Shopping in Dubai:
There are plenty of shopping centers to enjoy retail therapy at. Perhaps, Dubai is a world-class shopping destination that hosts some of the biggest and most impressive malls in the world. If there’s a must-try brand in the world, chances are you will find it in one of the many gargantuan shopping malls in Dubai. The word tax-free has made it an instant magnet for both local and international shoppers. If you have the money to burn, then head to any of the giant and opulent shopping malls for the ultimate experience in luxury shopping. Check out the city’s most lavish super-malls guaranteed to lure you and your credit card.
Mall of the Emirates
The world’s first shopping resort! With ultimate leisure, entertainment and shopping facilities, the Mall of the Emirates offers to shoppers – a fun and relaxing shopping experience that is set apart from other malls in Dubai. Once you enter the mall, you might never wish to leave! This retail haven – which includes a Fashion Dome – houses plenty of global high street shops such as Zara, Top Shop and H&M, department stores like Harvey Nichols and Debenhams plus a large Carrefour supermarket. You can spend the morning snowboarding, and then in the afternoon you can take your time to wander round a mall that’s packed with boutiques and more unusual retail outlets, as well as the high-end luxury brands.
Dining – Baja Fresh, Fat Burger, Tribes, Salero Tapas and Bodega
Entertainment – Magic Planet, DUCTAC, Ski Dubai and Vox Cinemas
Hotels – Ibis, Suite Novotel, Kempinski and Sheraton
The Dubai Mall
And now to the big daddy of them all, the Dubai Mall; It is the largest mall on the planet, boasting an insane 1,200 stores as part of the 20 billion dollar downtown Dubai. Dubai Mall has a layout the size of over 50 football fields – and endless maze of shopping for every single type of shopper. From the high fashion region to endless electronic shops, to the hidden downstairs souk, the real dinosaur skeleton and the Dubai Aquarium – the largest tank in the world, which houses sharks, thousands of fish and even king crock, the largest on Earth – of course everything is the biggest here! Stores include Candylicious, Valentino, Gucci, Nike and Victoria’s Secret.
Dining: Katsuya, Rainforest Café, Vapiano, Yo Sushi, Panda Chinese, Nando’s and BurgerFuel
Hotels – The Address Hotel, The Palace, Vida, Manzil or Armani
Entertainment – Reel Cinemas, Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Aquarium, Emirates A380, Dubai Dino and Sega Republic
Burjuman Centre
It’s truly a designer’s merchandise hub. This malls boasts on having one of the highest concentration of world-class designer brands in Dubai. Right from Paul Smith to Chanel, to Dior, Louis Vuitton, Polo Ralph Lauren, Versace, Prada, Tiffany, Cartier, D&G and DKNY, you’ll find all conceivable big brand names here. With 300 leading stores including Saks 5th Avenue, you’ll always be spoiled for choice. Celebrated as the hippest spot for aspiring fashion fans, this four-storey Burjuman Centre also features over 40 restaurants and cafes where shoppers can chill out and reflect on their fashion-finding prowess. Located in Bur Dubai, this mall maintains an outdoor feel through its sunny courtyards and the Pavilion Gardens.
Dining – Noodle House, Red Shrimps and Johnny Carino’s.
Entertainment – 14-screen VOX Cinema complex
Dubai Outlet Mall
The only outlet mall in the Middle East is a home to over 800 of the world’s premium and top fashion brands like Fred Perry, Mango, and Coach. Located on Al Ain Rd, the Dubai Outlet Mall is dedicated to being a true value retail destination and you can snap up discounts of between 30 – 90% on the majority of products on offer in the 240 stores there.
Timings: 10am-10pm Saturday to Wednesday or 10am-12am Thursday and Friday
Deira City Centre
Dubai’s first mega mall, opened in 1995 – Deira City Centre remains one of the city’s stalwarts. As the first large-scale, mixed-use shopping destination, complete with retail outlets, restaurants, entertainment facilities and a hotel, Deira City Centre created an international dimension for one-stop shopping and entertainment for the Middle East, bringing it to an entirely new level. The 115,000 square-metre retail space offers all the usual high street staples like River Island, Mango, Gap and New Look.
Entertainment: Magic Planet, Vox Cinemas.
Timings: Sunday – Wednesday 10am-12am and Thursday to Saturday
Ibn Battuta Mall
The world’s largest ‘themed’ mall, this takes you on a journey around the globe with 270 shops divided into themed areas. This glittering Ibn Battuta Mall is decorated in different styles, replicating the art and culture of the themed areas including Egypt, India, China, Persia, Tunisia, and Andalusia. The themes are a celebration of the travels of the Mall’s namesake, the Moroccan Berber explorer Ibn Battuta. You’ll find a great selection of shops and restaurants. Don’t miss the House of Prose, a fantastic place for avid readers where you can buy a book there, read it, then return it for a 50 per cent refund.
