kitchen gadgets such as truffle shavers and pineapple peelers; restaurants and bakeries all over the country and overseas order from the store. It's in the Italian Market, so you can conveniently combine a visit here with shopping for ingredients.

Noted local goldsmith Gary Mann creates elegant custom jewelry. The store is also known for its estate jewelry, carved jade and emerald pieces, stack rings, and Judaica.