Top 10 Street Markets To Hunt For The Best Finds In Kolkata

Kolkata has no dearth of shops! Especially if you want to go shopping in New Market. This entire market established the groundwork for being loud about local and thrifting before it became a fashion trend. Located on Lindsay Street, next to Free School Street, is the New Market, previously Sir Stuart Hogg Market. New Market is still the centre of Kolkata's shopping scene. The market will be filled with summer outfits, sunglasses, bags, shoes, beach and boho outfits, decor collections, and other items that will also be affordable alternatives to luxury labels. But if shopping sounds strenuous, then you will definitely appreciate the numerous vintage stops this lane hosts, from vinyl stores to old cinema theatres.

Timings: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM. Closed on Saturdays.

How To Reach: If you use Ola/Uber/In Drive facilities, your drop-off location should be either Oberoi Grand or the KMC building. You can also take a metro train to Esplanade metro station. Exit from the gate which is towards Peerless Hotel. You can also take a non-AC or an AC bus to Esplanade as your next bus stop.

Google Rating: 4/5

Gariahat is the place to go if you want shoes, purses, kurtis, and sarees at prices that will make you wonder about everything. Shopkeepers? Elite bargainers. Kolkata shopping that's affordable? This is the location. You will still get to shop for items at INR 10 to INR 20 and beyond, we mean. The collection is also really beautiful. Gariahat is the place to go if you're looking for gifts for your buddies! I once bought Pepsi can earrings, a red dupatta, and a kurti. The ensemble was a hit at university! You will find a place in your heart for everything you purchase if you enjoy collecting unique items and know what you want.

Timing: 11 AM - 8 PM. Closed on Sundays.

How To Reach: The nearest metro stations are Kalighat and Rabindra Sarobar. You can also take public buses, both AC and non-AC or drive your own cars.

Google Rating: 4.1/5

Smart shoppers will find paradise at Hatibagan. This market is well-known for its reasonably priced home basic needs, fake jewellery, and ethnic clothing. You've come to the correct place if you're looking for a gorgeous saree that looks like a Sabyasachi without breaking the bank. Also, if you hear someone bartering expertly, know that they have mastered the art of Kolkatan negotiating. Make sure to refuel as you shop because the street-side phuchka (pani puri) here is legendary. Hatibagan offers the best bargains in Kolkata when it comes to shopping.

Timing: 10:30 AM - 10 PM

How To Reach: The nearest metro station is Shyambazar. You can book an Ola/Uber/Rapido service as well. Multiple buses go towards Hatibagan.

Google Rating: 4.3/5

With its lanes of used books, rare first editions, and ageless classics arranged at a stretch of 900 metres, College Street is nothing short of a bookworm's utopia. Being the biggest used book market in the world, it's for people who love the smell of old books and the excitement of finding a good deal. Once you've stuffed your tote full of books, only to be added to your TBR, the famous Indian Coffee House awaits you with a conversation on every aantel topic. A dreamer, a thinker, or just someone who amasses more books than they can read, College Street is your safe house.

Timings: 11 AM - 7 PM. Closed on Sundays.

How To Reach: The nearest metro stations are Central and MG Road. It's a 5-minute walk onwards. 

India’s largest wholesale market. An estimated 50,000 buyers and dealers visit the market every day. The majority of lanes and by-lanes, aside from the arterial route, are only 8 feet wide and unbelievably crowded with cars and people vying for space. Separated into highly specialised sub-markets, such as Dhotipatti, Fancypatti, Tulapatti, Chinipatti, etc. Other divisions include Kothi, Chowk, and Katra. Banstalla Street, Kalakar Street, and Bagri Market. Amartalla Street is a playground for everyone, while Cotton Street in the area should satisfy your synthetic saree requirements. Ezra Street and Pollock Street should be your first stop for all things electricity, lighting, and electric appliances. Chitpur is a jumble of everything kitchenware.

Timings: 9 AM - 8 PM

How To Reach: You can take the metro to Mahatma Ghandhi Road or Chandni Chowk, then walk. You can also ride various buses to the Burra Bazar station.

There are stands selling everything from imitation footwear to dirt-cheap t-shirts along the sidewalks. Getting that "fixed price" cut in half is twice the pleasure, so bargaining is essential! This is Kolkata at its most alive and unadulterated—the bustle, the mayhem, the aroma of street food filling the air. Just keep an eye on your valuable belongings, and you'll be set for a shopping binge unlike any other!

Timings: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM and 7 PM - 10:30 PM

How To Reach: The nearest metro station is Esplanade. You can also drive or book Ola/Uber.

Scattered across three floors and a basement, the Vardaan Market shopping complex located along Camac Street in Kolkata, is a haven for shoppers. It functions as a kind of fashion consultant, meticulously crafting a wardrobe for each woman who aspires to sport a distinct look, including imported apparel, fashion jewellery, and cosmetics. It is one of the oldest shopping arcades, where people of all ages can indulge in their shopping addiction. Do you know what attracts the most people to this place? Budget shopping and your bargaining abilities, bestie!

Timings: 11 AM - 10 PM. Closed on Thursdays.

How To Reach: You can drive your own vehicles. You can book Ola/Uber/Rapido services.

State emporiums abound in this outdoor complex, offering a wide range of goods from jewellery and home décor to handwoven fabrics and ceramics. Do you need a unique present or an interesting memento? Visit Dakshinapan. It's much calmer than the bustle of other markets in Kolkata. Oh, and those adorable little tea stalls? Very aantel Bangali and adda vibes! We enjoy the store next to Dolly's Tea Shop on the ground floor (opposite Gurjari); their wraparound skirts and blockprinted ikat palazzos start at INR 500. Dakshinapan is a must-visit if you enjoy unusual treasures and a respite from the madness.

Timings: 11 AM - 8 PM

How To Reach: You can take autos or buses. You can also drive your car or book Ola/Uber/Rapido services.

Google Rating: 4.3/5

The Fancy Market is one of Kolkata's most well-known marketplaces. Situated in Khidirpore, the market is a popular gathering spot for both residents and visitors. Renowned for offering a broad range of products, such as jewellery, clothing, and handicrafts, the market is an excellent spot for visitors to shop for gifts and souvenirs. It is expected that you would haggle with merchants over item prices. 

Timings: 10:30 AM - 8 PM

How To Reach: You can walk to the Esplanade bus stop or Mayo Road. Travel to Khidirpur Crossing by CSTC Bus 37 or one of its variations. Fancy Market is only a short stroll from Khidirpur Crossing, where you can get off.

Since its founding in 1940, the Russell Exchange has been one of Asia's oldest auction houses. However, it's not only a place for collectors. It's full of unique artefacts, vintage tales, and a typical historic charm. The company started when Russell, the original owner, sold it to the great-grandfather of the current proprietors. You can get anything from old cassettes to colonial furniture and antiquated cameras. It's where Kolkata's past and present collide, with collectors and newcomers alike seeking a piece of the city's rich history. Previously a favoured spot for filmmaker Satyajit Ray, this secluded neighbourhood on Russell Street offers a unique blend of history, art, and intrigue, making it an ideal destination for anyone wishing to experience the city in a different light.

Timings: Mondays, 10 AM - 2 PM; Wednesdays to Saturdays, 10 AM - 7 PM. Sundays, 10 AM - 4 PM. Closed on Tuesdays.

Price: INR 20 - INR 1,50,000 onwards

Contact: 033 2229 8974

Google Rating: 4/5

Instagram: @the_russell_exchange