The Best South Melbourne Market Food Stalls to Visit

This inner city market is one of Melbourne’s best places to spend a morning. The sprawling indoor pavilion is chock-a-block with gourmet providores, delicious eateries, vintage stores and local makers worth browsing.

Everywhere you turn there’s another stall vying for your attention (and your pocket!), so to help you navigate South Melbourne Market like a pro, we’ve rounded up a list of our must-visit spots to eat and shop.

UGO Burrata Bar 

Discover the culinary magic of UGO Burrata Bar, led by renowned Italian Chef, Dario Di Clerico. 

It's all about the decadence of burrata here, with a menu showcasing modern dishes highlighting it's fresh and gooey allure. From morning delights like bacon jam and avocado toast to refreshing options like the 'Cocomero' with watermelon and mortadella, each dish is a cheese lover's dream.

Don't miss Ugo's focaccia sandwiches, featuring tantalising combinations like eggplant caponata and porchetta, all crowned with creamy burrata. Get ready for one of the best South Melbourne Market food experiences, as it celebrates the essence of Italian craftsmanship in every bite. 

La Central

Experience the essence of Spain in the heart of Melbourne at La Central. Inspired by the bustling markets of Barcelona and Madrid, this charming delicatessen is a treasure trove of Spanish delights.

From exquisite olives to artisanal cheeses, and the finest Jamon Iberico and Serrano, every item celebrates the rich culinary tapestry of Spain.

You can pick up delights to take home with you, but the best way to experience La Central is to take a seat. Indulge in the finest anchovies and savour authentic tapas while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the market.

Between the hustle and bustle of shoppers, this is a European paradise of good times. 

Mama Tran Dumpling

Is there anyone you’d trust to make delicious dumplings more than mama? One of Melbourne’s hidden gems, Mama Tran Dumpling is the epitome of no-frills, authentic Asian cuisine. Located at stall 35, this market mainstay serves up 16 varieties of dumplings, BBQ pork buns, dim sims and a variety of rice and noodle dishes.

Every item on the menu’s a winner, but you can’t go wrong with the steamed crystal prawn dumplings. With over 35 years in the dumpling game, if you want a delicious, fresh, and cheap lunch or snack on your travels, this is the place for you.

Agathé Patisserie

It’s almost impossible to leave South Melbourne Market without a few treats from this beloved French patisserie. Their crisp, butter-rich croissants and galettes are some of the best in the city, encompassing both classic styles and flavourful twists such as pandan, matcha red bean and café au lait. They also create lush whole cakes, tarts and savouries to take home for a delightful afternoon treat.

Claypots Evening Star

The Claypots outpost at South Melbourne Market embodies all the fun and freshness of the original restaurant in St Kilda. Blackboards list each day’s specials, which could include bouncy king prawns in sambal, a delicate piece of Cajun flathead, or grilled garfish with za’atar. They often have live entertainment on the go as well, making it a brilliantly vibey place to spend a summer evening. 

SMS Oyster Bar 

If you're an oyster fan and looking for a fancy little lunch in between perusing the many stalls and stores around the market, the Oyster Bar at South Melbourne Seafoods is a must-visit. The oysters are freshly shucked every morning and come from every direction; fresh beauties from St Helen's in Tasmania to salty and sweet SA morsels. 

Choose from tuna and salmon poke bowls, lobster rolls, fresh sashimi packs, delicious cooked mentaiko, prawn katsu sandos and of course, oysters galore! It's the freshest catch in the market, every time! 

BAMBU 

Dine inside or outdoors (undercover) while taking in the hustle and bustle of the South Melbourne Market at Bambu Eating House. It's a fun experience to enjoy in between browsing the shops and stalls, featuring delicious hawker-style Asian plates and an innovative cocktail list.

Bambu is designed to take guests on a modern journey through South-East Asia. Go for their lush pork belly bao and scrumptious chilli prawn dumplings, stay for the spicy chicken san choy bow and scrumptious duck and lychee curry.

Drinks wise? The Kiwi cocktail is a must. 

Padre Coffee

Before hustling your way through the market, charge your batteries with a cuppa from Padre. One of Melbourne’s most respected names in coffee, they bring in freshly roasted beans from their Brunswick East HQ to be brewed to perfection. Enjoy single origin or seasonal blends in espresso, batch brew, cold drip or V60 form, paired with a freshly baked pastry to go.

Proper & Son

For a reviving post-shop brunch head to Proper & Son, where they bring the best of the market to you on a plate. Expect lots of fresh, vibrant produce prepared in their open kitchen, from bowls of perfect fruit over muesli for breakfast to brisket rolls and verdant salads for lunch. Wash it all down with housemade sodas, Toby’s Estate coffee and Mörk hot chocolate.

Georgie's Harvest

On your next visit to the market, say hello to Australia's only potato shop! Supporting local farmers, seasonality and an extraordinary passion for food is what Georgie does best.

