Where Are the World’s Best Shopping and Dining Destinations?
From New York to Singapore, these 8 international cities attract travellers with an appetite for innovative cuisine and designer fashion.
A result of the destination’s intriguing mix of cultures, Singapore’s shopping and dining offerings are eclectic and diverse. Luxury fashion brands stock the pedestrian malls lining Orchard Road, and authentic crafts and local boutiques are on display in Chinatown and Little India. For a quick meal, do as the locals do and pop by a hawker centre, an open-air food court, for a plate of Hainanese chicken rice. There are also plenty of fine dining options—Waku Ghin consistently ranks as one of the world’s best, and most expensive, restaurants—as well as lively hangouts that are equal parts eatery and bar.
Photography Reggie Wan
,+or+dine+with+locals+at+dim+sum+caf%C3%A9s+or+open-air+dai+pai+dongs+for+a+taste+of+authentic+dumplings,+noodles+and+fresh+Cantonese+cuisine.&_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=ru&_x_tr_hl=en-US "Pin It")
Known as the spot where East meets West, this cosmopolitan city effortlessly blends Chinese heritage with British influences. Shoppers revere the duty-free port for its fair prices, high-quality fashions and accessories, and intriguing array of antiques and handicrafts. And while Hong Kong has traditionally been noted as a financial hub, recently it’s the local dining scene that’s on the rise. Splurge on one of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants (including L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon), or dine with locals at dim sum cafés or open-air dai pai dongs for a taste of authentic dumplings, noodles and fresh Cantonese cuisine.
Photography courtesy L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
The City of Light reflects a sense of heritage and sophistication that is uniquely Parisian, boasting a fashion scene and café culture that are revered for striking that fine, rare balance between classic and cool. Stroll amid storied architecture to the Triangle d’Or, where you can shop flagship stores of French design houses like Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton, or opt for the emerging Canal Saint-Martin district where artful boutiques like Antoine & Lili and Centre Commercial decorate the 19th-century waterway.
Photography Thinkstock
Epicureans flip for New York’s fast-paced dining scene, with a seemingly endless supply of new restaurants that pop up and often spark major food trends. Cash in on cronuts at Dominique Ansel Bakery, savour bright Southeast Asian flavours at Uncle Boons and watch vegetables shine at Charlie Bird. The Big Apple is where many designers come to debut their new collections each season, so the fashion and shopping landscape here is also constantly evolving. Rely on SoHo to supply sleek designer flagships, and on Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighbourhood for eclectic, easy-to-shop boutiques.
Photography Phil Nolan
Serving as the global headquarters for stylish power players like Armani, Prada and Versace, Milan is also known for investing heavily in its ever-expanding crop of emerging designers. In recent years, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana launched two stores—Spiga 2 and Piave 37—dedicated to supporting young and fashionable talent. Furniture and design companies like Kartell round out the retail scene, while see-and-be-seen restaurants like Osteria del Binari attract well-heeled locals and visitors alike.
Photography Thinkstock
While sun-drenched days are an obvious draw, there’s more to the City of Angels than sublime weather. Local restaurants have recently stepped up their game, turning this stylish city into a genuine dining destination where street eats mix with fine dining restaurants like Alma, voted Best New Restaurant by Bon Appétit. To experience two of LA’s classic hot spots, and perhaps spot a celebrity or two, enjoy an al fresco meal at The Ivy before heading to nearby Kitson boutique to shop the season’s top trends.
Photography John Joh
England’s capital city has long managed to push boundaries, creatively and culturally, while remaining grounded in royal civility. This provocative dichotomy also applies to London’s retail landscape where, outfitted in a classic trench, you can shop department store institutions like Harrods and Liberty, Bond Street’s wealth of British luxury brands and the Seven Dials district’s bounty of independent and vintage boutiques—all in the same day. Flaunt your finds that night at dinner in the Mayfair district, where haute cuisine is on the menu at restaurants like The Greenhouse and Kai Mayfair.
Photography Herry Lawford
.+Shoppers+should+also+take+cues+from+Tokyo%E2%80%99s+street+style,+admired+around+the+world+for+being+fiercely+individualistic+and+unexpected.&_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=ru&_x_tr_hl=en-US "Pin It")
Pulsing with unparalleled energy, Tokyo is where modernity and tradition collide. Locals flock to hip bars and world-class restaurants—from old-school sushi bars to luxurious steakhouses—to sample creative cocktails and innovative cuisine. Tech enthusiasts can shop the latest electronic goods while fashionistas will favour the many designer labels on offer (brands like Gucci and Burberry often create exclusive products for the Japanese market). Shoppers should also take cues from Tokyo’s street style, admired around the world for being fiercely individualistic and unexpected.
Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
If you’re the kind of traveller who requires little more than an appetite and a credit card to enjoy a city, don’t overlook these iconic dining and shopping destinations. From the sunny streets of Los Angeles, where designer boutiques spring up like palm trees, to the glittering skyline of Hong Kong, where an abundance of Michelin-starred restaurants reside, these global hotspots can satisfy even the strongest fashion and food cravings.
