Queen Victoria Market - Rating 9/10 – world class

Popular with locals and tourists alike for bargains! Also boasts quality fresh produce in abundance! Love the buzz early in the mornings! This is a Melbourne institution for over 120 years and I know people who've been coming here for decades.

Many people come for the stalls and bargains on belts, flags, clothing, toys and leather jackets which is cool. All kinds of unique products are sold here! Something for everyone! I’ve enjoyed trying to score bargains among the rows of clothing! Trying on leather jackets and belts!

Frankly, I'm also a big fan of the gourmet offerings here. It's not hard to part with lots of cash when you see all the cheeses and fish and meats and olives and specialist coffees.... And so it goes on. I love to walk around the Fish Market and the Meat Market next to each other and pick up some great fish fillets and quality steak cuts.

Large parking area is great or simply catch a train to Melbourne Central or Flagstaff and walk. I walk to the markets often during the week and love the ambience. This is Melbourne at it’s best!

Check out the Turkish Borek Shop with amazing cheap eats. I always visit this place whenever I’m at the markets! Spicy lamb! Chicken! It’s all good! And only $2.50! Or the French Shop for cheeses and French food. And of course The Bratwurst Shop.

Great fruit and vegetables here in a huge complex including items not always east to get. Love getting here early as they set up for the day!

Also check out the fine establishments serving great coffee including Coffea, and Market Lane Coffee who opened up across the road in Therry St. I had one of the best coffees in my life there sourced from a farm in El Salvador. As for Coffea it’s a Melbourne institution with tasty treats and top notch coffee. They make it a little on the strong side, how I like it. The staff are characters which adds to the ambience.

The Queen Victoria Market trading hours are 6am to 2pm on Tuesday and Thursday; 6am to 6pm (with the general merchandise section closing at 4pm) on Friday; 6am to 3pm on Saturday; and 9am to 4pm on Sunday.