Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre

Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre stands as a long-established retail landmark in the heart of Abu Dhabi, offering a diverse and convenient shopping experience for residents and visitors alike. Located on Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street in the Al Danah area, the mall has built a reputation over the years as the city's premier destination for gold and jewelry, while also housing a comprehensive mix of fashion, electronics, household goods, and daily necessities. Managed and operated by LuLu Group International, the centre combines traditional marketplace charm with modern retail conveniences, making it a unique fixture in Abu Dhabi's commercial landscape.

Spanning multiple floors, Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre is more than just a collection of stores — it is a community hub where shoppers can find everything from high-end fashion and perfumes to groceries and dining options. The ground floor buzzes with activity around its famed Gold Centre, while the upper levels feature a popular food court and a wide range of textile and clothing retailers. With the attached Lulu Hypermarket providing groceries and household products from early morning until midnight, the mall serves as a complete one-stop destination for daily and luxury shopping needs.

What Shoppers Will Find at Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre

The retail mix at Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre is both deep and wide, accommodating a broad spectrum of consumer needs. The mall's directory reveals a strong concentration of jewelry and watch stores, with more than 70 outlets dedicated to gold, diamond, and pearl jewelry. This includes internationally recognized names like Malabar Gold and Diamonds alongside numerous independent retailers, making it the most jewelry-dense shopping destination in Abu Dhabi.

Beyond jewelry, the fashion and textile segment is robust, with over 100 clothing stores offering apparel for men, women, and children. Shoppers can browse traditional abayas, contemporary fashion, and fabrics for custom tailoring. The presence of perfume and cosmetics stores adds to the mall's appeal as a beauty and personal care destination. A dedicated New Extension area houses additional brands and modern retail concepts, complementing the more traditional shops in the original wing.

The Gold Centre at Madinat Zayed

The Madinat Zayed Gold Centre is the defining feature of the shopping centre and holds the distinction of being the only dedicated Gold Centre in Abu Dhabi. This dedicated section on the ground floor showcases a charming collection of gold, diamond, and pearl jewelry sourced from across the globe, catering to all tastes and budgets. Visitors will find everything from traditional 21k and 22k gold sets favored for weddings and festivals to contemporary diamond pieces and designer pearl jewelry.

The Gold Centre operates on consistent hours from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm daily, making it accessible for both daytime browsing and evening shopping. Its reputation draws customers from across the UAE, and the competitive environment among its many stores helps keep designs fresh and pricing competitive. Google Maps reviews frequently mention the Gold Centre as a key reason for visiting, with shoppers appreciating the vast selection under one roof.

Dining and Food Options

Food and beverage outlets at Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre range from quick-service counters to full-service family restaurants. The food court on the third floor is a particular highlight mentioned in customer reviews, described as offering very good and affordable meals from a variety of cuisines. Restaurants like Class Food Multi Cuisine Restaurant and NH 47 Restaurant receive strong ratings on Google Maps, indicating a loyal customer base for their diverse menus.

During the early evening hours, a vibrant street food scene comes alive outside the mall, as noted by Google Maps reviewers. Approximately 20 different food stalls set up in front of the centre, offering an eclectic mix of international street foods that are described as delicious and extremely affordable. This outdoor dining atmosphere adds a lively, community-oriented dimension to the shopping experience, particularly during the cooler months.

Customer Ratings and Feedback

With a 4.3-star rating on Google Maps from over 32,000 reviews, Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre has earned a solid reputation among a huge volume of visitors. The feedback paints a consistent picture: this is an older mall that excels in variety and value, particularly for gold, textiles, and affordable dining, while having some practical trade-offs.

Recurring positive themes in customer feedback include the unmatched selection of gold jewelry, the affordability of the food court and street food, and the wide range of products available across many stores. One reviewer called it "a wonderful shopping centre that every visitor to Abu Dhabi should definitely visit," praising the ability to find clothing, perfumes, shoes, and gold all in one place. Another noted that the food stalls outside offer "very different dishes, all tasty and extremely cheap."

Constructive feedback from reviewers highlights practical considerations. The parking facilities lack shaded spaces, which is a notable concern in Abu Dhabi's climate, and visitors must pay for parking tickets. As an older property, the mall's decor and ambiance are described by some as dated compared to newer luxury malls in the city. These reviews do not overshadow the mall's strengths but provide a balanced view for potential visitors to plan around parking and timing.

Location and Accessibility in Al Danah

Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre is situated on Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street in the Al Danah – Zone 1 district of Abu Dhabi, a central and well-connected part of the city. Its location places it within easy reach of other commercial and residential areas, making it a convenient shopping destination for those living and working in the downtown area. The mall's prominent position on a major city thoroughfare ensures high visibility and straightforward navigation for both drivers and taxi passengers.

For those driving, adequate parking facilities are available, though the lot is open-air and unshaded. Parking is paid, with tickets required. The mall provides a taxi service and valet service for added convenience. Inside, accessibility and shopper comfort are supported by amenities such as baby strollers, kiddie carts, electronic directories, ATM machines, and mall maps. These services, detailed on the mall's service directory page, are designed to make family shopping trips more manageable.

Services and Amenities

Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre prioritizes shopper convenience with a suite of on-site services. The service directory includes taxi and valet services, making arrivals and departures smooth. Families with young children benefit from the availability of baby strollers and kiddie carts, reducing the burden of carrying little ones through the sprawling centre. Electronic directories and printed mall maps help visitors navigate the numerous stores efficiently.

Banking needs are met with ATMs located throughout the property and branches of banks like Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. The mall also houses a LIP Service portal for easier interaction with mall management. These practical amenities, combined with the leasing enquiry office for potential retailers, underscore the mall's commitment to being a fully serviced retail hub.

Common Questions about Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre

What are the operating hours of Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre?

The main shopping centre and New Extension are open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm, and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00 am to 12:00 midnight. The Gold Centre operates daily from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm. Lulu Hypermarket is open Saturday through Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 midnight.

Is there a dedicated gold market at the mall?

Yes, the Madinat Zayed Gold Centre is the only dedicated Gold Centre in Abu Dhabi. It is located on the ground floor and features over 70 jewelry stores offering gold, diamond, and pearl jewelry from across the globe.

What dining options are available at the mall?

The mall has a food court on the third floor with multiple affordable restaurants and a variety of cuisines. Additionally, in the early evening, approximately 20 street food stalls set up outside the mall's entrance, offering diverse and inexpensive international street food.

Does the mall provide family-friendly facilities?

Yes, Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre offers several family-oriented services including baby strollers, kiddie carts, and a taxi service. These amenities are intended to make shopping easier and more convenient for families with children.

Is parking available and is it free?

The mall provides adequate parking facilities; however, parking is not free and requires a paid ticket. Reviewers have noted that the parking lot does not have shaded spaces, which is a consideration during hot weather.

What type of stores besides gold can I find?

In addition to its famous Gold Centre, the mall houses a broad range of stores including fashion and clothing outlets (over 100), perfume stores, electronics shops, textile and fabric retailers, household goods stores, and a Lulu Hypermarket for groceries.

Who manages Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre?

The mall is managed and operated by LuLu Group International, a highly diversified conglomerate with interests in retail, hypermarkets, shopping malls, imports and exports, and more, headquartered in Abu Dhabi.