A Vegan’s Review: South Melbourne Market

Last updated on August 10, 2015 By Crazy Vegan 24 Comments

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post!

When I first moved to the Southbank area of Melbourne, the one thing that really excited me was being just a 5 minute walk away from the amazing South Melbourne Market – I’d heard so much about it, seen so many photos – just the thought of being so close to it made me extremely excited, especially since eclectic markets like this are no where to be found in Singapore, where I grew up. We have nothing in Singapore really… we live in slums. 😛 Just kidding!

Of course, being a Vegan, the meat/deli/seafood section of the market didn’t arouse me at all, so I decided to write a post on all the other vegan friendly stores the market housed. From produce, to funky plates and glassware, shopping trolleys, trinkets, flowers, restaurants, and coffee joints, this market has EVERYTHING. Farmer’s Market meets Flea Market, I’ve always been able to find what I need in this loud, colorful, bustling and crazy cocktail bazaar of different cultures, smells and sounds.

The South Melbourne Market has more than quite a few produce stores. There are so many fruits and veggies in this small market that if you’re not careful, you may drown and die in a lethal overdose of fruity goodness. My personal favorite happens to be the South Melbourne Market Organics. This is where I usually get my Mulberries, Vegan Cheese, Coyo and Rice/Grains. They sell a ton of other things like Kale Chips, Nakd Bars, and also happen to stock a large range of Loving Earth products – one of the best raw/vegan brands that I’ve come across in Australia.

Another thing you’ll see scattered all around the market is little flower/plant shops that sell some ridiculously psychedelic-looking stuff that will turn any flower hater into a flower child.

On to another of my favourites – Rainbow Connection. This is a mad little shop, bursting from the seams with incense, picture frames, lamps, and everything else awesome. If I lived in a bigger house, I’d buy everything in this store. This family run store has been trading at the market since the 50s’, believe it or not. It’s the to-go store for this crazy cat lady here!

Aside from Rainbow Connection, there are also a ton of fantastic stores at the market that sell Kitchen and Home items (how can you say no to more kitchen tools?!). I usually get all my little glass bottles, mason jars, chopping boards and funky utensils from the South Melbourne Market. Now the secret’s out.

Now, let’s talk about the not so great aspects for me personally – the restaurants. There are only 4 restaurants at the entrance of South Melbourne Market, along with a food court in the middle – but there is almost nothing Vegan available. There are Mexican, Chinese, Turkish, Spanish and Seafood restaurants, but all of them predominantly serve meat or dairy based dishes – not the best place for a Vegan lunch or dinner. I pretty much don’t bother anyway, since my main reason for going to the market is to buy pet products, trinkets or produce – but this may be a letdown for Vegan tourists… so head’s up!

However, if you’re vegan and visiting, don’t let that hold you back – there is a LOT to see and buy for your friends and family back home in this market. No more silly souvenir magnets and t-shirts. Get some homemade jam instead, or if you’re feeling extra touristy, buy a didgeridoo for your didgeridoo-playing wife.

Well, that’s all for now folks! If you’re ever in the land down under, make sure to visit the South Melbourne Market! Just remember that they’re only open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-4pm. So don’t go on a Tuesday, or a Thursday, or at 6pm, unless you’re a dummy 🙂

South Melbourne Market

322-326 Coventry Street,

South Melbourne (3205) Victoria

http://southmelbournemarket.com.au

PS: Do drop us a comment and let us know if you liked this post, and if you’d like to see more stuff like this from us aside from our usual recipe posts! Ciao x

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Comments

Linda @ Veganosity says

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You're so fortunate to have such an awesome resource in your neighborhood. I'd spend hours looking at the flowers and veggies. BTW, what kind of person hates flowers? I'd put them in the same category as someone who doesn't like dogs; they're not to be trusted! :)

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- Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
  
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  TOTALLY agree Linda! Only people I can think of who might hate flowers are.... well, they aren't worth thinking about, are they? haha! We used to go to South Melbourne Market every few days. I haven't gone lately myself but we both still love the place. Amrita is right about there not being any vegan restaurants though. Food is a bit pricey too. But the organic food stores are great! Levan
  
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Harrison says

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Nice resource for Vegans. Those fruits and vegetables look fresh and delicious! And the flowers are beautiful.

