Melbourne, Australia is best known worldwide for its abundant food and coffee culture. The best restaurants around Melbourne source only the freshest food and produce from their local fresh food markets around the city and surrounding suburbs. From freshly caught seafood to locally grown produce, you’ll find everything you need for restaurant-quality food in your own kitchen at the markets listed.
Queen Victoria Market
(Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000)
Queen Victoria Market is arguably the most iconic fresh food market in Melbourne. This Melbourne fresh food market is a landmark all on its own accord by sheer beauty and history alone. With its 140-year reputation, this heritage-listed market is home to approximately 600 traders, offering everything from seafood, fresh meats fruit and vegetables, cheese and delicatessen goods and baked items, to the likes of haberdashery, homewares and souvenirs.
Queen Victoria Market also offers seasonal events such as the Night Noodle Markets generally held in winter, and the Summer Night Market both of which see the trading hours extend every Wednesday night for your enjoyment.
Queen Victoria Market is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 9am-3pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am-4pm (Wednesday seasonally) and is easily accessible by foot, tram and car.
South Melbourne Market
(322-326 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205)
South Melbourne Market is described as a quintessential village market – think small quaint stalls, friendly baristas and shop staff and some of the most amazing produce you’ve seen.
This indoor-outdoor fresh food market in Melbourne is home to traders offering some of the freshest seafood, fruits and vegetables and freshly squeezed juices around. With eateries inside, this abundant market has everything you need for a morning out while you shop for your next dinner party.
Cafes for your freshly brewed coffee and morning pastry will liven your shopping experience. This South Melbourne market is only open Wednesday, Friday and the weekend with onsite parking (at a fee).
Footscray Market
(18 Irving St, Footscray VIC 3011)
With a slogan of “fresh and cheap” what’s not to love? The Footscray market boasts a large array of Asian produce and exotic wares.
This bustling fresh food market in Melbourne is always alive with activity and shoppers looking to snag a bargain with trading hours between Tuesday – Saturday from 7am.
Footscray market isn’t upscale or deluxe by any stretch of the imagination, but it is everything a market needs to be and is worth a visit for your fresh produce and a good morning out.
Located opposite Footscray station, this large indoor market is easy to access via public transport, however, there are 800 car parks for those wanting to travel by car.
Preston Market
(30A The Centreway, Preston VIC 3072)
Preston Market is an indoor market offering, not just the usual fresh produce stalls and butcheries, but also offer multicultural experiences, workshops and events for everyone to enjoy. For your inner child, Preston market also holds a confectionery stall. Who doesn’t love a lolly shop!
From farm fresh eggs, pure honey and an organic grocer, to personalised giftware, Chinese medicine and even a lotto stand, there’s something to entice even the more exotic of customers
Preston market is open 8am-3pm Wednesday to Sunday, with the exception of Friday when they’re open until 6pm
Prahran Market
(163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141)
Established in 1864, Prahran market has been dubbed the number 1 market for fresh food in Melbourne by Melbournians. Boasting a cheesemonger, fishmonger and a couple of butchers to a florist and a delicatessen – Prahran market has the freshest produce in town.
There is a strong focus on fresh food and produce at this indoor Melbourne fresh food market, it really is a foodie’s dream. You’ll find exotic produce to experiment with in the kitchen, eateries to keep you satiated while you shop and a friendly service unmatched anywhere else. It is a proper little community. Frequenting this establishment will have you on a first-name basis with stall holders in no time.
Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7am-5pm and Sunday 10am-3pm – a 72 tram towards Camberwell will take you right out the front. There is also parking onsite for a fee.
Whether you like to get in, do your shopping and get out, or if you’re the type to meander through looking at everything as you pass it, there is a fresh food market in Melbourne for you. With the cost of living increasing daily, markets are not only fresher and therefore longer lasting, but they can often be cheaper than your local supermarkets. When you’re in Melbourne next, be sure to check a few out!
