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To market we go: 5 Melbourne markets to visit

Samantha Toh

Fri May 17 2013

Queen Victoria Market

WHILE the markets back home might conjure up images of local snacks and questionably-made children’s toys, Melbourne’s markets are altogether different. Samantha Toh shares five of the city’s best. 

Queen Victoria Market

Quite possibly Melbourne’s most famous market, Queen Victoria Market is a permanent fixture throughout the year and always abuzz with stall holders and old world charm. Conveniently located on Elizabeth St, it’s a great spot for a quick snack or weekend bite.

For particularly good eats, grab a pizza, bratwurst hot dog or fresh juice from the Deli Hall, or the incredible jam-filled donuts outside. After filling your tummy, grab a take home treat in the form of exotic cheese, coffee beans and freshly baked pastries. Or head over to the Meat Hall, where trays of fresh oysters are ready to be slurped up with lemon slices.

The Meat Hall is also a great place to grocery shop with more than 10 fishmongers, three poultry shops and 20 butchers. Not only are their wares fresher than the supermarket, you’ll also be getting more for your dollar with cheaper prices.

Over in the fruit and vegetable section, you’ll find colourful displays and bargains. Keep an eye out for the organic section to get veggies and fruits that are slightly more expensive, but free from pesticides and better for the environment.

The Queen Victoria Market doesn’t just sell food though. Looking for a pair of leather gloves for the cold months? You’ll find rows of gloves, hats, scarves and cute beanies for sale alongside paintings, wooden treasures, clothes and jewellery in the general merchandise section. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wandering through the open-air stalls for hours.

Easily accessed by tram, train, bus, car or foot, Queen Victoria Market’s opening hours and location can be viewed online.

The Esplanade Market

Located along St Kilda Beach, The Esplanade Market is open every Sunday and is the perfect place to find pieces by Melbourne’s creative community of artisans, photographers and jewellers. While the stalls change frequently, some of the best wares include handmade dolls, glass, paper, furniture and t-shirts.

A fun fact: Academy Award winning director and animator Adam Elliot used to sell hand-painted shirts at the market in the years before he embarked on a successful career in film!

For more information about the stalls and location, check out The Esplanade Market website.

Rose Street Artists’ Market

Open every weekend, the Rose Street Artists’ Market is quite the fixture in the Fitzroy neighbourhood. If you consider yourself just a little bit Indie, this is the place for you. Wandering from stall to stall, you’ll find all sorts of interesting and unique goods from one-off handmade handbags, cute jewellery and painted t-shirts to vintage lamps and beautiful photo prints. It’s a great place to buy a friend back home a quirky little piece of Melbourne.

The friendly stallholders’ passion and eagerness to share their world of creativity are an added treat at this unique and talent-filled Melbourne treasure!

To find out more about the Rose Street Artists’ Market, check out their website.

Round She Goes Market

Photo: Jess Kramer

Photo: Jess Kramer

Run by sisters Anne and Emma Morris, the Round She Goes Market was born out of a love for vintage clothes, second-hand designer pieces, thrift store bargains and fashion in general!

Melbourne fashionistas should definitely pay a visit to the market when it ‘comes round’ with more than 100 stallholders selling unique pre-loved designer pieces that you won’t find anywhere else, as well as vintage earrings, necklaces, handbags and shoes.

The Round She Goes Market travels all over Australia and will be in Melbourne on June 16, 8 September and December 8, 2013. The entry fee is $2 – a small price to pay for the steals you’ll find.

In the past, shoppers have managed to find eclectic pieces from home-grown brands like Sass and Bide, Bettina Liano, Zimmerman, Wayne Cooper and Alice McCall! Definitely not the market any fashionable student should miss.

For more information, visit the market’s website.

Chinatown Market

Any student or tourist would be hard pressed to find better Asian food than that on offer at Melbourne’s very own Chinatown. Located on Little Bourke St, Chinatown is the place to go for delectable Asian treats and a taste of home.

Injecting a bit of flair and energy into the scene is the Chinatown Market that transforms Heffernan Lane into an exciting food-fueled adventure every third Friday of the month.

A true feast for the senses, the market transports visitors to a lively Asian city complete with hanging lanterns, lots of noise, colourful souvenirs and most importantly, food!

Head over on an empty stomach and gorge on delicious hawker-style treats from noodles and satay to dumplings and cakes.

Find out more about the Chinatown Market online.

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