A comprehensive list of shopping centres in Dubai giving details of where to get to designer stuff or the cheaper stuff. From Chanel to Dorothy Perkins.
AL GHURAIR CITY Tel +971 4 222 5222 Taxi Directions Riqqa Road
This 20-year-old mall (the oldest in Dubai) combines Arabic decor with modern design. Popular outlets include French Connection, Guess, Nine West, Virgin Cosmetics and Book Corner. The mall is a bit of a maze and spread over two floors, with corridors branching out at all angles, but it’s worth persevering: tucked in the alleyways are excellent speciality stores selling everything from Arabic jewellery and rugs to South African beauty products and children’s Italian dresses. There is also an eight-screen cineplex and numerous food and coffee outlets.
AL MULLA PLAZA Tel +971 4 298 8999 Taxi Directions Dubai-Sharjah Rd, opp. Dubai Police HQ
Al Mulla Plaza is a bit of a Dubai landmark: you can see it from miles off. It’s one of the city’s older malls and houses dozens of local independent shops and stalls. Located on the Sharjah Road heading out of the city, in front of the Rashid Stadium, it’s home to a host of women’s fashion shops and jewellery stores. But by far the pick of the lot is Peshawar Furniture, an ‘antique’ furniture shop that has a huge selection of odd and very old-looking furniture.
BURJUMAN CENTRE Tel +971 4 352 0222 Taxi Directions Trade Centre Road
The BurJuman is a classy affair, with plenty of exclusive outlets selling designer brands: Donna Karan, Christian Lacroix, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Tiffany and Louis Vuitton. A Dhs1.4 million extension has just been completed, expanding the BurJuman to four times its former size. New shops to look out for include Saks Fifth Avenue, Prada and Chanel. Electronics, home furnishings, perfume and cosmetic retailers can also be found.
DEIRA CITY CENTRE Tel +971 4 295 1010 Taxi Directions Opposite Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Has more than 280 shops, two food courts, an entertainment centre and cinema multiplex spread over three floors. Chain stores include Debenhams, Ikea and high-street fashion names Top Shop and River Island, while giant hypermarket Carrefour dominates the first floor. But the mall also contains plenty of independent outlets trading in local artefacts and cut-price jewellery; try the Jewellery Court, Textile Court and themed mini-souk Arabian Treasures, selling carpets, antiques and gifts. Among the 30-plus eateries are Burger King, McDonald’s, Starbucks and Costa Coffee. There’s even an eight-lane bowling alley. Children can go wild in the sprawling amusement centre, Magic Planet. Note that parking here can become ridiculously congested at peak times, even though there are 4,000 spaces.
HOLIDAY CENTRE Tel +971 4 331 1113 Taxi Directions Sheikh Zayed Rd, adjacent to Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Hotel
Guests at the Crowne Plaza Hotel need only travel down a few steps to reach the two floors of shops and boutiques. Within are designer fashion outlets such as Rodeo Drive, a wonderful instrument retailer named The Music Chamber, Middle Eastern food and gift stores, sports shops, hair salons and an internet café. There’s a surprisingly big Choitrams on the first floor, a supermarket which is open all day every day from 8am-10pm. A spacious exhibition area hosts regular events.
IBN BATTUTA SHOPPING MALL Tel +971 4 368 5888 / 882 1414 Taxi Directions Sheikh Zayed Road, Interchange 5 & 6
This mall is a fair stretch out of town, but is nearby if you are staying at hotels such as the Oasis Beach or Hilton etc. Now the second largest in the UAE, it boasts five themed shopping zones with influences taken from Morocco, Egypt, Persia, India and China. Outlets include Next, Top Shop, Evisu and Fidel, while French hypermarket Géant offers groceries, textiles, fashion, electronics and household items. It's a vast affair in one level. Ibn Battuta was a well known Arab traveller and throughout the mall you will see exhibits relating to travel, astronomy and science.
JUMEIRAH CENTRE Tel +971 4 349 9702 Taxi Directions Jumeirah Beach Road
This small, attractive mall is very popular with Jumeirah residents. Benetton, Emirates Sport and Body Shop are located downstairs, while upstairs discounted designer fashions can be found at Blue Cactus and local handicrafts at Sunny Days. Textiles and Persian rugs are further highlights. Or just sit back with a coffee at La Brioche and soak up the quiet, calm surroundings.
JUMEIRAH PLAZA Tel +971 4 349 7111 Taxi Directions Jumeirah Beach Road
A small shopping centre with an eye-catching pink front. Stores include gift shop Susan Walpole and the excellent second-hand bookshop House of Prose. There are also a few craft and rug shops upstairs, plus a safe play area for children.
