Marina Breakwater
Luxury fragrances, oils, home scents and skin care using the heady scents of oud (incense made from agarwood), rose, jasmine and saffron.
Must-see shopping in United Arab Emirates
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.
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…
Dubai
This concept store in trendy BoxPark stocks quirky gifts, gadgets, jewellery, clothes and accessories. Owner Hussein Abdul Rasheed curates an always…
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…
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…
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…
Dubai
Aside from the usual kitsch souvenirs, Lata's also has some quality Middle Eastern items, such as Moroccan lamps, Omani khanjars (traditional curved…
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…
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.
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…
Bur Dubai
Despite its visually unappealing concrete exterior, Karama’s bustling backstreet shopping area is a great place for bargains and crammed with shops…
United Arab Emirates
Despite the name, this strip of nearly identical stalls is actually a daily affair, though it's at its bustling best on its namesake day. Rugs, pottery,…
Dubai
With 140 stores, Mercato may be small by Dubai standards, but it's distinguished by attractive architecture that looks like a fantasy blend of a classic…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
If you love art but can't afford an original, pick up a highly decorative print by well-known Middle Eastern artists without breaking the bank at this…
Deira
Dubai's oldest shopping mall opened in 1980 and is a lot less flashy than its newer cousins, despite an expansion that doubled its number of shops to 390…
Bur Dubai
This tiny shop tucked into the quiet lanes of Al Fahidi Historic District is a photogenic find. It's crammed full of spices like cloves, cardamom and…
Dubai
It's a mall, so don't go out of your way to get here, but if you happen to be in the area, it's not a bad place for a browse. Kids love the massive Magic…
Downtown Dubai
Millionaires to wallet-watchers shop at Daiso, Japan's equivalent of the '99 cents' or 'One Euro' store and nirvana for fans of fun, kitsch and cute…
Dubai
Enjoy a sip of rose water upon entering this quirky concept boutique run by a trio of free-spirited cousins from Beirut. They share a passion for unusual…
Bur Dubai
One advantage of this mall is that you are unlikely to get lost! With only 75 outlets, this mall, which opened in 2016, is small by Dubai standards and…
Downtown Dubai
An air-conditioned, less-atmospheric alternative to the Deira Gold Souq, this buttoned-up business mall houses some 90 purveyors of bling. No bargaining…
United Arab Emirates
If you need to stock up on snacks and picnic goods on your way out to the desert, the supermarket here is your best bet. There's also a food court and a…
Deira
If you've spent all your money on Jimmy Choo shoes and bling at the Gold Souq and need a new in-flight bag, this cut-price place has a great range. It…
Dubai
Behind a coated glass facade designed to reflect the heat sits this two-level mall that's popular with fashion-forward locals shopping for luxury abayas …
Marina Breakwater
This small mall dedicated to the more extravagant end of the shopping market (the Lamborghini dealer is here) is worth a quick look if you're into…
Dubai
Wallet-watching luxury lovers regularly pop by this stylish consignment boutique whose 'pre-loved' designer labels and accessories are in tip-top…
Deira
Founded in 1907, Damas may not be the most innovative jeweller in Dubai, but with more than 50 shops, it’s essentially omnipresent. Among the diamonds and…
Dubai
The mother of Dubai’s electronics stores, this place stocks all the latest computers, cameras, mobile phones, games and gadgets under one giant roof.
Dubai
This small, well-displayed boutique specialises in genuine pashmina (cashmere). The finest are handmade by weavers, and you can expect to pay in the…
Dubai
Mikyajy is Arabic for 'my makeup', and that's just what this popular Middle Eastern franchise specialises in. Go for the local bestsellers including…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This indie shop in Ibn Battuta's India Court stocks an eclectic and rotating selection of colourful, whimsical fashion by high-spirited designers from…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This mall has an attractive waterfront setting and a manageable 140 stores on four floors, so you won’t get lost quite so readily as in its mega-size…
Sharjah
It's hardly 'mega' compared to Dubai mall-world standards, but it does come with a multiplex cinema and children's fun park, both good indoor diversions…
Al Ain
This somewhat dishevelled covered central souq has stalls selling fruit, vegetables and fish as well as some cheap and cheerful souvenirs. It's good for a…
Dubai
At the original branch of this beloved local lit parlour, American bibliophile Mike McGinley has supplied readers with new and secondhand English-language…
Marina Breakwater
Inside Etihad Towers' podium building, this mall is all about big-name designer boutiques. International names from Cartier to Versace all have a presence…
Abu Dhabi
This higgledy-piggledy art shop, which started life mainly as a framing service in 1995, has local artworks for all tastes. A bit of a fossick around can…
Sun & Sand Sports Factory Outlet
Downtown Dubai
This is the factory-outlet branch of one of the biggest sporting goods retailers in the region, with a storeroom jam-packed with shoes, rackets, jackets…
