Take home souvenirs of Surat: Treat yourself with some gorgeous silks, sparkling diamonds and local biscuits.
Surat is known for the quality of its famous silks and brocades and for its weaving techniques. Choose a local Tanchoi, a sari or material woven with a single or double warp and two to five colours on the weft. You’ll be spoilt for choice at the main textile markets near Bardoli Road.
Rough diamonds come to Surat from mines around the world, especially Africa, and go back into the market as polished gems. This practice began, in the time of the Dutch trade links, when a Surti entrepreneur brought diamonds cutters back with him from East Africa. Head to Icchanath Road to pick the piece created for you.
The origins of the Surti nankhataii are fascinating. A local inherited a bakery and a recipe for bread from its Dutch owners. This bread was not liked by locals, so the new owner experimented with the recipe until he created the nankhataii. Take home some from the Dotivala Bakery in Nanpura.
