South Melbourne Market

South Melbourne Market opened in 1867 and is the oldest continuously operating market in Melbourne. It stands on the corner of Coventry and Cecil Streets in South Melbourne, a short tram ride south of the city centre, and describes itself as a village-style market. It is smaller than Queen Victoria Market and trades on different days, so the two complement each other.

The traders are grouped into deli, fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, grocery, and eat and drink, with further stalls selling flowers and plants, fashion and accessories, homewares, and beauty and wellness products. The market is best known for its dim sims, which were originally made here by the chef Ken Cheng, and they are the obvious thing to try on a first visit.

The building has been through a lot. It is a Victorian-style structure of timber and red brick, and in 1981 two of the original sheds were destroyed by fire and stalls were damaged by bombs the same year. The produce areas were redesigned in 2007 and 2008, and a new roof went on in 2012.

Opening days are limited, so plan around them. The market trades on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8am, closing at 4pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and at 5pm on Fridays. It is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and there is extended trading in the lead-up to Christmas. The market also runs foodie tours and publishes recipes from its traders on its website, which is a good way to plan what to buy.

For families and anyone self-catering, the market is a practical stop for picnic supplies, and the eat-and-drink stalls make it an easy lunch. Tram route 96 stops at the light rail stop beside the western end of the market, and bus route 236 stops on Cecil Street at the eastern end. The postal address is 322-326 Coventry Street, and general enquiries can be made by phone on 03 9209 6295.

Allow an hour or two. Because route 96 continues south towards St Kilda, the market combines well with an afternoon at St Kilda Pier, and its Wednesday opening makes it a useful alternative on a day when Queen Victoria Market is closed.