【Melbourne Must-See Market】South Melbourne City Eating and Drinking Itinerary Must-See Shops
Opened in 1867, South Melbourne Market has been a highly regarded city center landmark and a popular place for locals to go about their daily lives. It’s a typical neighborhood market, selling a wide range of fresh ingredients, all with a variety of distinctive deli stalls. Every aisle is filled with enthusiastic and proud vendors offering traditional and attentive service with friendly smiles.
Among the famous markets in Melbourne, I recommend South Melbourne Market because of its variety of stalls, high quality of retail products and clean environment. One of the things that makes me feel diversified is that there is a beauty salon in the market, where you can get a haircut or an eyebrow trim, which is a very interesting plan.
I would like to show you a map of the market before introducing you to the different stores so that you can have a preliminary understanding.
The lower left corner is Food Court / the yellow area is the fresh food area / the green area is mainly retail stores / other areas include fruit and vegetable stores and other retail stores.
Must-visit Shops
TEA DROP
Tea Drop is one of Melbourne’s rare specialty tea stores, and I was particularly impressed. Although there are a lot of delis in South Melbourne Market, there are only a few tea stores, so I usually like to buy a cup of tea before I start my shopping trip.
There are more than 30 types of tea to choose from, and each tea can be brewed on the spot, and there are also cold beverages to choose from, which make the tea flavorful and refreshing. It’s a very healing moment when you can observe the store staff brewing the tea. If you don’t know what to choose, you can ask the staff for recommendations, whether it’s a sparkling drink or a fruit tea, they can give you suggestions according to your taste.
In addition, the store’s tea bags not only have unique flavors, but also come in beautifully designed and textured packaging, making them perfect for souvenirs for friends.
AGATHE PATISSERIE
I’ve recommended this popular bakery before, it’s a must-visit when you visit the market, and the long queue every time you pass by is a testament to its popularity. There is a big transparent window in the store, so you can see how the products are made when you are queuing up.
The store is most famous for its signature product, the grenadine-flavored croissant, which is relatively rare in the market. I personally think the grenadine flavor is not too strong, but the texture is very chewy and tasty. The store also has a wide range of other bakery products, mostly desserts. However, most of the tourists come here for the zebra croissants, so they are always sold out very quickly. 
If you want to make sure you get one, it’s best to schedule your visit in the morning. Agathe Patisserie also has a branch in the Royal Arcade in the city center, but due to its smaller size and relatively limited selection, a visit to the store is more recommended.
PADRE COFFEE
Located in the market, this coffee shop has been here for more than 15 years. The store is almost always crowded with people, whether they are standing and chatting, or walking and drinking coffee, you can always feel a bustling atmosphere. Although there are not many tables in the store, it’s the small and vibrant space that makes every customer feel a sense of socialization.
The coffee selection is quite unique, with the three resident coffees being Lucky Boy, Daddy’ Girls and Trouble Maker, each with a fun and personalized name. If you’re not sure which one to choose, the staff is always happy to make recommendations so you can taste the one that best suits your tastes, and you can also choose to buy the beans. The beans are roasted in-house, which ensures that the quality and flavor of each cup is always the same.
Another specialty of the store is their Drip Bag, which is not common in Melbourne coffee shops. It’s a great souvenir to buy back in Hong Kong so that your friends can enjoy the high quality coffee. If you have time, you can also choose to sit outside the store at the dine-in counter. The store doesn’t mind people enjoying food from other stores, but just remember to organize yourself!
UGO BURRATA BAR
This is my favorite deli in South Melbourne Market, and I recommend The Ugo – Buffalo Cheese Sandwich. This sandwich has a rich filling of tangy green sauce and homemade Italian crusted pork and buffalo cheese. The crunchiness of the meat and the richness of the cheese are savored in every bite, and the texture of the meat is very unique, giving the sandwich its distinctive layers. Although the meat can be a bit greasy, the freshness of the green sauce is a must-try as it neutralizes the greasiness and harmonizes the overall taste! This is a large sandwich, so it is recommended to share it with two persons.
