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…
Must-see shopping in Arabian Peninsula
Sur
This attractive new mall has brought a touch of modernity to shopping in Sur. There's a Carrefour (open 9am to midnight daily) selling a more…
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…
Riyadh
Riyadh's gold market is in the old neighbourhood of Ad Dirah, off Al Thumairi St and is part of the Thumairi Souq. It is probably the best place to try to…
Hajar Mountains
Opened in 2018, this huge mall only houses a huge Lulu hypermarket. Although nothing else is currently open in the complex, the hypermarket makes a useful…
Riyadh
For handicrafts and local fare, head to Souq Al Thumairi, immediately south of Masmak Fortress in the Al Diraiyah area. The shops in the small lanes offer…
Hajar Mountains
Handy for camp beds, rucksacks, lamps, pots, pans and everything one might need for night time DIY barbecuing, this tiny store has the look of an army…
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…
Salalah
Selling Oman's most popular sweet, Barka Sweets is one of a number of halwa shops on the southern end of Al Husn Souq. A small pot of this traditional…
Kuwait City
Egyptian- and Middle Eastern–made gifts and goods, from cork laptop cases and leather-bound notebooks with Arabic inscriptions to handmade canvas bags and…
Deira
You feel like you’re walking into a chocolate gift-box at tiny Mikyajy, the region's home-grown makeup brand. Although calibrated to Middle Eastern tastes…
Abu Dhabi
Part of the World Trade Center, this pleasant shopping mall provides higher-end retail therapy to the complex's 'souq' counterpart. It includes a new,…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
This huge supermarket has a vast selection of supplies with a decent swath of international products too. Pick up barbecue supplies here and head to the…
Fujairah City
Fujairah's biggest and most modern mall has a Carrefour supermarket for all your road-trip snacking needs, the usual international-chain restaurants, a…
Kuwait City
Kuwaiti boutique fashion for modern Middle Eastern women. Light, airy, brightly coloured items are demure yet striking – perfect for Gulf life. Choose…
Riyadh
Selling gold jewellery and beautiful fabrics among other items (including those from the odd flea-market stall), this is a traditional market and one of…
Manama
Bahraini designer Noof Al Khor creates modern takes on Bahraini women's fashions, with a focus on glittering sandals and jellabiyas (long, loose-fitting…
Liwa Oasis
The best place to stock up on food and water in Liwa is this supermarket at the end of a commercial strip on the road to Madinat Zayed, next to the 24…
Fujairah City
Foodies looking for dates to bring home should pop into this market hall, with its spice, produce, meat and fish stalls, at the bottom of Fujairah's main…
Oman
Camping equipment and food supplies are available from this supermarket. Don't expect too much from the name 'hypermarket', however: it's a small shop…
Northern Coast
In the town centre, this tiny shop has a small selection of silver souvenirs and camel sticks. It also has some pieces of old Bedouin jewellery that are…
Manama
All manner of colourful jellabiyas (long, loose-fitting unisex outer robe with full sleeves) are the hallmark of celebrated Bahraini designer Adeeba Al…
Oman
This shop in Sayh Al Hayl, en route to the pools in Wadi Bani Khalid, sells some handmade pots and palm-woven goods – the closest thing to a souvenir in…
Marina Breakwater
This organic store inside Nation Galleria is Abu Dhabi's go-to for organic and natural food products and cosmetics.
Kuwait City
Small centrally located mall with a good range of independent shops and cafes, plus the Way Out escape room game.
Downtown Dubai
The only independent record store in Dubai stocking music from a wide range of genres. Also stage documentaries, music production seminars and similar.
Downtown Dubai
This Lebanese outfit is a top-ranking trainer store with a vast range, ranging from Adidas originals to the super cool Japanese ASICS Tiger.
Yas Island
Pick up fridge magnets, key rings and easy gifts you can stuff in your wheelie bag – all emblazoned with the 'I heart UAE' logo – here.
Manama
Herbal medicines are all the rage in this corner of Manama Souq; ask for the list that matches ailments to local herb cures.
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
This government-run centre showcases textile weaving, embroidery, basket-making, silver-thread needlework and other time-honoured crafts traditional to…
Doha
This small, ramshackle traditional market offers a curious mishmash of everyday items at cheap prices. Buy Saudi dates and hand-woven baskets, Omani dried…
Oman
Run by Bedouin owners, this tiny shop sells two-person tents and other basic camping supplies, including blankets, torches and firewood. It's opposite a…
Abu Dhabi
This mall is always busy due to the mammoth Lulu Hypermarket on site which stocks plenty of international food brands. Otherwise, the shopping selection…
Downtown Dubai
Marvel or DC Comics devotees can channel their inner superhero at this fun store while posing with the Hulk or stocking up on a Superman T-shirt or a…
Al Wusta
This supermarket stocks the basics required for camping in the desert or supplies for the journey ahead. It keeps long hours.
Kuwait
This shopping centre (with a grocery store) is handy for those needing supplies on the way to Mutla Ridge.
