Top Rated Shopping in Kolkata

With a number of street shops and malls all over, Kolkata has always been known to spend copious amounts of time and energy on shopping. Catering to the rapidly evolving shopping trends, South City Mall is designed to be a one stop shop with a number of international as well as Indian brands under its wing. Located opposite Jodhpur Park, this wide glass structure is visually stunning and rightly projects the grandeur that awaits inside. With special attention to harmonious design, shops are placed systematically in order to appeal to the customer. Some of the brands found here include Pepe, Zodiac, Wills Lifestyle and Reebok. Those who crave refreshments after or in between their shopping spree can visit Food Talk, a large food court serving all kinds of mouth watering specialties. The multi-level parking lot can accommodate about 1400 cars; even so, it is sometimes tough to find parking space on weekends. This swanky establishment is considered the best in southern Kolkata and is always dotted with teenagers and students at any given time.

In a city like Kolkata, where art and literature are a top priority, books and bookstores are regarded in high esteem. Oxford Bookstore is one of the prominent bookshops right from the Victorian period. During the British Era, the Oxford store also had toys, trinkets, silverware, photo frames and perfumes. As time went by, the brand and the bookshops radically changed and modernized to adapt to the younger generation. This shop on Park Street, on par with the name 'Oxford' that connotes quality, has an excellent collection of books and an impeccable service. From classics like 'Gone with the Wind' to the latest released titles, cds, dvds and accessories, the store has it all. It also has a computer, which allows you to check if the desired book or novel is available at the store sans any hassles. It also has a Cha Bar upstairs, where you can enjoy a cup of tea and conversations with your peers. For further details, check the website.

Started in 1874, New Market was supposed to be an enclosed shopping area reserved exclusively for English residents during the British colonial rule. The original Gothic structure was laid out by the East India Railway Company and housed prestigious names like Rankin and Company, Cuthbertson and Harper and Thacker Spink. In 1903, New Market was officially named Sir Stuart Hogg Market, honoring the then Calcutta Corporation Chairman's involvement in the project. The original covered market area was expanded over the years and the defining clock tower was introduced in the 1830s. Today, New Market includes the S.S. Hogg Market as well as the large expanse of open shopping area all around it. Taking up a major part of Lindsay Street, now Neli Sengupta Sarani, New Market includes a number of crafts stores like CCIE, Curio Crafts and Kashmir Government House Emporium, restaurants like Ralli's, Nahoums, New Karco and Aminia, and various hawkers all along the footpaths. In spite of the many malls the city now boasts of, New Market continues to see throngs of locals and tourists alike. You can find almost anything you want here and at cheap prices too, as long as you navigate the crowds and use all the possible bargaining tactics. Make sure you carry cash, as most shops in New Market do not accept credit cards. Bear in mind, this is a tiring experience for most; the claustrophobic should avoid going in the evenings and during Durga Puja season.

EnSoie is a designer store where you will find a variety of clothing and accessories. It is a Zurich based brand that spread its presence to Los Angeles in the United States and Kolkata in India. They take extremely good care in the fabric quality thus offering their consumers nothing but the best. They also have scarves, jewellery, ceramic items, cook books, perfumes, cushions and leather bags on their list. All the colors used in textile are designed at Zurich head office. They ensure that the fabric is free of any harmful substances such as lead. Constant re-invention, artistic techniques and challenging convention are the principles of EnSoie.

Burrabazar is located in central Kolkata and is the largest wholesale markets of India. It was initially a yarn and textile market which slowly entered the commercial heart of shopping. It is a market area with a number of shopping opportunities for everyone. To start with there is the Shishu Bazar, Muskan, Tulsi Boutique, Janata Shop and Paras Jewellers. It also has quite a few restaurants where you can relax after spending a hectic day in shopping. It is a very famous area in Kolkata and a very nice area to pick some authentic Bengali products. Being a textile wholesale market, lucky ones will also be able to bargain to a great extent and buy products within their budget.

Quest is a very famous and the most preferred shopping mall in the Park Circus area of Kolkata. It is also the second largest shopping mall in the city. This mall was inaugurated in the year 2013. It is a huge shopping mall with ample parking space. Customers need not worry about getting a place to park their cars as it can accommodate 1300 vehicles at one time. Some of the famous brands available in this mall are Jashn, Gucci, Paul Smith, Rolex, MAC, United Colors of Benetton, Nike, Adidas, Puma and so on. The mall also consist of a food court and is always filled with people. KFC, Pizza Hut and Red Mango are a few restaurants where shopaholics can relax after spending a hectic day at the mall. The mall also has other international dining restaurants.