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[title]For almost 150 years, the Queen Victoria Market has been the beating heart of Melbourne with veteran and new stall holders passionate about good quality produce and products.
While it's renowned for its night markets, especially among tourists, locals know it's the best place in town for a grocery shop. Not only can you find everything in one place – we’re talking fresh fruit, veggies, meat, seafood and a variety of dairy and small goods – but the stallholders are full of knowledge and can answer almost every conceivable question you can think of. They can even tell you what's in season, which right now is bright citrus fruits, Asian greens, slow-cooked meats, and catch-of-the-day seafood.
Here are our top picks for all your farm-fresh needs. Our top tip? Explore it all on Tuesday or Thursday and feel like you've got the market to yourself.
Fruit & Veg Sheds
For some of the best looking (and tasting) fruit and veg, Queen Victoria Market’s grocers have it all – and they’ve been doing it for decades. For exceptional service as good as the products, head to 4 Seasons Veggie & Fruit where every item is hand-selected from local markets and farmers daily. There's vibrant juicy fruits at Benny's Fruit Corner. Plus, pick up leafy greens at Green Leaf Produce; high-quality eggs at The Eggsperts and The Eggporium; and savoury delights like scallop pies from Fredericks.
Meat & Fish Hall
Source top quality cuts from local vendors including Amot Quality Meats and Sardes Quality Meats; stop in at the ever-fresh George the Fishmonger for all your seafood needs and enjoy the same premium produce supplied to many of the city’s best restaurants. Or, if you’re looking to try something different, The Corner Chicken Shop stock everything from chicken to kangaroo, and Alec Watson and Son Butcher are renowned for their Italian continental products made in-house including the hard-to-find cotechino sausage.
Dairy Produce Hall
Perfect the art of a cheeseboard by stopping in at the Dairy Produce Hall where you’ll find an international selection of cheeses, dips, cured meats and freshly baked bread. Make a start at Andrew’s Bread Shop for the finest artisan breads, bagels and pastries before you head to Ripe, an all-Australian artisanal cheese shop with 50 varieties on offer and then Curds and Whey for their signature local butter.
You can also grab a coffee at Market Lane Coffee or a sausage to-go at Bratwust Shop & Co before you continue building the cheeseboard of your dreams with a line-up of stalls specialising in honey, nuts, wines, spices, chocolates, cannoli’s and so much more.
String Bean Alley and Specialty Retail Shopping
A stroll through this laneway will uncover 26 bespoke shipping containers where independent traders sell an eclectic mix of goodies, leading into the famed general merchandise sheds with even more to discover. Find everything from an indie bookshop, leather goods, handmade crafts, quirky fashion, organic skincare products and bunches of flowers.
Build your transitional wardrobe for the fast-approaching springtime with a pair of Australian-made Jumbo Ugg Boots, a pair of Danny's Knitwear merino gloves, vintage streetwear from Re-playground, silk and cashmere scarves from Aleppo Style and gorgeous wool and cashmere coats from Paddington Coats that you won't find in any old mall.
Cafés and Restaurants
Melbourne’s unrivalled foodie culture comes together for a melting pot of cuisines at Queen Vic Market. The revamped Queen's Food Hall has more seating so you can take your time sampling everything on offer. The Market's sheds and laneways house delicious and diverse eateries where you can slurp up a comforting bowl of noodles from Koya Teppan Ramen, enjoy fresh Thai takes on brunch faves at Hideaway, and warm the tummy with a chai from Original Chai Co.
There's always something on at Queen Victoria Market, from weekend festivals to cultural dance and craft events. Check out what's on when you visit here.
Can’t make it in person? Queen Victoria Market Online delivers to more than 220 suburbs in Melbourne, so you can shop for fresh food online. Find out more here.