Top spots: Islamabad

Maharaja Handicrafts

It is a business ran by a family and I've been coming since I was 1 year old, theyve seen me grow up as  I've seen them, from a tiny shop to meters and meters of space. They have the best of the best: shawls, antique garments, bed spreads, table cloths, carpets, cashmere sweaters, and the list goes on. I love to spend hours and hours here picking out presents and digging into their boxes for treasures.

Shop 3, Block 8 - Super Market, F-6 Markaz 
http://maharajahandicrafts.net/

Shahi Khussa House

Khussa shopping is better in Lahore but this shop is not bad at all, they carrie diferent variaties some embroidered and some simple, with  pompons, the point rolled up, closed, opened, so there is something for everyone. Every week stock comes in but disappears quicky so don't over think the buy, it wont be there the next time you visit.

Shop 17, Block 8 - Super Market, F-6 (behind KFC and Maharaja)

Saeed Book bank

The best book shop in Islamabad. The half a block-two level store is divided by sections of any subject you may think about, I normally head to the crafts and textile row where I can spend hours devouring them all until the allergy kicks in, unfortunately it is rarely cleaned and full of dust. 

http://saeedbookbank.com/

Jinnah Super Market, F-7 MArkas (behind KFC and Maharaja)

Cafe Lazeez

This is THE place to have Pakistani local food other that at home, the food is top quality and the place has a fantastic ambiance. The menu also includes some foreign dishes for when one gets tired of all the spicy things, this includes: wood oven thin crust pizzas, cesar salad, club sandwich. If savory is not your thing you must absolutely try the velvet cake or the chocolate cakes TO-DIE-FOR

No.17 Bhittai Road, F-7 

Mariott

This hotel has the best sushi restaurant, called Sakura ad well as the best beauty parlor. I highly recommend it for manicures and pedicures, it includes soaking hand and feet into lovely copper plates, drink green tea, pick nail polishes from a vas selection of colors and have a person for hand and one for your feet so you are out in a jiffy. 

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/isbpk-islamabad-marriott-hotel/

Agha Khan Road, Shalimar 5

Afghan Jewelry 

My absolute and favorite place, unfortunately I don't know it's name or the shopkeepers name which is a shame on me since I've been going since for ever. All the antique jewelry you may want is here. Prepare to go insane  

between Maharaja and the Khussa place

Lok Virsa

This is the National Museum of Folk and Heritage, I learnt so much about the origins of every craft and their purposes. You must spend the whole day here because the museum is huge and at its entrance there is a little shopping village with all kind of high quality souvenirs, from pottery to brass ornaments, jewellery, clothes, cushions, shawls etc. They also hold workshops with craft men here, one gets to learn the techniques and the making of some of the products, unfortunately I couldn't catch any of them. The picture above is of the wooden doors which decorate the entire building,I was mesmerized by their intrinsic detail and the storytelling of the designs.

http://www.lokvirsa.org.pk/

GARDEN AVENUE, SHAKARPARIAN, 1184

Kohsar Market

It is a perfect place where to spend and afternoons or late mornings since it have many easy going cafes where to sit and chat or have light lunches, as well as having a book shop, outdoor jewellery and antique stalls, two supermarkets that carry foreign goods, and a meat and veggie shop. It is always full with foreigners and young people.