Street Shopping In Kolkata: 9 Places For The Best Shopping Experience

A view of people walking on a street with shops on both sides during the daytime.

Kolkata, more appropriately called the City of Joy, is a rich cultural heritage city of historical importance and has busy street markets. Shopping here is an experience where you can view various products, from traditional handicrafts to the most contemporary style statements. Shopping on the streets in Kolkata is an adventure that involves soaking up the culture and treating your taste buds to street delicacies with exclusive bargains. This article brings to the fore the best places for street shopping in Kolkata so that you experience the most of this bustling metropolis.

9 Best Places to Shop in Kolkata

Some of the liveliest markets and shopping venues in Kolkata are as follows:

1. New Market

 The new market is one of the best places for street shopping in Kolkata for travellers.

Photo: Kritzolina / Wikimedia Commons

Built across a vast area, the New Market is undoubtedly one of Kolkata’s oldest and most well-known shopping markets. Established in 1874 as Hogg Market, this market sells various items, from clothes and accessories to gadgets and grocery items. Its traditional architecture and maze-like layout make the market an exciting place to visit. What makes New Market very popular is its affordability and the range of items found here. It’s a definite visit for both locals and tourists, and one can enjoy local street food while in the market, as there are plenty of vendors around.

Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Location: d-twenty three, 19, Lindsay St, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087

Suggested Read: Shopping In Kolkata

2. Gariahat Market

A stunning view of two hands holding assorted colourful jewellery during the daytime.

Photo: Artem Beliaikin / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Gariahat Market is quite a busy marketplace located in South Kolkata. It is highly famous for its vast array of sarees, jewellery, handicrafts, and other items of daily life. The market has been divided into sections that sell different products. Gariahat is particularly famous for its vibrancy and street food stalls that offer good local delicacies. Whether traditional Bengali sarees or stylish contemporary wear, Gariahat Market caters to all requirements. Added to this are the lively atmosphere and the opportunity to haggle over the prices with the vendors.

Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal 700019

3. College Street

 College Street is one of the best places for street shopping in Kolkata for book lovers.

Photo: Billjones94 / Wikimedia Commons

College Street, or Boi Para, as it is more popularly called, is a paradise for book lovers. This century-old market comprises numerous bookshops and stalls selling new, secondhand, and rare books. It is also the location of the legendary Coffee House, the haunt of the intelligentsia and students engaging in heated debates. Quirky, with a wide array of books, this market has become a haven for literature and academia enthusiasts. Whether it be textbooks, novels, or rare editions, College Street is a veritable heaven for these literary goodies.

Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Location: College Square, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007

Suggested Read: Saree Shopping In Kolkata

4. Dakshinapan Shopping Complex

Stunning view of a local jewellery shop in Kolkata with a man standing in front at night.

Photo: Alexander Isreb / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

The Dakshinapan Shopping Complex gives one several traditional Indian handicrafts and ethnic wear. Many shops here sell handloom sarees, kurtas, jewellery, and home décor items from almost every state in India. Various cultural events and performances are also held at Dakshinapan, making it a different shopping experience and combining retail therapy with cultural enrichment. The open setup and presence of emporiums from other states make it a delight to stroll around and shop for local crafts.

Timings: 11 AM – 7:30 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Location: DAKHINAPAN MARKET, Dhakuria, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068

5. Hatibagan Market

 Hatibagan Market is one of the oldest markets for street shopping in Kolkata for all.

Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons

The Hatibagan Market is the oldest in North Kolkata. It offers a great bargain and a range of goods available at reasonable prices, be it clothes, accessories, electronic goods, or even home decor items. This market is more in the news for its various traditional Bengali sarees and jewellery. The friendliness of the vendors and the thronging crowd make the environment, in total, a pleasurable experience to shop. Besides the shopping outlets, the pet shops available give an element of uniqueness to your shopping experience.

Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Location: 122, Shri Aurobindo Sarani Rd, Manicktala, Khanna, Shyam Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700006

Suggested Read: Shopping Malls In Kolkata

6. Burrabazar

A close-up view of varied spices at a counter in a street shop during the daytime.

