South Melbourne Market

South Melbourne Market Overview

Edited on the 4/5/2020

Once again, Melbourne is crowned as the World’s Most Liveable City for the 7th time consecutively. After living in Melbourne for around 3 years now, I can proudly say that it is truly an amazing city. One of the many reasons why Melbourne is amazing is because its ever-bustling market scene.

Melbourne has many markets and all of them have different personalities. Tourists seem to only flock towards Queen Victoria Market as it’s very strategically located in the city. However, I am gonna introduce another hidden gem that’s located just slightly out of the city – South Melbourne Market.

You know what, after my first visit to South Melbourne Market, I have already fallen madly in love with the market. Compared to Queen Victoria Market, it has a smaller scale. However, it is called a hidden gem for a reason and you are gonna find out more about it now.

Located just 15 minutes away by a tram ride from Melbourne Central, it’s really easy to get to South Melbourne Market.

South Melbourne Market, Melbourne, fresh food, lights
South Melbourne Market in full swing despite public holidays.

French Pastries in South Melbourne Market

I went to the South Melbourne Market on Footy Grand Final day. It was a public holiday and I am glad that South Melbourne Market is actually in full swing! Yes, Victoria (the state where Melbourne is the capital) has a holiday for AFL. That’s how much infatuation Australians have for footy.

I was gonna meet up with my friends at 11am. But they were terribly late and I thought I will just wander around the market myself.

The first impression that I have for South Melbourne Market is the aroma of freshly baked goods by Agathé Pâtisserie. With a rating of 4.8/5.0 on Zomato (trust me, 4.8 is hard to get), I know I have to get something there. From classic baguette to sophisticated ficelle, Agathé Pâtisserie has it all. My brain was constantly fighting off the temptations to get more than one pastry so that I will have room for proper lunch later.

I got the original croissant and yes, it tasted like heaven. The crisp outside and the fluffiness inside intertwined with each other so peacefully. The buttery guilt that melts in your mouth is simply perfect. That is what I call a fantastic croissant, and I would say the standard is the same as what you can get in France. We can sort out about calories later.

5 AUD for a piece of croissant that is made by a boulanger that was born in Paris and is a professional pastry chef in École de Boulangerie et Pâtisserie de Paris? Totally worth it.

South melbourne Market, croissant, agathe patisserie
Almost all the workers there speak French at Agathé Pâtisserie. With so many options to choose from, I am pretty impressed by myself from only getting one classic croissant (more like because I don't have much money in my pocket HAHAHA).
Nine best words to describe the amazing South Melbourne Market. The fifth word is definitely the truest one.
tarts, french, South Melbourne Market, Pastry, Agathe Patisserie
Look at those beautiful tarts!

Croissant in South Melbourne Market

That croissant was a good start of the market. I couldn’t walk fast not because there were a lot of people there but everything at the market was so interesting. I was like “Damn it, I am gonna spend a lot of money here today.” I then saw a European like store that sells many European biscuits, cookies and sweets. Couldn’t fight the temptation. Went in. Bought Swedish crackers and Finnish snacks and some Speculoos from Amsterdam. I told you I am going to spend a lot of money today.

These things are my favourite when I was travelling around Europe and I am so glad that I actually found them here, unintentionally! This kind of small surprises always make my life and my tummy better.

south melbourne market, Aptus seafood, lobster, oyster, mussel
There was a crowd lining up for something at Aptus Seafood so I had to find out.
oyster, freshly shucked oysters, aptus seafood, south melbourne market
A dozen of freshly shucked oysters for only 18 AUD! In an expensive city like Melbourne! That's a bargain to me!

Oysters in South Melbourne Market

When my friends are finally here, we walked past a seafood shop and there were hordes and hordes of people. Surely something is happening. With a very inquisitive mind and a nature of FOMO, we went straight there.

It was Aptus seafood. I didn’t know that it was awarded the best seafood shop around the area until I was here. And what’s the bestseller here? Freshly shucked oysters that are ridiculously cheap.

I have to say that Melbourne is not a cheap city, so when we saw that we could get 12 medium-sized oysters for such a cheap price, we went all in. When we were there, the $1 oysters weren’t available, so we got a the $1.50 ones. We were really satisfied with the dozen of oysters that we got. They literally shuck the oysters right in front of your eyes.

We went to the table that Aptus Seafood provided to feast upon the 12 beautiful oysters that we just got. There are ingredients provided like lemon, red wine vinegar, basil, coriander, chilli, tabasco and many kinds of other sauces to go with the oysters. I think we finished it in less than 5 minutes.

That was the best part of the day.

european snacks, de ruyter, South melbourne market
Look what I found from South Melbourne Market! I loved these snacks when I was travelling in the Netherlands and I thought I will never see them anymore! The excitement is real.
bowls, south melbourne market, colourful, china
I swear. Any minute longer I would have bought a few of these home. I have a soft spot for serveware, especially fancy ones like these cuties.

Other Shops at South Melbourne Market

South Melbourne Market is also famous for its specialty shops. There are shops selling organic foods, china, arts and crafts, carpet, weird furniture, bonsai, toys, books, vintage stuff, vinyl records and many things that you can think of. Beware, because you might spend all your money, and your luggage space if you are visiting Melbourne.

We wandered around and for some reasons my friend has a weird obsession with flowers. Like she has to stop at EVERY SINGLE FLORIST to look at the flowers and the plants carefully, like a botanist. I have weird friends, and we love each other.

South melbourne market, Paella, simply spanish, melbourne
Look at the beautiful wok of paella! The smell of it was fantastic and after trying, I can say their paella is really award-winning!

Food at South Melbourne Market

We then went out of the market and thought that was it. And that was not it. The surroundings of South Melbourne Market are lined with shops of chic cafes and restaurants. There are so many ethnic restaurants around and the more food I see, the poorer I get!

Want some French food? Frencheese specialises in selling French raclette, the dish where you have someone scraping off a large chunk of cheese from a cheese wheel to your plate. Love coffee from Costa Rica? La Lapa has got you covered. Fancy some Turkish breakfast? Get a $3 borek from Market Borek. Can’t resist the craving for a good paella? Head straight to Simply Spanish! Just make sure you come with an empty stomach, and South Melbourne Market will never fail to impress.

wine, brunswick wine, south melbourne market, melbourne
10 AUD for a bottle of wine, I don't think that's a bad idea at all! Beside these wines, the shopkeeper let us taste some lychee cider and it was so amazing. We ended up buying 4 bottles of them.
hat, south melbourne market, men, melbourne
I always love hats but I think my head is to big for these.
terrarium, south melbourne market
The only terrarium shop in South Melbourne Market. I have seen a few of these shops while travelling in South East Asia, but not in Melbourne yet!
Need some guidance in life? Come to South Melbourne Market. There's a tarot person who can try to advise you on how to sort your life out.

South Melbourne Market Opening hours

South Melbourne Market is open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm (except for Friday, which it closes at 5pm). There’s a huge carpark upstairs and around South Melbourne Market so don’t you worry if you are driving. Parking is free for the first two hours.

South Melbourne Market Directions

If you are not driving, you can choose to take bus number 253 and 254, which it stops just around the corner. If not, take the tram from Melbourne CBD. Tram number 1, 12, 96, 109 all stop here.

If you need more information, visit the official website at https://southmelbournemarket.com.au/

Happy Market Day!

Where to stay in Melbourne?

Budget

Stay in this budget hotel where you get to be right in the heart of Melbourne! Transport options aplenty. For 80 AUD per night with such central location, it's a steal!

Click on the image to find out!

Comfortable

For just a little over 100 AUD, stay right next to Melbourne Central - right at the centre of all the action. Rated at 8.9/10, you can't go wrong with this hotel!

Click on the image to find out!

pan pacific melbourne

Splurge

With hotel rooms boasting a superb view of the cityscape of Melbourne, you will be pleased with your stay at this 5 star hotel. Reserve early as it ALWAYS runs out!

Click on the image to find out!

Like it? Pin it!

Skip Queen Victoria Market and come to South Melbourne Market instead! Find out how to spend a day at South Melbourne Market! This includes how to come, what to do, what to eat and so on!
Skip Queen Victoria Market and come to South Melbourne Market instead! Find out how to spend a day at South Melbourne Market! This includes how to come, what to do, what to eat and so on!
The best market in Melbourne has to be South Melbourne Market! The food, the produce, the life and everything else just overwhelm all your senses! #melbournetravel #australiatravel #markets #foodie