Everything you need to know, places to shop, eat, entertainment and tips for best shopping experience compiled into a easy and safe guide for solo travelers and tourists to navigate through the street market of Mumbai. From Colaba Causeway to Hill Road Bandra, Linking Road to Crawford Market, Bhuleshwar Market to Chor Bazaar.
Mumbai Street Market Shopping is not for the faint hearted, the rich experience of being immersed in culture and shopping like one of the locals can be a sensory overload for some but a thrilling experience for others. Bringing to life the streets of Mumbai these streets and alleyways nestle hundreds of stalls selling a range of Indian and imported goods of varying quality and price ranges. You will find antiques, souvenirs, Indian ethnic wear, wedding attire, decor, home goods and even food. Each Mumbai street market has it’s own vibe. Read along and find out which markets will suit your shopping goals.
Street Market Bargaining Culture
Bargaining culture is widely accepted in street markets, but some vendors choose to sell their goods at a “fixed rate/price,” in which case they will not budge when you try to bargain with them.
When speaking to market vendors, realise that some may at the least double the price if you look like a tourist. This is just an expected part of street shopping. Even though the price has been doubled, it will still be cheaper than what you’d otherwise be paying at a mall or shopping center nearby. Trust me, bargaining in India is an experience. Stick to your guns and keep offering a lower price, at least 20% less than what they quote. Please be respectful at all times. Street market vendors are only trying to earn a living, and even though you may spend a few extra dollars on an item, you are still grabbing a deal. If you shy away from bargaining, street shopping in Mumbai may not be for you unless you are willing to pay a little more than the locals.
Cash Only
While there are some street market vendors that may accept different forms of payment, the most safe and reliable way to ensure that you wont be turned away at a stall is to carry cash. Remember to take smaller notes to help the vendor out, especially when business is slow in the mornings the shop owners are not likely to carry enough change to be able to split your 500 rupee note. Be considerate. Information for the nearest ATM or foreign exchange locations have been included for each market below.
Crawford Street Market
(Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai)
- Location: Lokmanya Tilak Marg, Dhobi Talao, Fort Area, South Mumbai.
- Nearest Train Terminal : Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus).
- Hours: Open daily Monday – Saturday Approximately 11am – 8pm. Limited Hours on Sunday Morning.
- Known for: Dry fruit, Spices, Perfume, Imported Chocolate and Cosmetics.
- Eat at: Gulshan – e – Iran, located at M.R.A. Marg Corner of, Musafir Khana Rd, Near Crawford Market, Mumbai.
- Nearest ATM/Currency Exchange: Axis Bank ATM, Shop No 12 & 3, Ashoka Shopping Centre Crawford Market.
Colaba Causeway Street Market
- Location: Colaba Causeway Market, Sh, Market, Colaba, Mumbai.
- Nearest Train Terminal: Churchgate.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday Daily 11am to 11pm.
- Known for: Handicrafts, Accessories, Specially Junk or Boho Jewellery.
- Eat: Leopold’s Cafe or Cafe Mondegar Open Till Late.
- Nearest ATM/Currency Exchange: Bank Of India at Electric House, Colaba Causeway, Cusrow Baug Colony.
Dadar Flower Street Market
- Location: Tulsi Pipe Road next to Dadar Railway Station. Walk further down to find general market where vendors sell clothes, accessories, homeware.
- Nearest Train Terminal: Dadar Railway Station.
- Hours: Daily 4am to 9am is the busiest period with most fresh flowers available.
- Known for: The largest flower wholesale market in Mumbai
- Eat: Try the Famous Mumbai Vada Pav at one of the food stalls nearby.
- Nearest ATM/Currency Exchange: State Bank of India at N C. Kelkar Marg, Kelkar Wadi, Dadar, Mumbai.
Linking Road Street Market
- Location: 33rd Road, Khar, Khar West, Mumbai.
- Nearest Train Terminal: Bandra Station.
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 10pm. Limited hours on Sunday Morning.
- Known as: Fashion lovers paradise. Known for: Branded clothes.
- Eat at: Elco, Located at 2/A, Elco Market, 46, Hill Road, Bandra West, Mumbai.
- Nearest ATM/Currency Exchange: Bank of Baroda at 81, Hill Road, Ranwar, Bandra West, W, Mumbai.
Fashion Street Market
- Location: MG Road, south Mumbai. Near Metro Cinema and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) railway station. Nearby Azad Maidan.
- Nearest Train Terminal: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus)
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 10pm. Limited Hours on Sunday mornings.
- Known for: Trendiest western clothes, shoes and accessories on the market.
