South Melbourne Market

We've lived in Melbourne for two years now, and over that time we have come to love South Melbourne Market. It's not the biggest or the prettiest. It's not the most varied, busiest, quietest, most colourful, most accessible, or the oldest. But it is exactly what you want in a market the world over, it is personable and personal, a place to grab a quick couple of ingredients for a picnic, or shop for a celebratory feast with all the trimmings.

It is the sort of market where all the produce is fresh, and the vendors are friendly; they remember you and make you feel it is not about your custom, but your company.

We love the wide variety of meats, fish, dried goods, vegetables, and little eateries. There are a dozen places to grab a coffee or a drink. parking is easy, but it is also within walking distance of several residential areas, so it's not just about tourists and visitors from the suburbs.

There are several annual festivals and the night markets are atmospheric enough to feel like a unique experience in their own right.

There is a European level of charm to sitting on a Summer's day at a high bench in the covered galleries, sipping a glass of dry, evocative sherry while pondering which of the fresh fish you'd like the chef to cook to perfection.