Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
Cookies with a local twist using flavours such as cardamon, pistachio, dates, saffron and Arabic coffee as ingredients. Buy a pack of six to take the…
Must-see shopping in Middle East
United Arab Emirates
This big supermarket (with attached pharmacy, ATMs and a couple of fast-food outlets) is where you can pick up picnic supplies before heading out to bike,…
Jerusalem
An astonishing range of kippot (yarmulkes or skullcaps) bulge from the entryway to this hole-in-the-wall shop on pedestrianised Ben Yehuda St. There are…
Amman
This excellent small showroom has a wide mix of traditional and modern Jordanian crafts and souvenirs, ranging from scarves and stools to bottles of holy…
Marina Breakwater
Carpets, textiles, jewellery, sculpture, exquisite vases, marble inlay furniture and calligraphy are among the artworks from around the Islamic world…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
Foodie nirvana, elevating the humble date to gourmet levels. Select a range of different varieties from the Medjool to the khidri or go straight for a…
Amman
The home of beautiful handcrafted fashion, from clothes to jewellery. Owner-designer Ola Mubaslat showcases her creations in the most welcoming way (we…
Amman
Spread over several floors, just off Al Kulliyah Al Islamiyah St behind the InterContinental Hotel, this vast showroom includes jewellery, Hebron…
Abu Dhabi
A delightful browsing experience with old furniture and textiles hobnobbing with new paintings, ceramics and sculpture by local Gulf artists. It's a royal…
Jerusalem
Operated by the Arab Orthodox Society, this craft shop sells embroidered clothing, bags, purses and pillows made by West Bank women working to preserve…
Tel Aviv
Delicious farmers market set in a restored hangar on the Old Port of Tel Aviv; it sometimes spills out into stands at the entrance. Like all popular…
Yas Island
Foodies with a sweet tooth will probably want to bring home some of these cookies which use traditional Middle Eastern flavours such as date, saffron,…
Tel Aviv
Contour was founded by two award-winning Israeli designers, Lior Shulak-Hai and Galit Barak, in 2015. Located near Nahalat Binyamin Crafts Market, Contour…
Centre of Original Iranian Carpets
Abu Dhabi
Spread over three floors, this carpet gallery has more than 4000 carpets to choose from, making it one of the largest collections of carpets in the Middle…
Downtown Dubai
These 100% cotton kurtas (tunics) from Pakistan are stunning, with beautiful designs and colours, some featuring flowers, others exotic patterns. Expect…
Nazareth
The shop above Nazareth’s sensational Roman-era ancient bathhouse sells creative modern jewellery and gorgeous Palestinian embroidery, made from old…
Jerusalem
This chain bookshop with several branches around town, including this one in Jaffa Rd and another in the German Colony. It has a good range of English…
Manama
Lovers of Turkish sweets will adore Malatya Pazari, purveyors of natural dried fruits, nuts, halwa (a dense Middle Eastern sweet made from flour, butter…
Amman
Has a small showroom of superb contemporary pottery that make unexpected but stylish souvenirs from today's Jordan. If you’re coming along Zahran St from…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
The UAE's homegrown book chain is a good place to pick up the local bestseller From Rags to Riches: a story of Abu Dhabi. There's a small section…
Amman
Quality ceramics bought here support local artisans, whom you can see working in the basement. Designs are both traditional and modern, some decorated…
Tehran
Shops selling nuts, dried fruit and sweets are popular across the city. This centrally located one has an excellent, appealing selection of all these…
Southeastern Iran
Government craft emporium proffering a high-quality, fixed-priced selection of beautiful enamelware, Hamadan pottery, leatherwork and glassware. Khatam …
Muscat
For guaranteed 'Made in Oman' crafts, try the Omani Heritage Gallery, a nonprofit organisation set up to encourage cottage industries through the sale of…
Kuwait City
Located downtown, Salhiya mall specialises in ultra-luxury brands like Cartier, Ermenegildo Zegna, Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel. M1 level has some good…
Khasab
This shop inside Lulu Hypermarket is one of only a couple in Musandam to sell souvenirs and crafts of any kind. Camel sticks, traditional axes and Omani…
Madaba
Visit this private workshop for an insight into the painstaking process of laying out mosaics. You can purchase your own copy of the Madaba map or a more…
Southeastern Iran
One of half a dozen shops selling saffron (souvenir pack IR65,000), nuts and dried fruit, Yas also has a variety of qualities of Birjand's trademark…
Beirut
Head down the marble passageway between Pasteur and Gouraud to find this shop, which sells ceramics, silverware, traditional clothing, soap, embroidery,…
Kashan
The huge millstone in this shop has been in use for over 300 years and still grinds spices for local cooks each day. You can observe copper pots being…
Aqaba
There’s not too much in the way of entertainment in Aqaba, but this mall at least offers a popular meeting point in the evening with a bar, a collection…
Bur Dubai
In business since 1976 and highly reliable, this outfit specialises in exquisitely tailored men's suits and has lots of fabrics to choose from. Turn…
Riyadh
With more designer outlets than you can shake a Gold Amex card at, Kingdom Tower has even dedicated the entire 2nd floor ('Ladies' Kingdom') to women only…
Sur
The elaborate bottles alone are temptation enough to enter this shop, and being daubed in exotic musk and ambergris is one of Arabia’s great experiences…
Iran
Around 500 years old, Rey's compact and architecturally attractive bazaar is an interesting place to explore after having looked around the adjacent…
Marina Breakwater
From neon-coloured painted camel statues and wooden boxes engraved with Arabic calligraphy to salt and pepper shakers printed with Emirati figures,…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Luxury UAE fragrance range based on Emirati culture and heritage. Oud (incense made from agarwood), saffron, bergamot, frankincense and rose are the key…
Manama
Arguably Bahrain's best-known designer, Kubra Al Qaseer pioneered the colourful modern interpretations of the humble jellabiya (long, loose-fitting outer…
Yas Island
Head here for a huge range of pretty, embroidered jalabiyas (traditional kaftans native to the Gulf) that make for wonderfully comfortable lazy weekend…
Aqaba
For upmarket nuts scooped from wooden drawers and great coffee beans, this is the place to come. Try the smoked nuts: the mixed pistachio, cashew and…
