Best Artisan Shopping in Doha

@afar
 on 2022.02.03
5 Places
@afar
Credit: Collected by Adriana Paramo, AFAR Local Expert

Museum of Islamic Art

Art museum · Doha Port

"A Hodgepodge of International Arts and Crafts MIA Park bazaar is an open air market held every Saturday of the winter months at the Museum of Islamic Art Park. This is the place where local and expatriate artisans come to sell their wear in over 150 stalls: jewelry, handmade and imported clothes, books, souvenirs, homemade food, and a wealth of unusual gifts. The bazaar is not just a place to find handmade items, vintage clothing, homemade food or artisan accessories, the place is also a congregation of international cultures and a hodgepodge of languages and cadences. There is a Colombian merchant selling hobo-chic clothes, a Thai woman selling yoga pants, a baker who goes by "The Cookie Man," a stall of Filipino food, and the list goes on. The bazaar opens from 11 am to 6 pm, which gives its visitors enough time to browse the stalls, have a picnic on the beautifully manicured grounds of the park, fly a kite, lay on the grass and stare into the infinite blue sky."

Photo by Sean Headley

Liwan furniture - Suhaim Tower, Al Sadd

Furniture maker · Al Saad

"Authentic Indian Craft Liwan Furniture, located on the second floor of Al Watan Center, on Grand Hamad Street, is a favorite among those who love authentic Indian Art. This shop, with a production house based out of India, offers its shoppers a collection of artifacts big and small, from elaborate antique chests and doors to small signatures pieces handpicked from different parts of India, such as candle holders, jewelry boxes, mirrors, and home accessories. It's the place to find finely handcrafted Indian objects without actually having to go to India. The prices are moderate and the owner is also the shop attendant, a rarity in Qatar. 974-55811294"

Souq Waqif

Traditional market · Al Jasra

"Stay, Eat, Shop, Bargain at Souq Waqif Souq Waqif is one of the top tourist destinations in Doha and one of the most traditional markets in the region. A hundred years ago, this was the place where the Bedouins traded livestock, spices and general goods, but now, the old souq has been restored and the new one looks like a 19th-century Qatari market, with mud shops, exposed wooden beams, antique shops, modern art galleries, a wide variety of restaurants, and divan-like outdoor cafes to smoke shisha and drink chai-karak, the local tea. This is the perfect place to look for traditional Qatari clothing for men and women, spices, antiques, pearls, and oud--an incense as well as a perfume made from agarwood. The market is patrolled by the Heritage Police Officers who wear uniforms from the 1940s and ride regal Arabian horses. As any traditional market, bargaining is expected. Most of the shops in the souq close around 1pm and reopen at 4pm, but the many cafes and restaurants remain open all day."

Souq Dira سوق الديره

Shopping mall · Al Souq

"Shopping for Fine Fabric Souq Al Deira, located next to Souq Waqif on Al Ahmed Street, is a favorite among luxury fabric lovers. It is not a fancy place, but if you are looking for pure Indian silk, high-grade embroidery, or authentic cashmere pashminas, Souq Al-Deira has every imaginable type of fabric, and then some. It is slightly pricier than the nearby souqs but the quality is higher. Haggle to your heart’s content, for it is expected and therefore acceptable. The souq also has fantastic tailors, so you could walk in looking for fabric and walk out with a beautifully tailored outfit."

Photo by Isabell Schulz

Dragon mart

Shopping mall · New Al Khulaifat/Al Maamoura/Mesaimeer/Ain Khaled

"A Little China in Doha Dragon Mart, located on Barwa Commercial Avenue, close to the Industrial area, is the second mart if the GCC region, after Dubai . Ninety percent of the merchandise at Dragon Mart come straight from factories in China. The mart houses 280 shops and stalls where shoppers can expect to find anything from clothes, furniture, and electronic gadgets, to glassware, sport equipment, artificial grass, and a variety of quirky wigs, costumes and go-go boots. At Dragon Mart you can buy a cover for your phone for a few ryals or 5000 units of it, as it is the first mall in Qatar selling wholesale customers. The place is inexpensive, full of As Seen on TV Items and has a couple of decent Chinese restaurants. Sunday- Wednesday 10am-10pm Thursday- Saturday 10am-11pm"