*One:**:
One stop shopping
- The Bombay Store, Sir
PM Road, Fountain, tel # 2885048, 2873443: Newly refurbished,
this store is just beginning to find its feet. Goods ranging from
lamps, Indian handicrafts, books, ties, women's clothing, men's shirts to plants are found here
in pleasant ambience. The variety may not be immense but items
are in excellent taste. On the expensive side.***
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Apollo Bunder, Colaba,
tel # 2027537, 2026564: Again a spacious, albeit not terribly
well organised shop that sells Indian style goods. Toys, furniture,
clothing, silks, jewellery, linen, handicrafts, decorative bric-a-brac,
brass, copper, wood crafts available. Prices are reasonable and
the CCIE stocks some of the finest crafts.**
- Crossroads, 28, Pt M M Malviya road, Haji Ali, tel # 022-4945890, 4945891: Finally, Bombay has a mall; a sleek spacious mall of international standards. Crossroads is spread across 1,50,000 sq ft. This posh shopping complex has four floors in buildings A and C and building B houses Jammin', the fully equipped family entertainment centre. The mall and attached Piramyd department store house casual and formal wear by Levis, Pepe, Benetton, Pantaloon and Osh Kosh B'Gosh, designer wear by leading designers like Rohit Bal, Suneet Verma, Manish Malhotra and Krishna Mehta apart from music systems, Shyam Ahuja carpets, refrigerators, microwave ovens, toys
washing machines, cosmetics, perfumes, expensive designer jewellery, big price tag crystal and even Murano glass. Fountainhead, the book chain has an outlet in the mall as well.
Jammin' the entertainment centre is spread across three floors and will be equipped with pool tables, a bowling alley, a video games parlour, bumper car rides, go-kart racing and a food court with seven outlets including Cafe Ole (open from 1100 hours to 0130 hours), The Sports Bar, Biscotti, an exotic Italian restaurant and McDonald's, a large and children friendly outlet of the popular fast food chain as well as a number of vendors selling everything from fruit juice to dona kebab.
Crossroads will eventually house 130 shopping outlets with related products in close proximity thus making it easier for shoppers to select the shop of their choice. Open 1000 hours to 2300 hours everyday.****
- Heera Panna Shopping Centre, Haji Ali: A covered, air-conditioned
market that sells a vast range of imported goods from CDs and
electronic cornucopia to suitcases, perfumes, shampoos and chocolate cookies.
All expensively priced and all imported. Apart from the imported items some Indian
goods are available like rugs, lamps, linen, clothes, music.****
- Oberoi Shopping Arcades at the Oberoi hotels, Nariman Point:
This indoor, air conditioned mall-like arcade sells silver, women's clothing (ethnic and Western), men's clothing
(ethnic and Western), shoes, handicrafts and decorative artefacts,
rugs, linen, costume jewellery and tailoring shops. However the
prices are high. Snack bar attached (closed on Sunday). ****
- Premsons Bazaar, Breach Candy, tel # 3636600, 3636601, 3636602, 3636603:
Premsons' growth is reflected in the mushrooming interior of the shop. Different sections have been higgledy-piggledy crammed in, while others are sleek and well designed like the women's section and the men's section. Net result: The shop sells everything from needles to imported crystal flowers or Duracell batteries and has everything that would appeal to an upmarket Bombay shopper. Premsons has a women's and men's section, toys, children's clothes, linen, jewellery, perfumes, stationary, music, cloth and sewing notions, crockery and household goods, small appliances, imported shampoos, hygiene products and cosmetics, swimwear. ***
- Vama, Kanchenjunga, Peddar Road: One of Bombay's most swanky commercial addresses, it is possible to shop for extra stylish women's ethnic wear, jeans, casual, and cars (yes! cars!), under one roof. Located at Vama are Vama Ford, Vama proper (the women's ethnic clothes shop), Levis, Florsheim, Colour Plus, Ted Lapidus, Levis, Benetton. Vama is very conveniently located and hardly five minutes away from Vama, at Kemps Corner, Bombay's boutique avenue starts, where everything from designer baby booties to crystal lamp shades are available. ***
- World Trade Centre at Cuffe Parade, Colaba: The numerous
government emporia and boutiques stock mainly Indian style or
ethnic items be it furniture, jewellery or clothes. Prices are
by and large reasonable.**
*Art:**:
Art and paintings
- Cymroza Art Gallery, Breach Candy, tel # 3671983.
- Guild Art Gallery, Maker Arcade, Cuffe Parade.
- Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Fort or on the pavements
outside the gallery.
- Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Bajaj Bhavan, Nariman Point,
tel # 2021359.
- Lakeeren, 185, S V road, opposite Golden Tobacco, tel # 6718983, 6716443.
- Prithvi Art Gallery, Juhu, tel # 6149546.
- Pundole Art Gallery, opposite Flora Fountain.
- Sans Tache Gallery, near Mela restaurant, Worli Seaface, tel # 4935050.
- Satgurus, branches at Fountain, tel # 2041066 and Juhu
Road, Santa Cruz, tel # 6484127.
- Taj Art Gallery, Taj Mahal Hotel, Apollo Bunder, tel #
2023366.
*Books:**:
Books
Book Point, Orient Longman, Ballard Estate, tel # 2696226, 2611972: This shop offers good discounts.**
Crossword, Mahalaxmi Chambers, near Haji
Ali, tel # 4920253: The city's largest bookshop. Good children's books and toys too. As well as music. A place to browse. Child friendly. Stamp-sized cafe attached.**
Danai, Khar Danda Road, Khar, tel # 6487123.**
Fountainhead, C-401, Crossroads, 28 Pandit M M Malviya road, Haji Ali, tel # 4955149, 4955159, 4602108. Email: Fountainhead: The city's newest book shop and a large outlet.**
Lotus, S V Road, Bandra, tel # 6400199.**
Nalanda, Taj Mahal Hotel, Apollo Bunder, Colaba,
tel # 2022514: Open till midnight.**
New Second Hand Bookstore, near Edward Cinema, Kalbadevi.*
Strand Book Stall, Dhannur Building, P M Road, tel
# 2661994, 2051754: Offers great discounts.*
And the pavements stalls along DN Road and opposite the Central
Telegraph Office and around Churchgate for new coffee table type books and second hand books. It is quite possible to make some lucky finds; perhaps some unusual classics or really ancient books that once had pride of place in an old Parsi home.*
For religious books try the book store behind Chetana Restaurant,
Kala Ghoda, Fort, tel # 2844968 or the Osho book shop in the shopping arcade at The Oberoi, Nariman Point.**
*Brass:**:
Brass
Tambakantha Bazar (Brass market), Kalbadevi, beyond Metro.*
*Carpets:**:
Carpets
- Coir Board, Churchgate, tel # 282157: Jute and coir mats
and carpets.*
- Contemporary Arts and Crafts, 19 Nepean Sea Road, opposite
Baskin Robbins, tel # 3631979, 363740. And at Juhu Vile Parle
Shopping Centre, Gul Mohar Road, tel # 6204668: Always stocks a variety of cotton dhurries.**
- Shyam Ahuja, show rooms at The Oberoi shopping arcade and
Poonam Chambers, Dr Annie Besant Road Worli tel # 4923081 and
at Juhu: Excellent range. Assured quality. Good prices during
annual sales (check the papers).****
- Venjara Carpets, Near Babulnath Temple,tel # 3421459: Good
taste.****
- Zeba, Next to Worli Post Office, Worli Naka, tel # 4943614:
Nice handloom dhurries.***
- Carpet shops in the Oberoi, Taj and behind the Taj (but
first check out the prices and understand basis of pricing method
by doing a bit of browsing at the government emporia).****
*Casual:**:
Casual Wear
- Benetton, branches at Colaba Causeway, tel # 2851794; The
Oberoi shopping centre, tel # 2024723; Kanchenjunga, Peddar Road,
tel # 3871450; on Linking Road, tel # 6495965; at Dadar, tel #
4123210, 4121191; at Holiday Inn at Juhu, tel # 6204444; and The
Leela hotel near Sahar Airport, tel # 8363636 ext 864; and at L T Road, near Don Bosco High School, Borivali: The cottons
available here are cheaper than what you get abroad, but the quality
and range is just average.***
- Blues Bizaar, on Linking Road, Bandra: As its name suggests this shop hawks all labels and varieties of jeans and rugby shirts -- Lee, Lee Cooper, Wrangler, Pepe, Levis and various deshi hot denim labels. **
- The Bombay Store, Sir
PM Road, Fountain, tel # 2885048, 2873443: Casual men's shirts, cotton skirts and women's trousers and cotton tops.
- Colour Plus, branches at Vama, Kanchenjunga, Peddar Road and on Linking Road, tel # 6495931: Trendy cottons for men. Colour Plus clothes are also available at Shoppers' Stop at Andheri.***
- Cotton World,Ram Nimi, Mandlik Road, Colaba, tel # 2850060, 2833294, 2824361 and at Vipul Apartments, near Podar High School, Tagore Road, Santa Cruz, tel # 6051602: Great selection of
cotton wear especially shirts.**
- Fab India, Navroze Apartments, Pali Hill, near HDFC bank, Bandra, tel # 6465286, 6465289: Trendy cotton skirts, jackets and blouses in good taste.**
- Fashion Street, opposite Bombay Gymkhana: The place to
go. One long street lined with open air stalls selling ''export
reject'' clothes (ie clothes that didn't make it to the export
grade). Great finds. Mostly cottons. Best time to go is 11 o'
clock, though it will be hot. Later in the day the area gets packed out with hordes of shoppers. Bargaining a must.*
- Bandra fashion street, Linking Road: Same idea as the original
Fashion Street (mentioned above) but much less variety.*
- Heera Panna Shopping Centre, near Haji Ali: This shopping complex has numerous shops that sell men's shirts, T-shirts, jeans and casual pants, as well as underwear.***
- KBN, 501, Linking road, opposite McDonald's, tel # 022-6465511, 6465512, 6465513, 6465514: This newish three storey department store sells men's and women's wear, as well as perfume and jewellery. Open from 1000 hours to 2130 hours daily.***
- Lee, branches at Kemps Corner, opposite St Stephen's Church and on Linking Road. The authentic Lee apparel. Available here at better prices than one would find in shops abroad. **
- Lee Cooper, branches at Kemps Corner, opposite St Stephen's Church, and at Linking Road. Jeans and some more. **
- Levis, branches at Vama, Kanchenjuga, Peddar Road and at Linking Road: The trademark red label Levis pants, shirts, hats, suspenders, ribbons etc etc etc. A word of advice: A pair of Levis jeans bought in Bombay are absolutely on par, quality wise with Levis jeans available anywhere else in the world and they are a sight bit cheaper. **
- Maker Arcade, Cuffe Parade: This small mall has a variety of shops that sell casual wear and more dressy wear for men and women. Some of the stuff is imported. ***
- Nagani's Superstore, 531 Linking road, Bandra, tel # 022-6053311. 6053312: A fair selection.
