Queen Victoria Market
8.2Friend Score / 10#3 of 8 Markets & Food Halls in Melbourne
Known forqueen victoria marketmarketfresh producecheese
Melbourne's grand 19th-century open-air market — sprawling sheds of fresh produce, a deli hall of cheese and smallgoods, and the obligatory hot jam doughnuts. A friend sends you for the food halls and morning buzz. Caveats: it's closed Mondays and Wednesdays (except seasonal night markets), and the souvenir sheds are skippable — stay where the food is.
Key facts
| Hours | Tue–Fri 06:00–15:00 Sat–Sat 06:00–16:00 Sun–Sun 09:00–16:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Trams 19, 57, 58 and 59 stop alongside on Elizabeth/William Streets; Flagstaff Station about 7 minutes on foot |
| Time needed | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Saturday before 10am for full buzz without peak crowds; Tuesday/Thursday/Friday mornings are calmer |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.2/10- Value8.5
- iconic8.0
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get to Queen Victoria Market by public transport?
- The 19, 57, 58 and 59 trams all stop beside the market on Elizabeth or William Street, and Flagstaff Station is a short walk. Note the market sits just outside the Free Tram Zone, so touch on with a myki (or contactless card) if you tram it.
- Is Queen Victoria Market touristy?
- Parts of it — the general merchandise sheds are mostly souvenirs and you can skip them guilt-free. The produce sheds, deli hall and meat hall are the real thing, full of locals doing their weekly shop, especially early on Saturdays.
- What days is Queen Victoria Market open?
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 6am-3pm, Saturday 6am-4pm, and Sunday 9am-4pm. It's closed Mondays and Wednesdays and on most public holidays — the classic visitor mistake is showing up on a Monday.
- Can I buy lunch and eat at Queen Victoria Market?
- Absolutely — between the deli hall, food trucks and the surrounding stalls you can graze a full meal cheaply. There's outdoor seating around the market squares; on a nice day it's one of the best cheap lunches in the CBD.
- What food should I not miss at Queen Victoria Market?
- The hot jam doughnuts from the famous van are non-negotiable, then a bratwurst from the deli hall area and a wander through the cheese and smallgoods counters. The Dairy Produce Hall is where the best snacking lives.
- Which is better, Queen Victoria Market or South Melbourne Market?
- Queen Vic is bigger, older and grander; South Melbourne is smaller, more local and arguably better for eating on-site. If you're a first-time visitor do Queen Vic; if you've done it before or hate crowds, South Melbourne is the local's pick.
- How much time do I need at Queen Victoria Market?
- Two hours covers the food halls, produce sheds and a doughnut stop comfortably. Add more if you're going deep on the deli counters or hitting a night market, less if you're just grazing.
- What is the Queen Vic Night Market?
- A separate evening event on Wednesdays — a summer edition and a winter edition (the 2026 winter one runs June to late August) with street food stalls, bars and live music. It's a different, festival-ish vibe from the day market.
Nearby in Ask Melbourne
- Queen Victoria MarketAttraction0 km · 0 min walk
- The Drunken PoetBar0.15 km · 2 min walk
- The Last ChanceBar0.24 km · 3 min walk
- Operator25Café0.34 km · 4 min walk
- Flagstaff GardensPark0.39 km · 5 min walk
Where to stay near Queen Victoria Market
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