Crowned as the fashion capital of India, Mumbai is home to several alleys mirroring a colourful mood board come to life. Here, local vendors display a wide range of clothes, footwear, accessories, homewares and much more at astonishingly affordable prices. Chances are, if you have seen it on Pinterest, one of our curated street shopping destinations have got it. So polish up your bargaining skills, grab your sunglasses and take a walk through these vibrant lanes for Mumbai’s iconic street shopping experience. A pro tip- wear comfortable shoes as you are most likely going to hit the record for most steps in a day!
1. Colaba Causeway
If you are planning a trip to Mumbai, then shopping at Colaba Causeway should be top on your itinerary list. A street shopping destination saturated with cheap bargains from trendy outfits, junk jewellery to antique novelties, the Causeway will leave you enamoured at every step. Though hard to miss, be sure to rummage through the long displays of silver and gold coloured jhumkas (earrings) which, by the way, I have proudly bought in bulk! We recommend you take a stroll during the evening as the streets are all lit up in orange hues and well, you will get a respite from the overbearing sun. Further, the street has no shortage of designer boutiques so you have an equal chance to indulge in some luxury shopping therapy.
📍Sh, Market, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
2. Crawford Street Market
Bringing in a slice of old world charm, Crawford Market is often synonymous with wholesale shopping. There is nothing you cannot find within the nooks and crannies of this colossal market spanning seventy thousand square acres! Planning a dinner party? Get a fresh range of fruits, vegetables and spices- even a range of imported chocolates and caramel are available for mindless indulgence. First day at art school? Shop from a wide selection of aesthetic stationery all at wholesale prices! The market even has its fair share of fragrances, clothing, cosmetics and so much more.
📍CST Building, Dhobi Talao, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mohammed Ali Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra
3. Chor Bazaar
If you ask the shop owners they will most definitely deny such claims, but it is said that Chor Bazaar (Thieves Market)- as its name suggests – is a market where stolen goods are sold and hey, we are not here to judge! Famous for its second-hand yet amazing collection of antique objects starting from old telephones, wall clocks, mirror frames, wooden furniture and more, Chor Bazaar remains Mumbai’s biggest flea market. While browsing through rustic aisles of vintage goods, take a breather and indulge in the street’s famous melt-in-the-mouth kebabs. Trust us, you will not be disappointed!
📍Mutton St, Ajmer, Kumbharwada, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400003
4. Dadar Flower Market
Taking a step aside from the traditional shopping streets of Mumbai- Dadar Flower Market offers a riot of colours to the eye as you witness the floral charm of the city. Though the market remains open until 8pm, we highly suggest you get there early in the morning. (The street vendors set up shop as early as four am!). For all you photography enthusiasts, enjoy a fragrant walk through the market as you find a burst of colours stemming from garlands, rope-tied roses, marigolds and more at every corner.
📍302, Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar West, Mumbai – 400028
5. Mangaldas Market
So a fun fact about me, I love ethnic outfits- embroidered kurtis, silk sarees, bordered lehengas and everything in between! So when I recommend Mangaldas Market, you know it is the one to visit! It is to note that the majority of the shops here sell unstitched fabrics so you need to buy them by the metre to get it tailored. A prime shopping destination for brides to be, these high quality fabrics are available at wholesale prices and is thereby recognised as a prominent street shopping destination.
📍10 Mangaldash, Market, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
6. Linking Road
Housing street side markets as well the famous Link Square Mall, Linking Road is a treasure trove for footwear available at bargain rates! Head to the tiny lane opposite National College and you will find Kolhapuris (handcrafted leather slippers), boots, sneakers and a variety of other options to pick and choose! Though famous for its budgeted options, the market, especially Link Square Mall, is where you can find brands like Puma, Adidas, Vans, even high end ones like Chanel, at a steal. But wait, there is a catch! These stores usually either sell brand rejects or first copies of the same, hence, the affordable prices.
📍33rd Rd, Khar, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052
7. Bandra Hill Road Market
Not that far from Linking Road resides the Bandra Hill Road Market that is friendly to all budget brackets. Whether you want to put together an outfit at an affordable price or splurge on some designer stores, you can head down to Hill Road and be sure to find what you are looking for. A prime destination in Mumbai, Bandra is often considered the heart of the city so a trip down the (often crowded) lanes and alleys of Hill Road is one for the books. Do not forget to indulge in a couple of delicacies or more as the street boasts finger-licking street food, cafes and restaurants alike that will treat you to a wide cuisine to satisfy your tastebuds. Hot tip: Try the pani puris (Indian snack) here, honestly!
📍487 Pali Village, Khar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
8. Lalbaug Market
Walking past aisles upon aisles of spices all mounted in cones will leave you itching to get your camera out. The market, also famously known for its grand celebration of Ganpati, houses fresh batches of Kashmiri red chillies, nutmegs, cinnamon, cumin and more all ready to be ground coarsely, packed and taken home. With clouds of residue keeping you company, you can even witness the process of spices being roasted as each store uses their own homegrown recipes to stir up new jars of creation.
Be sure to also venture into what’s called the ‘Chivda Galli’ where the munching snacks (a mixture of salt, spices, flattened rice and sugar) are often an arduous product of 8 hours of preparation every single day! Enjoyed religiously in India, chivdas has its own set of savants who all find their way to this market in order to stock up on their piles.
📍 Dinshaw Petit Rd, Shree Ganesh Nagar, Lal Baug, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400012
9. Bhuleshwar Market
A tablespoon of colour and another of glitter gives you Bhuleshwar Market, also called the ‘Bride’s Market’ by its patrons. Rows upon rows of shiny bangles, stone-studded latkans (ornamental tassels) and embroidered ghagras (Indian ethnic outfit) only constitute a fraction of all the things sold in this market. If you have a wedding in the offing or you’re a connoisseur of all things ethnic (like I am), surely dive into Bhuleshwar Market’s colourful streets. You can find imitation jewellery (a replica of the original designs) at a bargain as well as quality traditional outfits that, trust us, will leave behind a string of admirers as you walk down the streets.
📍60, Kika St, Marine Lines East, Panjarpole, Bhuleshwar, Mumbai
10. Zaveri Bazaar
One of the oldest markets in the city, the narrow streets of Zaveri Bazaar house shops that are centuries old. Zaveri Bazaar is the biggest jewellery market in India and will dazzle you with its aisles upon aisles of long standing establishments selling shiny bangles, gold pendants, necklaces made of precious gemstones, etc. Though famous for its exquisite jewellery, you can also find excellent artworks carved on wood that are perfect to elevate your living room aesthetic!
📍Sheikh Menon Street, Kalbadevi, Mumbai – 400002 (Near Lohar Chawl)