Photo: Julia Volk / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Among the biggest wholesale markets in Kolkata, Burrabazar is a notable one. This market is divided into various parts or localities specialising in textiles, spices, electronics, and stationery. Burrabazar carries out brisk business practices by offering discounted rates on its quality products. The alleys and vibrantly coloured stalls of this market give a very distinctive experience to the people shopping there, drawing many locals and visitors alike. From here, the wide variety and quantity make it a single window for almost everything one may want.

Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Location: Kesoram Katra, Bortola, Barabazar Market, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007

7. Park Street

 The park street is one of the most happening places for street shopping in Kolkata.

Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons

One of the most renowned and happening places in Kolkata is Park Street. Known for its posh shops, restaurants, and nightlife, Park Street offers many shopping options. From branded stores to street vendors, you will get everything, starting from clothes and accessories to books and whatnot. The energetic vibe of the street, coupled with the diversity of the products on offer, makes shopping on Park Street an absolute pleasure. Moreover, it’s also an excellent spot to relax those tired muscles at some of Kolkata’s finest eating and cafe joints after a long shopping day.

Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal 700071

Suggested Read: Shopping In Darjeeling

8. South City Mall

A view of a busy road with different cars in front of South City Mall during the daytime.

Photo: Kolkatan / Wikimedia Commons

South City Mall is a modern shopping complex with branded stores, restaurants, and entertainment places. It contains international and Indian brands, which turn it into a paradise of shopping for anyone with a taste for fashion. It also hosts a cinema and a food court, providing an entire shopping and entertainment experience under one umbrella. This mall has ample space and a range of shops to make shopping convenient and enjoyable, from clothing to electronics.

Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Location: 375, Prince Anwar Shah Rd, South City Complex, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068

9. Chowringhee Road

Chowringhee Road is one of the places for street shopping in Kolkata for varied goods.

Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons

Chowringhee Road is one of the biggest commercial hubs in Kolkata. The street has shops and stalls selling various clothes, accessories, electronic goods, and souvenirs. Chowringhee Road is especially famous for its traditional Bengali handicrafts and jewellery ensemble. The vibrancy of the atmosphere and the availability of a wide range of products make shopping on Chowringhee Road a pleasurable experience. It’s also an excellent location to feel the vibrancy of Kolkata; the modernity merges well with the traditional shops.

Timings: 10 AM – 9 PM
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal 700020

Suggested Read: Shopping Malls In Kharagpur

Street shopping in Kolkata is much more than a retail therapy experience; it is a journey through the rich tapestry of the City of Joy. Every shopping destination reflects the local lifestyle and heritage, from the hustle and bustle of New Market to traditional markets in Gariahat and the historic College Street. With the seamless service available by TripXL, you will surely have a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience.

Cover Photo: Yogendra Singh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

The best places to buy handicrafts in Kolkata are Dakshinapan Shopping Complex and Chowringhee Road. Both of these places offer ample, highly diversified articles of ethnic wear, jewellery, and home décor items reflective of the rich cultural heritage of this region.
Gariahat Market, Hatibagan Market, and Burrabazar are famous for compiling traditional Bengali sarees and handcrafted jewellery. These markets offer excellent quality and one-of-a-kind apparel items that are apt for special occasions or as gifts.
Authentic Bengali souvenirs were available in Dakshinapan Shopping Complex, Gariahat Market, and Chowringhee Road. From traditional artefacts to handicrafts and local products, there is everything that you can bring as a souvenir in Kolkata.
Almost all the markets and shopping zones of the city are open from 10 in the morning to 8 at night. There are some exceptions, though, such as the New Market, which remains closed on Sundays, and the Dakshinapan Shopping Complex, which is closed on Mondays. One may always keep inquiring about the timings beforehand.
Yes, South City Mall and Quest Mall are some of Kolkata's well-known and modern shopping destinations. These malls' branded stores, restaurants, and entertainment centres create a tremendous contemporary shopping experience.

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