If you need anything – be it clothes, electronics, books – in Bengaluru, chances are you’ll head to one of these popular destinations around. Whether your shopping is utilitarian or hedonistic, we decided to give you a quick rundown on some of the most famous markets so you can be a little better informed. Check out some of the pocket-friendly places to shop in Bengaluru below!
Majestic Market
Majestic Market is one of the more versatile areas you can go to shop. It’s a beautiful blend in terms of its variety of products, shops, and styles. It is easily accessible by bus, train, and metro. It is also bordering or near National Market, Hong Kong Market and Burma Bazaar. Between these 3-4 markets, you can get a huge variety of local and imported products, and there is also a grey market for electronics, much like the Lamington road of Bombay or Nehru Place in Delhi – but do make sure you check the quality and veracity of the goods. Other than cameras, tablets, and other electronic goodies, you’ll also find perfumes, watches, shoes and much more here.
Malleswaram
Not too far from Majestic Market (around 20 minutes by public transport), you can find Malleswaram, which gets its name from the KaaduMalleswara temple nearby. A haven for all kinds of things, it is famous the aroma that pervades the market, owing to the number of flower shops there. The old-world charm is lent to it by the spices, herbs, street food, and other shops in the market. Head over to Sampige Road for beautiful traditional jewellery and ethnic wear.
Ajji Mane
One of many neighbourhood flea markets, this is a great place to head to for all your knick-knack and kitsch needs! Although it is called a neighbourhood market, it is open for anyone who wishes to enter. If you’re an aficionada of anything artistic, this will be heaven for you. Find coasters, plates, frames, paintings, wood art, and all kinds of other decorative and utility items, as well as embroidered or embellished clothing. One of the ways we suggest you make use of this is if you’re moving into a new room or want to carry a gift for a friends housewarming! And don’t forget to fill up on the delicious street food at the end of a tiring day of shopping!
Chickpet
An almost 400-year old commercial district Chickpet is particularly famous for its silk sarees; and also gold and silver jewellery. The locals of the area swear by the quality and the prices of Chickpet, and for the same reason it is very crowded. Sticking to the main avenue may be your best bet, as the low prices and high quality attract a lot of shoppers, and the narrow small lanes can lead to you getting confused easily. You can find beautiful bangles at Balepet nearby, and local musical instruments are available at Nagarthapet. Navigate the maze and the lanes skillfully enough, and this visit will definitely be worth it!
Brigade Road
One of the most popular shopping destinations in the city, Brigade road is home to one of the most varied set of shops in the city. With branded and high-quality showrooms for brands like Vero Moda, Levis, and others, you can go ahead and get that stylish branded top or jacket you’ve been waiting for. But Brigade road is also famous for a variety of other shopping centres, such as Eva Mall, where you can get unbranded but stylish garments and accessories for a much lower price – use your bargaining skills here to get the best deal! You can also find antique stores for a number of handmade products, and Tibetan Plaza for great deals on footwear, accessories, and jewellery. It has a huge variety of food as well, and if you’re tired you can take a break at Blossom’s Book shop – one of the oldest in the city!
Avenue Road
If you’ve finished off all your books and are hungry for more, Avenue road is the best place to stock up. Famous for its second hand books, you’ll find yourself at home if you’ve ever been to Delhi’s Daryaganj or Bombay’s Flora fountain. Whether it’s college textbooks, the latest thrillers, or obscure philosophy, Avenue Road is the place to find all the books you needx`. More often than not, the books are in great condition, and if you put in the time and effort, you can find some amazing books at prices that are simply impossible anywhere else. You better brush up on your bargaining skills to get the most out of this place. You can also sell your old books to the sellers if they are in a good enough condition. Other than books, Avenue road is also a good place to shop for stationery and raw materials for decoration.
MG Road
Home to Bengaluru’s oldest bookstore (Higginbotham’s) from way back in 1905, M G Road is most commonly visited for its extensive range of silk sarees. You’ll find high quality silk at lower prices here, and stores like Prasiddi and Deepam Silks have earned quite a reputation. Other than the silk and the sarees, it is also famous for high quality rosewood and sandalwood items. Handicrafts of cloth, clay, and everything in between are also available here, making it a popular destination for decoration shopping and tourist souvenirs. MG Road also houses a number of restaurants and bars that stay open till late in the night. Check out your favourite websites for great food offers at the restaurants here. All in all, a whole day’s worth of enjoyment can be had here.
Commercial Street
Possibly Bengaluru’s top shopping destination, this is the city’s very own fashion street in all its glory. With entire lanes dedicated to footwear, jewellery, etc., the sheer variety and range available here is astounding. Every quality band, from expensive to cheap is available here, and you will also find a lot of sports goods and imitation jewellery as well. The shops are usually open from around 10am to 8-9pm. Being very crowded, prepare to do a lot of walking and wear comfortable shoes. Don’t leave your bargaining skills at home either, as it is an absolute must for shopping here. You can find almost any kind of clothing here, and there are even places where you can purchase antiques or other decoration items. Don’t forget to check this one out.
Dubai Plaza
Situated on Rest House road, this is the upper level of the Tibetan Plaza. It is a massive shopping complex which is sometimes referred to as the Bangkok of Bengaluru owing to the number of imported goods. While you should be a little careful and double check any product before purchasing, in general the quality here is quite good. Mens and womens clothing, accessories, cosmetics, perfumes, electronics: these are all easily available at Dubai Plaza. You can easily spend a few hours checking out all the various shops here, and you certainly won’t be disappointed.
Bengaluru is known for many unique things, but like all big cities, shopping is a part of the city that is a part of the common knowledge. All the markets above are visited for different reasons and may specialise in different things, so plan your visit accordingly. That being said, they are all amazing destinations, whether your goal is to quickly go in and out and pick up the few things you need, or to have a day out of shopping, eating, and relaxing with friends or family. In either case, you can’t go wrong with shopping in Bengaluru.