- Pierre Cardin, Linking Road Bandra: Expensive.****
- Piramyd, 28, Pt M M Malviya road, Haji Ali, tel # 022-4945890, 4945891: Surprisingly a good selection of economically priced clothing in addition to the designer wear. The attached mall stocks expensive labels.
- Shoppers' Stop, SV Road, Andheri, tel # 6240451, 6240453:
A variety of clothes under one roof.***
- Vinod Apparel, Kala Ghoda, opposite Jehangir Art Gallery, Fort: Thismen's shop can be a bit difficult to negotiate and it is not the most pleasurable of addresses to shop at. However Vinod Apparels is convenient because it has it all -- jeans in every make, shirts in every make, pants in every label.**
- The Wearhouse, Linking Road, Khar: Good range of cottons.***
- Weekender, Trimurti Apts, opposite Mahalaxmi Temple: Decent
cottons.***
- Westside department store, 39 Hughes road, tel # 3841730. The new Tata enterprise. Stocks a range of casual wear for men and women. Open daily, even on Sundays from 1030 hours to 2030 hours.
- Vama, Kanchenjunga, Peddar Road, near Kemps Corner,
tel # 3871450: Attached to this women's clothing shop are complex
of other shops that all stock casual clothes including Benetton, Ted Lapidus, Colour Plus
and Levis.
- Boutique shops running from Kemps Corner down to Warden Road:
Expensive.Taste is a bit over the top.****
- Shops along Colaba Causeway.**
- Shops along Linking Road, Bandra.**
*Children:**:
Children's Clothes
- Adornica, located within the Premson Bazaar complex and its sister shop Roopsons, Breach Candy: They stock a good selection of cottons; casual wear for kids that is not too trendy or fussy.***
- Amarsons, Breach Candy: They have a rather wide range of kids clothes. But most of it is of the over-dressy variety.***
- Anokhi, opposite Cumballa Hill hospital, Kemps Corner, tel # 3820636, 3820639: Great kid cottons in traditonal Indian prints.***
- Baby Steps, Kemps Corner.***
- Benetton, branches at Kanchengunga building, Peddar Road,
near Kemps Corner, tel # 3871450 and at The Leela Hotel, near
Sahar Airport -- the cottons here are cheaper than what is availableat these chains abroad but sizes are limited.***
- Benzer, Breach Candy, tel # 3632266, 3631603: Fussy partywear
available and some more casual outfits too.***
- The Bombay Store, Sir
PM Road, Fountain, tel # 2885048, 2873443: Excellent cottons -- children's skirts, overalls, dresses, blouses, shirts -- in ethnic Indian orints
- Central Cottage Emporium Industries, Apollo Bunder, Colaba,
tel # 2027537, 2026564: Good traditional Indian outfits and hand
embroidered items for babies and children.**
- Colaba Causeway shops for traditional Indian clothes for kids. Cotton Ts and casual play wear is available in the stalls that line the Causeway.*
- Fab India, Navroze Apartments, Pali Hill, near HDFC bank, Bandra, tel # 6465286, 6465289: Cotton outfits.**
- Fashion Street, Opposite Bombay Gymkhana: Great finds in cotton for kids (see
mention just above.*
- Just Moms, tel # 3617833 and Premson Bazaar, Breach
Candy tel # 3636600, 3636601, 36366012, 3636603: Expensive. Good range of
cottons available - dresses, T-shirts, slacks at both stores. Premson stocks Osh
Kosh B'Gosh outfits as well as other imported brands.***
- Maker Arcade at Cuffe Parade has a number of shops that stock kids clothes, shoes and accessories.
- Nagani's Superstore, 531 Linking road, Bandra, tel # 022-6053311. 6053312: A fair selection.
- Oberoi Shopping arcades for attractive traditional Indian clothes for children.
- Pantaloon, Crossroads, 28, Pt M M Malviya road, Haji Ali. Phones: 022-4602062, 4602063, 4602064: Casuals. For kids.
- Piramyd, 28, Pt M M Malviya road, Haji Ali, tel # 022-4945890, 4945891: A range of children's casuals, economically priced.
- Sheetal and Roopam, shops located near Crawford Market, (tel
# Sheetal-3876114): The taste is questionable but the store is very
popular. ***
- Weekender, off Linking Road, Bandra: Good cottons.***
*Electronic:**:
Electronic goods -- Cameras, audio eqipment etc
- Heera Panna Shopping Centre, opposite Haji Ali.****
- Stalls along DN Road and the lanes and roads leading off from
DN Road like Gunbow Street and Sir PM Road but be certain item
is in working order before purchase. Better to try the bigger shops
here.***
*Festive:**:
Festive Shopping
- Birthday Parties: The lanes around Crawford Market stock party favours, balloons, pinyatas, party hats, 'back' or 'return' gifts. Specifically one should head to Abdul Rehman street where there about 10-15 shops in a row offering the whole lot at reasonable prices. Inside the market (Crawford) you will find a mind-boggling selection of candy. Premsons Bazaar, Breach Candy, tel # 3636600, 3636601, 3636602, 3636603 stocks party plates, napkins and such like. Satyam Collection, J Tata road, near Eros Cinema, tel # 2854703, 2836523 offers invitation cards.
- Christmas: During the Xmas season Crawford Market sells tinsel, mini Xmas trees, bon bons (fake), plum cake, baking pans, tree ornaments, stars, candles, stockings. But the place to really head to is Hill road in Bandra. The variety here is very pleasing -- all types of Christmas balls and ornaments for the trees, lights, tinsel, wreaths and anything to do with Christmas can be found here and there are a number of shops to browse through. A wide range of Christmas trees -- in all sizes and prices -- are also available. Premsons Bazaar, Breach Candy, tel # 3636600, 3636601, 3636602, 3636603 offers some imported decorations and doo-dahs.
- Diwali: Bhuleshwar is a traditional Diwali market. Rangoli, diyas, stars, lights, firecrackers, lanterns, gifts, artificial malas. The famous halwais of the neighbourhood -- like Bhaishankar's -- turn out traditional sweets. Nearby Phool Galli offers a major range of flowers, malas and floral decorations. Well known women's shops like -- Venilal's, Maganlal Dresswala -- offer festival season saris and outfits. Dadar market -- like Bhuleshwar -- also offers gullies packed with Diwali delights. Mohammed Ali road, near Crawford market, is the correct address to buy firecrackers. Bombs, phuljaris, gol chakars, parachutes are sold in bulk.
*Food:**:
Food and Groceries
- The shops inside Crawford Market stock all types of groceries, vegetables, fruits as well as plenty of imported foods.
- Foodlands, Juhu: A great grocery place to shop at. The goods are all neatly arranged and the store well laid out and spacious enough.
- Heera Panna Shopping Centre, opposite Haji Ali: This complex has all the imported groceries anyone would ever need from Paris bon-bons to Tokyo lollipops. Indeed Heera Panna sells everything from imported breakfast cereal to Colombian coffee.
- Rustoms, Wodehouse Road, Colaba: This tiny and rather cramped store stocks a good variety of non-imported food items form grain to tinned food. Rustoms also has an imported food section where anything imported, be it salt to bubble bath, can be found. But the items are a bit over priced. However if one is looking for some rare imported item for baking or for gourmet cooking, then Rustoms is the place to come.
- Sahakari Bhandar, branches at Regal circle, Colaba and near Bandra station and at Breach Candy: Government owned grocery stores. The Colaba branch -- which stocks everything from pens. raincoats, faux jewellery to pulses, cooking oil and medicine -- is fairly efficient, well stocked and big. The other branches are smaller and a tad bit cramped.
*Furn:**:
Furniture and Household Items like tablecloths, sheets, cushions,
decorative bric-a-brac
- A to Z, Lohar Chawl, Crawford Market, tel # 3420678: Stocks
a great range of fabrics.**
- Akbarallys, 45, Veer Nariman Road, Fountain, tel # 2047155, 2043921, 2044213. **
at Santacruz SV Road, tel # 6490196, 6490612, at Chembur , VN.Purav
Marg tel # 5524098, 5524193: for everyday necessities like appliances,
china etc.**
- Anokhi, opposite, Kemps Corner, tel # 3820636, 3820639: A variety of linen and fabric items for the house in typical Indian prints -- kalamkari, block prints. Tablecloths, napkins, bedspreads, cushion covers. Much of the crafts are Rajasthani. Items in good taste. ***
- Beautiful Boulevard, Merwan Mansion, 59 Nepean Sea Road, opposite Priyadarshini Park, tel # 3682244, 3682245: A new, swanky boutique that stocks the finest crystal, the trendiest china and all the appropriate or rather "in" bric-a-brac, like a Noritake quarter plate or Hoya ashtrays or Tiffany doo-daahs. Carry a suitcase of cash if you plan to do some serious shopping. ****
- Benzer, Breach Candy: Benzer stocks everything from towels, bed sheets to decorative bric a brac. They have kitchen quipment and china sets too. Taste: Very so so.****
- Bharat Furnishings, Kemps Corner, tel # 3881787: Good range.***
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Apollo Bunder, Colaba,
tel # 2027537, 2026564. A lot of handicraft items for the house
available like handloom curtain material, block print bedspreads,
mirror-work cushions in good taste. **
- CIE, Electric House: The ground floor of two of the BEST buildings in Colaba have been converted into tastefully designed handicraft emporiums. Kashmirir carpets, furniture, artefacts, linen... the best of everything Indian and arty is available.
