Marina Breakwater
Offering beautiful Medjool dates stuffed with pistachios, cashews, almonds or oranges; gorgeous marzipan, baklava and other Middle Eastern sweets; take…
Must-see shopping in Abu Dhabi
Yas Island
Bright, spacious and hosting 370 shops, Yas Mall is the star of Abu Dhabi's shopping scene. Look out for the growing plant wall and the two 12m-high tree…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
Henna application (on hands and feet) is a traditional ritual of local bridal preparation, though these days it's not limited to weddings and is…
Yas Island
The beautiful handmade carpets on sale here are the backbone of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mohammed Bin Zayed's NGO, which aims to support and enhance the…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
This small mall's 21st-century take on the classic souq gets a thumbs-up for its appealing Middle Eastern architecture and waterfront location. The shops…
Marina Breakwater
Carrefour has the best bakery and deli counter in Abu Dhabi, with barrels of delicious olives and local cheeses, good-quality fruit and vegetables, and a…
Abu Dhabi
This vast wholesale market, partly open-air, is the exchange point for melons from Jordan, potatoes from Turkey and onions from just about everywhere. A…
Abu Dhabi
British architect Norman Foster's immensely pleasant reinterpretation of the traditional souq is a stylish composition of warm lattice woodwork, stained…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Al Zahiyah's major shopping destination with plenty of international brand-names among its 200 shops, a cinema and kid's entertainment area, cafes and a…
Marina Breakwater
In addition to more than 400 stores, this popular mall has plenty of entertainment options, including a multiplex cinema, Bounce, an indoor free-jumping…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
A favourite family hangout on Thursday evenings; there's over 350 outlets in this mall. Most are international brands but there are a few more local…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Shopping for those with deep pockets: this flashy mall with its cathedral-high ceilings and sculptural roof is all about international couture brands …
Abu Dhabi
The garrulous traders from Balochistan, Pakistan, here are good fun, though don't expect to encounter piles of beautiful jewel-toned hand-loomed carpets…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
For a wide range of souvenirs (shisha pipes, camel-bone boxes, stuffed leather camels, carpets and cushion covers), head to the Khalifa Centre, across the…
Madinat Zayed Shopping & Gold Centre
Abu Dhabi
For first-time visitors to a gold souq, the window displays of bridal necklaces, earrings and belts, the trays of precious stones and the tiers of gold…
Abu Dhabi
If you've never been to a regional wholesale hardware market before, then this collection of stalls huddled around the harbour edge is a fun destination…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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).
Marina Breakwater
Luxury fragrances, oils, home scents and skin care using the heady scents of oud (incense made from agarwood), rose, jasmine and saffron.
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.
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.
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…
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…
