Dubai Shopping, Madinat Jumeirah
Middle Eastern Traditions with Modern Amenities in UAE Shopping Mall
© Rod Quin
Apr 3, 2008
The shopping mall Souk Madinat Jumeirah is part of the larger Madinat Jumeirah complex. In addition to the shopping centre, the complex includes two luxury five star hotels, a conference centre, an indoor theatre, a 1,000 seat amphitheatre, open plazas, waterside walkways and 23 cafés, bars and restaurants.
Designed in traditional Emirati architectural style, Madinat Jumeirah’s imposing buildings with their light brown sandstone colouring replicate the appearance of classic Arabian fortresses and palaces. Key design features include traditional Emirati wind towers, domes, Arabic lattice work, carved doors, timber trusses, terraces, balconies and, of course, palm trees.
As a tribute to Dubai’s maritime heritage, the complex is built around 3.7 km of canals on which water taxis, replicas of the abras on Dubai Creek, ferry hotel residents around the complex.
The Shopping Mall
The shopping mall is a recreation of a traditional Middle Eastern bazaar with narrow, twisting passageways, carved wooden archways and open-fronted shops, but under cover and air conditioned.
Traditional Middle Eastern Products
Souk Madinat Jumeirah specialises in traditional Arabian and Middle Eastern goods. Here you can buy textiles, Arabic dresswear, handicrafts, jewellery, artefacts, artwork, carvings, sculptures and furniture. Souk Madinat Jumeirah is possibly the best place in Dubai to purchase high quality, authentic Middle Eastern souvenirs and gifts.
One of the more unusual shops is the Camel Company which sells miniature camels made from a variety of materials and in different colours and costumes. Also available are a range of camel-themed items such as t-shirts, pencils, cups, magnets, mouse-pads and notebooks.
Reflecting Dubai’s role as a trade crossroads, Souk Madinat Jumeirah also has stores selling carpets, artefacts and other items from regions such as India, Kashmir and Iran.
Fashion Stores
Modern Western clothing is also available in Souk Madinat Jumeirah. There is a strong emphasis on casual and beach wear with Tommy Bahama, Crew, Grain Du Sable, Beyond the Beach, Oxbow, Rodeo Drive (Casuals) and Vilebrequin represented. More formal fashion items are available from Celine, BinHendi and Ounass.
Food Stores
Food stores include Paatchi Chocolates and Caviar Classic, which sells caviar items and utensils, as well as other seafood products such as smoked salmon. Vivel is an Arab patisserie where you can sample traditional Arabian cuisine. It offers baklava, cakes, pastries, cookies and macaroons, as well as dates, dried fruit, marzipan, fruit jellies and canapés. Gift boxes are available.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Madinat Jumeirah offer a variety of cuisines and cater for a range of tastes including Moroccan (Shoo Fee Ma Fee), Italian (Segreto and Toscana), Asian (The Noodle House), Indian (Ushna), Polynesian (Trader Vic’s), Lebanese (Times of Arabia), fusion (Japengo) and seafood (Pisces). Many restaurants offer alfresco dining canalside.
Cafés, Bars and Lounges
Madinat Jumeirah has a number of smart casual cafés, bars and lounges. Among them are BarZar, catering for British tastes, and Centimetro, a rooftop lounge, considered by many to be the best place in Dubai to watch the sunset.
Enquiries and Reservations
For enquiries and reservations at all restaurants, cafés, bars and lounges telephone 971 4366 6730.
Directions to Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Souk Madinat Jumeirah is located on Jumeirah Beach Road next to the Burj Al Arab hotel. A stop at Souk Madinat Jumeirah is included in the Dubai Big Bus Beach Tour.
Opening Hours
Opening hours for shops are 10 am to 11 pm daily. Restaurants, cafés and bars open and close later.
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