The best nail salons in London, whatever your vibe or budget
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn how we test.
That freshly-polished feeling after a visit to your fave nail salon cannot be underestimated. There's just something about neatly uniformed cuticles and immaculately glossy top coats that simply can't be replicated at home.
From incredible nail art to bullet-proof Shellac, the salons can take our manis to the next level. Which means you can kick back, relax and bask in the feeling of giving your nails a proper good tending to. Just one thing... Where's the best spot to book?
London has plenty to offer if you're on the hunt for a nail bar that fits your vibe. Just like finding your favourite drinking hole, discovering the right manicurist for you can involve a little trial and error. The good news is, if you want to get your nails painted in the capital, you're pretty damn spoilt for choice.
Whether you're classy, bougie, edgy, trendy or alternative, London's nail bars have something to offer up for everyone.
Take TOWNHOUSE for example. The OG salon in the heart of Fitzrovia started as an open secret amongst influencers and beauty editors, and now? It's an empire, with 29 locations across every stretch of London, so no matter where you are in the capital, you're likely within a couple of stops of TOWNHOUSE's dreamy laidback interiors, refillable cuticle oil station and beautiful nail art. (Even those outside of London can benefit as they also have spots nationwide, including Bristol and Manchester).
Elsewhere in the east, you can head to Shoreditch Nails on Boundary Street for something fun, kooky and a little bit different. Cowshed’s armchair-side manis are deliciously luxe and easy to get to no matter which corner of the capital you’re heading in from. You can find branches in cosy Primrose Hill, happening Shoreditch and The Ned’s sumptuous spa, round the corner from the Bank Of England.
DryBy, near Oxford Circus, has carved a niche for its trademark clean, minimalist designs and elegant interiors. Nearby in Soho, you can tap up Rawr's flagship store on Rathbone Street for fun, colourful designs, or Rachel's Nails & Coffee on Windmill Street for a new set of Frenchies alongside an oat latte. If you're in Mayfair you can head to Duck & Dry for a speedy nail service (and a banging blow dry while you're at it). They also have an Islington branch that offers Duck & File manis and pedis.
On the south side of the river in Battersea, the Linnaean’s spa is an eco retreat that offers up natural nail treatments. Head toward Brixton and Ama The Salon is an insider celeb secret. It’s founder, Ama Quashie, counts Adele, Adwoa Aboah and Cara Delevigne as clients. Head South East and 1st Secret Nails Eltham serves up some seriously next-level nail art.
Go west and NUKA salon is renowned for its funky-fresh freehand artistry, while North west in Notting Hill, Young LDN have nail stations decked out with iPads and Beats headphones so you can indulge in a Netflix binge while you get some nail art done. No socialising necessary.
To help you out, we've rounded up the best manicure spots from across London to meet all your nail needs.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Best for Frenchies and frothy coffee
RACHEL'S NAILS & COFFEE
Where: 34 Windmill Street, London, W1T 2JR
Why go: This combines two of our favourite things in one place: beautiful manicures, with a yum caffeine fix, plus the interiors are pretty, pink and calming.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Best for funky-fresh freehand artistry
NUKA
Where: 65 Goldhawk Road, London, W12 8DZ
Why go: If you want individual, intricate and out-of-this-world nail art, NUKA has got you. The salon has made fun, colourful, statement artistry its signature.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Best for next-level nail art
1ST SECRET NAILS ELTHAM
Where: 48 Well Hall Road, London, SE9 6SH
Why go: If you're based south east, this local salon has picked up a loyal following for its forward-thinking and on-trend nail art. For 3D nails, airbrush details and immaculate Frenchies, they've got everything covered.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Best for cute, colourful designs
RAWR
Where: 38 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1JN
Why go: Known for cute, colourful and trending designs, the salon offers up simple or complex nail art at its flagship just off Tottenham Court Road. But, Rawr also has locations nationwide, where they have residency's in Primark and Asda, alongside their own standalone salons.