- Chunnilals, Madame Cama Road, near Regal Cinema , tel #
2026745: Tasteful selection. Excellent cottons.**
- Contemporary Arts and Crafts, 19 Nepean Sea Road, opposite
Baskin Robbins, tel # 3631979, 363740. And at Juhu Vile Parle
Shopping Centre, Gul Mohar Road, tel # 6204668: Unusual choices.**
- Etcetra, Metro Motors lane, off Marine Drive, near Chowpatty,
tel # 4945839: Stocks items that are very "in" at the
moment, some of it a bit too lavish.****
- Fab India, Navroze Apartments, Pali Hill, near HDFC bank, Bandra, tel # 6465286, 6465289: Cotton linen in traditional Indian designs.**
- Harmony, World Trade Centre: Good range of fabrics.**
- Heera Panna Shopping Complex, opposite Haji Ali: Most of the shops here stock imported crockery, cutlery, china and crystal. It is all horrendously expensive. But most of it top of the line stuff and very trendy. ****
- Good Earth, Kemps Corner, tel # 3886750: A new home decor shop of Bombay. Items are in good taste. Plenty of ceramics and glass. Giant pots. Crockery. Linen. Expensive.***
- Oberoi shopping arcades, Nariman Point: A varied but expensive selection especially in The Oberoi section. Chances of finding
an unusual piece are good.****
- Premson Bazaar, Breach Candy: Another imported goods outlet that has all the latest London- Paris- Milan-Tokyo dinnerware, as well a bed sheets, towels, kitchen equipment.****
- Shilpi Kendra, Hotel Majestic, Colaba Causeway, near Regal
Cinema, tel # 2021521: From time to time this exhibition site has typical
Indian style tablecloths and bedspreads and such like on sale
from various states of India.*
- S A Surplus, opposite Murphy Radio, Hajuri road, off Eastern Express Highway, Thane, tel # 5822155, 5822549, 5823614: Shyam Ahuja's discount outlet. Ahuja merchandise available at great prices.
- Shyam Ahuja showrooms at The Oberoi shoppping centre and
at Poonam Chambers, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli opposite Hinduja
building tel # 4923081 and at Juhu: Must see. Excellent dhurries
and houshold items. Great prices during sales; check the newspapers.****
- Splendour, Hughes Road, tel # 3615315, 3634984: Good range
of fabrics. Furnitre is a bit over exotic. ***
- Westside department store, 39 Hughes road, tel # 3841730. The new Tata enterprise. Stocks household goods. Open daily, even on Sundays from 1030 hours to 2030 hours.
- Yamini, President House, Wodehouse road, Colaba, near Charagh Din, tel# 022-2184143, 2184145: A new home furnishings store located in south Bombay. Cushion covers, kitchen accessories, carpets, artefacts, linen available. Open daily from 1030 hours to 1930 hours, even on Sundays.
- The lanes and roads directly behind the Taj and opposite Cottage
Emporium, like Battery Street: For decorative bric-a-brac.**
- And the lanes off Colaba Causeway, like Mandlik Road and adjoining
lanes: For decorative bric-a-brac.**
*Gold:**:
Gold, Silver and Jewellery
When shopping for gold is is advisable to take a local with you.
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Apollo Bunder, Colaba,
tel # 2027537, 2026564: Has a good collection of silver jewellery.**
- Colaba Market for silver jewellery.*
- Oberoi shopping arcades for silver jewellery and bric-a-brac. Unusual, chunky and antique
jewellery, though often rather expensive, available.****
- Opera House shops for gold and silver jewellery and gift items.**
- Tanishq, Linking Road, Bandra, tel # 6495959: Designer jewellery. ****
- Zaveri Bazar for gold and silver jewellery and gift items.**
*Hand:**:
Handicrafts and Souvenirs
For any typical Indian handiwork from Kashmiri papier mache boxes
to Kerala wood items and all sorts of statues and religious icons:
- Aurocraft, SV Road, Bandra: An unusual collection of leather
and pottery and other handicrafts from the Auroville commune in
Pondicherry. **
- The Bombay Store, Sir PM Road, tel # 2885048, 2873443: a selection
of Indian handicrafts -candlestands, baskets, rugs, cushion covers,
brass, pottery - some of it less typical than what is available
elsewhere.***
- Chetana Craft Centre, Kala Ghoda, Fort.**
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Apollo Bunder, tel
# 2027537,2026564. **
- Contemporary Arts and Crafts, 19 Nepean Sea Road, opposite
Baskin Robbins, tel # 3631979, 363740. And at Juhu Vile Parle
Shopping Centre, Gul Mohar Road, tel # 6204668. They have an unusual
collection of Indian handicrafts in all types of material. Good
taste.**
- The Kala Ghoda sidewalk craft fair on Sundays.
