Markets and independent shops in Dubai

29 markets, bookshops, record shops and makers in Dubai.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

BuyJumeirah
Boulevard – Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Part of the Emirates Tower Hotel complex. The shops here match the hotel, very high class, plus a Starbucks. Lipton café has free Wi-Fi. Restaurants and bars all serve alcohol. Quite a popular nightlife spot, with bars and nightclubs and it is considered the most expensive mall in Dubai.
Sat–Thu 10:00–22:00, except Fri 12:00–22:00
BuyBur Dubai
BurJuman
A 4-floor shopping mall housing more than 300 stores. It is one of the oldest, and still one of the largest, malls in Dubai, but has become less popular.
Sat-Wed 10AM-10PM, Thu-Fri 10AM-11PM
BuyDeira
City Centre Deira
By far the most popular mall in Dubai. Debenhams, Virgin Megastore, Zara and other international high street brands. A multiplex cinema, and many restaurants and cafes. Also has a large "Arabian Treasures" souvenir and traditional textiles area. A new extension includes many more high-end boutiques and upmarket mall restaurants. A big Carrefour hypermarket sells just about everything and is nearly always very busy. There is a Sofitel hotel at one end of the centre, where there are bars and restaurants serving alcohol.
Sun–Wed 10AM–10PM, Thu–Sat 10–midnight
BuySuburbs and Hatta
City Centre Mirdif
A large mall with more than 500 stores, over 80 restaurants and cafés and plenty of entertainment and recreation sites inside it.
Sun–Wed 10AM–10PM, Thu–Sat 10AM–midnight
BuySuburbs and Hatta
Cityland Mall
Relatively small mall near Global Village. There tends to be significantly less people here that other malls so expect a more quiet shopping experience.
BuyBur Dubai
Computer Plaza @ Al-Ain Centre
A mall specializing in computers, laptops, computer parts and computer add-ons like monitors, VoIP phones, hard drives, etc. Prices aren't particularly low, even after haggling, and choices are limited (for example very few shops sell AMD hardware). There used to be an internet cafe here and it may return in 2014. Other malls in this area are also good for computers and computer equipment.
Sat–Thu 10AM–10PM, Fri 2PM–10PM
BuySuburbs and Hatta
Dubai Festival City Mall
Has Dubai's only Ikea, since it relocated from City Centre, and a huge Plug-Ins electronic store. Also an ACE Hardware and an amazing mall that has 550 shops.
Sun–Wed 10AM–10PM, Thu–Sat 10AM–midnight
BuyBur Dubai
Dubai Textile Souk
Old Textile Souk
A lot of shops selling scarves and keffiyeh. A few of the shopkeepers can be quite forceful in trying to get you in to their shop.
BuyJumeirah
Emirates Official Store
You can shop Emirates merchandise from the Emirates Official Store that offers offers travel accessories, toys, caps, bags, executive items, collectible lapel pins, numerous aircraft models and other aviation collectables.
Sun-Thu 09:00 to 17:00
BuyDeira
Fish Market
A modern covered market where they sell various kind of fish and seafood, as well as fruits, vegetables, dates (and some kitchen utensils). Its colorful variety of fresh fish is a remarkable sight and fishermen offer their tasty goods for sale and scatter ice to protect seafood from scorching hot weather.
BuyDeira
Gold Souk
Not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the origin of Dubai itself. Located at the mouth of the creek, it dazzles people by selling gold in large quantities and with little visible security. A must visit for shoppers and sightseers. Most of the gold is 22ct quality and quite expensive - although even here the shopkeepers are prepared to bargain - and the craftsmanship can be remarkably detailed. The gold items are sold by weight with a "making charge" added on top to cover the workmanship. It pays therefore, to go shopping armed with the current gold price and a knowledge of the making charges in order to hone the bargaining process. Many outlets are part of chains that also have branches in malls, so are generally reliable.
BuyJumeirah
Ibn Battuta Mall
The pavilions are themed according to the voyages of the great voyager Ibn Battuta. Areas themed around six countries (China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and the Andalusia). Wide range of shops, although fewer high class brands. Has various restaurants and cafes (including three Starbucks), and a multiplex cinema including an Imax. No restaurants serve alcohol. Also has extensive, permanent exhibition of Islamic science, invention and astronomy. Attached (access via outside) is one of Dubai's few second-hand bookshops, House of Prose. Has a Carrefour hypermarket attached.
Open now · closes midnight tomorrow
BuyBur Dubai
Lamcy Plaza
A 3 story shopping mall housing more than 150 stores. One of the oldest malls.
Sat–Wed 10AM–11PM, Thu–Fri 10AM–midnight
BuySuburbs and Hatta
Mall of Arabia
Mall of Arabia is a shopping mall built as part of the City of Arabia in the Dubailand theme park premises in Dubai. The 10-million square-foot mall contains more than 1,000 retail outlets, a rooftop hotel, waterfront dining and entertainment, a theme park, an earth science museum, and a planetarium. It also contains its own monorail system linked with the Dubai Metro along with a 2-story underground parking garage capable of holding 10,400 vehicles.
BuyJumeirah
Mall of the Emirates
It was largest shopping mall outside of North America until the Dubai Mall opened in 2008. Over 200 shops, cinemas, plus the Ski Centre. Has many international high street chains as well as luxury brand stores, including Harvey Nichols. Many restaurants and cafés, though cafés tend to be much more crowded than at other malls. It's attached to a Kempinski hotel, which has restaurants licensed to serve alcohol that are accessible from the mall. Very large Carrefour hypermarket attached, next to the Kempinski Hotel. Arabian/Middle Eastern souvenir shops upstairs. It's known for Ski Dubai and it other spectacular attractions. There are all High Street shops around and is very popular with families.
