Mercato Mall Got Me Thinking I Was Shopping in Italy for a Minute
Italy has been on top of my dream holiday destinations for many years now. But since I’m still saving up for that European holiday, I’ve been on the lookout for places around Dubai that could give me the Italian feel.
Luckily, a friend told me about Mercato Mall in Jumeirah and my, I was blown away. The moment I arrived, I felt like I was in Italy for a minute there. In fact, I had to get myself together to focus on the shopping ahead.
Of course, I have to share the experience with you through this guide. Enjoy!
What is Mercato Mall known for?
Mercato Mall is best known for its Renaissance-style interiors that’s inspired by the streets of Italy where you see piazzas and cobblestone streets.
Best Time to Go
Being an indoor shopping destination, you can visit Mercato Mall any day. But if you want to avoid the crowd, it’s best to head to the mall in the morning between 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
You can also visit Mercato Mall right after sunset since a lot of people say that the mall glows differently at night with all the lights on.
Things to Know About Mercato Mall
Operating hours: Mercato Mall is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, but some restaurants and establishments may have different opening hours.
Parking: Mercato Mall has a massive indoor parking lot that can handle thousands of cars at a time.
Washroom: Mercato Mall has several washrooms spread throughout the complex that you can use while shopping. Some restaurants also have their own washrooms for diners to use.
Dogs: Mercato Mall is one of the few establishments in Dubai that welcomes pets.
How to Get Around
Trains: If you like to take the Metro, use Line M1 and stop at the Al Jafiliya or Financial Centre station where you can walk to the mall.
Buses: Bus lines 15, 8, 88, C10 and X28 all have routes that pass in Mercato Mall. Don’t forget to bring your Nol card to pay for your fare.
Taxis: You can take a taxi from anywhere in Dubai to go to Mercato Mall.
Car: If you want to get to Mercato Mall fast, you can rent a car or get a chauffeured car service from your hotel.
What to Do in Mercato Mall
Catch a Movie at Vox Cinemas
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Website: https://uae.voxcinemas.com/cinemas/mercato
Contact details: +971 60 059 9905
Sure, there’s Netflix and chill but nothing still beats the experience of catching a movie in a real cinema.
Vox Cinemas has always been a go-to for me in mercato Mall because of its seven screens that give me all the options I need for a good movie day.
Each theatre is also equipped with the most comfortable chairs, surround sound and of course, a snack bar where I can grab my movie essentials – popcorn and soda.
Enjoy Family Time at Fun City
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Website: https://www.mercatoshoppingmall.com/fun-city/
Contact details: +971 54 581 3436
Whenever I bring the kids to shop at Mercato Mall, we can’t not stop by Fun City and believe me, this place is so much fun even for adults.
What I love about thie play centre is that it has areas to cater to kids of all ages. For one, they have the “Fun n Learn” area where the babies and toddlers can enjoy soft play.
They also have the “PlayZone” for the bigger kids to jump, slide and run around in a safe space. You can even hold birthday parties for your kids here and everyone will surely have fun.
Where to Eat in Mercato Mall
PAUL
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Address: Ground Floor – Mercato Mall – Jumeirah 1 – Jumeirah Beach Road
Contact details: +971 4 349 9115
Pricing: $$$
I have to admit, I have a real obsession with bread and I would gladly drive to Mercato Mall weekly just to get my stock of bread, pastries and desserts from PAUL.
Like they say, the French know how to do bread right and they are right. This boulangerie and patisserie has been creating some of the best breads and pastries in town.
I also love their rustic interiors that blend well with the rest of the mall’s design and you can also enjoy full meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner here. Of course, you can’t leave without taking home some of their desserts and baked goods.
Gazebo
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Address: First Floor – Mercato Mall – Jumeirah 1 – Jumeirah Beach Road
Contact details: +971 4 344 1772
Pricing: $$$
When it comes to authentic Indian food, I’d recommend Gazebo in Mercato Mall without batting an eyelash.
Now if you ask what makes this restaurant different from everyone else, it’s simple – Gazebo doesn’t just offer Indian food, it takes you on a “Royal Indian Journey.”
Yes, you get to eat like the royalties of India with dishes that were created using heritage recipes and the best ingredients.
The only problem you’ll have here is how much you can eat because believe me, you’d want to order everything from the menu.
But if you ask me what my favourites are, it would be the kabab, curry and the dum biryanis. Ah, my mouth is watering just thinking about all that good food.
Shake Shack
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Address: Ground Floor – Mercato Mall – Jumeirah 1 – Jumeirah Beach Road
Contact details: +971 4 315 3612
Pricing: $
You already know about the global burger phenomenon that is Shake Shack, but the restaurant they have in Mercato Mall is definitely one that’s different from anywhere else.
For starters, you don’t feel like you’re walking into a burger joint because of the fancy interiors. But once you go to the counter to order, you have all the classics right in front of you – burgers, fries, hot dogs and more!
