Author: 
There is no shopaholic who would not know about Dubai’s Meena Bazaar! A haven for shoppers, this place is known for all things shopping. From clothes to electronics, Jewellery, traditional textiles, and art and craft supplies, there’s nothing you won’t find in the winding roads of Meena Bazaar. Dubai’s Meena Bazaar has existed since 1973. Back then, it was called Cosmo Lane- inspired by the first store in the entrance lane.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Dubai, here’s something you must include in your itinerary. And, if you’re wondering how to hover around when here, this guide will come handy.
Location & Access
Meena Bazaar is located in the Al Fahidi area of Bur Dubai, close to Dubai Creek. It’s a bustling market known for textiles, jewelry, Indian and Pakistani fashion, and traditional eateries.
Here are the main ways to get there:
By Metro:
- Nearest Station: Al Fahidi Metro Station (Green Line)
- From the station, it’s about a 5-7 minute walk to the main shopping area.
- You can follow signs toward Al Musalla Road/Meena Bazaar exit.
By Bus:
- Several buses pass through Bur Dubai/Al Fahidi area. Look for:
- Bus numbers: C7, C1, 8, 29
- Stop: Al Fahidi or Al Ghubaiba Bus Station
By Car/Taxi:
- Use Google Maps or any GPS app and search for “Meena Bazaar Bur Dubai.”
- It is a busy area with limited parking, but paid public parking is available nearby.
- Taxis are easily available and can drop you right at the bazaar entrance.
By Abra (Water Taxi):
- If you’re on the Deira side, take an Abra from Deira Old Souk Station to Bur Dubai Abra Station.
- It’s a short, scenic ride for just AED 1.
- Meena Bazaar is a 2-minute walk from the Bur Dubai Abra Station.
Shopping Highlights
Clothes & Textiles
The textile market in Meena Bazaar is a fashionista’s paradise, offering raw silks as well as cotton, pashmina, cashmere, silk, and wool fabrics. Although there is a textile souk which has all kinds of fabrics, some of these shops are particularly noteworthy. Here’s a complete list of all the textile shops you can find in Meena Bazaar.
- Regal Fabrics
- Fabricity
- Shams 2
- Bareeze
- Vashu Textiles
- Deepam Silks
- Nalli Silks
- Pakeeza Textiles
- Rathi Textiles
- Rupkala
- Al-Madina Textiles
- Malabar Textiles
- Roop Sangam
- Shree Ganesh Textiles
- Nishat Linen
- Sitara Fabrics
- Sapphire Textiles
- Gul Ahmed
- Al Muheet Textiles
- Liberty Textiles
Gold Jewellery
Meena Bazaar is the ideal location to add the perfect accessories to your ensemble, whether you’re looking for genuine gold items, imitation jewellery, or shiny trinkets. Prior to the wedding season, jewellery stores are likely to be extremely busy. These jewellery stores in Meena Bazaar are well worth the journey.
- Meena Jewellers
- Malabar Gold & Diamonds
- Joyalukkas
- Damas Jewellery
- Bafleh Jewellery
- Khazana Jewellery
- Kalyan Jewellers
- Damas (Meena Bazaar Branch)
- Al Liali Jewellery
- Lifestyle Fine Jewellery
Perfumes & souvenirs
The market is also a perfect place to buy spices, fragrances, and one-of-a-kind mementos that capture the spirit of Dubai. There are numerous retail and souvenir shops in Meena Bazaar that sell watches, perfumes, accessories, and handicrafts. A variety of traditional Indian handicrafts, including sculptures, paintings, and pottery, are also available to visitors. A variety of items are available at the souvenir shops that are ideal for taking home as a keepsake of the trip. However, make sure you try and bargain to get the best deal!
Here are some perfumes and souvenirs shops in Meena Bazaar, Dubai:
- Swiss Arabian Perfumes
- Ajmal Perfumes
- Al Haramain Perfumes
- Yas Perfumes
- Ard Al Zaafaran
- Lattafa Perfumes
- Arabian Oud
- Al Rasasi Perfumes
- Khadlaj Perfumes
- Al Jazeera Perfumes & Gifts
That aside, the bazaar is also an excellent place to shop for spices. Among the spices available to visitors are cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric. These spices are genuine and of excellent quality because they come from the Middle East and India.
Timings
You can visit Meena Bazaar whenever it’s convenient for you because its stores are typically open from 10:30 am until late at night (though it’s best to check with individual stores)- Saturday to Friday. The Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Nighttime is the best time to visit the market because this is when the lights are on, and the market comes alive. Be prepared to spend a few hours in this busy lane, depending on what you want to buy.
Dining Options
With a variety of dining options to suit every craving, Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai is a foodie’s paradise. Meena Bazaar offers something for everyone, whether you’re searching for a quick bite, a sit-down meal, or something in between.
Indian Restaurants
Numerous eateries and cafes offering a range of international cuisines can be found in Meena Bazaar. Visit Ravi Restaurant, which is well-known for its mouthwatering kebabs and curries, if you’re craving Indian street cuisine.
