If Fort Kochi is for antiques and spice lanes, Ernakulam is where Kochi does its real shopping — textiles, gold, everyday goods and big-brand malls. Here’s where to head for what.
- MG Road — the main avenue: textiles, gold, books and showrooms.
- Broadway — the older market lane: spices, everyday goods, bargains.
- LuLu Mall (Edappally) — brands, food court, cinema; one of India’s largest.
- Tip: bargain in the Broadway market; malls and showrooms are fixed-price.
MG Road — textiles and gold
MG Road is Ernakulam’s main shopping avenue, lined with textile showrooms, jewellery stores and bookshops. It’s the place for Kerala cotton and silk, saris and gold — Kochi is a major gold-buying city, and the big showrooms here are where locals shop for it.
Broadway — the market lane
A block over, Broadway is the older, tighter market street — spices, dried goods, household items and clothes at everyday prices. It’s busier and more chaotic than MG Road, and the right place to bargain and pick up Kerala spices to take home.
The malls — LuLu and beyond
For air-conditioned, fixed-price shopping, the LuLu International Shopping Mall at Edappally is one of India’s largest, with hundreds of brands, a big food court and a cinema. Several other malls sit around the city’s edges if you want brands under one roof.
Shopping spots in Ernakulam
More of the city
Pair a shopping run with a Marine Drive sunset — see things to do in Ernakulam — or browse our ranked list of places to eat for a break between stores.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best shopping in Ernakulam?
MG Road for textiles, gold and showrooms; the Broadway market for spices and everyday bargains; and LuLu Mall at Edappally for brands, food and a cinema under one roof.
What should you buy in Kochi?
Kerala cotton and silk, spices (from the Broadway market or Fort Kochi’s Bazaar Road), gold from the MG Road showrooms, and tea and coffee.
Is LuLu Mall in Ernakulam worth visiting?
Yes if you want air-conditioned, fixed-price shopping — it’s one of India’s largest malls, at Edappally on the city’s northern edge, with hundreds of brands, a food court and a cinema.