Here are reliable, budget-friendly shopping spots in Dubai (what to buy there, quick tips and how to get there):

1. Dragon Mart (International City) — huge mall for low-cost Chinese-made goods: homeware, furniture, toys, electronics, fabrics and wholesale/retail bargains. Great for bulk buys and very cheap decor/items; always check quality and compare stalls. Nearest by bus/taxi (no direct metro). (mall.dragonmart.ae)

2. Karama Market / Karama Shopping Complex — small shops and stalls for inexpensive handbags, watches, casual clothing, souvenirs and affordable tailoring. Strong haggling culture; ideal for souvenirs and knockdown prices. Metro: ADCB/Karama area (short taxi). (indianholiday.com)

3. Meena Bazaar (Bur Dubai) — street-market feel with very affordable South‑Asian clothing, fabrics, jewellery, dates, dry fruits and small electronics. Cash-heavy, bargain-friendly, busiest evenings; walkable from Al Fahidi (Green Line). (dubaiadventure.ae)

4. Dubai Outlet Mall (near Jebel Ali / Dubai–Al Ain Rd) — outlet discounts on international brands (seasonal promotions and marked-down stock). Good if you want branded items at lower prices — expect to travel further out of the city. Best by car/taxi; shuttle services sometimes run from central areas. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

5. Al Ghurair Centre (Deira) — older mall with a mix of mid- and budget stores, discount outlets and affordable food options; convenient if you’re staying in Deira/Old Dubai. Metro: Al Rigga/Deira City Centre nearby. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

6. Deira markets / Al Ras area (souks other than the Gold Souk) — fabrics, perfumes, electronics and small household items at low prices if you’re willing to explore and haggle. Use the metro (Al Ras) or abra/taxi to reach the creek-side markets. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

7. Brands For Less / Discount stores and outlet-style retailers — found in several malls (check locations) and useful for discounted branded clothing, shoes and home goods. Good for shoppers wanting brand names on a budget. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Quick practical tips

• Bargain: Most non-chain shops expect it (especially Karama, Meena Bazaar, Dragon Mart, Deira). Start low and be polite. (bayut.com)
• Cash is often preferred at small stalls/market shops — carry some AED. ATMs are available in most areas. (arabmls.org)
• Inspect quality carefully (electronics and branded-looking goods can vary). For big-ticket items insist on receipts/warranty. (bayut.com)
• Best times: weekdays/early mornings are quieter; evenings and weekends are busiest. Dragon Mart and outdoor markets get especially crowded at night. (desertnests.com)
• Transport: Dragon Mart is easiest by car/taxi/bus; Meena Bazaar, Karama and Deira markets are metro-accessible (Green/Red lines + short taxi/walk). (mall.dragonmart.ae)

If you’d like, I can:

• map these to a short sightseeing route by neighborhood, or
• list specific shops/outlets inside Dragon Mart or the Dubai Outlet Mall with links and sample price ranges.