The Top 5 Markets in Melbourne, Australia
Once you’re traveling, going to markets is a terrific way to immerse yourself in the country. As you visit the market, you may not only buy locally made art, jewelry, clothing, and food, but you can also experience the culture of the neighboring city and what makes it special. Melbourne boasts a plethora of markets strewn across the city that sells a wide range of Australian-made goods as well as one-of-a-kind gems. Whether you’re looking for interesting food or inexpensive clothing, you’re sure to discover something that your friends and relatives will like, or the ideal souvenir to take home as a memento of your visit to the city.
Though some of the city’s markets are accessible daily, others only appear once a week or month. The majority of these take credit cards, although it is up to the individual stalls. The top five year-round marketplaces in Melbourne are listed below.
1. Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market, known colloquially as “Queen Vic” by locals, first opened to the public more than 100 years ago. It is a historical monument in Melbourne and is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. Over 600 exhibitors sell a variety of souvenirs, Australian-made goods, and foreign cuisine at Queen Vic. Begin by rummaging around the stalls selling clothing, hats, and rugs to take home. Then make your way to the fruit and vegetable vendors after sampling the meat and dairy produce rooms.
If American Doughnut Kitchen is open, visitors should stand in line to try a hot jam doughnut. Furthermore, if you ever see cannoli in M and G Caiafa’s window, you must order them. The market is open until 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and until 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; however, during the summer and winter, travel to Queen Vic after 5 p.m. on any given Wednesday for the once a week Night Market.
2. St Kilda Esplanade Market
It’s situated on the beach, and it’s only a half-hour tram trip from the city center. Although it’s a great place to go roller coaster riding and have brunch, it’s also a great place to go shopping, especially on Sundays. The St Kilda Esplanade Market has a long string of shops and awnings selling Australian-made arts and crafts, including jewelry, apparel, paintings, homeware, and more. There are also a few food stalls to assist you to refuel after your shopping spree. On Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., it’s available.
3. Prahran Market
Since its inception in 1891, this location has evolved into an extraordinary food market in Melbourne. You’ll discover a huge selection of local and high-quality fruit, fish, meat, and dairy products here.
The market welcomes new traders regularly and attempts to provide a pleasant atmosphere for tourists looking for a bite to eat. It’s the kind of grocery store where you’ll want to try everything. Are you stumped as to where to begin? Mr. Bratwurst, Mr. Hoodle, and The Falafel Man are sure to fill your stomach. Prahran Market also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including grilled cheese championships, master workshops, demos, tastings, and live music on weekends.
Take the Sandringham train from Flinders Street Station to Prahran Station if you want to visit. The market is only a short distance away. Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, it’s open until 5 p.m., and on Sundays, it’s open until 3 p.m.
4. South Melbourne Market
This is a city monument that was established in 1867. It’s smaller than Queen Vic, so it’s a more intimate setting for meeting locals and discovering Australian gems like Clement Coffee. At this small grinder, you’re in for some pretty out-of-this-world coffee.
You may go on a food tour here because there are so many tasty booths and shops to visit, such as Cannoleria, Market Borek, and Mama Tran Dumplings. Do you want to learn how to make tortelloni or nasi campur by hand? A culinary school is also located at South Melbourne Market, where professional chefs can show you how to prepare a variety of cuisines ranging from the Mediterranean to Vietnamese.
In January, the Night Market opens on Wednesdays, where you may sample international cuisine while listening to live music. South Melbourne Market is a 15-minute tram journey away from Melbourne’s central business district, in the direction of St. Kilda. It’s open till 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
5. The Rose Street Artists’ Market
This market is located in Fitzroy, a hip Melbourne suburb. It’s a two-story indoor and outdoor market that specializes in the “best of handcrafted.” A sizable handful of local design professionals congregate here every Saturday and Sunday to put up stalls with their arts and crafts, so you’re sure to find unique goods and encounter creative Melburnians.
