If you thought Dubai was all haute couture and glamour, think again. Tucked away
amid its opulent malls and glitzy skyscrapers are several shopping areas where
you can hit the pavement, haggle and walk away with a great bargain.
KARAMA SHOPPING COMPLEX
Near Fish Market, Karama
In addition to selling cheap clothing items,the Karama Shopping Complex is also a great place to buy good-value trinkets and souvenirs. Here you can pick up Moroccan lamps, Arabian coffee pots,khanjars (Arabian curved daggers) and camel figurines, all at low cost. Check Gifts & Souvenirs for a wide range.
Pashmina shawls in varied hues abound in every price range — from the cheaper silk mix to the pricier 100 per cent originals. Sports shoes, too, are a must-buy. Also look out for leather goods, especially handbags and wallets, and a range of Indian embroidered or sequinned table covers, bedspreads, cushion covers, etc.
Bargaining is mandatory but that’s what makes the experience one to remember.Be sure to take your time, as the jumbled shelvesmay not instantly reveal the hidden gems you desire.
MEENA BAZAAR, COSMOS LANE
Near Al Fahidi Museum, Bur Dubai
Swathes of exquisite fabrics in possibly every texture, hue, and material line the walls of the crowded outlets dotted on either side of the narrow lanes here. The alleyways are clogged with more stores selling the same stuff bundled up on the shelves and on the floor, but as far as choice goes, you have no reason to be disappointed.
From the ubiquitous polyesters to lightweight chiffons, metallic yarns, crushed velours, sheer organzas, delicate broderie anglaise and silks, here you can buy unstitched fabrics by the yard. Check Moral Trading for bargain prices on a sumptuous array of fabrics.
Prices are negotiable even at the few outlets selling ready-to-wear.Traditional Asian designs are plentiful here.Meander through the backstreets and pick out an experienced tailor who can create a well-fitted outfit in just two days. Try Kachin’s for men and Dream Girl or Gabbana for ladies.
COMPUTER STREET
Khalid Bin AlWaleed Road, Bur Dubai
This may be high-tech heaven but don’t be surprised by the sight of handcarts loaded with cartons of electronics equipment or workers supporting stacks of boxes piled high in their hands as they go about the task of delivering goods to the scores of unassuming shops in the area.
Do not expect glitz or grandeur inside the outlets either. Some are tiny ,with virtually no display items, but what never fails to impress is the availability of even the most recently launched electronics items.Whether it is software, hardware, PCs and laptops, iPods, PDAs, digital cameras,upgrades and accessories— you name it, and you will find it here.
Pay a visit to Al Ali Computer Trading or King of Computers.Close by is the Al Ain Centre with more than 65 computer outlets and the Wifi Computer Zone at Al Musalla Tower Mall with 75 stores—the two main ‘technologymalls’ in the area.Also check out Al Sabhka Souq, popularly known as Electronics Souq near Baniyas Square, for similar range of electronic gizmos.
SATWA SOUQ
Satwa
There’s more to Satwa than meets the eye. Stroll through the main shopping square where you will discover great value in fabrics,household products and electronics.It’s a great place for high-quality textiles.
Deepak’s has two outlets here showcasing everything from pure linen to Irish linen, Japanese crepes, raw silks, pure silks, casual and fancymaterials. Also, step into Regal for qualitymaterials and fabrics. And what’s more, it won’t cost you much to get them tailored in an impeccable fit.
GOLD SOUQ
Deira
In the famed City of Gold, it is impossible to escape its allure of the precious metal. With jewellery items in every conceivable design, size and weight, you can leverage prices on craftsmanship, or create your bespoke pieces for better value.
