Bangalore's Shop till you drop treat

Bangalore is a shopper’s paradise and there are shops galore ready to lure you with their wares. From exquisite sandalwood and bronze carvings to junk jewellery and electronic goods, the city offers nifty deals in stuff, both marvelous and mundane.

Start your shopping spree from MG Road, the best-known shopping address in the city. Lined with shops, restaurants, pubs, theatres and hotels this avenue offers a visual treat with its display of everything from clothes, handicrafts and jewellery, to books, music, crockery and more.

For the best bargains in quality silk products hop in to Deepam Silks and Prasiddhi Silks. For all your kitchen needs Jamal’s is the place to explore. A must-visit is the prominent Cauvery Handicrafts for fabulous sandalwood products and handicraft items. What’s adorable about shopping on MG Road is that you can give your tired legs a break and relax at the many pubs and ice cream parlours, or catch a great flick or two at Symphony and Plaza.

A stone’s throw away from MG Road is Brigade Road, where you find shopping malls like Fifth Avenue and Mota Royal Arcade offering great bargains and discounts, and showrooms selling branded stuff. Other than these, there are small shops as well that sell clothes, shoes and jewellery at competitive rates. And if all this shopping whips up a great appetite, check out Only Place, a bistro that specialises in steaks, ice creams and desserts. Otherwise you could lounge at Café Coffee Day with a freshly brewed cuppa and pick up pure coffee powder.

For the window shoppers who still need their fill, there are the pubs, bowling alleys, and video game parlours that dot this promenade. The musically inclined can explore at Music World , with its fascinating collection of cassettes and cds.

Walking distance from Brigade Road is Commercial Street, one of the oldest shopping centres of Bangalore. Here it’s pure business without the usual frills of MG Road and Brigade Road. The main street is lined with shops peddling their wares: clothes, sports goods, jewellery, electronic goods and branded items.

But for minor surprises, check out the many shops that dot the by-lanes of Commercial Street. There are some traditional tailors, whom you can visit for that perfect cut. For the brand conscious, check out the imported cosmetics, contemporary jewellery and designer wear at the West Side store.

After that entire shopping rumba it’s time to unwind at Natural’s Ice Cream Parlour for sinful scoops of frozen delights. The flavours offered here may induce anxiety attacks for calorie watchers, so close your eyes and simply enjoy freshly cut fruits served with dollops of ice cream!