Markets are not only great for promoting sustainable produce and shopping local, but they’re just also a wonderful way to spend your time.
During lockdown, Melbourne’s iconic markets stayed open and they were truly a godsend, still buzzing during times of isolation. Markets are timeless, they always have a place in our weekly schedules — it’s just a bonus that grocery shopping is more affordable from the markets too!
If you’re new to Melbourne, are looking to switch to market shopping or just want a fun weekend activity, here’s a roundup of the best markets in Melbourne.
Queen Victoria Markets
Queen Street, Melbourne
The Queen Victoria Market is not only iconic but an absolute joy to visit. With fresh produce, local producers and makers, epic pop-up stalls and tasting carts, the Queen Vic Markets are a place where you can shop for some of the freshest produce, taste what’s in season, get some cooking inspiration and experience a true farmer’s market experience. The indoor deli section is especially beautiful, which still has all its original features from 1878. QVM is the largest and most intact of all Melbourne’s great 19th century markets and is a truly historical experience as well as a successful and operational market.
Preston Market
Preston
The Preston Market is a 50-year-old Melbourne institution. Situated in the European-centric inner-north suburb of Preston, this market feels like you’ve stepped into a market in Rome or something. Not only do they offer up some of the best meats, produce and deli items, they also have live music, hot jam doughnuts and their famous pizza stall as well. It’s organised chaos, and you’ll love every bit of it.
South Melbourne Market
South Melbourne
The South Melbourne Market is best known for its seafood, offering up the best fresh seafood you can buy to cook at home, multiple oyster stations where you can slurp down freshly shucked oysters with lemon and fishmongers that are happy to cut up fresh sashimi for you to eat on the spot. Offering up a bit of a lifestyle vibe, you can not only do your grocery shopping at the South Melbourne Market, but you can shop for beauty products, homewares, shoes, flowers… you can even get yourself a massage! There are some pretty great snack options too, such as Melbourne’s most famous South Melbourne Market dim sims and the beloved Claypots Evening Star, which serve up king prawns, spritzes and live European music.
Rose Street Artists’ Market
Fitzroy
People come from far and wide to peruse the Rose Street Artists’ Market. Tucked away just off Brunswick Street, you can shop directly from Melbourne’s best local artists, designers, crafters and makers. Think jewellery, clothes, cute pots, prints, scarfs… you name it, you can find it, handmade at the Rose Street Market. Open every weekend from 10 am – 4 pm, they serve up coffee and snacks for you to devour while you wander around. This is the type of market where you can go to buy gifts, something nice for yourself to support local small businesses, or even just spend some time in and chat with fellow locals and artists.
Alphington Farmer’s Market
Alphington
This is true farmer’s market style (with actual farmer’s themselves), with makeshift stalls set up outside each Sunday between 9 am – 1 pm. Fresh milk that can be refilled, local goats cheese, butchered meats, seasonal fruit and veg, fresh orange and grapefruit juices, pastries… the works.
Camberwell Sunday Market
This one is for the op shop lovers. The Camberwell Sunday Market is like a giant flea market, filled to the brim with vintage clothes, paintings, homewares, ceramics… literally as far as the eye can see. If you have some spare time on your hands and you’re willing to patiently peruse, you’re pretty guaranteed to find something magical, whether it be a one-off piece of vintage clothing or an exquisite piece of art. It’s the perfect Sunday activity.
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