Melbourne is known for its culture, and one of the significant contributors to that is its market scene. From locally-made art to clothes and, of course, the food, you haven’t had a real Melbourne experience until you’ve spent time at the markets.
There is no shortage of Melbourne markets to choose from, some that are regular, others that are more sporadic, all that offer something different. So, we’ve compiled the best markets in Melbourne that are worth your time so you can soak in some of the best local wares that the big city offers while getting to know some of the more popular suburbs.
This isn’t just a list of Melbourne markets; it’s a guide to the spots where culture in Victoria thrives. So dive in, experience it for yourself, and let’s go shopping!
We need to get the most famous one out of the way first, and it isn’t just because we are excited about Veriu’s new Queen Vic Market Hotel that will be opening soon. The Queen Vic market has been a Melbourne staple for over 140 years and is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere.
With over 600 stalls with everything from fresh produce to souvenirs and locally made clothing, you can spend all day browsing through the stalls. Travellers come through for souvenirs and uniquely Australian products like the staple colourful wool sweaters. The locals treat this spot as the grocery store for the freshest produce and the best prices around.
You’ll also enjoy the many great eateries in and around the markets when you need a break, or you can pop down to the newly opened Veriu Queen Vic Market Hotel for a meal and something delicious to sip on.
Website: Queen Victoria Market
Address: Queen St, Melbourne
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 6am – 3pm, Sun 9am – 4pm, Specialty shopping 5pm – 10pm
Arguably the second most well-known and popular market in Melbourne is South Melbourne Market, which opened way back in 1867. Slightly smaller than the Queen Vic markets, there are still plenty of delicious food stalls and shops to check out.
This market is a foodie’s paradise with quality, fresh produce sourced from local traders. There is also some seriously good coffee, specialty tea, a restaurant precinct, clothing, homewares, second-hand books, hairdressers and pet stores!
The Night Market is open on Wednesdays in January, complete with live music, and normal hours are Wednesday to Sunday until 4 pm You’ll find everything you could need here (locals use this as their main shopping hub), and there are plenty of great cafes for a meet-up, and people watch.
Website: South Melbourne Market
Address: 322-326 Coventry St, South Melbourne
Opening hours: Wed & Sat-Sun 8am – 4pm, Fri 8am – 5pm
The Prahran Market is Melbourne’s top food-focused market offering high-quality fruit and veg, a huge range of certified organic produce, sustainable seafood, free-range meat and more. Back in the day, Prahran was famous for small farms and market gardens, and a central marketplace was organised to combine them in 1864. Melbourne’s oldest Market was born, and in 1891, the Prahran Market opened in its current location on Commercial Road.
While mainly food, you can also find a florist and a range of speciality services who have offices based in the markets, including architects, accountants, a barber and a hardware store.
The market also works closely with local communities to host a range of ‘foodie’ events, partnering with well-known chefs for cooking demonstration workshops!
Website: Prahran Market
Address: 163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra
Opening hours: Tue & Thu-Sat 7am – 5pm, Sun 10am – 3pm
For one of the best markets in Melbourne on the beach on Sundays, head to the St Kilda Esplanade Market. Less food-focused and more concerned with locally-made clothing, arts and crafts, you’ll still be able to grab a bite at the food stalls to re-energise while you shop.
Very much an arts and crafts market, over 90 artists offer handmade wares that change every week! There are drinks and nibbles, but the focuses here is definitely on creativity.
This open-air market features 175 stalls every Sunday, where it has run since the 70s. Here you will find unique jewellery, homewares, plants, gifts, clothing, visual art and more from creators that represent the Melbourne art scene. So if you want something that you can’t find elsewhere, this is the spot to find it.
Website: St Kilda Esplanade Market
Address: The Esplanade, St Kilda
Opening hours: Sun 10am – 4pm
In 2003, the Rose Street Artists’ Market began, showcasing over a hundred creatives across art, furniture, jewellery, clothing and handmade goods. The eclectic vibe of Fitzroy is on display here, and you can even meet the artists behind the work!
These markets showcase the work of up to 120 creatives, including everything from furniture design to unique fashion, intricate jewellery and one-of-a-kind paintings, all handmade!
This indoor and outdoor market takes place every Saturday and Sunday with different designers and artists rotating through, so you’ll always have new arts and crafts to find and fresh creatives to meet.
Website: Rose Market
Address: 60 Rose St, Fitzroy
Opening hours: Sat-Sun 10am – 4pm
When you head to Fitzroy for the artist’s market, make a day of it and check out Fitzroy Mills Market. While it is small, you’ll be able to stock up on some quality organic food. Open every Saturday, grab a cold-pressed juice upon entry, and fill your reusable shopping bag with some boutique groceries that will make your tummy smile.
