The 17 Best Markets in Melbourne
Melbourne's vibrant market culture has always been present and thriving, which is why on weekends, people congregate and shop in carparks, halls, schools, squares, and long-standing locations.
The best part is that it's affordable, and you can actually interact with the people who create, produce, and grow the goods you're purchasing. Take a look at our list of Melbourne's best markets below to start planning your next weekend adventure. Get out to your neighbourhood market this weekend, whether it's a monthly or weekly event, because you might be missing something truly wonderful. Plus, any visitor to Melbourne should go to a market; it's a feast for the senses and a must-do. There are several well-known markets in Melbourne, including Queen Victoria Market, South Melbourne Market, Prahran Market, and Dandenong Market, but there are also other smaller markets that operate in fixed or mobile locations, such as Melbourne Farmers Markets and pop-up Sunday Markets. Here's the list of the best markets in Melbourne in no particular order.
South Melbourne Markets & South Melbourne Night Market
South Melbourne Markets, one of Victoria's oldest and most enduring markets, was founded in 1867. Throughout most of the week, about 150 stalls are open and sell a variety of fresh fruit, meat and seafood, specialty cuisine, clothing, home goods, literature, and other items. Of course, there are also a lot of restaurants and cafes where you can eat. Running on Wed & Sat-Sun 8am-4pm and Fri 8am-5pm, there are plenty of opportunities to get down and shop. Agathe Patisserie, which is inspired by Paris, is the best place to find a wide variety of fresh pastries and a few crusty baguettes. The Emerald Deli, which has a special cheese section, will appeal to cheese enthusiasts and is a must-visit. The South Melbourne Night Market is an annual summer event held within the South Melbourne Market on Wednesday nights that is well-liked by both tourists and residents. Melbourne's summer evenings have a celebratory atmosphere because of the rows of food trucks selling regional fare, restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, henna design stalls, electrifying live music, and incredible collections of goods, jewellery, and furniture at the stalls.
Prahran Markets
The best fruit and vegetables can be found at Prahran Markets, dubbed Melbourne's No. 1 food market. You can be confident you're obtaining the highest quality products at Prahran Markets because these markets swear by the terms organic, sustainable, and free-range. Fish, seafood, meat, game, organic fruit and vegetables, artisan goods, cheeses, and other foods are available. Since 1891, this famous Melbourne market has been located on Commercial Road, and many specialty vendors still value the old-fashioned market vibe. Head down to Prahran Markets on Tue & Thu-Sat 7am-5pm and Sun 10am-3pm for a browse, and make sure to try the toasted sandwich stall!
Arts Centre Melbourne Sunday Market
The Sunday Market, which features a wide selection of goods created in the area, is open every Sunday between Hamer Hall and the famous Arts Centre spire. The original Sunday market in Melbourne's CBD is home to a wide variety of unique items, including woodwork, leather goods, jewellery, and crafts. Head down on Sundays between 10am – 4pm, before picking up some food and heading across the road for a picnic in the gardens.
St. Kilda’s Esplanade Market
Locals in St. Kilda have the good fortune of living close to one of Melbourne's top markets. St. Kilda Esplanade Market has been providing a distinctive market experience with artistic origins since the 1970s. A variety of arts, crafts, jewellery, household goods, plants, and homemade gifts are available at more than 175 stalls from talented artisans who are passionate about what they do. You're likely to uncover some delicious delicacies if you consider yourself a bit of a foodie. The St. Kilda Esplanade Market has been a symbol of St. Kilda and Melbourne for more than 50 years.
Health and well-being, jewellery, arts and crafts, fashion, and food booths offering donuts, coffee, and more are just a few of the stalls that are all owned by people who had a hand in manufacturing the products. Visitors to the market, on Sundays from 10am to 4pm, are regularly entertained by buskers, and leashed dogs are welcome to go with their owners.
Dandenong Market
At Dandenong Market running on Tue & Fri-Sat 7am-4pm and Sun 9am-4pm, you can find anything you want for a great price. This crowded market is a favourite with both locals and visitors, and there is a ton to see, smell, hear, taste and of course purchase! A staggering variety of fresh fruit, clothing, home goods, art, and other products are available from over 200 friendly traders. Additionally, there is a ton of entertainment available, such as live music and cuisine displays. In the Market Hall, you can sample street food from all over the world, and make sure to grab a hot jam doughnut from Dandee's Donuts!
Queen Victoria Market & Queen Vic Night Market
One of the oldest and best marketplaces Melbourne has to offer is Queen Victoria Market, sometimes known as "Vic Market" or "Queen Vic," which has operated as an official market since 1878. The Queen Vic Market, located in the heart of Melbourne, draws both locals and visitors because of its lively, interesting, and busy atmosphere. Everything is available here, including fresh produce, meat, and seafood, delicious local and imported delicacies, artwork, cosmetics, apparel, and more. It is a two-block-long with specialty shops, eateries, cafes, and ice cream stands plus numerous vendors selling everything from leather goods to Australian mementos to indoor plants. Even Queen Victoria Market has markets, such as the Summer Night Market (Wednesday evenings during summer) and the Melbourne Book Market (open weekends). The trading hours for Queen Vic Market are Tue-Fri 6am-3pm, Sun 9am-4pm, Specialty shopping open 9am.
