Where can I buy affordable dates, sweets and UAE food gifts near my hotel?

A traveller reported a large selection of sweets at BISMI.

A traveller estimated a taxi ride to a shopping mall for sweets shopping at AED 15–20, without specifying the hotel or mall.

For fresh chocolate-covered dates sold by weight, try larger grocery stores nearby and ask for a weighed-goods counter. Hotel shops may be convenient but may not carry this type of selection.

To avoid tourist markups on sweets, choose a full-size supermarket or hypermarket rather than a small neighborhood or hotel shop. This is especially useful for boxed chocolates and edible gifts.

For dates and sweets to take home, a Day To Day hypermarket is recommended. One traveler estimated the trip at about AED 25 and found prices substantially lower than in tourist shops near hotels.