The 5 best barber shops in London for a cut above the rest

Tired of looking like you got your haircut with a weed whacker? Maybe your beard is more “unruly mountain man” than “dapper gent”? Fear not, because we’ve got your back (and your head).

We’ve scoured the streets of London, braving questionable haircuts and dodgy fades, all in the name of finding the absolute best barbers this city has to offer. We’re talking about the barbers who can transform even the most tragic ‘dos into works of art. 

So, whether you’re a seasoned style guru or just looking for a decent cut without the trauma, buckle up because this is your guide to the city’s barbering elite. 

How much is a haircut in London? The average price of a haircut in London is around £32. However, the final price will still depend on the barbershop and whether or not you’ll give a tip to your barber (no, it’s not required!).

How we chose

• Price range – Our selection encompasses barber shops with varying price points to ensure that there are options for those seeking luxury experiences and those looking for quality cuts at a more affordable price.

• Location – We handpicked barber shops located in easily accessible areas throughout the city, whether you’re in the heart of Central London or exploring its neighbourhoods.

• Specialisation – We included barber shops renowned for their expertise in specific areas, such as intricate beard trims, sharp fades, classic haircuts, and modern styles.

• Shop ambience – We prioritised barber shops with inviting ambiences, whether it’s a classic, vintage atmosphere or a modern, trendy vibe. 

• Customer reviews & ratings – We believe in the power of collective wisdom. Our selection heavily relies on the feedback and experiences of real customers. 

1. The Refinery

Location: 18 Grosvenor St, London W1K 4QQ, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 7409 2001

Operating hours: 

• Saturday – 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Sunday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Monday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Tuesday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Website

Thanks to their comprehensive approach to male grooming, the Refinery has earned its place as one of the best barbershops in town. By combining traditional barbering techniques with modern grooming services, they’ve created the ultimate manly pampering experience in the city.

Haircuts start at £39, and massages at £45, making it accessible while still maintaining premium quality service. Their medispa (a medispa!) offers anti-ageing treatments, scalp and beard pigmentation, and advanced skin care services.

Customers we’ve talked to rave about the extra touches – beyond standard haircuts and shaves, clients can indulge in facials, mani-pedis, massages, and advanced medi spa treatments like fat freezing and CO2 facials. 

Offers a consistently excellent salon experience

“I have been going to the Refinery in Mayfair for a couple of years and have always been highly satisfied with my experience. The salon is neat, the atmosphere pleasant and quiet – they play lounge music in the background as opposed to the radio on loud – and it never felt crowded, even on busy days. The customer service is impeccable, the staff polite and helpful, and they offer complimentary drinks and hot towels. I always book with Chris Foster, who is a talented and acclaimed hairstylist. In addition to being a very nice guy, he offers a no-rush service, is happy to accommodate customers’ preferences, and is always able to deliver the exact hairstyle I requested.”

Simon, Google Review

Provides not only the best haircuts but also a top-notch experience

“The fact that I live a plane ride away from London and haven’t had a haircut anywhere other than The Refinery in nearly 2 years is perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay Anthony and the spa. I cannot recommend the location or Anthony highly enough – the service from the first time I saw him only seems to improve (somehow!) from what was already the best haircut experience I have ever had. Adding to the fact he is a top bloke, I wouldn’t consider looking anywhere else.”

Matthieu Corley, Google Review

2. Ruffians

Location: Multiple locations (Covent Garden, Marylebone, Soho and more) in London

Contact: [email protected]

Operating hours: 

• Monday to Friday – 10:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Website

We love highlighting businesses that truly excel, and Ruffians is a prime example. Founded in Edinburgh in 2012, Ruffians quickly earned a stellar reputation for excellence. That’s why we paid attention when they brought their Scottish heritage to Covent Garden in 2013. 

Since then, they’ve expanded to multiple locations, including Marylebone, Shoreditch, and the men’s floor of Liberty department store. We love the Covent Garden one most, though.

Anyway, the barbershop’s environment really caught our eye. It features rustic farmhouse wingback chairs, Scottish oak cutting desks, and complimentary drinks (coffee and whisky).

They also offer a variety of grooming services, from haircuts and beard trims to express facials and traditional wet shaves. Their haircuts are priced at £58 and include a full consultation, hair wash, scalp massage, and styling – worth every penny for the premium experience they provide.

Consistently delivers excellent haircuts and a welcoming atmosphere

“Ruffians Covent Garden has been my go-to place for haircuts for over a year now. The staff there, especially Jay, Cam, Jake, James & Nat have done consistently done a phenomenal job in keeping my hairstyle look great, and I get compliments from a fair few folks- including a number of ladies! Ha ha ha!! The rest of them, especially Sam & Hal, are also a jovial yet professional bunch that books in my appointments very efficiently. The environment of the barbershop is very spacious and cosy, something that can’t always be taken for granted especially when it comes to the London city centre, and there is in-house coffee/tea/hot chocolate(brewed by the staff themselves!) served in the premises. Overall, a wonderful place I’ve been happy to place my trust- and my hairstyling in!”

Josh Woods, Google Review

Offers a delightful atmosphere and exceptional haircuts

“The atmosphere at Ruffian’s Barbershop is fantastic – a blend of vintage charm and modern comfort. The staff’s camaraderie and passion for their work create a welcoming ambience that sets them apart from other barbershops. Overall, I can’t speak highly enough about Ruffian’s Barbershop and Lucy’s outstanding service. If you’re looking for a brilliant haircut and a delightful experience, look no further than this place and ask for Lucy. I am already eagerly looking forward to my next visit!”

Ehsan Mirshafiee, Google Review

3. Nomad Barber

Location: 513 Hackney Rd, London E2 9ED, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 7835 535690

Operating hours: 

• Tuesday to Friday – 10:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Website

Founded in 2014 by Miguel Gutierrez, also known as “The Nomad Barber”, this shop has quickly become famous for its unique approach to barbering. We love how they blend global techniques with a strong focus on overall wellness.

Miguel’s extensive travels took him to places like Dubai, Turkey, and Chile, where he learned and documented diverse barbering practices. 

Some of the customers we’ve talked to appreciate this rich tapestry of techniques. In fact, you’ll even see some of the posters of the places he travelled to in his store. 

Their haircuts and consultations are priced at £34, including a thorough consultation, wash, and styling. For a simpler style, a buzz cut costs £22. Beard trims are also available at £22, and a hot towel shave is offered at £34. 

They also have a strong social media presence, especially on YouTube. You can practically binge-watch all the videos before going to this barbershop to have a glimpse of how they operate. We did! 

Provides excellent haircuts and beard trims with a relaxed approach

“Excellent service! Had a haricut and beard trim with Miguel last Friday. I am very happy with the outcome and treatment. I like his relaxed nature. He’s a proper professional on all levels and I will definitely return. Try to catch him while he’s in his shop in London (currently three days out of the week). I am sure the other barbers at the Hackney location are very good as well though. I am looking for to my future services there!”

Playbird, Google Review

Delivers great haircuts at competitive prices

“I started going to The Nomad Barber Brick Lane pop-up this summer after a friend recommended it. I was instantly impressed with Miguel’s attitude and level of service. Miguel takes the time to listen to your grooming requests and has delivered a sharp precision cut for me every time. After numerous return trips I recently had the pleasure of getting a cut at the new shop. The Nomad Barbershop is in a great location just off Brick Lane, the shop has a nice relaxed atmosphere with Miguel running the show. Pricing has stayed really competitive giving great value for money, especially in an area that sees competitors ramp up their prices for east end trendsters. Go get a chop you won’t be disappointed!”

Seymourdomore, Google Review

4.  Pankhurst

Location: Thom Sweeney Townhouse, 24c Old Burlington St, London W1S 3AU, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 3900 0962

Operating hours: 

• Monday to Friday – 10:00 PM to 5:30 PM
• Saturday – 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Website

Founded by Brent Pankhurst, who has over 25 years of hairstyling experience, this place is known for its top-quality service and innovative approach. 

Some customers we’ve talked to can’t stop raving about their haircuts at £60, beard trims at £30, and wet shaves at £50. For those looking for the full experience, they offer a deluxe barber package at £130, which includes a haircut, deluxe shave, and friction scalp massage.

But what’s even better is we found out that they’ve developed a line of award-winning grooming products, including defining serum, aftershave ice gel, moulding cream, scalp care shampoo, and shaving cream. 

Another standout feature customers love is the Johnny Walker whiskey lounge. Here, you can enjoy an espresso or a malt whiskey which literally adds a touch of relaxation to your grooming routine. 

Transform fear of haircuts into a positive and satisfying experience

“I had the pleasure of visiting Pankhurst London for the first time yesterday. For someone who has always approached haircuts with a sense of dread, fearing disappointment, this experience marked a delightful change. Joann was a true professional in every sense. She took the time to understand exactly what I wanted, ensuring my haircut wasn’t just another routine snip, but a tailored experience, offering valuable tips and advice. For the first time in many years, I walked out of a barbershop feeling genuinely happy and satisfied with my haircut. I wholeheartedly recommend Pankhurst London and look forward to my future visits.”

Casey Glover, Google Review

A hidden gem with exceptional service

Nice little gem hidden in a side street off Carnaby. Great client experience for the entire duration of my time at the salon. The level of service from the store manager Joann was a cut above. Having been to a number of London’s premium barbers, I can honestly say that Pankhurst is the best of the bunch. I will therefore be returning for my monthly haircut and maybe even a classic shave. The salon offers an exquisite décor, a good range of classic books and quality whiskies to enjoy while waiting. I also recommend their hair and shaving products, especially their moulding cream.

Reza R, Google Review

5. The Humble Barber London

Location: 157 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9BN, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 7833 2438

Operating hours: 

• Monday to Saturday – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Website

We love discovering local gems, and this barbershop near Kings Cross Station is a true cornerstone of the community. Established in 1972 as Giuseppe Unisex Salon, it has been a trusted place for grooming for decades.

What really stands out about this barbershop is that their barbers take the time to understand each client’s preferences and offer expert recommendations on suitable styles. 

The range of services offered is quite impressive and competitively priced too. Standard haircuts are around £30, beard trims range from £15 to £20, and traditional hot towel shaves cost between £25 and £30. They also offer special deals for students, making it an affordable option for younger clients.

One feature we particularly like is their online haircut catalogue, complete with images to help you choose your preferred style. Definitely check it out.

Fosters strong relationships with clients 

“Truly one of my favourite establishments and favourite barbers I have ever been to. I live locally and have been a very happy customer for one year now. Mamo and all of the staff are the loveliest people, the ambience is lovely (you can tell they properly care about it), the service is terrific (they recommended a new style to me which everyone has raved about), and the price is very decent. They also know their customers and it’s great to have a relationship and bond with them. Wouldn’t go anywhere else for a haircut. Visit here every two weeks – the consistency is incredible.”

Muhamad Mussa, Google Review

Welcomes walk-ins with minimal wait times

“I walked in on a Sunday late afternoon without an appointment and barely waited 5 minutes to be seated. I haven’t had my hair cut in months prior and Mamo really listened to what I wanted. He did an amazing job and did beyond what I asked for. The fellow barbers were also extremely nice which made the overall experience great. For all the hard work it was still really cheap for a great cut. Will definitely come back again. I highly recommend this place.”

Snow white, Google Review