- Shilpi Kendra, Majestic Hotel building, near the Regal
Cinema, Colaba Causeway, tel # 2021521, 2028640. The Kendra is
an exhibition site that changes every fortnight or so and sells
crafts brought in from various states of India.*
- Westside department store, 39 Hughes road, tel # 3841730. The new Tata enterprise. Stocks gifts. Open daily, even on Sundays from 1030 hours to 2030 hours.
Various state governments operate emporia at the World Trade Centre,
Cuffe Parade and elsewhere in south Bombay**.
- Bihar Emporium, Dhun Nur, Sir PM Road.
- Black Patridge (Haryana), Air India Building, Nariman Point.
- Gurjari, 27 Khaitan Bhavan, J Tata Road.
- Kairali, Nirmal, Nariman Point: Particularly good
for textiles, furnishings, wood carving and brassware.
- Kashmir Government Arts Emporium, Co-op Insurance Bldg,
Sir PM Road.
- UP Emporium, Sir PM Road for silks, cottons and brocades.
- Gangotri (UP), Mrignayanee (MP) and Phulkari, Shikha
and Trimurti (Maharashtra) -- which has an outstanding collection of statues-- are all at World Trade Centre,
Cuffe Parade.
*Incense
Incense
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, tel # 2027537, 2026564,
Apollo Bunder.
- Colaba Causeway stalls.
- Khadi and Village Industries, DN Road, Fort.
*Indian:**:
Indian style cards, stationary
- Aurocraft, Off SV Road, Bandra.
- Central Cottage Emporium Industries, Apollo Bunder, Colaba,
tel # 2027537, 2026564.
- Chimanlals, Off DN Rd, near New Excelsior Cinema: Veryinnovative stationary available here.
- Contemporary Arts and Crafts, 19 Nepean Sea Road, opposite
Baskin Robbins, tel # 3631979, 363740. And at Juhu Vile Parle
Shopping Centre, Gul Mohar Rd, tel # 6204668.
*Leather:**:
Leather
- Csango, Maharaj Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg, Apollo Bunder, Colaba: A leather boutique with a stiffish price tag on most of its merchandise.
- Daboo Street, near Mutton street, behind Crawford Market:
A wholesale leather bazar; has cheap prices, can custom make an item at short
notice on request.*
- Jane Shilton, branches at Breach Candy, opposite Trimurti Apartments, and on Juhu Tara Road, Juhu.
- Oberoi shopping arcades, Nariman Point: Can custom make
items on request.***
- Ritu, The Oberoi shopping arcade: Unusual leather cushions.****
- Shops along Colaba Causeway.**
*Men:**:
Men's Shirts
- Allen Solly, branches at Colaba Causeway, Marine Drive: Prices
at this international men's wear shop are better in India.****
- Arrow, branches at Colaba Causway, Marine Drive,
- Benzer, Breach Candy, tel # 3632266, 3631603.****
- The Bombay Store, Sir
PM Road, Fountain, tel # 2885048, 2873443: All big brands available. As well as some interesting ethnic cotton casual shirts.
- Charagh Din, Wodehouse Road, Colaba, tel # 2181375.**
- Fab India, Navroze Apartments, Pali Hill, near HDFC bank, Bandra, tel # 6465286, 6465289: Cotton shirts and kurta sets in traditional Indian designs.**
- KBN, 501, Linking road, opposite McDonald's, tel # 022-6465511, 6465512, 6465513, 6465514: This newish three storey department store sells men's wear.***
- Louis Philippe, branches at Kemps Corner and at Heera Panna
Shopping Centre, near Haji Ali. ***
- Zodiac, branches at Taj Mahal Hotel; Oberoi Towers; Matushri
Building, Nepean Sea Road; Link Plaza, Linking Road, Bandra: Decent
ties. Good shirts.***
*Music:**:
Music
- Asiatic Department Store, Churchgate, tel # 2834541: "In"
music available here. Few titles.
- Audio Junction, Vishwa Shanti Building, 7th road, near the Khar subway, Santa Cruz East, tel # 022-6100492, 6100497: A fairly spacious music outlet selling all types of music. The store is open from 1000 hours to 2130 hours, daily.
- Crossword, Mahalaxmi Chambers, near Haji Ali, tel # 4920253: Plenty of CDs available in this book store but selection is small compared to the biggies that have recently come up.
- Groove, the Music Destination, West Wing, 1st Floor, Eros building, Churchgate, tel # 022-2812074 and at Crossroads, 28 Pt M M Malviya road: Spread over 6,500 sq ft, has special sections for western classical, jazz and Indian classical music in addition to pop, rock and Indian popular music. This large store has a cafe on its premises. Open from 1000 hours to 2100 hours daily. Open from 1200 hours to 1900 hours on Sundays.
- Hi-Hat, 14th road, Jain Arcade, Khar Danda road, Khar West, tel # 022-6057590: Sells all categories of music including Indian and Western classic and jazz. The 4,000 sq ft shop also has a cafe on the premises. Open from 1100 hours to 2100 hours, daily. Closed on Thursday.
- Hiro Music House, branches at Sir PM Road, Fort and at Hill Road, Bandra: Good selection of Indian music.
