Darjeeling
Digital photo accessories, photo printing and instant passport photos (six for ₹100). The reprinted early-20th-century photographs of Darjeeling and…
Must-see shopping in India
Jaipur
Behind the larger Rajasthali store is this smaller government-of-India-run showroom showcasing tribal arts and crafts from all over India. It's well worth…
Agra
Stocks simple, good-quality men’s Indian clothing made from the homespun khadi fabric famously recommended by Mahatma Gandhi. There's no English sign – on…
Jaipur
This gallery sells striking pieces of contemporary art by Indian artists. Exhibitions change almost weekly. It has a sister gallery, Artchill, at Amber…
Lucknow
A family business since 1850, the sweet-scented Sugandhco sells attar (pure essence oil extracted from flowers by a traditional method) in the form of…
Varanasi
This small shop sells Italian-designed, locally made clothing, natural cosmetics and cookies from nearby Brown Bread Bakery. A branch is attached to Vegan…
Darjeeling
This tiny Aladdin’s cave is crammed full of Himalayan knick-knacks, some antique, some made yesterday, from Tibetan gau (amulets) to cast Buddhas and…
Kalimpong
This is the best place to pick up Edam-like local cheese (per kilogram ₹600), produced in Kalimpong since the Jesuits established a dairy here in the 19th…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Tripura's government emporium sells bargain-value canework, notably lampshades and stools. Occasionally, it sells curiosity items, including Lenin…
Chennai (Madras)
Attached to the Isha Yoga Center and its healthy Yogi's Belly Cafe, this bohemian little boutique is full of wonderful handmade jewellery, organic soaps,…
Calangute & Baga
The original Saturday Night Market is in Arpora at the end of the Baga River Rd. It's grown into quite a huge affair with live bands, food stalls and a…
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Handicrafts, clothes and fashion accessories from the Blue Mango line, which empowers and employs disadvantaged women in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, are…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Sprawling across an old Tamil house, Holi is a delightful, eclectic jumble of spruced-up vintage furniture, local artwork and Banjara embroidery. The…
Mumbai (Bombay)
A spacious bookstore with a good selection of travel books, plus the Cha Bar, serving tea. The store was closed for a refurb at the time of research, so…
Shimla
This time-warp, antiquarian bookseller is a single dusty room full of rare Himalayan travelogues at prices aimed firmly at collectors.
Chennai (Madras)
Reliable modern bookshop stocking English-, Indian- and Tamil-language fiction and nonfiction, kids' books, magazines, Lonely Planet guides and other…
Ahmedabad (Amdavad)
Traditional and contemporary saris, embroidered tunics, accessories and gifts – all handcrafted by expert craftspeople from around the country using eco…
South Goa
This small boutique shop back from Patnem Beach stocks handicrafts, textiles, antiques and clothing sourced from all over India by the expat owner, as…
Darjeeling
Supports local artisans and environmental projects through the sale of organic honey and tea from local small farmers, plus local handmade paper products,…
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
Next to Malwa Resort, this small shop sells good-quality scarves, shawls, bedspreads and clothing made from material (mostly cotton) that has been block…
Chennai (Madras)
This fair-trade, India-wide brand specialises in fashion, accessories and homewares made from fun-patterned Indian fabrics, including stylish kurtas,…
Mussoorie
The best shop in Mussoorie for outdoor gear, and home base for the trekking company Trek Himalaya. Also has a shop on the Lower Mall.
Chennai (Madras)
Smart bookshop with an excellent collection of English, Indian and Tamil fiction and nonfiction, India travel books and Lonely Planet guides. Also at…
Calangute & Baga
Attached to Karma Collection, All About Eve stocks unusual clothes, bags and accessories, many designed by the owners themselves and which are unlike any…
North Goa
Offering cool, functional items dreamed up by a Swiss expat team, this is the place to invest in a natural-form-inspired lamp, mirror or dining table, to…
Panaji
This light-filled redeveloped building comprises mostly stacks of fresh fruit and vegetables downstairs and a few drab electronics shops and tailors…
Panaji
This cute little Fontainhas shop showcases one-off painted tiles, fish figurines and hand-crafted Portuguese and Goan ceramics at reasonable prices. Also…
Darjeeling
This shop stocks some a few international brands alongside decent Chinese knock-offs, including backpacks, jackets, stoves and hiking trainers. The fakes…
Ahmedabad (Amdavad)
This specialist treasure trove is upstairs in a brightly painted building near Ellis Bridge, off Gujarat College Rd. Indian architecture, miniature…
Paharganj Vegetable & Spice Market
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
This long side street is where Paharganj locals buy their veg, but it's also the best (and cheapest) place round here for spices – 100g bags of cumin or…
Kochi (Cochin)
This Bengaluru-born boutique specialises in carefully curated collections of gorgeous Indian-designer clothing, jewellery and homewares in an ultrachic…
Chennai (Madras)
India's oldest mall is significantly downmarket from Chennai's other shopping centres, but has many smaller, cheaper craft and souvenir shops. It feels a…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
The Hogg Market, located to the rear of New Market, is a wet market that deals in meat, dairy, vegetables and general rations. Interesting photo ops…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
High-end bazaar-chic fashion (with lots of organic cotton) graces the ground floor of this glitzy boutique; upstairs, you'll find wood-carved furniture…
Guwahati
This organisation works to empower rural women by supporting collectives in fields like weaving. Sales of products, such as bags, table mats and small…
Chennai (Madras)
Housed in a beautiful building with an art deco facade and an interior of old-school wooden shelves, this is a classy place to browse saris (including …
Kalimpong
On Wednesdays and especially Saturdays, this normally quietish bazaar roars to life with a plethora of merchandise ranging from vegetables and beans to…
Jaisalmer
An enthralling little shop selling a vast array of crystals and rare mineral specimens. The owner will probably whip back a little curtain to reveal an…
Panaji
Part of Panaji’s new wave of high-end shops, specialising in design. Though pricey, it has some nice gifts ranging from traditional Christmas paintings on…
Chennai (Madras)
This sparkly high-end boutique showcases neotraditional creations by cutting-edge Indian designers. Great for browsing, even if your budget doesn't allow…