Whenever I’m in the mall and need a quick fix, I always run to Shake Shack and it never fails me every time.
Where to Shop in Mercato Mall
Balmain
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Website: https://ae.balmain.com/en/stores/find
Address: Ground Floor – Mercato Mall – Jumeirah 1 – Jumeirah Beach Road
Contact details: +971 56 188 3695
Balmain has always been one of my favourite luxury brands and their store in Mercato Mall has some of the biest pieces in the city.
I love shopping in Balmain for street style luxury items like shirts, jeans and jackets. The brand has also been a go-to if I’m looking for gifts for men because of its wide selection of clothes and accessories.
Damas Jewellery
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Website: https://www.damasjewellery.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqzZVtgNLi9RlRN9eLr1k6jIhP2_UCExLLyYCwM2ujlOMQjW3TQ
Address: First Floor – Mercato Mall – Jumeirah 1 – Jumeirah Beach Road
Contact details: +971 4 349 8833
Can you resist diamonds calling? Because I can’t! And whenever I’m craving for a new diamond piece, I always go to Damas in Mercato Mall.
From necklaces to earrings, this store sparkles from the inside out with all its stunning jewellery pieces. And if you want something that would make a great investment, you can guarantee that Damas jewellery pieces are authentic and timeless.
Anfasic Dokhoon
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Website: https://www.anfasic.ae/?srsltid=AfmBOoqnUS5ERMCzGiIoq_otJd_-A_S0Zot-1OGwkwOvM2_w-cjf_l84
Address: Ground Floor – Mercato Mall – Jumeirah 1 – Jumeirah Beach Road
Contact details: +971 058 896 9525
In case you didn’t know yet, Emiratis love their scents, which is why their homes always smell so good. The secret – oud, Arabic incense and other fragrances that you can find in Anfasic Dokhoon.
What I love about this store is its ability to add modern hints to the age-old tradition of burning incense. I have a lot of favourite scents here not only for my home but also for myself.
And believe me, I always get the best compliments whenever I wear their signature scents on parties and night outs.
Where to Stay Near Mercato Mall
Shangri-La Dubai
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Website: https://www.shangri-la.com/dubai/shangrila/
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road Near Financial Metro Station
Contact details: +971 4 343 8888
Pricing: $$$
Shangri-La needs no introduction because it’s known all over the world for its luxury and understated elegance.
Being a few minutes away from Mercato Mall – and the rest of teh city – I highly recommend this hotel for acessibilty and convenience. Aside from its 302 rooms, Shangri-La also has 126 apartments for long-term stays.
Just imagine waking up to views of the city including Burj Khalifa, enjoying good food at one of the hotel’s seven restaurants and going out to shop at Mercato Mall whenever you please.
If you don’t mind paying more for a luxurious stay, then this is the best hotel for you.
Rove La Mer Beach
Media Credit: rovehotels
Website: https://www.rovehotels.com/en/hotels/rove-la-mer-beach/
Address: La Mer Beach – Jumeirah 1
Contact details: +971 4 241 9600
Pricing: $$$
Let’s face it: no one can resist a good beachside hotel and Rove in famous La Mer Beach is the closest you’ve got from Mercato Mall.
Being on one of the top beachfront communities in Dubai, Rove puts you in the middle of a bustling area where you get to soak up the sun during the day and enjoy the rest of the Jumeirah neighborhood in the afternoon.
Whenever I do staycations at Rove, I start my day with a good run by the beach and some breakfast at The Daily restaurant. Then, I take a dip in the water if I’m visiting during the winter.
Of course, I can’t end the day without some shopping at Mercato Mall and going to the Beach Bar for some drinks after.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira
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Website: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/dubai/jumeira-beach
Address: Jumeirah Beach Road – Jumeirah 1
Contact details: +971 4 777 2222
Pricing: $$$
If I had an unlimited budget, I’d be staying at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira for a month and forget all my worries.
The luxury hotel is everything is a dream in every way. It has beautiful oceanfront views with the Burj Khalifa in sight, stunning rooms that would never make you want to leave and amenities that will make you feel like true royalty.
And the best part is that I can go shopping in Mercato Mall any time since it’s only a fwe minutes away from the hotel.
Tips When Visiting Mercato Mall
Now that’s a lot of good information that you have there for visiting Mercato Mall. But we’re not done just yet because I also compiled these tips that might come handy at some point:
If you want to browse through the mall without worrying about the crowd, it’s best to visit Mercato Mall in the morning when it just opened. The weekdays are also better because there’s less people than during the weekends when the mall is packed.
If you shop frequently in Mercato Mall, it’s better to get a PrivilegePlus Card that gives you special discounts and exclusive promotions from more than 100 stores in the mall.
Want to get the best views from the mall? Dine at the outdoor terrace during the winter months.
Mercato Mall hosts the annual Ramadan Night Market and special Christmas and New Year festivals, so check its website for offers and event schedules.