Top Rated Shopping in Barbados

Mall 34 is located on Broad Street, the center of duty-free shopping in Bridgetown, and the main artery for traffic through the city. The mall is relatively small in size, but offers a range of merchandise for the discerning shopper: from ladies and gents fashions to jewellery, local souvenirs and confectionery. Health-related products and services are also provided at Natural Medicinals Inc., located at the back of the mall. Moreover, photography services and an internet cafe are located within the mall. A small restaurant provides quick meals for those who wish to have a respite from their shopping. Like most malls in Bridgetown, there are no parking facilities adjacent to the mall itself, but there is plenty of parking available at several centralized locations in the city. - Marsilyn Browne

A branch of the Super Center supermarket chain is the anchor store for this mall, located in the growing commercial and residential area of Warrens in St. Michael. The supermarket offers a gamut of products and produce to meet the needs of a wide cross-section of the populace. The complex boasts a great one-stop shopping experience. A bookstore, pharmacy, travel agency and optician's office have their entrance within the supermarket. Additional stores with their own entrances and opening hours include boutiques, a shoe store, a computer store, video shop, dry-cleaner, plant shop and full banking facilities. The food court offers tempting fare, from Chinese and pizza, to local cuisine. Parking is excellent and other shopping and eating opportunities are available within walking distance. - Marsilyn Browne

Fresh vegetables and meat for your table are on sale at Cheapside Market, located next to the Post Office Complex on the outskirts of Bridgetown. On weekends, especially, the market is lively with farmers bringing their fresh produce to sell. If you enjoy interacting with the vendors, instead of the anonymity of the supermarket, here is a superb place to meet people, haggle for your preferred price, and get plenty of bargains on local fruits, vegetables and spices. In the air-conditioned meat facility, you will meet local butchers, and have the opportunity to choose your cut of pork, mutton, lamb and other meat products. On the upper level of the facility are located several stalls for clothing and accessories are sold. - Marsilyn Browne

See the artist at work and batik come alive at H. P. Batik Studio, in the central parish of St. Thomas, just twenty minutes from Bridgetown. A self-taught artist, owner Henderson Reece has been working in batik for over twenty-six years. His interest in art started from his school days, and he has worked in watercolors, oils, and acrylics. However, it is batik that captured his imagination - the technique of building layer on layer of wax and colour culminates in an end result which you can not always predict, and adds an exciting finish to hours of careful work. At the studio you may purchase portraits, landscapes, scarves, beach wraps, and clothing, all in batik and depicting the vibrant colors and flavors of the Caribbean. - Marsilyn Browne

Situated in Hastings on the south coast of the island, and just across from the sea, The Lanterns is an ultra modern shopping complex. Its wide range of stores carry electronics, clothing, surfing gear, home decor, footwear, health supplies, and everything from shampoos and skin care items to food and drink. Of special note is the food court, with a wide variety of restaurants guaranteed to make it the ultimate hangout spot for a relaxing evening. A Haagen-Dazs ice cream shop with outdoor seating beckons you to while the time away, while upstairs the outlet of the American chain, Subway, has become quite popular. The food court is open on Sundays, outside of regular mall hours. -Marsilyn Browne

The Satjay Bridgetown Centre is the newest mall in Bridgetown, and one of the largest. The mall offers a range of popular stores with the latest in fashion for shoes, clothing, bags, accessories, and jewelry. The trendy individual will find everything from business wear to an exquisite outfit for a special occasion. A travel agency and an optician are located upstairs in the the mall, while a food court provides fast food, from pizza and burgers to rotis and Indian food. For a business lunch in the city, Marketfive Restaurant, run by award-winning Barbadian chef John Hazzard, is a good choice. The center often runs promotions of local art and crafts to enhance the range of their offerings. - Marsilyn Browne