The store sells fresh buffalo cheese, so if you’re preparing dinner on the road, you can buy it to go with your salad. You can buy it according to its weight, and the cheapest fresh buffalo cheese will cost you around HK$50. Aside from the food, the store is also full of creativity, and recently introduced buffalo cheese shaped candles, which are very cute and can be purchased on the spot if you are interested! 
APTUS SEAFOOD
If you want to taste seafood in South Melbourne Market, I especially recommend Aptus Seafood, the seafood stalls here are not like Hong Kong where you can see the live seafood in the tanks, but the quality is still fresh. There are 7 to 8 different types of oysters, so you can try oysters from different parts of Australia to satisfy your taste buds. The oysters are affordable and can be purchased individually, making it a great place for those who love to try fresh oysters. If you want to recommend an oyster, you must try the Tasmanian oyster, which has a very sweet taste and is a good value for money.
In addition to oysters, there are other ready-to-eat seafood such as salmon and lobster. There is a dine-in bar next to the store, and different sauces are available to add more flavor to your seafood. If you prefer cooked seafood, Aptus Seafood has a cooked seafood stall that sells a variety of baked and grilled seafood dishes.
GEWÜRZHAUS
Gewürzhaus is a spice store run by a German owner. There are more than 50 different spices in the store, and each one of them is listed on the box with its place of origin and cooking method, making it easier for customers to choose the spice that suits their needs. These spices come in a wide variety, both savory and sweet, and can be used to marinate meats or as seasonings in everyday cooking. If you are a baking enthusiast, you can find the right spices at this store.
The most attractive feature of this store is that in addition to the beautifully packaged bottles of seasonings, customers can also choose to buy them by weight, every twenty grams, which is especially good for those interested in buying handmade souvenirs, so that they can buy small quantities of spices according to their needs without worrying about wasting them.
If you walk into the store and feel overwhelmed by the vast selection of spices, the staff are always eager to offer advice. They are happy to recommend the best spices for the customer’s needs, making the shopping process much easier.
the fresh paste shop
If you’re thinking of preparing your own dinner, this is a great place to buy ingredients. The store sells a variety of homemade products that contain no preservatives. In addition to a wide range of pasta, there are also wontons with fillings and sauces to choose from, so you can buy as many servings as you need. Handmade spaghetti is not easy to find in Hong Kong, or the prices in restaurants are generally higher, so if you have the space, take the challenge to prepare a spaghetti dinner.
Credit: IG @thefreshpastashop
Nearby Restaurants
If you want to explore the South Melbourne Market neighborhood more, here are some options.
CHERI EATERY
Cheri Eatery is a new brunch cafe that opened last year in the South Melbourne Market neighborhood, featuring homemade gelato, a variety of baked goods, and a great selection of brunch options that will satisfy a wide range of culinary needs. The restaurant has an eye-catching red and white color scheme and an outdoor dining area where you can enjoy your meal at your leisure.
Credit: Cheri Eatery
Address: 285-287 Coventry St STH.Mel VIC 3205
Business Hours: Every Monday – Thursday – 7AM – 4PM
Every Friday – Sunday: 7AM – 5PM
Instagram: cherieatery
CODE BLACK COFFEE
If you’re looking for other coffee options, consider heading to Code Black Coffee near the market, a well-known Melbourne coffee brand with more than 10 outlets that is loved by locals. The store is very stylish, with a dark and stylish look.
Credit: Code Black Coffee
Address: 321 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday – 7AM – 4PM
Saturday – Sunday: 7AM – 5PM
Instagram: codeblackcoffee
HECTOR’S DELI
This is a famous local American sandwich store with branches in other areas. There are many kinds of sandwiches, and you can choose from different styles with different bags. Inside the store, there is an open kitchen where you can observe the process of making the sandwiches. Apart from sandwiches, I recommend you to try the Donut, the quality is also very good.
Credit: Hector’s Deli
Address: 253 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7AM – 3PM
Instagram: hectors_deli
Recommended
It takes about two to three hours to walk around South Melbourne Market, so you can experience the diversity of the market and the variety of food on offer. If you have the time, there are trams 96 and 12 near the market, which will take you to St Kilda beach area for a tour of Melbourne’s waterfront vibe. If you’d rather stay in the city, the Yarra River is a great walk from the market in about 15 minutes. The river runs through the entire Melbourne city center, making it a great spot to visit.