Best for a very modern pamper
TOWNHOUSE
Where: Fitzrovia, Mayfair, Covent Garden, Liverpool Street, Harrods, High Street Kensington, Kings Road
Why go: If you're looking for a budge-proof mani and immaculate cuticles, you won't get better than Townhouse. The designs are pretty and minimalistic, but with a fun twist. And, you can request your own bespoke design from their talented nail fairies. Treatments serve all lifestyles from quick express services to indulgent manicures and pedicures alongside a glass of bubbly. And for a very modern pamper session, all of the nail shades are available to browse from a digital library on iPads, there's easy self-book kiosks and a refillable cuticle oil station to keep your newly installed nail art looking pristine.
Chris OrangeBest for speedy service
DUCK & DRY
Where: Duck & File services are available at the brand's Mayfair and Islington locations
Why Go: It's speedy, stylish and ultra luxurious. Choose from Classic, Gel, BIAB, or Gelly Tip extensions (Islington only). Plus, you can get a blow dry whilst you're there. Winning!
Kate DarkinsBest for pre-party pampering
Where: Beauty Club London, 28 Market Pl, London W1W 8AW
Why go: Hidden away just a stones throw from the bustling Oxford Street you’ll find PAINT Nails London based inside Beauty Club London. Once you see the fabulous peacock mural painted on the side of the building, you know you’re in the right place. If seat-dancing and a mojito-mani or a pornstar-pedi sound up your street, get yourself to PAINT Nails London. The design of the nail bar has a vibe of The Beverly Hills Hotel in LA, it’s absolute aesthetic-heaven.
Best for the celeb insider
AMA THE SALON
Where: 340 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8QH
Why go: The salon's founder, Ama, has worked with some of the best in the biz, from Dua Lipa to Solange Knowles and Adele, to name a few. Plus her work has been featured on the front covers of top mags and in campaigns for Celine and Saint Laurent. Now, you can have a slice of the action at her salon in Brixton. And if you're eco-minded, there's a free-from menu featuring vegan, natural and cruelty free paint.
Best if you're feeling anti-social
YOUNG LDN
Where: 228 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 2RH
Why go: Because Young LDN have absolutely nailed the hungover-don't-talk-to-me-mani. Each nail station has Beats headphones and an iPad so you can catch up on your favourite Netflix show. Their nail lounge offers a range of manicures and pedicures, from express to deluxe, with bespoke added extras providing an indulgent twist.
Best for modern minimalism
DRYBY
Where: 74 Mortimer St, Marylebone, London W1W 7RZ
Why go: Minimalistic and chic nail art at its best. If you like neutral colours, intricate embellishments and a stylish atmosphere, DryBy is for you.
Best for a bit of indulgence
COWSHED
Where: Multiple locations, including the Primrose Hill, Shoreditch House and The Ned.
Why go: For the most heavenly pedicure of your life in a very stylish setting. All hard skin is removed and your hooves are revived with a hydration mask while your scalp and shoulders are massaged. Oh yasssss.
Best for east-end hipsters
SHOREDITCH NAILS
Where: 13 Cleve Workshops, Boundary St, London E2 7JD
Why go: For the latest trends and edgy nail designs. Whether you're after geometric, shattered glass or holographic, the steady hands at Shoreditch Nails have you sorted.
Best for accessible luxury
NAILS & BROWS MAYFAIR
Where: 31 Berkeley St, Mayfair, London W1J 8EJ
Why go: Despite the fact that the salon is on the same street as Mayfair's high end Berkeley Square (and it's a favourite haunt of Meghan Markle), you can get a file and polish for £26. Though if you want to pull out the big guns, their signature manicure features a warm paraffin wax treatment to hydrate skin and a luxurious relaxing massage for £66.
Best for natural nails
LINNAEAN
Where: 2 New Union Square, Embassy Gardens, London, SW11 7AX
Why go: Consider this a luxury nail rehab, the focus is on nail health which is why all the polishes are 90% natural, vegan and cruelty free. Attention is paid to the condition of your nails before polish is applied. You can book in for an IBX strengthening treatment or a rehab treatment for nails that have been weakened by repeated acrylics or gels. After that, the polish (and nail art should you wish) is kept clean and simple.
