Sydney markets have become one of the best parts of the city in recent years. There have been a few that have been going for decades that everyone knows about, but here are 9 local Sydney markets that you should definitely not miss!
From London’s Borough Markets to a hawker’s village stall in Thailand, the common theme that you’ll find in all of them. The personalities and produce you find in stalls and bazaars around the world really give you a feeling of what the local community’s like and what they’re into.
We never get tired of visiting street markets. In fact it’s one of the first things we look for when we’re visiting a new place.
Sydney has her own fair share of street markets, with a huge range of different topics and trade. but today, we’re looking at the best type of market: food!
9 local Sydney markets you have to visit
1. entertainment Quarter Markets
When: every Wednesday and Saturday – 9am-2pm
Where: Moor Park entertainment Quarter
This market has broad selection of international market food from Ethiopian curry to French crepe. We didn’t even know this market existed until we discovered by chance one Wednesday when we were in the entertainment Quarter with the in-laws.
2. Orange Grove Markets
When: Every Saturday -8am-1pm
Where: Orange Grove Public school – Perry St and Balmain Rd, Lilyfield
Home to the best marketplace bacon and egg roll in the city thanks to Bowens’ Bacon & Egg Rolls – though you need to be patient later in the day; the queue gets pretty long. There’s also an incredible selection of organic produce here, and a mobile butcher selling high quality organic meat from a refrigerated truck.
This is a real hub of the community, with kids running around and people meeting to hang out. great vibe here.
3. Carriageworks Farmers’ Market
When: every Saturday – 8am-1pm
Where: 245 Wilson St (cnr. Codrington St), Eveleigh
This enormous market has a huge range of top artisanal producers selling everything from incredible French butter to Australian bush tucker – like Currong Comestibles. This market’s also mostly undercover, so it’s good for rainy days.
4. Balmain Market
When: every Saturday – 8.30am-4pm
Where: St Andrews Church – darling St, Balmain
There’s a good choice of food here, which differs from week to week. There are some interesting local artefacts and clothes, books, jewellery and craft. Balmain Market’s also Sydney’s 3rd oldest market and a central point of the Balmain community.
5. Bondi beach Farmers Markets
When: every Sunday – 9am-1pm
Where: Bondi beach Public school – Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Right next to Australia’s most famous beach, these farmers’ markets have everything from flowers and fresh bread to veggies and farmstead cheeses. It’s all very Bondi, with that perfect rustic-chic this suburb does so well.
6. Kirribilli Markets
When: 4th Saturday of the month – 8.30am-3pm
Where: Alfred street South (Next to the Harbour Bridge), Milsons Point
Under the arches of the Harbour Bridge and out onto the grass of the park, you’ll find artisanal craft and art, new and second hand goods and plenty of food options here. It’s a big market these days – having grown from its humble beginnings in 1976 when it was just a few stalls in the back yard of the local neighbourhood centre.
7. Manly Farmers’ Market
When: every Wednesday and Sunday – 8.30am-2pm
Where: Manly Plaza off Sydney road and Raglan St, Manly
A lovely fresh market full of flowers, food, and fresh veggies, you’ll find all kind of food here from raw vegan fair to raclette. and all to the sounds of the ocean greeting the sands of Manly Beach.
8. Surry Hills Market
When: 1st Saturday of the month – 7am-4pm
Where: Crown St and Collins St near the Clock hotel on Shannon Reserve, Surry Hills
This one’s more about the clobber and craft than food and refreshments, but there’s always a ubiquitous Turkish gozleme stall, and the Clock Hotel’s a great boozer. This is one of those cultural experiences that make sense of one of Sydney’s most misunderstood suburbs.
9. Sydney Fish Markets
When: Mon-Thurs – 7am-4pm, Fri-Sun – 7am-5pm
Where: Bank St and Pyrmont Bridge Road, Pyrmont
One of the craziest food venues in Sydney but one to experience, the Fish Markets are just packed with delicious seafood options – I love the barbecue baby octopus from Peters. buy your food, grab a bottle of wine from the shop while it’s being cooked then head outside to eat al fresco. just watch for hungry raiding gulls and greedy pelicans.
There’s also a very good yumcha restaurant upstairs if you want a more relaxing meal. open every day 11am-3pm (10am opening on the weekend), then 5pm-10.30pm.
Bonus
Chinatown Friday night markets
When: every Friday – 4pm-11pm
Where: Dixon Street, Chinatown
You can’t not include the night markets in Chinatown in this list. It feels like we’ve been transported back to the streets of Kowloon than a Sydney city suburb. With everything from funny toys, flashing lights and mobile phone accessories to delicious smelling food stalls from across Southeast Asia, this place is lots of fun.
Do you have a favourite market you like to go to? Where’s the best food market you’ve ever visited? Is there a Sydney market you think we’ve missed? tell us in the comments!
Images by Mrs romance and courtesy of the venues’ Facebook pages.