South Melbourne Market

South Melbourne Market, on Coventry Street in South Melbourne, is one of the city's great market institutions, trading since 1867. A bustling maze of around 150 stalls, it's a much-loved destination for fresh produce, seafood, deli goods, gourmet treats, specialty shopping and casual eating — and famous for its legendary dim sims, a Melbourne tradition in their own right.

The appeal is that vibrant, only-in-Melbourne atmosphere: the buzz of the traders, the incredible variety of food and goods, and the chance to shop, browse and eat your way around in one go. It's beloved by locals doing their weekly shop and visitors soaking up the market culture alike.

With a 4.6 rating from nearly 22,000 reviews, it's an overwhelmingly cherished institution. Trading days and hours vary — the market isn't open every day — so it's worth checking the current opening times before you go, and arriving with an appetite and time to wander, ideally with one of those famous dim sims in hand as you explore the stalls.