The Rose Street Market
A quirky boutique market, The Rose Street Market is modelled after markets in London, Berlin, and New York. The top designers in Melbourne have been displaying their works here every weekend for the past fifteen years. Everything is handmade and one-of-a-kind, and it includes jewellery, clothing, fashion, furniture, and more. The renowned Rose Street Artists' Market, a Fitzroy market with up to 120 creatives on show, is located just off chic Brunswick Street and runs on weekends from 10am to 4pm.
Fitzroy Market
Fitzroy Markets have been open for business for eight years, and throughout that time, their reputation has only risen. Fitzroy Market, one of Melbourne's top markets that is popular with both locals and tourists, is a colourful representation of the neighbourhood it calls home. There are 75 stalls with a variety of intriguing products, including second-hand, vintage, and handcrafted items, as well as several delicious food stalls. It's easy to spend the day exploring all the interesting stalls because you never know what you might discover with a little digging. Every Saturday from 9am to 2pm, the Fitzroy Market is open with food, seasonal goods, artisan, handmade, second-hand, and antique items all available. For a 2-for-1 market experience, it's even better since Rose Street Artists' Market is directly next door!
Coburg Trash & Treasure
If you enjoy garage sales, Coburg Trash & Treasure is for you. This market's theme is "one man's trash is another man's treasure," as the saying goes. Anything you can think of is certainly available at Coburg, including videos, CDs, records, car parts, plants, toys, and more. Sift through people's unwanted clutter, and maybe you'll find a genuine gem on Sundays from 8am to 2pm.
Melbourne Book Market
The largest book market in Melbourne is the Melbourne Book Market, formerly known as the Fed Square Book Market. It is a bookworm's paradise. There are more than 5,000 books available, both new and used, in every category imaginable, including classics and collectibles. Additionally, there is a good range of used vinyl and CDs, and every week, special guest authors and illustrators stop by to sign books. Head down to Heliers St in Abbotsford on Saturdays between 11am-5pm to find your next page turner.
Red Hill Community Market
The enormous Red Hill Community Market has more than three hundred vendors selling unique handmade goods, crafts, and gourmet cuisine. This market has served as a neighbourhood event since 1975, with the market's energetic atmosphere still existing. One of the nicest markets Melbourne has to offer because of its size and vibe, grab a bite to eat at Red Hill Community Market and explore the numerous unusual and one-of-a-kind stalls on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
Camberwell Market
Every Sunday morning from 6:30am to 12:30pm, a craft and used-goods market is held in Camberwell that draws a crowd. At Camberwell Market, you can purchase handcrafted goods, books, household goods, antiques, and vintage items. There are a whopping 370 stalls to select from, so it is best to get there early to view everything. Street food, fresh flowers, and plants are constants, but everything else is a second-hand mystery until you arrive. Camberwell also organizes charity events and has raised an incredible $9 million to date. At the Camberwell Sunday Market, you never know what you will find, but it is always interesting!
Docklands Sunday Market
This Waterfront market on Sundays from 10am to 5pm, which is situated on New Quay Promenade in Melbourne's Docklands, is a true local artisan's market, with the majority of the stalls selling items like recycled children's designer clothing, soft toys, jewellery, rare earth rocks and semi-precious gems, locally made kaftans, soy candles, soap, and hand-made art and craft. This market is unquestionably a heaven for people who are on a handcraft buying binge. When you are finished at the markets, continue on walking around Docklands and enjoy a bite to eat or further shopping.
Kensington Markets
At the Kensington Town Hall on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 10am to 3pm, the Kensington Markets, which have more than 70 specialised stalls, provide a variety of hidden gems and modest discoveries. This market offers manufacturers, artists, and innovators a venue to distribute their goods to the public. Along with a wide variety of live music performances and street buskers, the stores offer fresh food, jewellery, kids' clothing, kids' crafts, art, and fashion.
Carlton Farmers Market
A gem in the community is the Carlton Farmers Market held on the first Saturday of the month from 8am to 1pm at the Carlton North Primary School. From free-range beef and velvety cheeses to organic vegetables, you'll discover the best of the best in fresh, local produce right from the farm. Entry into the market requires a gold coin donation, which benefits the initiatives run by Carlton North Primary School. Remember to bring your own bags since the market is plastic bag free.
Alphington Farmers Market
The Alphington Farmers Market provides Melbourne residents with the freshest fruits, vegetables, free-range meat, eggs, farmhouse dairy, bread, pantry, cut flowers, and plants from Victorian farmers. This weekly open-air market, which is held in a welcoming setting, runs from 9am to 1pm on Sundays. This market is devoid of plastic bags so bring your own reusable bags instead. You can also bring your dog here!
Melbourne Farmers Markets
Are you looking for Melbourne's freshest produce and a chance to interact with the farmers who grow it? Melbourne Farmers Markets host active farmers in a number of locations, primarily in Melbourne's north and north-east. Each market is committed to promoting Victorian food and producers. The farmers and producers who participate in the markets are recognised by the Victorian Farmers Markets Association, demonstrating their sincere involvement in the production of the food they are selling. Running at various locations and with varying dates, be sure to check out the website for more information.
