Queen Victoria Market

Your Ultimate Guide to History, Food, and Opening Times

🥕 Queen Victoria Market Melbourne: Your Ultimate Guide to History, Food, and Opening Times

The Queen Victoria Market (QVM), affectionately known as 'Queen Vic' or 'Vic Market' by Melburnians, is more than just a place to shop—it's an essential Melbourne experience. As the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere and a magnificent remnant of 19th-century Melbourne, it holds a unique place in the city's heart.

This comprehensive guide is your key to navigating the vibrant aisles of the QVM, ensuring you know exactly when to visit, what to eat, and how to uncover its incredible history.

⏰ Queen Victoria Market Opening Times & Trading Hours (2025/2026)

Planning your visit starts with knowing when the market is buzzing.
The Queen Victoria Market is generally closed on Mondays and Wednesdays (with the exception of the seasonal Night Market).

Here are the most up-to-date regular trading hours for the main market (fresh produce, meat, fish, deli, and general merchandise):



Pro-Tip for Freshness & Deals:

For the absolute best selection of fresh produce, arrive early on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday morning. For the best end-of-day bargains, try visiting the produce sheds just before the 3:00 PM closing time.

📍 Market Location & Getting There
The Queen Victoria Market is centrally located in Melbourne's CBD on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street.

Address: Corner of Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
Public Transport: The market is easily accessible via Yarra Trams routes 19, 57, 58, and 59, which stop right outside. It's also a short walk from Melbourne Central and Flagstaff train stations.

📜 A Rich History: More Than a Market

The historical significance of the Queen Victoria Market is profound. Officially opened in 1878, the market is listed on both the Victorian Heritage Register and the National Heritage List, attracting approximately 10 million visitors annually.

From Cemetery to Marketplace
Perhaps the most fascinating—and controversial—aspect of the QVM's history is its location. The market was built atop the Old Melbourne Cemetery, the city's first official burial ground, used between 1837 and 1917. An estimated 6,500 to 9,000 early Melbourne settlers remain buried beneath the market's current open-air car park and parts of the trading sheds. This unique and sometimes contested history adds a deep layer of cultural significance to every visit.

🍽️ The Ultimate Foodie's Guide to Queen Vic Market
No visit to the QVM is complete without indulging in the world-class food. The market is a culinary microcosm of Melbourne's famous multiculturalism.

1. The Deli Hall (Dairy Produce Hall)
A sensory overload of sights and smells, the Deli Hall is a must-see for all visitors and a key destination for gourmet food shoppers.

Cheese Heaven: Browse specialty stalls like The Corner Larder and Curds and Whey for local Australian and imported European cheeses, perfect for an authentic antipasto platter.

Charcuterie & Antipasto: Discover cured meats, smoked salmon, olives, and an incredible array of pickled goods from family-run businesses like Dianne’s Delights and various Hellenic and Polish delis.

Baked Goods: Don't miss the freshly baked croissants and artisan breads from institutions like M&G Caiafa.


2. The Meat & Fish Hall

The traditional heart of the fresh food market, this is where Melburnians come to source their top-quality proteins.
Look for the iconic facade, constructed in 1884.
Butchers: Long-standing family butcher stalls offer everything from premium cuts of Victorian beef and lamb to specialty poultry.
Seafood: An impressive display of fresh Australian seafood, from local Port Phillip Bay prawns to Tasmanian salmon.

This area is a key indicator of the market's status as a working, daily grocery supplier.

3. Iconic Market Bites

These are the essential culinary experiences that define a trip to the QVM:
The American Doughnut Kitchen: No list is complete without mentioning the famous hot jam doughnuts.
Sold from a vintage van near the F Shed, these sweet, fluffy delights are a non-negotiable treat. They are an entity in their own right, and a must-try for any first-time visitor.
Börek: The irresistible, flaky Turkish pastries—cheese and spinach, or spicy lamb—are a fast and affordable market staple.
Bratwurst: The sizzling grilled German sausages, served in a roll with onions and mustard, are the ultimate walking-and-shopping lunch.
Hot Coffee: Grab a perfectly made Melbourne coffee from Market Espresso or Market Lane Coffee to fuel your shopping expedition.

🛍️ Beyond the Food: General Merchandise & Specialty Shopping

While the fresh food is the main draw, the General Merchandise sections, particularly the open-air sheds (known as the Upper Market), offer incredible value and unique finds.

Souvenirs & Gifts: This is one of the best places in Melbourne for tourist souvenirs, from classic Australian sheepskins and Ugg boots to unique locally-made crafts and artwork.
Fashion & Accessories: Browse clothing, jewellery, and accessories from emerging designers and bargain retailers.
Look for the vibrant String Bean Alley, a revitalised laneway featuring a collection of small businesses, designers, and artisans.
Homewares & Essentials: Find everything from kitchen gadgets at Australian Kitchen Gadgets to beautiful timber boards and unique gardening supplies.

🌙 Experience the Queen Victoria Night Market

The QVM truly transforms when the sun goes down for its seasonal Night Market. This is a critical local event that attracts massive crowds and changes the weekday dynamic.
Seasonal Delight: The most popular is the Summer Night Market, running typically from late November to mid-March on Wednesday evenings (5:00 PM – 10:00 PM). A smaller Winter Night Market often runs during the cooler months.
Global Street Food: The focus shifts entirely to an incredible array of international street food vendors, serving up everything from South American skewers to Japanese takoyaki and unique desserts.
Entertainment: Enjoy free live music, pop-up bars serving local wine and craft beer, and a lively, festival-like atmosphere. The Night Market is a distinctly Melbourne social experience.


🔑 Planning Your Visit

For a smooth, enjoyable, and well-structured trip, consider these key visitor details:

1. Accessibility and Facilities
The QVM is an old market, but efforts have been made to ensure accessibility. Accessible toilets and some assistance with wheelchair hire are available. The market is primarily an open-air site, so dress for the weather.
2. Tours and Experiences
Elevate your visit with a guided experience:
Ultimate Foodie Tour: A highly recommended two-hour walking tour that includes extensive food tastings, insights into the market's history, and tips on the best traders. These often run on market days (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings).
Historical Tours: Deeper dives into the market’s controversial past as a cemetery site.
3. Parking
While public transport is recommended, parking is available:
Multi-Level Undercover Car Park: Open 24/7. Access via Queen Street.
Open Air Car Park: Located on the site of the old cemetery, this area is closed during market operating hours but available outside of these times (e.g., in the evenings).

⭐ Why Queen Victoria Market is a Must-Visit Melbourne Attraction

The Queen Victoria Market is not just a commercial hub; it's a living piece of Melbourne’s heritage. It is a place where local farmers, international traders, and generations of shoppers converge. Whether you are searching for the freshest produce Melbourne has to offer, a unique souvenir, or simply a hot jam doughnut, the QVM delivers an authentic, bustling experience unmatched by modern shopping centres.

It provides a rich, multi-layered experience that caters to a wide range of visitor interests—from history buffs fascinated by the Old Melbourne Cemetery to global foodies hunting down the best Melbourne street food.