Shopping at Ibn Battuta Mall Felt Like I Took a Trip to Asia
Shopping is my weakness. But who doesn’t love shopping, really? When you’re in a city like Dubai, you can turn into an avid shopper with all its malls, shops and markets.
Want to haggle? Go to Naif Market. Want fresh produce? Head to the farmer’s market. Want to splurge on high end brands? Go to Dubai Marina Mall.
But if you want to be transported to Asia while shopping, there’s Ibn Battuta Mall, one of the most unique shopping centres that I’ve seen in my life. Of course, I’m not gatekeeping this gem, so here’s a guide for you.
What is Ibn Battuta Mall known for?
Ibn Battuta Mall is most famous for being the largest themed shopping centre in the world. The mall is divided into six themed courts representing different countries in Asia – India, China, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and Andalusia.
Best Time to Go
There’s so much to see and explore in Ibn Battuta Mall that you would need to allocate a day to visit it.
Now if you want to avoid the crowd and have more peace while shopping, visit in the morning and on weekdays when there are fewer people as compared to the weekends when the mall is usually packed.
Things to Know About Ibn Battuta Mall
Operating hours: Ibn Battuta Mall is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday and until 12 midnight from Friday to Saturday. Its supermarket Carrefour is also open daily from 9:00 AM until 12:00 AM while opening hours may vary for restaurants and shops inside the mall.
Parking: Ibn Battuta Mall has plenty of indoor parking for guests to use for free. The mall also has valet services with drop-off and pick-up points at Tunisia Court, Parking 3 and China Court, Parking 6.
Washroom: Ibn Battuta Mall has several washrooms for men and women scattered around its premises.
Dogs: Ibn Battuta Mall doesn’t allow pets inside its premises.
How to Get Around
Trains: The train is the fastest way to reach Ibn Battuta Mall since it has its own direct station, the Ibn Battuta Metro Station on the Metro’s Red Line. Once you get off this station, you’ll get direct access to the mall, making it convenient. Now if you’re coming from central Dubai, change trains when you reach the Jabal Ali Metro Station to the train going to the mall’s dedicated station.
Buses: Ibn Battuta Mall has its own bus station with different bus lines serving this area. For instance, route F55A travels from Al Maktoum International Airport and Satwa Bus Station to the Ibn Battuta Station. Meanwhile, route 8 travels from the Gold Souk to the mall through Jumeirah.
Taxis: You can take a taxi from anywhere in Dubai to the Ibn Battuta Mall or book a ride through Uber or Careem. If you’re riding a taxi from the mall, go to the China Court or Andalusia Court to get a ride.
Car: If you’re driving a car rental to the mall, take Sheikh Zayed Road and drive to Exit 27 if you want to access China Court or Exit 25 if you want to access the Andalusia Court.
What to Do in Ibn Battuta Mall
Jump to Your Heart’s Content at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park
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Website: https://skyzone.ae/
Contact details: +971 547 932011
One of my best childhood memories was having a trampoline in our backyard, so you can only imagine my excitement when I found out that Ibn Battuta Mall has the world’s biggest all-walled indoor trampoline park!
Sky Zone doesn’t have just one but 15 different trampoline attractions including its zip lines, warrior courses and wipe out. They even have a toddler court for the little ones to jump around in safely.
The only thing I can say is to fuel up before going to the park because you’ll need all the energy that you can get for all that jumping. And yes, I spent a good two hours inside Sky Zone and for sure, I’ll be coming back soon.
Throw Some Balls at Switch Bowling
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Website: https://www.switchbowling.ae/
Contact details: +971 4 440 5961
If you’d rather bowl than jump, Ibn Battuta Mall has Switch Bowling, an entertainment centre that also comes with billiards, PlayStation gaming and even a karaoke.
My friends and I love this place for get-togethers because it’s conveniently located inside the mall, is very spacious and has all the activities we want to have some fun.
It even has a cafe where you can order food and drinks while playing a good game of bowling, billiards or just singing your hearts out in the karaoke.
Have a Fun Family Time at Kidz Palooza
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Website: https://kidzpalooza.ae/
Contact details: +971 4 576 9180
If I ask my kids where they’d want to go for the weekend, they always drag me to Kidz Palooza, the massive entertainment centre in Ibn Battuta Mall.
And I don’t blame them because this place has more than 41 types of activities and attractions for kids 1-12 years old. There’s never a dull moment when you bring your kids here.
In fact, you can just drop off your little ones and do some shopping in the mall, enjoy a movie with your husband and just have some fun while they keep the kids entertained.
But if you want to spend time with your kids, you can attend pottery or painting classes with them or just chill at the central lounge while they have fun inside.
Where to Eat in Ibn Battuta Mall
Coterie Social and Kitchen
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Address: P6 Car Park – Level 2 – Ibn Battuta Mall
Contact details: +971 4 570 8072
Pricing: $$
My idea of treating myself is a nice roast dinner, and only one place in the city satisfied my palate more than anywhere – Coterie Social and Kitchen in Ibn Battuta Mall.
Don’t get me started on their delicious comfort food paired with their drinks. I dream of their mini steak and stoute pie, Coterie sliders, and fish and chips every day. And their classic sticky toffee pudding is my ultimate sweet treat!
Coterie is also a go-to for night outs because of their diverse selection of beverages including my favourite Tito’s vodka, Arcadian shiraz and Pimm’s summer cup cocktail.
Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant
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Address: Persia Court – Ibn Battuta Mall
Contact details: +971 800 684
Pricing: $$
Have you been binge watching those seafood boil mukbangs on Tiktok? What if I tell you that there’s a restaurant that serves those exact Louisiana-style seafood boil dishes right in Ibn Battuta Mall?
Off The Hook has always been my favourite restaurant for those days when I want to stuff my face with very good seafood without any judgement.
Here, you just need to choose your seafood and sauce, let the chef cook it for you and dive right into a mountain of food without a care in the world.
Gazebo
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Address: Persia Court – Ground Floor – Ibn Battuta Mall
Contact details: +971 4 453 8433
Pricing: $$$
Indian food is always a good idea if you want to enjoy a comforting meal and Gazebo has been the go-to restaurant around Dubai for it.
The restaurant is famous for its Dum Pukht biryani, but it also serves some classic Indian dishes like kebabs and curries that are prepared using recipes that date back to the Mughal era.
Just make sure to book a table ahead because this place gets easily packed, especially on the weekends.
Where to Shop in Ibn Battuta Mall
Foot Locker
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Address: India Court – Ibn Battuta Mall
Contact details: +971 4 419 0304
Are you a sneakerhead like me? You’ll feel like you’re in a candy store once you step inside Foot Locker in Ibn Battuta Mall.
I used to order my sneakers online, especially the rare and limited edition ones. So I was especially ecstatic when Foot Locker opened in Dubai because they’re one of a few stores that stock the best sneakers and shoes in the market.
Jawhara Jewellery
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Website: https://jawharajewellery.com/en?srsltid=AfmBOoo-wfqsHY86SVhs836hRPss9lvgW6kl-BEWbPL8f1BrgjZqFZ2r
Address: Persia Court – Ibn Battuta Mall
Contact details: +971 4 575 4939
Shopping without visiting a jewellery store in Dubai isn’t real shopping. So whenever I’m in Ibn Battuta Mall, I always make a pitstop at Jawhara Jewellery – and maybe bring home a piece or two right after.
What makes this store unique is that it started in the heart of the Gold Souk where we know the best gold jewellery pieces are.
I especially love their collections that really highlight Middle Eastern heritage. You can even have your jewellery pieces customized with diamonds, gold and whatever gem you’d like to add to them.
Arabian Oud
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Website: https://arabianoud.pk/store-locator/arabian-oud-ibn-battuta-mall/
Address: Egypt Court – Ibn Battuta Mall
Contact details: +971 4 277 8140
One of the best things about living in Dubai is that distinct aroma that you will find in most Emirati homes, thanks to their love for fragrances and perfumes.
In fact, I can’t live without having some incense burning or oud making my home smell so good. So whenever I run out of fragrances, I always make a run to Arabian Oud.
This store sells all the fragrances, perfumes and oils that you can imagine, so I always have the best time choosing what to put in my home here.
Where to Stay Near Ibn Battuta Mall
Premier Inn Dubai Ibn Battuta
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Website: https://mena.premierinn.com/en/hotel-directory/dubai/dubai-ibn-battuta-mall-hotel/
Address: Ibn Battuta Mall – Garden Cross Road – Jebel Ali Village
Contact details: +971 4 521 9266
Pricing: $$
If you’re planning to shop until you literally drop, staying in a hotel that’s connected to the shopping centre is always a good idea. And if you’re in Ibn Battuta Mall, you have Premier Inn Dubai.
This is the hotel chain’s largest hotel in the Middle East and it has everything you need for a luxurious stay – from its spacious rooms to its many amenities.
The hotel is also very accessible since a Metro station is right beside it and you can also ride a taxi and reach attractions like Expo City and Dubai Parks within just 15 minutes.
Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai
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Website: https://www.oakshotels.com/en/oaks-ibn-battuta-gate-dubai
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road 25 Adjacent to Ibn Battuta Mall
Contact details: +971 4 444 0000
Pricing: $$$
Oaks may be touted as a boutique hotel, but it has all the amenities that could match any other bigger hotels in the city.
In fact, I always recommend this hotel for friends coming to Dubai because they don’t just have 396 rooms and suites but they also have 15 apartments for those who wish to stay longer.
The hotel also has a rooftop pool that overlooks the city, a spa, four restaurants and bars and even a complimentary beach access with free shuttle service. What more could you ask for?
Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai Hotel
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Website: https://www.avanihotels.com/en/ibn-battuta-dubai
Address: Ibn Battuta Mall – Sheikh Zayed Road
Pricing: $$$
Avani is another one of those hotels that will make you forget that you’re in the middle of the city because of its relaxing ambiance, especially when you lounge by their pool.
With more than 360 rooms and suites, this hotel can really accommodate your needs, whether you’re alone or traveling with family.
But my favourite part is their Hawaiian pool bar and social club for those lazy pool days with a drink in hand and not a care in the world.
Tips When Visiting Ibn Battuta Mall
Now that you have a good idea of what you can expect when visiting Ibn Battuta Mall, we also rounded up some tips to make your experience more fun and memorable:
Visit the mall in the morning, so you’ll have enough time to go around its different courts and admire the intricate details of each hall without having to fight with other tourists for photos.
If you want to visit other nearby attractions from Ibn Battuta Mall, you can take a paid shuttle service to these locations.
If you’re feeling under the weather, you can have yourself checked at Mediclinic right inside the mall. This is named one of Dubai’s best clinics.