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MALL OF THE EMIRATES Tel +971 4 409 9000 Taxi Directions Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road
Mall of the Emirates, the ultimate leisure, entertainment and shopping resort opened in 2005. Strategically located in the heart of what is now deemed ‘New Dubai,’ this 223,000 square metre centre offers a full range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment. Mall of the Emirates is home to over 400 retailers and also features a complete range of entertainment options including Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski destination in the Middle East, a two-level Magic Planet, the largest indoor family entertainment centre in the country, a 14-screen Cinestar Cinemas and the Dubai Community Arts and Theatre with a 500 seat-theatre and art gallery. It also has 65 restaurants and coffee shops with everything from fast food to themed restaurants and exclusive dining alternatives.
OASIS CENTRE Tel +971 4 339 5111 Taxi Directions Sheikh Zayed Road
This glass-fronted, elongated mall is often overlooked because it’s located away from the hub of Dubai action, a ten-minute drive along Sheikh Zayed Road heading towards Jumeirah. Shops are spread over two floors, focussed around the Home Centre which stocks quality furniture and furnishings at affordable prices. The Lifestyles store is also good for bargain brand-name cosmetics, bath accessories and gift items, while other cheap outlets include fashion store Splash and sensible footwear shop Shoemart. There’s also a jungle-themed food court and free play area for children, plus Cyborg, a noisy, neon venue with a ten-pin bowling alley.
PALM STRIP Tel +971 4 346 1462 Taxi Directions Jumeirah Beach Road
This small whitewashed mall is the only open-air shopping centre in Dubai. Downstairs is dominated by the monolithic Mango clothes store, Starbucks coffee shop and Japengo restaurant, while upstairs you’ll find CD shop Music Master and the N-Bar (nail bar). Other fashionable outlets include Karen Millen, Young Designers Emporium and Escada Sport. Because it’s an open-air mall there’s no dire piped music, but there is also no air-con, making it quite uncomfortable in the summer months.
SOUK MADINAT JUMIERAH Tel +971 4 366 8888 Taxi Directions Madinat Jumeirah, close to Burj Al Arab
A massive site just past the Burj Al Arab at the end of Jumeirah Road, Madinat Jumeirah has been built to resemble a traditional Arabic marketplace. Fans of fashion, jewellery, antiques and art will all find their appetites sated by the high quality stores on offer, but tourists are plentiful and prices high. The Madinat Jumeirah really comes into its own with a massive selection of excellent bars and restaurants. Left Bank, BarZar and Trilogy have already become firm favourites with the city’s barflies.
TWIN TOWERS Tel +971 4 224 9222 Taxi Directions Beniyas Road, next to Intercontinental Hotel
Aka The Mall on the Creek, this is an ideal refuge from the chaotic Deira traffic (assuming you can find a parking space). Luxury shopping is the flavour, with mostly men’s designer fashion labels on the ground floor. Other shops offer upmarket shoes, carpets and jewellery. There is a fabulous view of the Creek and its bustling wharf from the open-air terrace of the Apple Café & Restaurant among the third floor food outlets.THE VILLAGE Tel +971 4 344 9514 Taxi Directions Jumeriah Beach Road
The Village is an avant-garde shopaholic’s dream. The shops are exclusive, international and unusual particularly given Dubai’s penchant for the international chain store. Just as refreshing is the centre’s style – archways over water, plants, mosaics and fountains arranged in a higgledy-piggledy Mediterranean fashion. Highlights include the gift-wrapping masterpieces of Cadorim, the bread sculptures at Shakespeare and Co. and the South Pacific wonders at Irony. Hidden on the ground floor is a very practical Post Office.
WAFI SHOPPING MALL Tel +971 4 324 4555 Taxi Directions Next to Grand Hyatt Hotel
Wafi is easy to spot, thanks to the three glass pyramids which surround it. A quiet, upmarket mall, it is spread over four floors. Modern and elegant in design, it competes with BurJuman on the chic label front. Chanel, Givenchy and Jaeger are just some of the international names that share floor space with regional designer labels. On the first floor are shops with more affordable price tags, such as Miss Sixty, Jumbo Electronics and shoe store Connexion. There’s a good range of coffee shops and restaurants, from the much-loved Indian eaterie, Asha’s, to the laid-back Elements café. There’s also the Lebanese delicatessen Goodies, which dishes out Arabic and continental cuisine to take away or enjoy on the terrace. A children’s entertainment centre, Encounter Zone, is on the third floor, and there are pizzas and burgers at the food court next door.