The potato varieties you might find on hand include Cecile, Viking, Russet Burbank and Virginia Rose, as well as gorgeous and flavoursome pumpkins like Golden Nuggets and Jarrahdale. 

Yams, log grown mushrooms, fresh chilli, turmeric, wasabi, Australian garlic and lovely and local handcrafted condiments also dot the rows. Simply put, it's superb produce that has Georgie's Harvest sitting squarely on the foodie map (the fiercely loyal customers that flock to her shop only prove that). 

Emerald Hill Deli

A trip to the market wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Emerald Hill Deli's famous walk-in cheese room. Melbourne’s real-life Narnia for cheese lovers, you’ll find everything from truffle brie to Scamorza Smoked Mozzarella within their seemingly endless selection.

Quality meats, bread, pasta and take-home meals are always in abundance, and its mighty range of Australian and imported gourmet goodies means you’ll find something new to take home every visit.

Regardless of whether you’re after a mid-morning pastry or wheel of French Fromage, Emerald Hill Deli has you covered.

Hagen's Organic Butcher

Hagen’s Organic Butcher is a culinary haven nestled within South Melbourne Market. As Hagen’s fourth and most iconic store, it redefines the butcher shop experience.

Step inside and immerse yourself in a unique setting where customers are encouraged to engage directly with the butchers. Wander over to the standing fridges and strike up a conversation, gaining insights, techniques, and cooking tips straight from the experts.

They're renowned for their marinated ribs and irresistible BBQ offerings, but for the ultimate treat, keep an eye out for their premium Wagyu selection, available on select days. 

Gewürzhaus Herb and Spice Merchants

This compact shop is a mini-wonderland of herbs, spices, teas and condiments. They stock hundreds of products, sourced from around the world, that will turn everyday ingredients into show stopping meals. We love their specialty spice blends that make flavourful cooking and baking a breeze, with blends for everything from seafood masala and Louisianan Cajun to apple pie speculoos cookies.

Little Wine Shop

For a drop to go with dinner, visit the Little Wine Shop for all your vinous needs. Stocking a diverse range of Australian and imported wines, beers and spirits, their experienced and passionate staff are on hand to help you find the perfect pairing.

The Fresh Pasta Shop

Want to enjoy the silky luxury of fresh pasta without the hours of effort? Stop by The Fresh Pasta Shop and pick up ready-to-cook, homemade pasta that leaves the packet stuff in the dust. They make all your favourites, from tortellini and cannelloni to gnocchi and linguini, plus sauces, lasagna, arancini and gluten-free varieties to keep everyone happy. Molto delizioso!

Azalea Flowers

Spruce up your home with blooms from Azalea, where each arrangement blossoms with creativity and personality. Florist Michael Pavlou and his team specialise in Australian natives, sourcing the season’s most stunning flowers each day to work with. From long lasting weekly bunches to gorgeous bespoke creations, they’re masters of hue, shape and foliage.

WOW Vinyl & Memorabilia 

Explore WOW Vinyl and Memorabilia at South Melbourne Market, your destination for quality original and remastered LPs alongside a curated collection of music memorabilia amassed over 40 years. Dive into a treasure trove of European imports, each LP meticulously selected for its quality and authenticity.

From rare finds to timeless classics, every record tells a story waiting to be rediscovered. It's a go-to shop for music lovers and unique gift-seekers alike. 

Suki McMaster

Australian designer Suki McMaster’s homewares will add a dash of joy to any room. Kitchenware, cushions, wall art and stationery all feature cute and colourful illustrations depicting native animals, flora and local landmarks (think Melbourne trams and Luna Park). Her products are a godsend for when you’re stuck for gift ideas.

The SuperCool

The SuperCool is a one stop shop for consciously sourced, fun and eye-catching homewares. Whether you’re looking to jazz up your home, studio, car or office, they’ve got products you’ll love to display. Spy linens, artwork, planters, toys, books, accessories, kitchenware and bucket loads more at their artfully arranged “see-through” stall. 

Freckly Ollie

This Australian children’s wear label has a huge following, and their South Melbourne Market stall is the perfect place to feel their quality fabrics up close before investing. Each piece is designed and handcrafted in their Melbourne studio using eco-friendly linens, vintage cottons and surplus wools. Featuring soft, minimalist prints and colours, they’re made to give little ones comfort and freedom to play. 

Luna & Soul

If you’re in the market for some new activewear, swing by Luna & Soul for stylish and ethically made pieces you’ll want to wear everywhere. Using sustainable natural fibres coloured with toxin-free plant dyes, their tops, bottoms and jumpsuits are made to be kind to both your skin and the earth. Made for busy days, their designs are comfortable and casual enough to go straight from the yoga studio to the café.

Is the South Melbourne Market a favourite of yours, and you can't get enough of a good weekend market? Here’s a a bunch more to visit, from bountiful farmers' markets to treasure-filled vintage havens. Prefer to shop from the comfort of your couch? We've rounded up the most gorgeous online furniture stores to explore, so you can refresh your space without leaving home.