By Sudha Mathew

Despite the title, I am not a big shopper. Don’t believe me? My husband will verify it, I promise. A holiday is not complete for me without at least one purchase. Not necessarily a big-ticket item, it can even be food and wine like I did in Italy. Part of the reason why I keep time aside for shopping is the experience itself. By going to a market, whether it sells vegetables, spices or handicrafts, you meet locals and understand the traditional economy. Plus you score unique and “cheaper than the souvenir store ” items.

One city where I always check out stores, no matter how pressed for time I am, is Fort Kochi. After many a happy hour of window shopping, I am happy to share my list of where to shop in Fort Kochi. And if you are wondering what to buy in Fort Kochi as gifts without breaking the bank, then this is definitely for you. To make the most of sightseeing and shopping, talk to us and get a customised holiday plan at no extra cost.

Little Queen – Jew Street

A little shop that hides big treasures within. The proprietor Thomas set up this shop to provide a livelihood to widows from the fishing community of Fort Kochi. He confided an astonishing anecdote to us. He supplies lace to Burano Island in Italy, which is apparently sold as authentic Burano lace. Why, you ask? Because nobody is willing to do such backbreaking work there anymore. After hearing that, I was glad I didn’t succumb to the temptation of buying lace when I visited Burano a few years ago.

What to buy: Fine needlework pieces as wall art, Lace.

Idiom Bookshop – Bastion Street

An old fashioned bookstore where you can browse for hours sitting on a low stool in a corner without anyone disturbing you. It mainly stocks books on India, books by Indian authors, cookbooks and heavy tomes on Kerala history. They will even ship it for you anywhere in the world.

What to buy: Coffee table books with gorgeous photos at discounted prices.

Cinnamon – Ridsdale Road

This is a posh boutique with a curated selection of clothes from top Indian designers and eclectic home décor. Well made dresses, stoles and kaftans, lounge wear. Cinnamon has pricey but unique stuff.

What to buy: Pure cotton tunics, home décor.

Neemrana Shop – Tower Road

Housed within their Tower House hotel, this is a gift shop run by the Neemrana group. This is an excellent choice to shop in Fort Kochi for small gifts. Good variety of Indian craft based souvenirs, tableware and home décor from across India. Even if you haven’t set foot in Rajasthan, you can take home an authentic bandhani shawl.

What to buy: Elegant flatware, bowls and ethnic textiles.

Crafters – Jew Town

Crafters is not one shop but five shops in close proximity to each other run by the enterprising Malayil brothers. Stuffed to the gills with all manner of antiques and reproductions, you could easily spend a full day searching for treasures within. They have huge vessels, carved wooden pillars, small brass items such as nutcrackers, spoons, bowls and a whole lot more. Possibly the best answer to the oft-repeated question of where to shop in Fort Kochi for antiques.

What to buy: Too many pretty things to choose from but I loved the antiques repurposed as small tables.

Preethi Stores – Princess Street

If you love the food that you’ve been eating on holiday in Kerala, why not give it a try at home? It is easy if you have the right ingredients and a trusty cookbook by your side. Small spice packets are inexpensive compared to prices elsewhere if you don’t know what to buy in Fort Kochi as gifts.

What to buy: Eastern Masala powders, convenient small packs of spices

Read more about Tips on Shopping in India

Happy Shopping in Fort Kochi. Carry lots of cash!

Cheers

Sudha

Name:

Email:

Comment: