Melbourne Markets – Produce, Delicatessen & Bargains

Melbourne markets are buzzing with atmosphere.

They are a great place to stock up the fridge or find a bargain. Many locals shop at these markets as produce is often cheaper and fresh - make sure to look, though.
Here are some of my favourites:

Queen Victoria Market

The most famous Melbourne market is the Queen Victoria Market. It is located in north end of the city along Victoria and Peel Streets. Get there by tram along Elizabeth Street.

It trades every day, except Mondays and Wednesdays. There is more information on the Queen Victoria Markets Melbourne here.

Delicatessen at the Melbourne markets

Worth mentioning is the Queen Victoria wine market on weekends, and entertainment on Sundays.

A Melbourne insider’s tip is the Queen Vic night market. It operates from the end of November to the beginning of March on Wednesday nights, and is a place to be. It focuses on food, wine, music, art and craft and natural healing.

Prahran Market

The Prahran Market has similar opening times. Take the #72 tram and get off at stop 30. This is a popular life style market with quality fruit, vegetables, meats and delicatessen.

As one of the large markets, it focuses on the family. It has an animal farm for the kids on Tuesdays, regular other children’s activities and a playground around its market place – a great place for parents to enjoy good coffee and gourmet treats. There is life jazz on Sunday afternoons.

South Melbourne Market

The South Melbourne Market is on the corners of York and Cecil Streets. Get there from Bourke Street in the city via the #96 tram.

It is one of the oldest markets in Melbourne, established in the 1870’s. You find old time marketers there with established stalls of fresh meats, fish, delicatessen, fruit and veggies, as well as bargain clothing, footwear, gifts, handicrafts.

It is open Wednesdays, Fridays and on the weekend.

Fresh produce at a Melbourne market stall

Melbourne Community Farmers Markets

These Community Farmers Markets are an alternative - great for plastic-free shopping, slow food and organics.

The idea is to reduce the number of food miles that the goods are transported, and hence environmental impact.

Farmers travel from all over Victoria to these city markets, but this is as far as it goes. Except for the coffee: that comes from NSW – too cold for coffee in Victoria!

At these markets rural life comes to the city and you can buy produce grown with minimal or no chemicals. There is also free-range pork, beef, lamb, buffalo, venison, rabbit, chooks and eggs… and olive oil, breads, specialty cheeses, jams and preserves, juices, nuts, spice mixes, pasta, tea, flowers, gifts….

Farmer’s markets are held in St Kilda (1st Saturday of the Month); at Collingwood Children’s farm (2nd Saturday); at Gasworks in Albert Park (3rd Saturday); and at the Abbotsford Convent (4th Saturday of the month).

Melbourne revels in its community spirit and you will find many more local markets across greater Melbourne.

Markets are a celebration of Melbourne life and embody the Melbourne spirit.

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