Best Markets in Kolkata [Top Shopping Spots]
"You want your city clean and green, stick to Delhi. You want your city rich and impersonal, go to Bombay. You want them hi-tech and full of draught beer, your place is Bangalore. But if you want a city with a soul, come to Calcutta," Indian journalist Vir Sanghvi once said.
Even in its simple meaning, the quote is real. Due to its soulful embodiment of music, passion, mystery, admiration, excitement, and undoubtedly some incredible sweet delicacies, the city has received the nickname 'city of joy'. Kolkata, as it is now called, is a city that retains a natural juxtaposition between the ancient and the new worlds.
Not only is Kolkata renowned for its wide variety of food choices, but it is also one of the great places to shop from many famous markets in Kolkata. Shopping areas can be incredibly enjoyable in Kolkata as the location has so much to offer its tourists. There isn't much in this place that you can't find. Besides, as a benefit for consumers, most of the brands are available in the affordable range in the business area of Kolkata.
1. New Market Kolkata
New Market is one of the oldest commercial centres, dating back to the colonial period, a shopper's paradise. A selection of items, ranging from shoes, sarees, exotic flowers, and rare cheese, can be found amid the rush of enthusiastic shoppers. Ask for it, and you have it, true to the proverb. All stores with related goods are grouped in a block, making it more organised. In one area, one can pick from over 2000 stalls clumped together. New Store, situated on Lindsay Lane, provides everything there is to ask for. It is one of the best markets in Kolkata.
Schedule: Monday-Friday from 10 am to 8 pm
Saturday, 10 am - 2:30 pm; closed on Sunday
2. City Centre 1 Shopping Mall
City Centre 1 Shopping Mall is one of the best markets in Kolkata. It is a twin mall located in Salt Lake, one of the many spread out across the area. For any client, the shops in the City Centre have everything, and so it has a widespread footfall. There are still some great shops you should certainly check out.
Timings: from 10 am to 8:30 pm; every day.
3. Dakshinapan Shopping Center
This Kolkata shopping centre is world-renowned for its collection of handicraft pieces. There are several emporiums selling assorted products at different prices. It also makes it a better alternative for purchasing clothing at a lower price. To welcome you, the nearest tea shop offers 20 different fruit tea flavours. There are several choices for gifts available at this location for tourists who want to take something back home.
Timings: Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 7:30 pm, Monday from 2 pm, and Sunday from 2 pm.
4. Oxford Bookstore
This is the ideal place if you are a fan of reading. This place is one of the best places, other than the college lane, to find a variety of books. You can also sit and chill in this position while you look for your favourite books in its tea shop or reading room. It has an organised interface that makes it easier for people to search and find the books they need. There is a special portion for children as well.
Place: Park Street
Timings: from 10 am and 9 pm.
5. Bara Bazaar
Bara Bazaar in Kolkata, like Chandni Chowk, can be very important to the busy markets of Delhi. This business is split into many regions, and it provides a wide range of everything you like.
This place will give you almost anything, from herbs, electronic products, cosmetics, home necessities, toys to artificial jewellery and textiles. If you thought such a range would cost you tons, then this competition is incredibly cheap and inexpensive to a surprise. Additionally, it is one of the best fish markets in Kolkata.
Location: Close the Metro Station on Mahatma Gandhi Road
Schedule: 10:30 am to 7:30 pm, Sunday: closed on Sunday
6. Sunshine
If your key concept is to browse for various kinds of textiles that are not easily available, including embroidered bags and some nice and attractive silver jewellery, then go directly to the Sunshine.
This place is preserved by two brothers and has enormous variations of the items described. At any affordable markets in Kolkata, you can bargain with the rates and pick up some great items. If you are a tourist, the brothers will even assist you with your travel arrangements.
Place: Sudder Street
Timings: from 10 am and 9 pm.
7. College Street
As the name college indicates, this location largely stocks a large collection of books. It mainly provides some old books that cannot be found anywhere else in Kolkata. This is the world's biggest second-hand book market and India's largest market for books.
You can well imagine how many books you're going to find here. At an inexpensive price, this book market offers many rare books. At the nearby coffee house next to this book store, you can also kick back and relax.
Location: Park Street's northern side
Timings: from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Sunday: closed.
8. Chowringhee Road
This place is ideal for shopping for terracotta pieces, which are also one of Kolkata's specialities. Anything funky can be discovered, while you can still find some very conventional stuff as well. To get to the one that you want, you just have to browse a lot of things first.
If you're good at negotiation as well, then you can make the most of this place. Be willing to look at thousands of items to get something that fits your taste.
Location: Chowringhee Road near the Grand Hotel of Oberoi
Timings: Varies on the sellers, but the evening is the chosen time
9. Hatibagan Market
This location, now renowned for its impressive collection of cotton sarees, was once known for the number of different birds and animals sold. The area saw heavy crowds earlier, but a fire caused tremendous damage to this location.
The remaining market in Kolkata sells the finest cotton and silk sarees at an inexpensive price, even though the rest of the place has been destroyed by fire. In the evenings and on holidays, this location is particularly busy and the best Kolkata wholesale market for kurtis.
Location: Path of Shri Aurobindo Sarani
Timings: from 10 am and 10 pm.
10. Howrah Phool Bazaar
Flowers can add beauty to any decoration, can't they? If you, too, need to buy flowers for an occasion and are searching for the best place to get a massive variety, then this Kolkata flower market is the right destination. You can certainly find it easily here, no matter what your need. This wholesale marketplace for flowers has a wide range of flowers and sells them at an affordable price.
Location: Howrah Bridge's eastern side
Timings: from 4 am and 10 pm.
Also Read:
1) Famous Markets in Bangalore
2) Famous Markets in Surat
3) Best Markets in Odisha
4) Best Markets in Telangana
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FAQs
Q. Where can I buy the best textiles in Kolkata?
Ans. There are linen types, Khadi, Bangladeshi Dhakais, Benarasis handloom, which can be found here at the markets in Kolkata. Vasansi Jaipur, Ananda, Adi Dhakeshwari Vastralaya, RMCA Basak, Priya Gopal Bishoyee, Adi Mohini Mohan Kanjilal, etc., to name a few, are some popular shops in kolkata chandni market.
Q. Is Kolkata a good marketplace for a book lover?
Ans. As mentioned before, College Street is a literal sanctuary for book lovers, as the world's largest second-hand bookstore. So go and breathe in the scent of books when you visit the place.
Q. Where can I look for traditional artefacts in Kolkata for home decor?
Ans. The incredible terracotta artefacts surrounding Chowringhee Lane's pavements are another speciality that your eyes can feast on. There are many styles available that also make for stunning pieces of home decor.
Q. Where can I get branded clothes in Kolkata markets?
Ans. Quest Mall is the place to go for branded goods and high-end shopping in a comfortable central location. There is also an INOX six-screen multiplex cinema. Open from 11 am daily up to 9 pm.
Q. What are some of the best places to buy good quality tea in Kolkata?
Ans. Tea in Kolkata has always been famous. If you're a connoisseur of tea, you can enjoy the offerings at the Mahabodhi Tea House of the Old World. It sells a range of teas from Darjeeling's 87 tea gardens and Assam's 400. Karma Kettle in Ballygunge Place is another outstanding place. Note that it's closed on Sundays.