Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
This Pakistani fashion brand fuses South Asian and Gulf traditional clothing styles to create colourful kurtas (traditional south Asian tunic-style tops,…
Must-see shopping in United Arab Emirates
Bur Dubai
In business since 1950, Fabindia is one of India's biggest retail chains and mostly sells products handmade by more than 50,000 Indian villagers using…
Dubai
The first outlet mall in the Middle East is a bargain shopper's nirvana with 240 stores offering discounts ranging from 30% to 90%. Don't expect the…
Sharjah
One of the oldest souqs in the UAE, Souq Al Arsah once crawled with traders from Iran and India and local Bedouin, their camels fastened to posts outside…
Dubai
The Syrian couple behind Urbanist dedicate the shop's shelf space to hand-curated items rooted in both tradition and modernity, and Western and Middle…
Dubai
The modern-Middle Eastern design of this locally adored boutique mall is as much a draw as the shops, which include rare gems like the first UAE branch of…
Bur Dubai
Really handy if you have a sudden hardware/software demand or dilemma, this jam-packed computer and electronics mall has more than 80 outlets selling…
Downtown Dubai
Clued-in gourmets know that some of the world's best honey is Sidr, produced by nomadic beekeepers in war-torn Yemen. At this little kiosk near the…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
This boutique sources the latest accessories and homewares from young designers across the world. It's where fashion-forward locals head to source unique,…
Downtown Dubai
Stand under the lollipop tree, watch the candy-makers at work or gorge yourself on gourmet popcorn at this colourful candy emporium stocked to the rafters…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
A one-stop shop for quirky, fun and original gifts. Pick up colourful mugs and placemats stamped with Arabic phrases Yallah! (let's go!) or Ma fi mushkila…
Dubai
This is the kind of shop where 'notebooks' are still made from paper. Indeed, here they come in all shapes and sizes, from cutesy to corporate, along with…
Bur Dubai
Old-style traditional Arab hospitality meant dates and camel milk. Now Emiratis offer their guests Bateel’s scrumptious date chocolates and truffles, made…
Deira
It's impossible to miss this jewellery shop at the main entrance to the gold souq as there is inevitably a large crowd of camera-clicking tourists…
Abu Dhabi
Make an appointment in advance through the website to view Julia Ibbini's complex, multi-layered artworks in her studio. Her pieces, which riff on the…
Dubai
This 2000-sq-metre expanse of showroom is the exact opposite of a Scandi flatpack store and its sheer opulence makes it fun to visit. The furniture and…
Bur Dubai
Trade malls for stalls and look for bargains amid the piles of preloved stuff that’s spilled out of local closets at Dubai's cherished flea markets, which…
Downtown Dubai
With chic new quarters in the edgy Dubai Design District, this concept boutique pushes the boundaries when it comes to fashion and accessories. Look for …
Abu Dhabi
This small art gallery hosts exhibitions by emerging local artists. A good opportunity for fine-art fans to pick up a piece of original work. The gallery…
Downtown Dubai
A keen coffee radar is required to track down this boutique roastery, in a hidden alley amid the dusty warehouses of Al Quoz. The building houses not only…
Deira
This small store specialises in honey from Yemen. As well as tasting delicious, the honey is reputed to have a wide range of health benefits that differ…
Bur Dubai
Kamal Makhija and his army of tailors have had women looking good since 1971. They can create original designs, copy a beloved dress or even sew you an…
Bur Dubai
Nirvana for design-minded home decorators, this airy showroom unites funky, innovative and top-quality items from dozens of international manufacturers…
Bur Dubai
A potpourri of exotic fragrances hits you as you enter this small shop stocked to the hilt with oils, teas, dates and sweet treats such as Turkish delight…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
These hand-painted ceramic tiles are an original and easy-to-pack memento of your trip. There are both traditional Islamic tile decorations and more…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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,…
Downtown Dubai
These 100% cotton kurtas (tunics) from Pakistan are stunning, with beautiful designs and colours, some featuring flowers, others exotic patterns. Expect…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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).
