Mumbai Clothing Bazaars: Where to Shop and How to Plan

Mumbai has many shopping streets, and most of them are crowded, loud and worth it. This guide covers four places where people shop for clothes, what each is known for, and how to plan a visit without wasting an afternoon.

Crawford Market: the old market with a lot to see

Crawford Market is one of south Mumbai's best known markets. The building was completed in 1869 and was donated to the city by Cowasji Jehangir. It was later renamed after the social reformer Mahatma Jotirao Phule. It sits opposite the Mumbai Police headquarters, just north of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. (Source: Wikipedia, "Crawford Market".)

Crawford is a place to walk, not only to buy. The market was the main wholesale fruit market until 1996, when wholesale moved to Navi Mumbai. Today it is a busy market area. Check what each lane sells before you plan your day.

Plan: go early in the day. Carry a bag. Do not visit with a fixed list of clothes only; go with a budget and a list of what you can find in the lanes around it.

Linking Road: the street that shoppers know

Linking Road runs from Bandra to Santacruz West. Wikipedia describes it as the third largest shopping district in India by revenue and footfall. (Source: Wikipedia, "Linking Road, Mumbai". The ranking is the article's claim; we have not checked it against a separate source.)

It is known for western wear, footwear and accessories, and for a lot of street stalls. Good for younger shoppers who want to browse quickly. It is busy in the evenings and on weekends.

Plan: go on a weekday if you can. Bargain politely. Check each piece for stitching and fabric before you pay.

Fashion Street: open-air shopping near Churchgate

Fashion Street is an open-air market near Churchgate station, popular for clothes, bags and accessories. We have not checked its current opening hours or the exact layout for this article, so check before you go.

Plan: keep your bags close, bargain, and ask for a bill if you need a return later.

Dadar: the neighbourhood market

Dadar is a densely populated residential and shopping neighbourhood, and a major rail and bus hub. It is Mumbai's first planned area, according to Wikipedia. (Source: Wikipedia, "Dadar".) Shops around the station cover daily wear, sarees and wedding shopping. Ask locally for the lane that suits what you want.

Plan: Dadar is easy to reach by local train. Go with a list. Stay with your group in the crowded lanes.

How to plan one trip for all four

• Pick one area per day. Crawford and Fashion Street are close to the south of the city. Linking Road is in the west. Dadar is central.

• Set a budget before you start. Mumbai markets are full of choice, which makes overspending easy.

• Check the return policy before paying. Many shops say no exchange on the board. Know your rights first. Read: Can you return or exchange clothes in India? (https://frq.in/blog/how-returns-and-exchanges-work-at-local-indian-shops)

• Carry cash and UPI. Not every stall takes both. Ask before you choose.

• Know the GST on clothing. Per piece, 5% up to Rs 2,500 and 18% above (GST Council, Sept 2025; PIB release, 4 Sep 2025).

This is general information, not tax advice. Check your bills and GST registration with a chartered accountant (CA).

Shopping before you go

Some shops now show their stock online, so you can check before you walk. Ask the shop for its catalogue, and confirm stock by message or phone before you go.

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