Entertainment: Novo Cinemas Ibn Battuta is home to the 21-screen Grand Megaplex, which also boasts Dubai’s only Imax screen. See blockbusters supersized on a 44ft-tall, 70ft-wide screen, complete with surround sound and sometimes even in 3D.
Dining: Tunisia Court, Finz
Festival City Mall
This shopping mall is close to the Dubai Creek and is popular for its spectacular light shows in the late evenings. Home to Ikea, this Al Futtaim mall has grown into a great place for family and friends to get together and frequently hosts family-friendly events. Dubai Festival City Mall is one of the most popular malls in Dubai with over 400 stores housing luxury international and local brands, 90 local and international restaurants and cafés, and a 12-screen cinema along with a trendy bowling alley. There are quite a few cosy restaurants in Dubai Festival City offering gorgeous views of the waterfront in this mall in Dubai, including Eataly, Peppermill and sugar factory. It is also home to the only Hard Rock Cafe in Dubai.
Entertainment: From the shopping centre you can enjoy Abra rides, plus it has the biggest space
Dining: Inside is the only Hard Rock Café in the UAE, authentic Emirati cuisine
The Village Mall
Village mall: There’s much to find in this surprisingly well-stocked shopping spot, from clothing boutiques such as S*uce and Candella to jewelry stores, an Organic Foods and Café supermarket and health supplements boutique, kids’ attire, and more.
Dining: You can get delicious Swiss chocolate following the launch of Sprungli Boutique & Café at the complex. 241 Pizza, Wendy’s and Subway are also available.
Mirdif City Centre
Part of the City Centre brand of malls by Majid Al Futtaim, this is a mammoth retail destination located in the family-friendly neighborhood of Mirdif. The Mirdif City Centre is one of the best malls in Dubai and boasts several attractions, including Magic Planet, Little Explorers and iFly Dubai, a unique indoor skydiving experience. Opened in 2010, its eco-friendly and houses popular stores like Hamleys, Decathlons, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrell, Zara and Mango.
Dining: Indian bistro Zafran, Middle-Eastern eatery Leila and Iranian restaurant Pars
Entertainment: VOX Cinemas
Mercato Mall
Mercato literally translates to ‘market’ in Italian. Opened in 2002, this is a Renaissance-themed shopping mall with a good mix of boutique, luxury and high street stores. Mercato Mall is especially great for mall trawls and features a good selection of stores including Mango, Massimo Dutti, Laura Ashley and M&Co. If you are bringing kids along they can enjoy the games at Fun City and for a bite to eat you can head to Shake Shack, More Cafe or one of the other restaurants. Pet lovers in Dubai should note that there is a pet shop on the basement level of this mall.
Entertainment: Fun City and Vox Cinema.
Dining: Milk & Honey Café, Paul, Shake Shack
Dubai Marina Mall
Those living in the spectacular properties in Dubai Marina need to look no further than this mall by Emaar. With a constant stream of events and activities, an impressive line-up of high street brands and some gorgeous waterfront dining options, it’s easy to see why Dubai Marina Mall makes it on the list of best malls in Dubai. It is a modern shopping and lifestyle destination for residents and visitors of the Dubai Marina community. With more than 130 outlets spread across four levels, Dubai Marina Mall features a retail mix of high street fashion brands, boutique fashion, al fresco waterfront dining, a supermarket and a great entertainment offer. The 5-star Address Dubai Marina Hotel is directly linked to the mall. Feel free to be yourself, whether your style is casual, chic or fashionably cool. Dubai Marina Mall is a place where you’ll feel at home.
Entertainment: Vox Cinema
Dining: Carluccio’s, Five Guys, Gourmet Burger Kitchen
Wafi Mall
Defined by its colossal pyramid shaped atrium roofs and Egyptian themed exteriors, the grandiose setting has 350 high end stores. The Wafi mall features more local brands and is known for its quiet ambience, this shopping mall is known for its light and sound show in the evenings and its mammoth Christmas tree decorations in December. Popular stores in Wafi include Marks & Spencer, Matalan and department store Al Salaam.
Thus, whether you are shopping for gold or for electronics, the malls of Dubai are sure to spoil you for choice, while making sure that it puts a smile on your face as well as your wallet!
Light and Sound Mirror at Aya park in Wafi City Mall Dubai-Floral Design
