Are you a foodie? Or maybe someone just looking for a casual dining experience with family and friends. Some of the best places to do this are the markets of Melbourne, where you can experience different cuisines and a great atmosphere. Here are just some of the best markets for treating yourself to a delicious meal in Melbourne and a great time out.
The Queen Victoria Market
A great one to start with is the Queen Victoria Market. A culturally iconic aspect of Melbourne, this inner-city market has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for over 140 years. Despite being built on an old graveyard, and even gaining a reputation for being haunted, its vibrant and bustling atmosphere makes it a must-visit.
Located on Queens Street in Melbourne, the Queen Vic Market celebrates the city’s culture and is a great place to try new foods and find fresh, specialty produce – it’s home to over 600 small businesses! From bakeries and butchers to local and imported gourmet food, this market is perfect to get lost in and experience the various cuisines and stalls it has to offer.
If you’re someone looking for more of a night scene, the Queen Victoria Market offers a Night Market every wednesday night. With no entry fee, you can enjoy nightly curated entertainment and all the delicious street foods Melbourne has to offer. With entertainment varying from improv musical performances to local upcoming comedians, the Night Market has something for everyone.
The South Melbourne Market
Arguably one of the best, the South Melbourne Market is located on Coventry Street in, you guessed it, South Melbourne. As the city’s oldest continuously running market, it’s one of the best foodie spots and has a wonderful multicultural community that adds to the dining experience.
With over 150 stalls, it’s no wonder South Melbourne Market stores are celebrated for the vastly diverse food choices they offer. With some nationally famous stalls, people travel hours to get a slice of what’s on offer.
The cuisine offered gives you tastes from all over the world, with Greek, Vietnamese, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese and so many more food options for you to choose from. Not only do they have a great selection of international foods, but a great variety of poultry stalls, seafood stalls (famous for their oyster bars) and fresh food stalls to stock up on groceries for the week. If you’re after something sweet, there are desserts, snacks and delicious drinks to choose from while you explore.
One of the greatest things about this market is its efforts to address environmental concerns. The South Melbourne Market is also known for its positive environmental impact and its drive to remain sustainable.
Grazeland
Located next to Scienceworks in Spotswood, Grazeland is described as a “playground for foodies,” and it’s no wonder why! This outdoor food precinct offers many international foods, drinks, and desserts. Whether you’re after Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Mediterranean, Vietnamese, or Indian cuisine, Grazeland has it all. Better yet, this market offers halal, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, so there’s something here for everyone.
Grazeland is also great to plan ahead for, as there is always advertised entertainment and events to enjoy, lending this market a great atmosphere to enjoy with friends and family.
It’s also an easy spot to get to, with Spotswood train station 500m away, bike racks available and a car park for the precinct. It is a great place for a weekly catch-up, a first date, and much more.
The Vegan Market
For those in the vegan scene or just curious and wanting to try it out, the Vegan Market is a great place to go. Located in Williamstown, this market boasts stalls offering plant-based foods, cruelty-free beauty products, eco-friendly goods and so much more. While this market is all about vegan food, it has a great, inclusive environment that encourages everyone to try out what it has to offer.
While you may think vegan cuisine is limited, this market actually offers a wide array of choices. From filling meals to delicious desserts and drinks to even protein powders, there is something for everyone. One of the most famous foods is the various plant-based burgers, made with ingredients like mushrooms, jackfruits and plant-based patties. So, if you’re someone who already loves vegan meals, or you are just not quite convinced of it, the Vegan Market is the best place to widen your horizons.