- Nalanda, Taj Mahal Hotel, Apollo Bunder, Colaba,
tel # 2022514: Open till midnight. Limited selection.
- Planet M, Times of India Building, DN road, tel # 022-2620271: Bombay's largest and newest music store offers 30,000 titles in music, with special sections for Western classical, jazz and Indian classical music in addition to pop, rock and Indian popular music. This large store also has a books section with 10,000 titles, CD-Roms, a DJ console, a stage, a cards corner and a cafeteria on its premises. Open from 1000 hours to 2200 hours daily.
- Rhythm House, Kala Ghoda: Good selection of CDs. Excellent
collection of Hindustani classical music. Perhaps one of the best music stores in Bombay.
*Perfume:**:
Perfume
- Insha Allah Mashallah, behind the Taj, tel # 2832830.
- Shops at Mangaldas Market lane, near the Jama Masjid, opposite
Crawford Market.
- Shops at Arthur Bunder Road, off Colaba Causeway, Colaba.
*Saris:**:
Saris and Ethnic wear
- Anokhi, near Kemps Corner: Interesting kurta ensembles. Good cottons. Skirts. Blouses. Kaftans. ***
- The Bombay Store, Sir
PM Road, Fountain, tel # 2885048, 2873443: An attractive range of kurtas.***
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Apollo Bunder, Colaba,
tel # 2027537, 2026564: Silk kurta ensembles and unusual saris
available. ***
- Chetana, Kala Ghoda, Fort tel # 2844968: A great range
of cotton kurta sets and cotton saris.**
- Ensemble, opposite Lions Gate, Kala Ghoda: Designer kurta
wear. Very elegant taste. Claim to fame is the wedding trousseau
kurtas Ensemble "created" for Jemima Goldsmith, Pak
cricketer Imran Khan's wife.****
- Eternia, Premson Bazar, Breach Candy, tel # 3636600, 3636601, 3636602, 3636603:
The outfits sold here are a bit extra exotic.****.
- Ethnic Heart, Kala Ghoda, behind Copper Chimney: Very elegant cotton kurtas and tasteful jewellery, chunnis etc.
- Fab India, Navroze Apartments, Pali Hill, near HDFC bank, Bandra: Colourful and traditonal cotton salwar-kurta sets.**
- Indian Textile Company, Taj Mahal
Hotel shopping arcade, tel # 2028783, 2029278 : Beautiful, rich choices.****
- Kaysons, Stadium House, Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate,
tel # 2843422: Quite a varied selection of saris and some kurta-salwar
sets. ***
- Khadi Stores, 145 Prarthana Samaj, tel # 3856550: Plenty of
khadi (typical rough woven Indian cloth) choices in silk
and cotton.**
- Khadi and Village Industries, DN Road, Fort: The dreary
atmosphere of this store can really put you off. But there are
good khadi cloth and kurtas to be found mainly in cotton.
- Melange, Altamount Road: A absolutely wonderful place to window shop. Not shop. The kurta creations are a bit hard to believe. But should
- Metz, Nepean Sea Road: For kurta sets. Excellent taste.
****
- Paaneri, branches at Dadar TT and at Andheri, near Shoppers' Stop: A very popular outlet that stocks saris and kurta ensembles. Some of outfits are rather flashy or jhatak as it is termed in Mumbai lingo.
- Princess, The Oberoi shopping arcade. Very exotic saris
and material available here.****
- Piramyd, 28, Pt M M Malviya road, Haji Ali, tel # 022-4945890, 4945891: Surprisingly a good selection of economically priced clothing in addition to the designer wear. The attached mall stocks expensive labels.
- Ritu, Oberoi Towers Shopping Arcade, tel # 2846995: Excellent taste. An especially great place for kurtas. ****
- Shilpi Kendra, Hotel Majestic, tel #2021521: The Kendra
is an exhibition site that changes every fortnight or so and sells
saris and kurtas brought in from other states.*
- Vama, Peddar Road, near Kemps Corner, tel # 3871460, 3871461, 3871462, 3871463: Designer wear in fine colours and materials.****
- Queens Road shops starting from beyond Churchgate Station, like
Roop Milan, Kala Niketan, John Roberts. Roop Milan, tel # 2016059, especially,
has great choices and excellent customer service. Queens Road
is traditionally the place to shop for Indian wedding trousseaus.***
- Dadar Circle shops Panneri, Roop Milan, Benaras Art Palace, Eastern Express Highway: These shops stock the same merchandise
as the Queens Road area shops, however prices are better here.**
- Boutiques on Juhu Tara Road, near Prithvi Theatre: Designer wear
kind of stuff.***
- Boutique shops at Kemps Corner like Intershoppe, Litolier,
Ravissant: Again designer wear, some of it a bit too exotic.****
*Shoes:**:
Shoes
- Oberoi shopping arcades, Nariman Point: Some fifteen shops
located in these arcades sell all varieties of shoes.
- Stores along Colaba Causeway, towards Regal Cinema.
- Numerous stores along Linking Road, Bandra: Hold numerous shoes
sales.
