T. Nagar is Chennai's retail heart and one of the busiest shopping districts in India. Ranganathan Street and the surrounding blocks are packed with textile showrooms, jewellery stores and general retail. It is genuinely crowded — go early in the day, and keep an eye on your belongings.
Silk sarees are Chennai's signature purchase. The city is the natural place to buy Kanchipuram silk, woven in the nearby temple town. Established showrooms in T. Nagar and Mylapore are the safest bet for authenticity; look for the Silk Mark label, and be aware that genuine Kanchipuram silk is expensive — a very low price is a warning sign, not a bargain.
Handicrafts and textiles. Government emporia offer fixed-price, reliably authentic crafts across South Indian traditions — bronze figures, Tanjore paintings, wood carving, handloom cotton. Prices are higher than in bargaining markets but quality is dependable.
Mylapore around the temple has traditional shops selling brass and bronze lamps, puja items, flowers and pattu (silk) — good for atmosphere as much as purchases.
Pondy Bazaar in T. Nagar is somewhat less overwhelming than Ranganathan Street, with a mix of street stalls and established shops.
Malls. Phoenix MarketCity in Velachery, Express Avenue near Royapettah and VR Chennai in Anna Nagar cover international and Indian brands, food courts and cinemas.
Books. Chennai has a strong bookshop culture, with several long-established stores around Nungambakkam and Anna Salai.
Filter coffee and spices make good, light souvenirs — freshly ground coffee blends from traditional shops in Mylapore travel well.