The primary focus of these markets is local, organic and sustainable agriculture. This is the spot for meeting and buying produce directly from the passionate farmers and producers themselves!
By shopping at the over 70 stalls at Fitzroy Mills, you support local vendors and Victorian farmers while keeping things exciting with unique flavours and foods that will impress the next person who sticks their head into your pantry.
Website: Fitzroy Mills
Address: 75 Rose St, Fitzroy
Opening hours: Sat 9am – 2pm
If you feel like digging for buried treasure (minus the dirt), you’ll want to head along to Camberwell Sunday Market. Get your fill of knickknacks, vintage clothes, records, and various antiques every Sunday.
This is one for lovers of trash and treasure who are keen to spend a Sunday digging for gold through old records or creating a unique look with vintage rings, buttons and boots. If it’s secondhand, antique or vintage, you’ll find it here.
Come prepared with one gold coin for entry in the car park of Camberwell Station, where the open-air market resides and get your fill of quirky wares!
Website: Camberwell Sunday Market
Address: Market Pl, Camberwell VIC 3124, Australia
Opening hours: Sun 6:30am – 12:30pm
People travel for this Farmers Market as they say it has the freshest fruits and vegetables around! You can grab all of the other grocery staples you need here, inclusive of a bakery and even flowers and plants!
The speciality here is fresh fruit and vegetables, free range eggs, meats, olives, oil, honey, nuts and grains, cheeses, bread, coffee, fresh OJ, pastries and plenty more you can grab to make lunch. There is even a wash-up station to avoid the need for single-use disposable items.
Everything at the Alphington Farmer’s Market is directly from farmers to you in an open-air setting that takes place weekly.
Website: mfm.com.au/pages/alphington-farmers-market
Address: Melbourne Innovation Centre, 2 Wingrove St, Alphington
Opening hours: Every Sunday 9am – 1pm
Kensington Market features roughly 70 stalls with a rotating range of boutique goodies that make for a fun shopping trip. From candles to jewellery, clothes, and homewares, you can find something fun, grab a snack and a coffee and relax on a Sunday. Simply head to Kensington Town Hall on the third Sunday of the month and get shopping!
Kensington is the spot for a focus on gifted artists and makers specialising in Melbourne-made bespoke designs. In any given week, this can include fashion, visual art, woodwork, jewellery, accessories, delish food and freshly brewed coffee.
Website: Kensington Market Instagram Page
Address: 30-34 Bellair Street, Kensington
Opening hours: Third Sunday of the month 10am – 3pm
You’ll definitely find a bargain at Dandenong Market, which has over 200 traders spanning categories like fresh produce, fashion, art and plenty more. The fun atmosphere of this market is perfect for a day out with the family, and you’ll find a variety of entertainment events like cooking demos and live music as well.
This market specialises in fresh and local foodstuffs like honey from the beehive, flowers from the farm, and apples from the orchard. Expert traders offer seasonal produce and are more than happy to share some growing and cooking tips with you during a friendly chat.
Website: Dandenong Market
Address: Corner of Clow and Cleeland Streets, Dandenong
Opening hours: Tue & Fri-Sat 7am – 4pm, Sun 9am – 4pm
Coburg Trash & Treasure is like a well-organised and much bigger garage sale. Want a copy of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on VHS? How about a full collection of original He-Man action figures? Both will more than likely be in here somewhere; you just have to have a dig.
Among these junk stalls, you’ll find the glory of something rare, special and brag-worthy.
As the name suggests, this is the spot to find your treasure. From unwanted goods to crafts and hobbies, this multicultural market is the best spot to find a one-of-a-kind piece that likely has a story to tell. Good luck with your search!
Website: Coburg Trash & Treasure
Address: 155 Newlands Rd, Coburg
Opening hours: Sun 8am – 2pm
Head to Bentleigh for one of the best Sunday markets Melbourne can offer. Run by the Rotary Club in Bentleigh Moorabbin Central, just pop over to the carpark of Bentleigh Railway Station, and you’ll find over 130 stalls featuring plants, clothing, cosmetics, crafts, pre-loved goods, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, and much more.
These markets are one of the oldest Sunday markets Melbourne has, operating since 1977! This is essentially the best car boot sale in Melbourne, and entry is just a coin donation.
Website: Bentleigh Market
Address: Bentleigh railway station car park, Bent Street (opposite Coles)
Opening hours: Every Sunday morning, 7am – 12pm
The list above shows how easy it is to fill your days with some market fun, and if you need a before or after drinks spot, we recommend Veriu’s Queen Vic Market Hotel or the Collingwood Hotel, which will cater as great meet locations for most of the markets above. So catch up with friends to plan your market attack or reflect on the treats you enjoyed afterwards at our stylish venues!
