Queen Victoria Market, a well-known farmers' market with over 140 years of history, is an attraction in Melbourne. During the day, it bustles with stalls selling seafood, vegetables, and local foods like sausages and smoked meats.
On Wednesday nights, visitors are treated to an international street food festival with delicacies from Asia to Europe.
Photo courtesy of Littlebig
The market spans about 7 hectares, with areas for dining, shopping, and performances.
In the picture, many visitors gather at the main entrance before the night market opens, taken in mid-October.
The night market, with over 50 food stalls, opens in the afternoon, and the food aroma fills the air as soon as it begins.
The image shows a Sri Lankan food stall offering specialties like grilled chicken roti and sautéed rice with vegetables. Sautéed rice with chicken, beef, or seafood, seasoned with curry and spices for a rich, spicy flavor.
The Asian food area is a popular spot among locals and tourists. In the photo is a Korean stall serving teokbokki - spicy rice cakes.
Teokbokki is frequently listed among Melbourne's best street foods, with stalls selling it throughout the city. At the market, a serving costs AUD15 (US$9).
Grilled meats are the most popular dishes at the market, with massive skewers seen everywhere. Various Asian and European grilling styles feature lamb, chicken, and beef.
In the picture is a lamb skewer cooked on a charcoal grill operated by a machine. The lamb, either tenderloin or rib, is cut into small pieces, skewered, and marinated with ginger, garlic, curry, or Middle Eastern spices, olive oil, then grilled over hot coals until golden outside and juicy inside. The dish is flavorful, with a rich aroma of herbs, served with bread, salad, or a yogurt-based sauce with butter, garlic, and mint.
The picture shows a lamb skewer grilling on a machine-operated charcoal grill. Tenderloin or rib lamb pieces are cut small, skewered, marinated with Middle Eastern spices and olive oil, then grilled over coals until golden and juicy. This dish, rich with herbal aromas, is served with bread, salad, or a yogurt-based sauce.
A portion of lamb wrapped in soft bread costs AUD26 ($17), about the price of a lunch in Australia.
This lamb wrap comes with fries and salad, topped with sauce. Diners can take it to go or enjoy it in the market's self-service area.
Boy Churrasco staff grill meats and sausages over charcoal. The stall is famous for Portuguese-Brazilian-style BBQ, best enjoyed hot with mayonnaise for a "bite till the last".
Grilled meats are also a local favorite. If you're new and unsure how to break the ice with neighbors, hosting a BBQ is a surefire way to make friendly connections.
The Italian stall serves Panzerotto, a half-moon-shaped fried pastry, priced from AUD16 to AUD20 ($10 to $13) depending on the filling.
Queen Victoria Market also offers traditional Mexican tacos and Halal dishes. Each serving is priced between AUD16 - AUD28 ($10 to $18).
After the main meal, guests can visit stalls offering drinks, ice cream, and pastries for dessert, with prices ranging from AUD10 - AUD20 ($6.5 to $13). Payments can be made in cash or by credit card.
The outdoor dining area for guests enjoying the food.
Tripadvisor describes Queen Victoria Market as a friendly destination not only for food but also for its cultural diversity and entertainment, with tarot reading, jewelry shopping, and nighttime performances.
A tip for visitors: take a walk around the stalls before deciding, as many guests often find themselves too full to try everything they see.
