Fodor's Expert Review Mercato Mall

Images of Mercato's Italian Renaissance style make it into many publicity brochures and travel guides about Dubai. An oldie, but still a goodie, this mall jump-started the themed shopping center craze in the Gulf. It's a well-decorated space, with an endearingly kitsch kind of charm, and plenty of kiosks that make the mall quite unique. By today's standards it's small, with only 140 stores, including Gap, Mango, and Top Shop, as well as many independent stores. The largest store is a Virgin Megastore, and the mall is anchored by a Spinney's supermarket.