Shopping in the city centre has two faces, the continental market and the food market. The continental market is controlled by Marks and Spencer and has an extensive range of shops to handle the needs of those who prefer their shopping stocked and fresh. It's a delight to see the places to eat in Bradford high street transformation since the refurbished Queen's Arcade. Its food market is also very popular, and it prides itself on providing the best fish and chip shops and the best meze and tea. There are also many clothing shops and boutiques plus numerous branches of major hitscan retailers.
Parliament Square is also a great place to buy ethnic foods and specialty shops that cannot be found in most other parts of the country. As well as H&M, there is M&S, who have two massive stores opposite each other, one at each end of the square. They are quite popular with the locals so try to visit them both. All the main food outlets are here from major psych places to eat in Bradford and convenience stores. As well as Marks and Spencer, there is Arg Montgomery, a great little store. It has been a Md Wys cafe since 1916 and is still going strong. Here you can buy your last meal in peace. They also serve delicious lunch and dinner pubs.
Situated at the top of the H Instead, is the Sullivans Cove Market. It extends from the top of the valley and has a wide range of goods from the water ways. Enjoy the fresh catch of the day and buy a bottle or two to take home. They also sell a wide range of crafts, leather goods and souvenirs. It's worth looking around the market to see what places to eat in Bradford are on offer.
If you're visiting on a Sunday, then you have to be careful of the hoards of shoppers that descend on the market from early morning till late at night. In August they are permitted to march on the footpaths opposite the gates of Wimbledon.
If you are walking to the market, watch your ankles! It's dangerous to walk in London with no shoes or slippers. The places to eat in Bradford markets are full of small children who tower about and throw confetti that rains down from the sky onto the players. It's wonderful when it starts to rain but afterwards, don't walk onto the umbrellas unless you're sure it's 100% dry!
Wednesday is the day when there is a fiesta, in honour of the goddess of the waters, Athena. The participants wear the garments from the procession and the girls in the small white dresses.
If you're walking to the market, don't take any food with you. The markets are full of tempting places to eat in Bradford but foul-smelling fruit and vegetables. For a real Spanish experience, try a traditional paella of seafood and rice, served around a wooden fire. Go into the Lancia baths to soap the feet - an Indian restaurant will do this for you. Or you can do a bit of both - order a Spanish "condition" (a strong espresso with a few sausages or gooseberries) and then order some "langoustines" (or garbanzo, a warm plate or official flattened fried pork).
Brices of the day are available in the floras and some of the best fish dishes in Andalucia can be found in this region. They also offer quite cheap traditional foods. Check out the places to eat in Bradford ancient recipes booklet for some brilliant ideas.
The Moorish areas of Granada and Seville still practise their own sauce recipes from the Middle Ages that vanished along with the Continent. They now use the same quality of olive oil and vinegar but the herbs attacked in place of aniseed or sage.
If you fancy a pineapple filled tart, then it's available in most of the places to eat in Bradford markets. The best stuff comes from Seville, where it is made from fresh locally picked pineapple.