Speaking about Indian restaurants, how can I not mention Sind Punjab, a famous Indian restaurant in Dubai’s Meena Bazaar, which opened its doors in July 1977. I would say, this place serves the best butter chicken, biryani, and tandoori chicken. Curious about their authentic recipe, I interacted with one of their chefs who very humbly told me that the restaurant follows a family recipe that is kept under wraps to date. Well, it’s no surprise that the authenticity lingers on even today. So, if you’re looking to gorge on some authentic biryani and tandoori chicken, you know where to head!
Meena Bazaar is also known for its street food and snacks, which are ideal for a quick snack while on the go. From Pani puri, to Samosas, spicy vada pav and sweet jalebis, the options are as diverse as the market itself. Don’t forget to end your meal with a tall glass of lassi, a traditional Indian yogurt-based beverage, if you’re craving something sweet.
If you’re a paani puri lover, just like me, Rangoli is the place to be! This chain of eateries is known for its Pani Puris. Selling over 100 plates of Pani Puris daily, they also have a variety of Gujarati snacks and chaats for chaat lovers. While there Paani Puri is known to be one of the tangiest and spiciest in Dubai, other chaats like Sev Puri and Dahi Puri have its fans too. So, don’t forget to drop by!
Chaat aside, it would be a sin to not mention Meena Bazaar’s famous dosa corner- Veg World. From sada dosa to paneer dosa, cheese dosa, masala dosa and rava dosa, the cafe serves more than 25 varieties of dosas. That said, the cafe is a host of chaats, such as papdi chaats and katori chaats. Along with the standard pani puri and bhel puri, the extra cheese masala puri is a perfect cheesy chaat treat.
Here’s a list of all the Indian restaurants in Meena Bazaar:
- Mini Punjab Restaurant
- Mumtaz Mahal
- Vasanta Bhavan
- Khana Khazana
- Sind Punjab
- Tahera Restaurant
- Desi Bistro
- Dombivali Fast Resto Bar
- Veganesha
- Veg World Restaurant LLC
- Al Rajwa Restaurant (Raghuvanshi)
- Bhavna Restaurant
- Bharat Restaurant
Pakistani Restaurants in Meena Bazaar
Indian food aside, the bazaar also sells lip-smacking Pakistani food. One of my favourite Pakistani restaurants is Dubai’s most popular -Al Ustad Special Kebabs. The place is well-known for its mutton and chicken kebabs. From succulent chicken to beef tenderloin kebabs, I tried it all at Al Ustad Special Kabab and I would recommend it to any traveller. Besides, the restaurant offers a generous portion of meaty kebabs, so you can comfortably share with your friends or family.
Here’s a list:
- Pak Liyari Restaurant
- Shehar-e-Karachi Restaurant
- Pak Darbar Restaurant
- Karachi Darbar
- Al Waqqas Restaurant
- Arabian Chambeli
- Lahore Village
- Tahera Restaurant
Local food spots around
The Bazaar is surrounded by a whole lot of restaurants and cafes, so there’s no way you’ll leave the place hungry. These places offer something to suit every taste, whether you’re craving a substantial meal or a quick snack. Try the Pharaoh Cafe & Restaurant at the Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa for a taste of Middle Eastern fare. They have traditional Arabic dishes like shawarma and hummus. TGI Fridays offers a variety of American-style dishes, such as burgers and ribs, if you’re searching for something more exotic.
However, one of my favourite cafes is the Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi. Although this cafe is not inside Meena Bazaar, you can literally hop, skip and jump to reach here from the Bazaar. Travel back in time and relive Dubai’s past at this charming tea house in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. The place offers an ideal setting for sipping gahwa (traditional Arabic coffee), replete with turquoise benches, white rattan chairs, lace curtains, and lovely flowers. With Arabic breakfast trays, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, biryani, barbecue, and much more, the tea house provides a genuine Emirati experience.
Here’s a list of other restaurants and cafes you’ll find around Meena Bazaar:
- Rajkot Street Cafeteria
- Food Street Cafeteria
- Veganesha
- Veg World Restaurant
- Al Rajwa Restaurant (Raghuvanshi)
- Bhavna Restaurant
- Jabal Al Noor Cafeteria
- Sind Punjab Restaurant
- Al Thawash Cafeteria
- AUD Cafeteria
Tips For Visiting Meena Bazaar
Meena Bazaar is an excellent location to find one-of-a-kind items and bargain for affordable prices. As is customary in this market, visitors should be ready to haggle over prices with the vendors. Starting the negotiation at roughly half of the original asking price and working your way up to a price that both parties agree on is advised.
Additionally, visitors should be aware that the preferred form of payment in Meena Bazaar is cash. Even though some merchants might take credit cards, it’s best to have cash on hand to avoid any problems. There are ATMs nearby for people who need to take out cash.
Lastly, the Bazaar is huge, and that also means there’s going to be a lot of walking. So, make sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Don’t forget to carry a big bottle of water, you’re definitely going to need it!
Don't miss out on the Latest Updates! Join our official
WhatsApp channel and follow us on
YouTube,
Instagram,
Facebook,
Twitter, and
TikTok for Breaking News.
Send your press releases to: pressrelease@traveltodubai.com
Follow Us