- Eat: Fried Potato Twists dusted with salt and chili powder.
- Nearest ATM/Currency Exchange: Axis Bank at Glass House, Press Club, Mahanagarpalika Marg, Azad Maidan, Fort, Mumbai.
Chor Bazaar Street Market
- Location: Mutton Street, between SV Patel Road & Moulana Shaukat Ali Road, by Mohammad Ali Road, South Mumbai.
- Nearest Train Terminal: Mumbai Central Railway Station.
- Hours: Daily 11am to 7:30 Excluding Friday Which is Reserved for Jummah Market.
- Known for: Antiques, Vintage Bollywood Film Posters, Brass goods.
- Nearest ATM/Currency Exchange: ICICI Bank at 225 Moulana Shaukat Ali Road, South Mumbai.
No Returns Policy
Check the item you wish to purchase carefully and notice any defects in the product before you pay the vendor, as they are unlikely to take returns or do refunds. Most of the items sold at these markets are from the same suppliers who manufacture for more prominent name brands, so you’re getting tremendous value for money. Due to defects, misprints, or excess stock, identical items are often sold in bulk to market vendors to avoid wastage. 95% of the stock sold is of good quality, and honestly, no one can tell that you’ve bought the same item for a quarter of the price from a street market vs a shopping centre.
Finding Your Way Around The Market
Most stalls have a shop/stall number which sets them apart from other vendors, instead of trying to remember shop names or landmarks ask for a shop number. If you can’t find the shop you can always other shop owners or the locals for directions to them as you make your way around the market. Take a mental note of how you entered the market, and notice landmarks, this will help when you’re lagging around bags full of shopping eagerly trying to escape back to your accommodation.
TIPS
Carry an extra tote bag within your handbag or backpack so you can comfortably get your shopping from the markets to your accommodation.
Book an Airbnb or hotel close to the markets you want to shop at.
Leave valuables at your accommodation. If you can’t store them in a safe place while you are shopping, be sure to buy a security waist belt to keep your passport, documents, and cash safe to avoid pickpocketing.
Skip the ice when buying bottled fizzy drinks or water from stalls in the market. The ice is usually made from unfiltered water and may cause waterborne diseases if you are immunocompromised or prone to getting sick when travelling, especially during the monsoon season (June to September) do not consume ice on your trip.
Check out the book stalls, will always find the latest international publications at a fraction of the cost you would pay at your local bookstore
Watch Mumbai Street Market Shopping Vlogs
Local Vloggers upload videos onto Youtube showcasing street shopping scene in Mumbai. If you type in the Youtube search bar “Mumbai street shopping” or more specifically “(insert market name here) market street shopping” you will thousands and thousands of videos showing the range of items on sale. If you filter the search results displayed to only show videos that have been published during the last 7 days you will be able to choose exactly the Mumbai street markets that’ll best suit your needs.
Vlog channels on Youtube that explore Mumbai street market shopping:
- Priyanka Naik Vlog’s – Explores the all sorts of markets in Mumbai, from hidden gems to the most frequented locations
- Tanwi Dixit – Perfect vlogs for the younger audience looking for trendy pieces
- Priyanca Solanki – Displays the market price for each item on screen as she explores the market
Mehndi at the Market
Street markets in Mumbai often have mehndi artists who can apply mehndi to your hands and feet. For a unique experience, you should try it out. They often have portfolios of designs they can recreate or you can ask them for something specific and they might be able to create. Be sure to check what they are using to apply the mehendi. There are often 2 types of methods artists use:
Natural Henna paste
Artists use henna cones to apply designs to the skin. Created with fresh leaves, henna powder, sugar, water, and essential oils. A more natural and dark stain is produced by this paste. It is safe for all ages and skin types but be sure to spot-test the paste on your skin before you get the mehndi applied if you have allergies or sensitive skin. Since each artist may use additional ingredients to get their stain to last longer on the skin.
A simple design may take 5 minutes to apply on both hands and up to an hour for more intricate designs. The simple rule of thumb is the more time the artist spends on the design, the more you will be expected to pay to cover the time, effort and products used for the design.
Artificial black or red henna
Some of the stalls may have what looks like large rubber stamps which are used to apply mehendi. They dip the stamp into a mixture of stains which is created from an ink that instantly stains the skin. That rubber stamp is then applied to your skin. This method is faster than using natural henna paste but be careful it may cause irritation, swelling or chemical burns in the worst-case scenario.
Most Importantly!
Have fun and live in the moment, street shopping Mumbai will be one of the most exciting experiences and one you’ll tell stories about in years to come.
Stay safe and happy travels 🙂
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