Why go
Spices, dry goods, fruit, local atmosphere
Shopping
Empress Market
Spices, dry goods, fruit, local atmosphere
City guideSaddar
Nearby places
Verified places close enough to combine into the same route.
Multiple / SaddarStudent BiryaniKarachi biryani institution with multiple branches
Abdullah Haroon RoadKarachi Marriott HotelCentral luxury hotel near Frere Hall, consulates and old city access
SaddarZainab MarketExport surplus clothing, leather jackets, bags, local bargaining- Fatima Jinnah RoadAvari Towers KarachiBusiness hotel with multiple dining venues near Saddar and Civil Lines
Old city heritage, markets, civic buildings, mosques, churchesHeritage walking tour - Saddar to M.A. Jinnah RoadBook with a local heritage guide or tour company; avoid unguided deep old-city walks after dark
Burns GardenNational Museum of PakistanIndus, Islamic, coins, Pakistan history collections
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More shopping spots in Karachi
Keep exploring Karachi.
CliftonDolmen Mall Clifton
Top pickExpensive
Opened in 2011, Dolmen Mall is the first mall in Karachi that brought international fashion brand outlets such as Debenhams, Mango, Next, Pedro, Charles and Keith, River Island, Monsoon, Crocs and many more to Karachi. It also consists of a variety of international food chains such as Noodle House and Caribou Coffee, and for the first time in the country, Fat Burger, Solen Istanbul, Cinnabon and Papa Roti.
Tariq Road
Top pickBudget/moderate
A downtown, easily accessible shopping district which is a sure treat for all the family. It has the latest in fashion, food, and music/entertainment. With large malls and small shops alike, Tariq Road is the typical “upper middle class” shopping experience. Bargaining is highly advised, especially out on the street shops! Dolmen Mall is a must-visit anytime you hit Tariq Road. Centrally air-conditioned, it has a few designer outlets and a lot of local shops offering clothes to toys to health products to music/film/entertainment stuff. The spacious food court on the top floor has some popular food outlets including Indulge and KFC, as well as some local diners.
Zainab Market
Top pickBudget/souvenir
CK, Gucci, Levi’s, BVLGARI, and any other brand that you know of – no, this is not Beverly Hills, this is our very own Zainab Market – the hub of “pirated” branded clothes, home to jeans, shirts, trousers, formal attire, caps, sunglasses, belts, and all other “fashion” items. Hit Zainab Market for a complete makeover, and you could be the next rags-to-riches Hollywood star (in just under a few thousand rupees)!
Old CityBoulton Market
Top pickBudget/wholesale
Boulton Market is a large – no, very large – wholesale market, one of the oldest markets in Karachi. It has a huge variety of items available in bulk quantities at very low prices. Some items of interest include toys, old books, caps and hats, shoes, and electronic items (non-warranted, obviously). It has now become the unofficial “trade route” that links Karachi to Chinese markets, and Chinese goods ranging from purely ornamental translucent “gel balls” to highly functional multimedia systems are all available here at very low prices. The popular “Everything China” is a phrase that most probably evolved from this market.
Zamzama Boulevard
Top pickExpensive
A very expensive shopping neighborhood, but worth a visit if you’re not short on cash. Located in the heart of the DHA/Clifton area, it offers many international designer shops, and a lot of (pretty expensive) eating places including Arizona Grill, Costa Coffee, and Copper Kettle.
Ocean Mall
Top pickExpensive
This relatively new, hotel-turned office building is located next to one of the most renowned roundabouts in Karachi – the ‘dou talwar’ or ‘two swords’. This 393-foot high building is the country’s tallest building in all of Pakistan, with the first four levels dedicated to retail outlets and the fifth a food court, accompanied by one of the largest cinemas in Karachi (Cinepax). The basement level consists of a popular supermarket known as ‘Farid’s’ that consists of all your everyday grocery needs.
The Forum
Top pickModerate/expensive
Another one of the few lavish, centrally air-coditioned malls in Karachi. Lots of designer gear, and some local shops offering bargains. Has an incredible and inexpensive food court.
Park Towers
Top pickModerate
Large, ideally located, and centrally air-conditioned, this is one of the ultimate shopping destinations for Karachi’s elite! Has designer shops, including clothing and accessories, music and book stores, and a delightful food court. Open till late, 7 days a week.
Atrium Mall
RecommendedModerate
Atrium Mall is most famously known for its cinema, as it is Pakistan’s very first 3D cinema with showings of some of the recent movie releases. It has very limited retail outlets but it does have a food court that suits all taste buds. This mall is located in Saddar, the busiest part of Karachi.
Meena Bazaar
RecommendedBudget/moderate
Rumored to be the oldest women’s market in Karachi, Meena Bazaar has lived up to its name. It is extremely cheap, and has everything for women. The expense of the market is rather difficult to judge from the road that approaches it, but once you leave the main road and enter the narrow alleyways that meander through the market you will simply be awed by the creative utilization of the limited space by the shopkeepers. Not really recommended if you suffer from asthma or sinus problems.
More places in Karachi
Keep exploring Karachi.
Central
Clifton
Civil Lines
TowerMerewether Clock Tower
Top pickHistoric landmark
Historic Gothic Revival clock tower marking Karachi's old port-city gateway.
TowerKarachi Port Trust Building
Top pickCivic/port heritage
Historic port authority headquarters and colonial-era landmark near Karachi's harbor.
More restaurants in Karachi
Keep exploring Karachi.
Burns Road