The Best Shopping Malls In Dubai For A Great Buying Experience, Food, And Entertainment

MALL OF THE EMIRATES

If you are in Dubai and likes to shop till you drop (or even after that), Mall of the Emirates is the place to be in. The Mall of the Emirates envisages itself and rightly as the ultimate destination in Dubai for shopping, leisure and entertainment. Situated on Sheikh Zayed Road, the Mall of Emirates was opened tothe public in November 2005. The multi-level shopping center presently includes in excess of 630 retail outlets, 7900 parking spots, more than 100 eateries and Cafes, 80 luxury stores and 250 flagship stores. The Dubai Mall is a wonder world where you can have your delicious brunch, catch an afternoon movie in the big screen, shop in the innumerable outlets and leave home with hands full of bags. If you think the Mall of Emirates is only about heavy shopping, well, it’s time to think again! Mall of Emirates has an array of fun activity spots which will impress kids and elders alike. Magic Planet is an entertainment area where you find a wide range of games and rides that is on par with any theme parks in the world. VOX Cinemas showcases movies from all over the world that is sure to please the movie buffs to no end. The wonderfully crafted Ski Dubai is one of the most attractive indoor ski slopes you can find. Believe it or not, there is even a Kempinski Hotel inside Mall of the Emirates. So, when are you going to the magical world of Mall of the Emirates?

DEIRA CITY CENTRE

Opened in 1995, Deira City Centre is known as the first quality mall in Dubai, particularly among long-term Dubai residents. Developed by the Majid Al Futtaim Properties at a time when shopping was confined to mere departmental stores and stationery shops, Deira City Centre virtually redefined the concept of ‘malls’ for the region. As the one-stop destination for shopping and entertainment with an enticing set of retail outlets, restaurants, entertainment facilities and a hotel, Deira City Centre fashioned a new outlook for shopping and entertainment in the Middle East. With exquisite levels of shopping and entertainment, Deira City Centre has more than 1.2 million sq. ft. of retail offering space, with 370 shops and 3,600 auto parking spots. Some of the top brands that you can find in Deira City Centre are Carrefour, Debenhams, Iconic, Sharaf DG, Virgin Megastore, and Paris Gallery. There is also a 20-screen Vox Cinemas which showcases the latest flicks in perfect surround sound technology promising you the most immersive cinematic experience. With wonderful games and fun activities, Magic Planet welcomes your little wonders to have a gala time. With an average annual footfall in excess of 20 million, Deira City Centre still remains one of the region’s most visited destinations for both residents and tourists alike.

MIRDIF CITY CENTRE

Located on Emirates Road and Tripoli Street, and developed by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Mirdif City Centre was opened to the public on March 26, 2010. Mirdif City Centre is considered to be a wonderful hub where you can find a medical clinic, spa and a fitness center along with varieties of shopping areas. Books, electronic items, household items, fashion accessories, you name it, Mirdif City Centre has it all. There are a lot of entertainment activity posts which will make Mirdif City Centre look more than a usual mall. iFly Dubai is touted to provide a unique experience in indoor skydive with the first dual tunnels inside a shopping mall in the world. VOX Cinemas at City Centre Mirdif is a 10-screen cinema complex including two VOX GOLD cinema screens that offer crystal clear images and fully reclining seats to give you a unique and enjoyable cinema experience. Perfect for children of the age of five and seven, the Little Explorers has proven to be the rewarding mix of fun and education with the three areas (Space Area, Water Area, Play Area) providing life lessons in an interesting manner. Ideal for amateurs, experienced professionals, families, and friends, Yalla Bowling Lounge is a wonderful experience you will remember for a long time. If you become tired after shopping and are looking for a good place to eat, Mirdif City Centre has two spacious food courts that offer your favorite dishes from all parts of the world. With over 430 stores, unique leisure and entertainment attractions and a host of food outlets, Mirdif City Centre is the place for you and your family to visit on a holiday.

DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL

One of the most preferred destinations for shopping and entertainment in Dubai, the Dubai Festival City Mall is a wonder world that will leave a lasting impression on your mind. The architecture of the mall is simply breathtaking and accentuates brightness in the day, thanks to the glass roof ceiling all over the place. You will be spoilt for choice as there are lots of varieties of shopping and fun activities. The mall has recently been renovated and has also integrated a light and laser show which is electrifying, to say the least. The dining area is very clean and has some charging stations near the walls. Dubai Festival City Mall also has a fountain show which attracts a large number of people. There are a large number of shops and outlets available in the mall including a Carrefour Supermarket. Dubai Festival City Mall is very spacious and lovely with an excellent ambiance and decor. One of the most pleasing traits of Dubai Festival City Mall was that it is not congested in any way and allows the visitors to move around freely at ease. Well known for the laser, water and fire shows with an underlying theme attached to each show, the Dubai Festival City Mall is a fantastic experience to be savored for a long time.

MERCATO MALL

Mercato is preferably situated in the prime center of Jumeirah, one of Dubai’s most esteemed local locations. Much more to offer than only a shopping center, Mercato encapsulates the best in Italian design and transports you back to the Renaissance time frame. Constructed in 2002, the shopping center was built on a whipping capital of 120 million Dirhams. The name “Mercato” originated from the Italian word signifying “showcase.” The shopping center has a leasable zone of 22,900 m2 and an aggregate region of 645,000 sq ft. Home to beautiful cobbled avenues, fascinating piazzas and bona fide Tuscan and Venetian highlights, Mercato on Jumeirah Beach Road offers a one of a kind and exceptional experience together with a pleasant shopping world. With more than 140 shops and store outlets, Mercato offers a wide assortment of universal brands and takes into account the requirements of Dubai citizens and visitors from worldwide alike. From luxury items to homeware, gems, hardware and ice cream parlor, Mercato gives you a hand-picked selection of the most well known and locally grown brands. Get goods and basics from Spinneys Grocery Store, drop your little ones at Fun City, catch the latest movie at Vox Cinemas with your friends or savor a delicious lunch at one of the road cafes – there are a lot of things to do when you are in Mercato Mall.

IBN BATTUTA MALL

Regarded as one of the most loved shopping and retail destinations in Dubai, Ibn Battuta Mall is a unique place where history and entertainment go hand in hand. Celebrating the exhilarating voyages of young Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta, the mall transports you beyond the world of shopping to different places around the globe. The simple one-floor mall has different designs and each region has its own stuff about history and inventions. The painting job done on the roof of the food court has garnered wide appreciation from the visitors all around the globe. Located on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, Ibn Battuta Mall is one of the impressive destinations for the people of Dubai. Having in excess of 270 shops, 50 eateries, a 21-screen silver screen and more than 4,500 parking spots on a sum of 521,000 m2 (5,610,000 sq ft), Ibn Battuta Mall is the world’s biggest themed shopping center. The lavish Food Court is divided into 6 – Andalusia Court, China Court, Egypt Court, India Court, Persia Court, and Tunisia Court – named after the countries which were visited by the famous traveler Ibn Battuta. The whole ambiance of the mall is simply amazing with a huge doom with the Moroccan tiles and the décor tastefully decorated and designed. There is also a huge wooden boat in memory of the renowned Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta. Whatever be your needs and wants, the Ibn Battuta Mall has it all – clothing, restaurants, coffees, fast food, grocery and much more.

BURJUMAN CENTRE

BurJuman is one of the most established shopping centers in Dubai, in the neighborhood of Bur Dubai, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Designed and maintained by Al Ghurair Group, the Bur Juman Centre consists of more than 2.8 million square feet of blended space including the shopping center, business tower, hotel suites and duplex apartments with the shopping center contributing to more than 800,000 sq ft. Close to the metro green and red lines, the mall is a reasonably centrally located destination for families. In November 2003, BurJuman won 2 MAXI Merit grants from The International Council of Shopping Centers. In March 2006, BurJuman was granted the “Mall of the Year” grant at the renowned Retail Middle East Awards. The BurJuman Metro Station entrance, which is close to the North Wing, offers guests a nearby and helpful way to travel to and from the shopping center. The North Wing segment of the shopping center opened its ways to the general public in November 1991, making it one of the most preferred shopping centers in Dubai. The South Wing opened to people in the spring of 2007, expanding the territory from 500,000 sq ft to 800,000 sq ft. Carrefour Hypermarket was opened in the redesigned area of the shopping center in August 2014. Following a major redevelopment that took place in the year 2002, BurJuman now has almost 200 prestigious stores including New Look, Forever 21 and Mothercare. Some of the world-class dining restaurants that you can find in BurJuman Centre include Noodle House, Red Shrimps and Johnny Carino’s. So, when you are planning to visit BurJuman Centre which is often regarded as one of the most luxurious shopping destinations?

