Recent city lockdowns in Melbourne have led to the discovery of culinary crafts for many – and, as the city’s foodie culture continues to thrive, markets across Melbourne are buzzing.
If you’re shopping for fruit ripe with flavour, oysters to shuck or stocking a basket with cheese, artisan bread and all the picnic favourites, plan a visit to one of Melbourne’s best food markets.
Queen Victoria Market
Iconic to Melbourne, Queen Victoria Market (open Tuesday, and Thursday to Sunday) is an institution and historic landmark located on the northern outskirts of the city centre. The market is proudly the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere. With traders selling everything imaginable from fruit and vegetables to fresh seafood, deli goods and imported gourmet delicacies you would be forgiven for losing track of time as you marvel at the offering available.
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Roberto Seba | 2014[/caption]
South Melbourne Market
Located within walking distance from Crowne Plaza Melbourne, South Melbourne Market (open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) is a foodie mecca. The market is lined with traders selling everyday fresh produce to international delicacies. Bordering the exterior of the market, you will find some of Melbourne’s finest street food dining outlets including Simply Spanish and BAMBU.
As you meander through the market, be sure to visit vendors at the fashion and florals stalls adding their pops of colour to market.
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Josie Withers | Melbourne June 2017[/caption]
Prahran Market
If you’re wandering along Chapel Street enjoying the shopping, make sure you duck around into Commercial Road to visit Prahran Market (open Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday). Having opened in 1891, the market is a historic spot which has expanded a number of times since. Pick up anything from fresh fruit and vegetables to fresh pasta or picnic essentials. The market is most popular among locals for the Sunday fruit and vegetable special inviting shoppers to fill a box of produce for just $15 – so if you’re staying a little longer, here is the place to stock up.
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Market stalls at Prahran Market[/caption]
Footscray Market
It’s one of the cheapest markets to do your shopping in Melbourne, so Footscray Market (open Tuesday to Saturday) is buzzing all through the week. Located opposite Footscray train station – on the Sunbury, Werribee and Williamstown lines, visit the market to stock up on fresh meat, poultry, seafood and fruit and vegetables, or a number of Asian specialty ingredients. Feeling peckish? Footscray Market is the perfect lunch spot if cheap Vietnamese eats appeals – Phu Vinh Noodle Shop is the local favourite, where the noodle soups are the star attraction.
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Kristoffer Paulsen | Footscray Dec 2017[/caption]
Preston Market
Preston Market (open Wednesday to Saturday) is a favourite northside number. The market, located across from Preston station off the South Morang train, is a lively, indoor space bursting with colourful shops and personalities. Best known for its diversity of offerings, the market has been operating for over 45 years and is filled with traders from all walks of life selling a slice of their culture through cuisine. Wander through Eastern European delis, Italian greengrocers and Vietnamese butchers among the hundreds of stalls and outlets selling produce, baked goods, clothing and more.
Crowne Plaza Melbourne is your central hub for exploring the best of Melbourne, markets included. Book direct and never pay more, visit our current special offers here.