You are definitely going to get confused about what to buy and where to buy when it comes to buying memento of a place. So when you are in India and more precisely in India’s economic capital Mumbai, you must not worry because you are in the right place where you can get everything. Yes literally everything but things like dodo’s egg or real unicorn. So here you go with some suggestions about what to buy and where to buy.
Colaba Causeway (Colaba, South Mumbai)
You can see the infamous Indian saying “sab kuchh milega” (you can get everything here) come true here. The market is opened from morning till night. Want your name carved on grain of rice? You can get even that in here. And to rest your feet and eyes a bit you can hit the Leopold Cafe and Cafe Mondegar. You can buy handicrafts, books, jewellery, crystal, brass items etc.
Chor Bazar (Mutton Street, between S V Patel and Moulana Shaukat Ali Roads, near Mohammad Ali Road in South Mumbai)
The market wasn’t always a thieves’ market. From its history of 150 years, we gather that its name used to be “shor bazaar” (noisy market), that’s what the British named it. But eventually the stolen goods started making their way into this market, resulting in its new appropriate name. You can find this name from everyone who has traveled India. It’s so popular among the tourists. You can buy Antiques, bronze items, vintage items, trash & treasure. It’s like “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium”. Except Fridays, the market is open every day from 11.30am to 7.30pm, the Juma market is held there on Fridays.
Some tips to take a trip into this market: Beware of pick pockets. Take care of what you wear because this market is in a Muslim area and they are quite conservative people and you don’t want to disrespect their religion.
Linking Road (Linking Road, Bandra)
This is a perfect fusion of modern and traditional market. Here street shops contrast with branded shops. You can see street food vendor and Kentucky Fried Chicken in the same market. It’s a bit fascinating and since the market is situated in one of the most crowded suburbs, be ready to face the crowd on Sundays. Market is open every day from 10am to 10pm. You can buy Indian traditional clothes, shoes, belts bag etc. from here.
Crawford market (Lokmanya Tilak Marg, Fort Area, South Mumbai)
This market is historic colonial building; it’s where the locals shop. This market is specialized in wholesale fruits and vegetables. It also has a section devoted to the pets of all sizes, shapes and breeds. This market is open daily from morning to night. On Sundays, it opens only in the morning.
Fashion Street (MG Road, South Mumbai)
This is literally a street lined up with fashionable western clothes. It attracts a lot of teenagers as they get their clothes in a real cheap price. This market is open every day from morning to midnight. You can get clothes, accessories and shoes here.
The shopkeepers consider the first sell of the day lucky so get their early if you want a good purchase and if you are a foreigner, BARGAIN! Call 1/3rd of what their price. That’s how it can be a good deal. If they don’t get convinced to sell something at 1/3rd price, be confident enough and walk away. If your price was right they’d call you back.