Review: Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Let’s start with scale. Where are we between global flagship and neighborhood boutique?
Sometimes it’s nice to have new stuff that looks old. Enter Souk Madinat, a recreation of an ancient Arabian marketplace, complete with shopping stalls, bars, and restaurants. There are breathtaking views of the Burj Al Arab, best enjoyed from one of the coffee shops or bars along the water.

Excellent! What can we find here, or what should we look for?
The recreated souk area really enchants, with ornately patterned timber ceilings and brass burners holding incense sticks. Bejeweled is the name of the game here, so scour the indoor stalls for sequined fabrics, beaded slippers, and sparkly kaftans. Home accessories (patterned cushion covers, wood-carved lamps, gold-colored shisha pipes) are also plentiful here, as are typical Middle Eastern souvenirs like colorful pashminas or T-shirts printed with your name in Arabic.

If money’s no object, what goes in the cart?
Souk Madinet is an ideal place to visit with your parents or anyone who wants a taste of local culture but may not have time to go all the way to the Old Town. Local Emiratis and expats alike come to browse the shops before stopping by one of the cafes by the water, so you won't be completely surrounded by tourists.