Must-see shopping in Middle East

  • Mall HaYam

    Eilat

    Right on the seafront, this hugely popular mall is where locals and tourists go to buy up big in high-street stores including Zara, Mango and the local…

  • City Mall

    Amman

    Mall with local and international chain stores, a Carrefour supermarket, restaurants, coffee shops and a cinema. The mall is in west Amman, near King…

  • Arumailah Gifts & Masterpieces

    Doha

    A wonderful place to rummage around in Souq Waqif, this Ali Baba-style grotto sells swords, daggers, belts and bags, plus painted bowls, carved boxes and…

  • Bateel

    Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island

    Gourmet date products for you to take a little taste of the Gulf home. Choose from chocolate-covered dates or the little morsels stuffed with candied peel.

  • Redwan Bookshop

    Aqaba

    A bookshop with a decent selection of English-language books, including titles on Jordan, Lonely Planet guidebooks and a few international newspapers.

  • Assar Art Gallery

    Tehran

    Assar has a reputation for supporting contemporary artists and has a program of exhibitions that change every three weeks at its central Tehran space.

  • Adventure HQ

    Yas Island

    Heading out on a desert adventure? Stock up on all your camping and off-roading equipment needs here. Also rents mountain bikes (from Dhs150 per day).

  • Moriah Books & Judaica

    Jerusalem

    The Old City's largest Jewish bookstore, plus Judaica and souvenirs, located across from the massive Wohl Torah Centre and just below Hurva Square.

  • Kolahdozan Bazaar

    Tabriz

    A couple of hat shops in the main Tabriz bazaar sell traditional papakh (Azeri hats, from IR350,000) made of tight-curled astrakhan wool.

  • Goa Nargila

    Jerusalem

    Choose from every size, colour and style of shisha and a selection of tobacco flavours. It doubles as a popular bar for yeshiva students at night.

  • Hind Al Oud

    Marina Breakwater

    Luxury fragrances, oils, home scents and skin care using the heady scents of oud (incense made from agarwood), rose, jasmine and saffron.

  • Moda Mall

    Manama

    High-end designer retailers dominate this upmarket mall beneath the World Trade Centre: think De Beers, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana.

  • Sherlock's Hats

    Jerusalem

    New-school millinery selling Panamas, trilbys, fedoras, pork pies, safaris and everything in between (except baseball caps) for men and women.

  • Librairie Internationale

    Beirut

    This venerable bookstore near the American Hospital holds a wide range of English-language titles among quality French and Arabic books.

  • Al Rifai Nuts

    Al Bateen & Al Mushrif

    The Middle East's big name in roasted nuts. Head here for quality pistachios, almonds and cashews as well as mixed nut and fruit mixes.

  • George Kouz

    Jerusalem

    Low-pressure shopping experience for olive-wood religious souvenirs, including crosses, manger scenes, plus Judaica and jewellery.

  • Small-Knot Carpet Bazaar

    Tabriz

    This area of the Tabriz bazaar specialises in finer-quality (ie higher knot density, with more knots per unit) handmade carpets.

  • Bateel

    Muscat

    For a regional gift with a difference, the chocolate dates from Bateel are world class, presented in high-quality packaging.

  • Mecca Mall

    Amman

    The biggest mall in Amman, in the northwestern suburbs, has a cinema, bowling alley, video arcade and dozens of restaurants.

  • Leather Market

    Tabriz

    Across Madani St, the leather section of the Tabriz bazaar makes a wonderful place to hunt for that belt or shoulder bag.

  • Abdoun Mall

    Amman

    Popular mall with local and international chain stores, restaurants, coffee shops and a cinema.

  • Farahmand

    Iran

    Souvenirs ranging from Gilaki wooden spoons to amusing wicker frogs are sold here.

  • Aladdin Carpets

    Esfahan

    This small shop has an interesting range of carpets and experienced salesmen.

  • Yamani Library

    Aqaba

    Bookshop with a relatively good range of English novels.

  • Cadeau

    Iran

    Handmade cane and wooden crafty objects.

  • Himalaya

    Iran

    Good gear shop for camping supplies.

  • Nayomi

    Downtown Dubai

    One of Dubai's raciest stores stocks push-up bras, high-heeled feathery slippers, slinky night gowns, seductive beauty products (we like the 'Booty Parlor…

  • Zoo Concept

    Dubai

    This concept store in trendy BoxPark stocks quirky gifts, gadgets, jewellery, clothes and accessories. Owner Hussein Abdul Rasheed curates an always…

  • Souk Al Bahar

    Downtown Dubai

    Translated as 'market of the sailor', Souk Al Bahar is a small arabesque-style mall next to the Dubai Mall that sells mostly tourist-geared items. It's…

  • Collective by Ripe

    Downtown Dubai

    The cobble-stoned Courtyard Building has been reset as a hub of concept boutiques. Check out designer homewares at Georges of Dubai, ethnic handmade…

  • O Concept

    Dubai

    This Emirati-owned urban boutique-cum-cafe with shiny concrete floors and ducts wrapped in gold foil is a routine stop for fashionistas in search of up-to…

  • Bauhaus Centre

    Tel Aviv

    This design store sells architecture-related books and city plans, including a 1:6000 preservation map and guide to Tel Aviv-Jaffa. It has two Bauhaus…

  • Lata’s

    Dubai

    Aside from the usual kitsch souvenirs, Lata's also has some quality Middle Eastern items, such as Moroccan lamps, Omani khanjars (traditional curved…

  • Aizone

    Dubai

    With roots in Beirut as a luxury-label purveyor, this slightly more casual branch of the fashion emporium has fashionistas in a headlock over trendy…

  • Gan Ha'ir Mall

    Tel Aviv

    In a central location just north of Rabin Sq, this small mall has some international brand-name boutiques and an organic market. On Fridays it has cooked…

  • Maison Samira Maatouk

    Marina Breakwater

    Born in Lebanon in the '60s, Maison Samira Maatouk is a big name in Arabic coffee. At this kiosk in Marina Mall, it sells its signature roasts.

  • Orit Ivshin

    Tel Aviv

    Jeweller Orit Ivshin makes delicate handmade pieces in 18-carat gold at her Neve Tzedek atelier, many of which she encrusts with diamonds. Gorgeous.

  • Spinneys

    Marina Breakwater

    Has a good selection of international ingredients and food items.

  • Wafi Mall

    Bur Dubai

    At the heart of Egyptian-style Wafi City district, one of Dubai's most architecturally striking malls is built around three stained-glass pyramids and…

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