Your Ultimate Guide to Melbourne’s Iconic Market Scene

Live acoustic music is the backdrop for an unmissable curated collection of over five thousand new and preloved books every Saturday and Sunday at The Melbourne Book Market. Popping up in the L Shed of the Queen Victoria Market, each stall offers spades of literature, history, gardening, travel, arts, and children’s books, plus second-hand vinyl records and CDs. All titles within the Melbourne Book Market have been selected by a revolving cast of local veteran booksellers, authors, and illustrators. Head down between 10am and 4pm to sift through old time classics, new releases, and up-and-coming authors.

Officially opened in 1878, Queen Victoria Market may be almost 150-years old, but it is anything but stuck in the past. An open-air hub of activity, the market reflects all things Melbourne, packed with a large number of stallholders selling fresh produce, fruit, meat, dairy, small goods, swathes of clothes, accessories and other bric-a-brac. The footprint of this historical icon takes up over two city blocks and seven hectares, opening its doors every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 3pm, and every weekend from 9am to 3pm. Be sure to also check out the Queen Vic Summer Night Market as 100 bars, stalls and shops illuminate the night sky across a bumper 15-week season.

A prime beachside location on the footpath of the esplanade, St Kilda Esplanade Market is an icon of Melbourne. Filled with art and crafts, the market is a front-of-mind choice for those in the market for high-quality Australian-made products. Just an easy 15-minute tram ride from the city, you’d be crazy not to witness this hub of stall holders, artists and makers – one that has truly stood the test of time. Opened in December of 1970 by Councillor Manning, the market is a staple of Melbourne’s market scene, welcoming locals, visitors and dogs! (of course).

Another long-standing staple of the Melbourne market scene can be found in the eclectic and cultural South Melbourne Market. It’s undeniably one of the best places to spend a morning in the cultural capital of Australia, offering a sprawling indoor pavilion of gourmet providores, vintage stores, local makers, and eating spots since 1867. Try UGO Burrata Bar for a fresh, gooey piece of heaven; experience vibes of Barcelona and Madrid by taking a seat at La Central; grab ingredients for a fancy lunch at SMS Oyster Bar; or pick up some yams, log grown mushrooms, fresh chilli and of course potatoes at Georgie’s Harvest.

In close proximity to the fantastic Chapel Street is Prahan Market, a great place to spend breakfast or lunch while exploring the trendy southern suburbs. Stocked with a delicious range of deli produce and plenty of fruit and veg, Prahan – pronounced Pran, not Praahn – is Melbourne’s oldest continuously running food market, operating since 1864. I visited this market in February and fell in love with the pride taken by each market trader, many of which gave us information on where our produce was from, which produce was currently in season, and how to cook and prepare our choices. Not to mention the sensational pizza focaccia and iced matcha we had.

In the heart of Fitzroy, one of Melbourne’s most vibrant and quirky markets holds a collection of locally-made, original creations. Rose St Artists’ Market is a reflection of the city’s creativity, offering a home for artists, designers and makers to connect and sell their wares. When you enter Rose St, you’re not just visiting a market, it’s an immersive experience with an eclectic mix of styles and mediums. After exploring the market, you can easily spend hours traversing Fitzroy’s laneways, stopping for a coffee or a delicious meal at one of the many Mexican restaurants nearby.

It’s a permanent food precinct in Melbourne’s inner west, packed with over 50 different vendors, as well as bars, live performers, and year-long seasonal events. Grazeland Melbourne is the place to taste sweet and savoury delights from across the globe, especially the award-winning pizza, German hotdogs, and Caribbean jerk chicken. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday – entry to this pumping permanent food market is just $4 per person. We were highly impressed by this mammoth space, stretching over 10,000 square metres with each stall housed in repurposed and customised shipping containers.

Your city spirit will be well and truly lifted after a visit to the Coburg Night Market in the gardens of Bridges Reserve. It’s a weekend of international street food, open-air bars, local music acts, and more than 45 stalls selling sustainable fashion, jewellery, homewares, artwork and more. Whether you’re in the mood for tangy Thai curry, a freshly grilled kebab, or something else – there’s plenty of options for everyone. Indulge in a drink while listening to local musicians, Coburg Night Market is a memorable experience and great for all ages.

An antique, vintage and second-hand shopping haven, every weekend Camberwell Sunday Market transforms an empty suburban car park into a vibrant, sprawling oasis for lovers of trash and treasure. It’s a ritual for many Melbourne locals and a destination many travellers eagerly return to. Join the hundreds of dedicated shoppers who have been scouring the hundreds of stalls since 1976. Stallholders at Camberwell are not divided by what they are selling, encouraging visitors to explore every nook of the outdoor marketplace. After a morning spent at this eastern suburb rummaging hotspot, you’ll walk away with numerous items you had no idea you were missing!

An uninspiring carpark during the week, The Fitzroy Market electrifies the space every Saturday from 9am to 2pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Operating in collaboration with The Fitzroy Mills Market, it’s a destination for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second-hand, and local. With over 70 stalls, The Fitzroy Market is the ultimate weekend ritual for the local community and Melbourne market-lovers. We rate this as one of Australia’s best places to thrift, with competitive prices and stacks of vintage resellers offering high quality items. And of course it’s pet friendly, so bring your fur baby and make their day with a second-hand cuddly toy.

A vibrant hub of multicultural food and experiences can be found at Preston Market – a vibe reflected by the colourful brick exterior which features murals painted by talented local artists. Step inside and breathe in tantalising aromas – spices, fresh produce and sizzling street food from all corners of the globe. Taste artisanal cheeses, organic vegetables, Vietnamese pho, Greek Souvlaki, and Turkish baklava. You can also pick up your weekly groceries at numerous fresh produce, meat and poultry, and deli stalls – all owned by local businesses. Preston Market takes place every Wednesday to Sunday from 8am to 3pm.