Outside Ramadan: Sun–Wed 10:00–22:00, Thu–Sat 10:00–00:00; Ramadan: daily 10:00-01:00
BuyJumeirah
Mercato
Mercato (Italian for market) is the only Renaissance-themed shopping mall in the Middle East. It captures Italian, French and Spanish flavors and artistic characteristics, playing host to regular fairs and festivals from each country. Mercato provides a unique shopping experience, the best in international entertainment and popular brand names like Virgin Megastore, Top Shop, Mango and Hugo Boss; Mercato is simply The Good Life. It houses a big Spinneys Supermarket, a 7-screen Grand Cinema, a Starbucks, and mouth watering restaurants such as Bella Donna who have a balcony overlooking the sea that cannot be missed.
Daily 10:00-22:00
BuyJumeirah
Oasis Center
Contains retail space of about 1 million sq. ft. and total area of 1.44 million sq. ft. It has wide varieties brands and diverse categories related to beauty, lifestyle, luxury, home decor, furnishing, shoe, sports, electronics, etc. Not just a mall but it also housed spas, saloons, markets, fitness center, cafes, etc. Its two basement parking facility (approx 470,000 sq. ft.) can accommodate approx 1,700 vehicles.
BuyJumeirah
Satwa
A small community much resembling a town, its streets are rowed by textile shops notably opposite the Satwa Mosque ending to the opposite of Satwa clinic. Most of the people flock to Satwa for their textiles, you might sometimes catch offers and discounts but if you don't do so try bargaining the price, this is what most locals do, even if you're a tourist convince the salesman to give you a discount, bargain till you get the lowest price available. Not only is Satwa a hub for textile shops; some tailoring shops on the corners are also found if you want a dress made as soon as possible after purchasing the raw materials. Raw silk might also be available in some shops. Because of the row of textile shops, it might be Dubai's version of Little India and Little Manila as many Indians reside in this district as well as Filipinos.
BuyJumeirah
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Includes 75 shops, numerous bars, restaurants and cafés, a nightclub, theatre. More expensive and targeted directly at tourists than other, general malls where residents go. Most bars and restaurants are licensed for alcohol. Nice to wander through as it has been designed to resemble a "traditional" souq, but with the modern comforts of air conditioning. Lots of souvenir-type shops.Dubai - Souk Madinat Jumeirah - panoramio.jpg
10:00–23:00
BuyDeira
Spice Souk
Also not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the city's origin. Located at the mouth of the creek, it is not far from the Gold Souk, but declined a bit in the 2010s as supermarkets take over the spice trade. If you're shopping for spices, odds are you'll get better prices and quality with much less hassle at Carrefour. Both the Spice Souk and the Gold Souq are a rather hot and sweaty experience with limited air-conditioning, so wear appropriately cool, loose clothing if visiting in mid summer. Individual shops are air conditioned. Although regularly visited by tourists, none of the souks are considered a tourist area and as such modest dress should be worn to avoid causing offence or attracting unwanted attention.
BuyJumeirah
The Dubai Mall
The largest mall in the world, it opened in 2008. It has over 1,200 shops of brand names from all over the world. It contains an indoor ice rink and indoor aquarium. It is right next door to the Burj Khalifah, and the visitors' entrance to the Burj Khalifa is located at the lower ground floor of the Mall. It houses the Dubai Aquarium (which you can dive tours in) and 1,200 shops for everything. The food court on the lower floor is spectacular in its variety. It's a good place to watch the water games of the Dubai fountain, which plays at night. It is breathtaking, so take time and pick your points of interest.
Sun–Wed 10:00–23:00, Thu–Sat 10:00–00:00
BuyJumeirah
Times Square Center
A unique mall with exclusive shopping experiences across Dubai. It is different than the rest of the malls in Dubai.
BuyJumeirah
Town Centre Jumeirah
With a bright, open and spacious atmosphere, it is a place to shop, relax and casually dine at a wide selection of eateries like Sumo Sushi, Cafe Ceramique, La Cafette by Carpe Diem and Simply Healthy. It also houses an extensive range of ladies' beauty outlets like the Nail Station, Paris Gallery, Kaya Skin Care Clinic, Wax Lounge and SOS Salon.
Sat-Thu 10:00-22:00; Fri 13:30-22:00
BuyDeira
Traditional Souq
Souk with air-conditioning, nice decoration and good infrastructure, let say almost a souk almost a mall. 100 shops and 6,100 square-meters. Khalid Huriah Public Restaurant in the middle.
9AM–10PM daily, but most shop are closed on Fri morning
BuyBur Dubai
Wafi Mall & Khan Murjan Souk
Includes Marks & Spencer, Goodies. Focus is almost entirely on luxury brands, jewellery and expensive boutiques. Many upmarket restaurants and bars, many of which serve alcohol. A luxury spa is attached to the complex. The Egypt-themed architecture, which includes quite beautiful stained-glass pyramids, is worth seeing.
Sat–Wed 10AM–10PM, Thu–Fri 10AM–midnight
BuyDeira Not mapped
Al Romaizan
Al Romaizan is one of the leading gold and jewellery companies in the GCC. Headquartered in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
9AM–10:30PM
BuySuburbs and Hatta
Dragon Mart
China Dragon Mall
A mall dedicated to Chinese products.
Sun–Wed 10AM–10PM, Thu-Sat 10AM–midnight, Ramadan: 10AM–midnight daily
BuyJumeirah
Dubai Marina Mall
Another mall, with cinema, food court, etc.
Sat–Wed 10:00–22:00, Thu Fri 10:00-00:00
BuySuburbs and Hatta
Dubai Outlet Mall
A very large mall, with many "factory outlets".

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Dubai (CC BY-SA 4.0).