Central Cottage Industries Emporium
Central Kolkata
For curios in a hurry and at fixed prices, head to Central Cottage Industries. It may seem a tad musty and salespeople may seem disinterested, but you may just find a good bargain.
6 Best Shopping in Kolkata (Calcutta), India
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Shopping in Kolkata bazaars is an adventure, and a test of your ability to shake off touts. In general, most shops are open six days a week and closed Sunday. Hours tend to be 10:30–8.
Kolkata has never been the place for trendy shopping, so you may want to concentrate on getting hand-loomed cloth, handicrafts, and artistic jute and metal gifts, most of which will cost you next to nothing. Things to look out for include long-necked terra-cotta Bankura horses, dokra metalwork, and Bengal saris, made in crisp cottons and luscious silks. And many galleries sell very affordable art.
Although government emporiums in Dakshinapan sell the best of what the various states of India have to offer, boutiques and other stores in south Calcutta offer a better shopping experience, with a more carefully curated selection.
Konark Collectables
Central Kolkata
Quaint little Konark Collectables carries handicrafts, curios, antiques, period furniture, and gift items.
New Market
Central Kolkata
The century-old New Market, officially Sir Stuart Hogg Market, houses about 2,500 stores under one roof, selling cotton saris, Bankura clay horses, brassware, leather bags from Shantiniketan, silk from Murshidabad, khadi (handmade cotton) cloth, clothes for kids, wigs, poultry, cheeses, nuts, and other foods. The neighborhood is also home to several air-conditioned malls, department stores, restaurants, and stand-alone shops, while the sidewalks are taken over by street-food vendors and knickknack stalls. It's definitely the busiest shopping district in the region.
Recommended Fodor's Video
Oxford Bookstore
Central Kolkata
The café overlooking the chic street below serves teas and snacks at this store, one of the city's favorite spaces for books and book parties. There's a wide range of titles in English, as well as some in Indian languages and in French. Gifts and a DVD section round out the offerings.
Russell Exchange
Central Kolkata
On Sunday auctions take place along Russell Street. A trip to the oldest auction house, the Russell Exchange, run by brothers Anwar and Arshad, or any of its neighbors, is invariably entertaining. Goods auctioned range from antiques and period furniture to crockery and cutlery. On Thursday, there's a sale of vintage clothes.
Salt Lake City Centre
Bypass and Beyond
Designed by the award-winning Indian Charles Correa, this mall is favored by young couples and families for its abundant open spaces, restaurants, department stores, boutiques, and live shows.
