These 5 souvenir shops in Dubai helped us memorialize our trips!
It’s no secret that Dubai is a popular travel spot. With the wealth of experiences and cultures to be found here, it might get daunting to pick a souvenir or two. Luckily, there’s no shortage of souvenir shops in Dubai to explore until you find the perfect one!
Souvenirs aren’t just for tourists, of course. I personally like keeping one or two trinkets after every trip out, so if you’re like me but don’t know where to start, here are some shops you might want to try.
1. The Perfect Gift
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| INVENTORY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| VARIETY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Well, it says it on the tin. The Perfect Gift’s stock of baskets, decor and more might just make it the spot to let you find the perfect gift to bring back to your loved ones, or even keep for yourself as a treat.
The Perfect Gift’s selection is wide, though they were known among locals as a trusty spot for buying cake to take to events. But their offerings don’t stop at sweets– going further into party and event decor, along with personalized balloons.
Their gift baskets were also a popular choice among regulars we spoke to, especially for the variety. These baskets included specialized collections, from wooden gifts to even deli gift baskets for the meat and cheese lovers.
Customers we spoke to also praised the support team and staff at the shop, citing their availability even on weekends for orders and beyond.
On the other hand, we did note that as a result, the products at the shop could be on the pricier side, especially for curated gift sets.
Some customers also mentioned the availability of products fluctuating on short notice, so we’d recommend calling ahead to confirm, just in case.
Customer Reviews
Thoughtful, well-packaged, and exactly what I was looking for
“The perfect gift! Thoughtful, well-packaged, and exactly what I was looking for. It brought so much joy and was truly unforgettable. Highly recommend! Jason and Adisha were so kind and helpful.”
– Amina Izem, Google Review
Perfect service and helpful support
“Thank you very much for perfect service and helpful support in making order. They have delivered it very quickly and the support team is always available even in weekends..”
– Stanislav K, Google Review
2. Gift Garden
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| INVENTORY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| VARIETY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Don’t let the name box you in– Gift Garden might almost be a department store all on its own! With a focus on value for money, the store strives to have just about anything a tourist might want to bring back.
Since they first opened their doors in 2000, Gift Garden has offered a wide variety of gifts, ranging from fashion accessories and household decor to even cosmetics.
A standout for customers we spoke to was their toy section. It has such a wide variety of toys on display, making it easy to find gifts.
Another reason we love this souvenir shop is its budget-friendly prices. It’s easier for customers to bring something nice back without breaking the bank.
This is coupled with their easy location, both to find and park. There was ample parking on our own visit, and we easily found their physical store to browse through their various selections ourselves.
That being said, we did find that the shop space could be quite limited, making it unwieldy to navigate the store and browse without having to squeeze through aisles.
Lastly, some customers mentioned the fluctuating quality of some products at the store– we’d advise staying vigilant and checking to see if everything works as intended when buying.
The variety they offer is truly impressive
“This place has an incredible range of items, from everyday essentials to unique finds. The variety they offer is truly impressive, and I found everything I was looking for and more. The prices are quite reasonable.”
– Waqar Ahmad, Google Review
Its prices are completely reasonable
“A wonderful store that I always go to because it has everything, thank God…and its prices are completely reasonable. I hope it always remains this way in terms of quality, standards, and prices.”
– Bara’ah Yosef, Google Review
3. Handmade by Afiya
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| INVENTORY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| VARIETY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Craving something a bit more personal from the souvenirs you can get anywhere? That’s exactly what Handmade by Afiya deals in– as their name implies, the shop offers various handmade souvenirs for various events.
Founded by their namesake, Handmade by Afiya focuses on spreading the charm of the UAE. Originally built on a love for paper craft and origami, the shop has since become known as a nice place to get various milestones memorialized.
All of their products are handmade, with a wide variety of patterns available. Want a camel with a brand logo or your name? Its regulars certainly do, citing the shop’s willingness to personalize each piece.
The shop is also popular among those who enjoy eco-friendly souvenirs– all of their products are made with sustainable materials. Their most notable products, customized camels, are made from papier-mâché.