*Sporting:**:
Sporting goods
- Nike, branches at Colaba Causeway,. Bata outlets all over town also stock Nike sports shoes.***
- Proline: Top of the line, made-in-India sportswear. Ts, shorts and accessories are available.**
- Reebok, branches at Colaba Causeway, and at Vama, Kanchenjunga, Peddar Road,.***
- The shops located near Metro Cinema and along Queens Road or Maharshi Karve Road, near Charni Road station stock all varieties of sports goods, from solid wood carrom boards to snooker equipment, as well exercise machines and sporting gear.**
*Toys:**: Toys
- Big Tom, Arsiwala building, opposite Charagh Din, 59A Wodehouse road, tel # 2153142, 2153944: New, small toy shop. Reasonable selection.**
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Apollo Bunder, Colaba
tel # 2027537, 2026564: For traditional Indian toys.**
- Crossword,
Mahalaxmi Chambers, near Haji Ali, tel # 4920253: Fair selection
of educational toys, 'pretend' toys and children's books. There's a big train engine for children to clamber onto.***
- Hallmark, Crossroads, 28 Pt M M Malviya road: Cards, giant stuff toys, kid's stationery, Barbies, toddler toys and more. New outlet. Bit crowded.***
- Premson Bazar, Breach Candy, tel # 3636600, 3636601, 3636602, 3636603: This shops stocks probably the widest range of children's toys in Bombay. Much of it is imported, but Premson has something for every price range. The shop stocks quite a few educational toys too like puzzles, building kits, Legos etc.***
- Souvenir, Colaba Causeway, opposite Cusrow Baug, tel #2842296:
Stocks the popular stuff. Children's books as well.**
*Silks:**:
Silk
- Babubhai Jagjivan Das, Sardar VP Road, near Harkisondas
Hopsital, tel #3880080 and near Sion Circle: Wide range of sober
silks.**
- Binnys, Colaba Causeway, near Electric House: For Mysore
silks.**
- Christina, The Oberoi Shopping Centre, Nariman Point: Excellent
selection of silk scarves, purses, ties, shirts, wallets.****
- Indian Textiles Company, Taj Mahal Hotel, Apollo Bunder
tel # 2028783,2029278: Exotic collection of cloth - fine brocades,
lush chiffons.****
- Kala Niketan, Queens Road, tel # 2015001, 2014952 and at Andheri
tel # 6148530.***
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Apollo Bunder, tel
# 2027537, 2026564: Vast range of printed and plain silks and
khadi silks. **
- Khubson, opposite Colaba Police Station, Colaba Causeway , tel
# 2020614: Good choices of material and scarves. Does tailoring
too.***
- Roop Milan, Queens Road (2nd floor), tel # 2016059 and
at Dadar.***
*Spices:**:
Spices and Tea
- Akbarallys, 45, Veer Nariman Road, Fountain, tel # 2047155, 2043921, 2044213,
at Santacruz SV Road, tel # 6490196/0612, at Chembur , VN.Purav
Marg tel # 5524098, 5524193.
- Crawford Market: Inside the market proper are several shops selling all varieties of spices used in Indian cuisine.
- Foodlands, Juhu.
- Rustoms, Wodehouse Road, Colaba.
- Grant Road market.
- Sahakari Bhandar, branches all over Bombay. The Colaba
branch is most conveniently located opposite Regal Cinema inside
Majestic Hotel.
*Sweets:**:
Indian Sweets
- American Dry Fruit, Fountain.
- Chappan Bhog, Kemps Corner and Khar.
- Lokmanjis, Grant Road.
- Meethi Baaten Nepean Sea Road.
- Nayvedayam, Churchgate.
- Royal Halwa, Crawford Market.
*Tailoring:**:
Tailoring for Men and Women
Most of these shops stock cloth for making suits, shirts, skirts,
blouses or dresses. They can often do a 48 hour or even 24 hour
rush job. It is often best, if you can to give them a sample of
what you would like to have tailored. Many of them however stock
the latest catalogues from abroad for one to choose a design from.
- Anja Saan, Hill Road, Bandra.
- Barra Saab, Bandra.
- Burlington, Taj Mahal Hotel, Apollo Bunder, tel # 2025593.****
- Kachins, Bombay Market, Tardeo, tel # 4940895.
- Karachiwala, Ali Chambers, Behind Flora Fountain.
- Kala Pushp, 2nd floor Oberoi Towers Shopping Arcade, tel
# 2870654.***
- Khubsons, opposite Colaba Police Station, Colaba Causeway, tel
# 2020614.***
- Lord & Taylor, Sea Castle, Marine Drive, Near Chowpatty,
tel # 3618738.***
- A Sequeira, Kapur Mansion, Hughes Road, tel #3612631.***
- Raymond's Showroom, Nepean Sea Road, oOpposite Breach Candy Medical and Research Centre.***
*Watches:**:
Watches
- Heera Panna shopping centre, Haji Ali: For international
brands and gimmicky watches.
- Marcks and Co, MG Road, Fountain, tel # 2670999.
- Oberoi shopping arcades for old watches.
- Titan showroom at Colaba Causeway, near Regal Cinema and
Heera Panna, tel # 4922955. Excellent affordable range. Top quality
Indian brand.**
*End:**: