Looking for the best tattoo shops in London? Whether you’re totally covered in body art or if you’re looking for a comfortable spot to get your first tattoo, London is filled with cool studios and talented artists ready to get you inked up.
So, if you’re wanting to find inspiration for your next piece or already have a design in mind, these are the best places to get your new tat in the capital.
Best London Tattoo Studios
South City Market
New Cross
Boasting a huge cult following, South City Market is, without doubt, one of the best tattoo shops in London.
The studio itself is super stylish – think industrial minimalism with a healthy dose of neon lighting and greenery. They’ve nailed the perfect balance of comfortable and cool.
With around 20 tattoo artists working at this super stylish studio, you’re in safe hands. Kamil Arthur is a particularly incredible artist and an absolute wizard of fine line and micro-realism (we’ve even been tattooed by him, and we’re obsessed with the result), and be sure to hit up Lauren if you’re looking for awesome fine line, cartoon or otaku art.
Frith Street Tattoo
Soho’s famous basement tattoo parlour has been going for nearly 20 years, and it’s safe to say that they have well and truly mastered their craft. Whether you want to opt for a small first tattoo or fancy getting a tribal full-sleeve piece, the seven in-house talented artists are on hand to help.
Stefano C’s best work is his colourful Japanese-style tattoos depicting deities and animals – a favourite is an above piece on Fudo. He also specialises in full-body pieces as well as smaller arm, hand, and leg art.
Meanwhile, we’re also massive fans of Jordan Teear’s awesome artwork, that ranges from devilishly intricate full-back pieces based on snarling big cats or devilish skull art, to simpler fun hand pieces such as thick-line skull “n” crossbones.
Vagabond Tattoo
We know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the moment you step into Vagabond Tattoo Studio on Hackney Road, you know the tattoos are going to be incredible.
The contemporary tattoo parlour boasts plenty of talented artists, though, we have to admit that we are head over heels in love with Tuesday Tattoos’ designs – you can’t go wrong with dreamy linework interspersed with florals.
We also love the vibrant, bouncing Japanese-inspired colour work of Deni Balbino, which makes the perfect feature to an existing sleeve or larger piece, or be incorporated into new fine line work.
Femme Fatale
Hackney
If you’re heavily invested in the tattoo scene, it’s likely you’ll already know who Grace Neutral is. She’s not just one of the best tattoo artists London has to offer, but she’s taken part in plenty of documentaries, exploring beauty standards across the world.
As a result, Grace promotes her Femme Fatale parlour as a safe space for anyone and everyone to get tattooed, making her one of London’s best-renowned artists.
Her hand-poked tattoos are intricate, neat, and high quality, churning out everything from tiny, barely-there pieces to huge cartoon designs covering entire limbs.
And, if you’re feeling wildly spontaneous? Walk-ins are available on the weekends, so head down for an off-the-cuff inking session.
Storyville
While some studios feel a touch intimidating, Storyville couldn’t be anymore friendly. Husband and wife team Nick and Clare have created a welcoming space that, with its garden terrace, better resembles a cosy cafe more than an inking space.
Nick’s famed for championing the bold and colourful, his pièce de résistance being tribal Japanese designs. However, if you’re after an animal (for some reason, he tattoos many swallows, so bear that in mind when choosing your design) Andrew will be able to sort you right out. We also have a soft spot for his skull-shelled snail design!
Sang Bleu
Sang Bleu is Dalston’s hip inking joint that welcomes walk-ins and hosts worldwide talent. With other studios in LA and Zurich, it’s no wonder their London tattoo parlour is so darn cool.
Whatever kind of design you’re after, there’s an artist on hand – from cutesy linework and floral motifs to bright full-colour pieces.
We love the detailing in Lukey Wolf’s work, with big bold lines giving way to incredible levels of detail, especially in his animal art. And we can’t get enough of the contrasts in the work of Paula J Davey’s art too, mixing fine lines with the occasional splash of bold colour that adds depth and texture.
No Regrets
No Regrets have one aim: to tie art and tattoos together. And, like their many tattoo shops across the UK, their cool London studio does just that.
While there are plenty of mediocre tattoo shops that will simply take a design and replicate it without so much as a consultation, No Regrets’ artists work with you to come up with something that is completely unique, and exactly tailored to what you want.
Whether you want movie stars or pets inked on you forever, Mert Sonmez’s realism is utterly staggering, whether in colour or monochrome, and Pietro Idle’s guest tattooing spots always fill up very quickly due to his faultless shading and details-work.
Sticks Not Stones
After the daintiest hand-poked tattoos in one of the cutest East London tattoo shops? Charlotte from Sticks Not Stones is your gal.
Based in Bethnal Green, her adorable studio is a vision of pastels and neon lights – basically, it’s a millennial dream.
Charlotte’s tattoos are equally aesthetic, the likes of florals and celestial line work being her speciality.
She’s a pro at making sure you’re comfortable, which is particularly great if you’re a tattoo newbie – we couldn’t think of anyone better to give you your first tattoo.
Good Times Tattoo
Hackney
As the name suggests, Good Times Tattoo takes the stress out of getting inked, likening it to “a deep spiritual meditation with buzzing needles”. Which we absolutely love. This stunning studio is less dark and dingy, and more spiritually bright and uplifting.
Owner Nikole has hand-picked a talented roster of tattoo legends who each bring something unique to the studio. You’re in safe hands.
Nikole has been tattooing for over 30 years and her striking Japanese full-body pieces prove popular, while one of our personal faves Jodie Mae never fails to wow with her incredible sketch-style pieces of just about everything you could imagine.
The Circle
Soho
Reflecting the eclectic nature of Soho perfectly, The Circle is an excellent centrally located piercing and tattoo studio.
Maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but we’re already planning out our next tattoo and it’s with this incredible artist.
We’re completely obsessed with her tattoo of Mr Burns as a pastel mermaid (yes, the one from The Simpsons) – infusing classic tattoos with a hit of pop culture is something we can absolutely get involved with.
If it’s something striking and abstract, that’s both eye-catching and thought-provoking, get yourself booked in with Alesky. His work has to be seen to be believed.
Fulham Tattoo
Usually we would warn against going to any spot that celebrities have endorsed out of principle, though Fulham Tattoo is an exception to this rule. This shop is over 40 years old, making it one of the oldest tattoo parlours in the capital (and one of the best).
Ed’s Sheeran’s colourful arm pieces? Done at Fulham Tattoo. How about David Beckham? He’s also been inked here. It’s no surprise, given how brilliant the artists are.
Max’s work is our favourite; he’s well versed in pretty much everything from delicately shaded florals to bold lettering, though his portraits are sublime.
Usually we would warn against going to any spot that celebrities have endorsed out of principle, though Fulham Tattoo is an exception to this rule. This shop is over 40 years old, making it one of the oldest tattoo parlours in the capital (and one of the best).
Ed’s Sheeran’s colourful arm pieces? Done at Fulham Tattoo. How about David Beckham? He’s also been inked here. It’s no surprise, given how brilliant the artists are.
Max’s work is our favourite; he’s well versed in pretty much everything from delicately shaded florals to bold lettering, though his portraits are sublime.
Blank Collective
We first came across Blank Collective at the Bristol Tattoo Convention and immediately fell head over heels with Loz’s work that combines fine lines with areas of black block work creating bold pieces that burst with texture. Check out this unbelievable semi-sleeve piece.
Blank Collective is a Southeast London studio housed in a clean location in Deptford, which Loz co-owns with Lana, a tooth gem technician.
We also love Daisuke, who fuses his London upbringing with his Japanese heritage in some killer Shodo (Japanese brush art) tattoos with his always hand-drawn pieces of art.
Eco Tattoo
You can’t have a guide to London’s tattoo parlours and ignore the vibrant alternative scene of Camden. And Eco Tattoo is the perfect example, combining sustainability with some of the most incredible body art you’ll find in the city.
Using eco-friendly materials, inks, and waste disposal methods, Lin Feng launched Eco Tattoo and has developed her traditional Chinese art-themed pieces to include the natural world, straight lines, and, well, just about everything else!
She also specialises in covering old ink, check out this amazing Sakura Tree cover up!
Crimson Tales
Crimson Tales specialises in creating bespoke pieces of art that clients really want, with each of this cool South London studio’s artists taking the time to consult you and create designs based on what you want, rather than simply picking designs out of a book.
Nothing is off limits at this parlour that encourages you to explore the limits of your self-expression. We are enormous fans of the powerfully evocative pieces by Saint Wandal that burst with colour, detail, and beauty.
But our absolute fave is guest tattooist Veda Ink for her unique artwork. Combining subtle pastel colours, particularly greens, with eye-catching neon pink and purple shades, the impact of her work doesn’t just wow, it seduces the eyes.
Princelet Tattoo
While Princelet Tattoo isn’t for you if you’re walking past and want to get inked on a whim, booking an appointment at this East London studio is well worthwhile.
Established in 2022, Princelet has quickly become a staple of the London tattoo scene offering customers a wide range and variety of styles to choose from. Alongside their roster of resident artists, they also regularly get top guests from across the globe to join them.
We adore the focus of proprietor Alex Roze on the detailed nuances, from his neo-traditional micro-realistic designs of his work, a quality that follows through the work of the studio’s other artists.
Just check out the classic, subtle, and stunning linework of Fabianna for proof.
Cloak and Dagger Tattoo
Shoreditch
Just off Brick Lane, next to the railway, is Cloak and Dagger Tattoo, another awesome parlour in East London.
This cool Shoreditch spot offers a wide range of styles, from traditional classic tattoos to script, Japanese to eye-catching neo-traditional pieces that pop with colour and catch the eye.
The classic stylings of Benny Ford definitely tickle our fancy, particularly his pin-up 20s and 30s-era portrait work. We also can’t get enough of the stunning cartoon-like, colourful artwork of Gabriele Cardosi that pops off the skin.
In addition to this awesome art, Cloak and Dagger can help you sort out any mistakes from yesteryear with cool cover-ups and even laser removal if that’s what you desire.
London Inkaholics
Shadwell
Bang next to Shadwell Station is London Inkaholics, a tattoo studio that has just celebrated its 10th anniversary of growing to become one of London’s most popular tattoo studios.
Their team of resident and guest artists focus on providing a personally tailored experience to each and every customer, whether you’re grabbing your first ink or getting the latest addition to your body art.
We’re particularly drawn to the photorealism work of Isaac Branco, which genuinely looks as though a photo has been printed onto the skin, while these pieces by occasional resident artist Josefine Brorsson almost defy description.