That being said, as a smaller shop, Handmade by Afiya does have a limited selection– just their handmade camels and some necklaces.
While the shop ships worldwide, their being a smaller operation does mean that deliveries can take time. We’d recommend ordering ahead to ensure timely delivery.
Absolutely delighted with them
“We requested two camels which were personalised for Scotland and North Wales where my wife and I are from. Absolutely delighted with them and Afiya communicated all the time and shared images with us prior to making them.”
– Andy Edwards, Google Review
Afiya had them ready in record time
“I ordered 5 customized camels as gifts for my friends as we celebrated our 30 year anniversary. Afiya had them ready in record time as I was traveling with them and was a last minute decision.”
– Paola Giangiulio, Google Review
4. The Little Things
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| INVENTORY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| VARIETY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Now here’s a shop for the collector in all of us. If you know any fans of collecting various figurines from pop culture, The Little Things is a good starting point for buying souvenirs in Dubai.
With locations in various malls around Dubai, The Little Things deals mostly in collectibles from movies, games, and animated series. To this end, they have an almost dizzying collection of their own, imported from various sources.
When we spoke to customers, most praised the variety of figurines and brands available at the store. Their offerings include brands like Funko Pop and model kits, and the shop is even an official retailer of Pop Mart figures.
Their products also come at reasonable prices, at least by our book. This is especially handy among collectors, given the quality and fully licensed nature of their stock.
Where we started hearing some gripes from customers was with their ordering and delivery services. Some regulars mentioned having difficulties following up and tracking their orders.
Some also mentioned that the packaging could still be improved, especially with breakable figurines. We’d recommend unboxing carefully and taking pictures or videos in these cases.
You can find all kinds of adorable figurines
“The Little Things Shop is such a delightful place! It’s a very nice shop where you can find all kinds of adorable figurines – from the cutest characters to unique collectibles. Just being there feels joyful, with all the lovely things around.”
– Abeer Dhanhani, Google Review
Definitely using the site for future purchases
“I was so impressed and happy with The Little Things this is my first time ordering, and the feeling it gave me when I was unboxing my order it was so exciting. Definitely using the site for future purchases and will visit the store soon. Highly recommended.”
– Guadalyn Buhala, Google Review
5. Pinocchio World
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| INVENTORY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| VARIETY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
Ever feel like stepping into Geppetto’s workshop? Well, now you can– right from the comfort of Dubai’s doorstep. Pinocchio World might not be using fairy magic just yet, but it might make you feel like stepping into a fairytale.
Since their first opening in 2012, Pinocchio World has been providing various, handmade souvenirs for fairytale lovers. They offer everything from personalized name plates to smaller, easier-to-carry accessories like key chains and magnets.
Where the shop really shines is in its handmade, wooden gifts. The shop offers models and puppets, alongside wooden fixtures like clocks and musical instruments. Customers we chatted with especially appreciated the whimsical wooden figures!
If you’re in the market for something personal, certain regulars we spoke to mentioned their themed name plates. We also found some DIY kits for those wanting to put in a bit of elbow grease themselves.
Now, we did note that the prices of products at the shop are a bit high. Having a clear budget before buying is recommended.
Some customers also mentioned that their quoted prices could change on short notice between their online and physical listings, so we’d always advise confirming with the staff when ordering.
It’s nice to see and admire the craftsmanship
“Unique hand-made wooden puppets, toys, music boxes, clocks, and many others. Friendly staff. It’s nice to see and admire the craftsmanship.”
– Hani Alahdal, Google Review
Generally just a super cool place to experience
“Purchased a piece from here 9 years ago and it is still on display. Absolutely love it. Staff was super helpful and friendly and the shop is generally just a super cool place to experience. One of my favorite shops in Dubai Mall!”
– Frank Smith, Google Review
FAQs about Souvenir Shops in Dubai
And with that, we hope you’ve found a suitable souvenir to bring back to your loved ones, or keep on your shelf. If you’re in the mood for something bigger, try out our picks for the best shops for gift baskets in Dubai, as well.