WAFI SHOPPING MALL

Easily the best destination for luxury shopping at affordable prices, WAFI Shopping Mall is simply mesmerizing to say the least. Inspired and influenced by the Egyptian architecture, the mall is an architectural marvel to look at. Some include the Turkey restaurant, WAFI gourmet and other brand name items, along with spacious parking and well-picked food restaurants. With a collection of 100 shops of antique items from the Middle East, WAFI Shopping Mall is a shopper’s paradise. With over 350 shops, more than 30 restaurants, and it’s very own leisure complex, WAFI is the perfect place to take in the splendor of Dubai. The location of the mall is fantastic and natural light is in abundance in the main atrium of the wall. The best thing about the mall is its food which is excellent in quality and impressively consistent in taste. What sets WAFI apart from other malls is perhaps its extensive collection of artwork inspired by both modern art and historical monuments. The mall is conveniently located next to Raffles hotel and is only a short walk away from the Grand Hyatt. In amongst the high-end jewelry shops, there are a number of more affordable chains with the likes of Matalan, M&S, Carrefour & WHSmith. WAFI Gourmet is a restaurant that you long to visit again and again for its mouth-watering delicacies. That you can see the magical fountain and the Burj Khalifa, if you are seated outside, which is an added bonus. So, don’t waste time and make plans for a fun outing at Wafi Shopping Mall.

AL GHURAIR CENTRE

Built in 1981, Al Ghurair Centre was the first modern shopping mall project of its stature in the Middle East. In 2013, Al Ghurair Centre underwent a major overhaul in its looks in order to deliver a better and unique experience to the public. The addition of 150 new stores was complemented by a world-class family entertainment center, popular dining concepts, an additional 60,000 square feet of office space, a serviced-apartment complex, a 5-star hotel and many other attractions. The mall boasts numerous stalls and shops with an array of promotions and discounts. Al Ghurair represents the best of both worlds in terms of shopping malls categories – it is located within the old city area of Deira unlike the huge malls built in the relatively new areas on the highways. With the best of the high street brands such as Esprit, French Connection and Baby Phat, you will be spoilt for choice, if you are a true fashionista. For your wonderful kids, Sparky’s spreads its magical arena with explosive rides and other attractions. Arguably one of the oldest malls in Dubai, Al Ghurair Centre has the unique combination of old world charm and trendy fashion styles.

DUBAI MALL

Touted to be one of the world’s largest shopping, leisure, and entertainment destination, Dubai Mall has over 1000 shops of various brands and categories which will satisfy the shopper in you. The Dubai Mall has over 165 stores. Opened to the public on November 2008 after 4 years of arduous construction that has cost more than 20 billion dollars, Dubai Mall is an experience that has to be enjoyed, at least once in your lifetime. Located at Financial Center Road in Dubai, Dubai Mall provides a memorable experience of high-end shopping. Dubai Mall is considered to be the mall with the maximum number of people visited in the world in the year 2011. A survey has declared that every year, more than 54 million people visit this place for shopping. Almost all the leading brands make it a point to have their outlet in Dubai Mall – Cartier, Chanel, Level Shoes, Tiffany & Co and Chloe are only some names from the elite list. If you consider Dubai Mall as only a shopping paradise, then you are grossly mistaken. With 22 big screens, Reel Cinemas promises to provide you with an unforgettable experience which will make your movie date truly memorable. If you want to witness the beauty of the world’s largest performing fountain, the Dubai Fountain is the place to be in. Your kids are sure to love the ‘Dubai Dino’ where they will have a gala time with the monsters of the Jurassic era. KidZania is another wonderful destination for kids where adventure and fun together. So, waste no time and start making plans for Dubai Mall!