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- Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
  
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  Thank you! We hope you pay the South Melbourne Market a visit. It's a wonderful spot for visitors. The flowers are always gorgeous, although at times a bit expensive!
  
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Alisha says

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I was just debating the Melbourne Farmers Markets last night with my mother in law & she prefers the South Melbourne one most! I recently moved to Melbourne from NYC & have been traipsing all around Melbourne to figure out where to get the best vegan food products & organic produce. I have to say that I think the Queen Victoria Market has the best selection of organic produce, although Preston is still on my list to check out. And just this week I discovered healthy vegan heaven in Nortcote @ Terra Madre, by far, the best health food store I have found here, with the absolute lowest prices. And pretty nice fruit & veg too. It just occurred to me last week that you guys might be Aussies when I saw Nuttelex in a recipe (!) and I hope to cross paths with you one day. Really enjoy your website! And yes, more stuff like this please! Ps. Speaking of South Melbourne, there's a vegan catchup there tonight at The Fox on Montague, for any vegan Aussies reading these comments!

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- Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
  
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  Wow, Alisha, big thanks for that comment and the recommendations! We definitely need to check those places out. :) And how awesome is Nuttelex? Amrita uses it to make Turkish rice and it tastes AWESOME (We are intending to share this recipe soon). Great to connect with a fellow person living in Australia! What made you decide to move from NYC, if you don't mind me asking? Are these vegan meet ups really large? How do you hook yourself up to that social circle? We are pretty isolated vegans here in Southbank where we live! haha! Thanks so much for enjoying our site! We promise to keep at it. Levan
  
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  - Alisha says
    
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    Hi Levan! I've been seeking vegan friends in Melbourne, having left everyone I know & love back in the U.S. (besides my husband - the reason I'm here - and our kitties, who always make me feel like I'm home wherever we live!), so I'm often on the lookout for vegan events. I've found some on meetup.com. It can be tough going to these types of gatherings where everyone is a stranger, but at least we have our ethics in common! Don't feel isolated, come out! So many yummy vegan places to eat in Melbourne:-)) I must've gained 10 lbs since I arrived 3 months ago! We just moved to Clifton Hill last week to be closer to Collingwood, Northcote, Fitzroy, Brunswick, etc. such fun areas! Anyhow, would love to meet you guys if you feel like it, you're on my list of Aussie vegan celebs, ha ha! Oh and I haven't actually tried Nuttelex yet...still mourning the loss of my American Earth Balance non dairy spread, but I'm about to cave & try it (The Nuttelex factory in Richmond with the cute squirrel on the sign always makes me smile & is wearing my resistance down!). I recently bought a very expensive vegan coconut "butter" that has a cute retro looking label, but tastes pretty awful :-( Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Alisha
    
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    - Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
      
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      Hey there Alisha! We'd love to connect further! Just drop us a message on Facebook (facebook.com/mywifemakes) so we can add you on our personal accounts. LOL, we are FAR from vegan 'celebrities' though --> we often willingly choose to isolate ourselves to play video games and do boring thesis writing :D Glad you are enjoying Melbourne thus far! AND CATSSS!!!! We have three ourselves --> you can check them out on my wife's personal Instagram (instagram.com/dietpancakes) which is FILLED with our kitties! The more the merrier... until one of them poos on the floor. :D I'd say definitely give Nuttelex a go! I loved the taste of it in cooking even before I went vegan. :) Stay connected! Levan
      
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      - alisha says
        
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        Will do, once I get my very dormant Facebook page somewhat active this week. I've become quite attached to Pinterest but people in Melbourne keep referencing Facebook as a means of staying connected, so I'll see you there soon ;-) Also, until then, where do you & Amrita purchase your maple sugar that's in your banana bread recipe, and, do you know if plantains are available anywhere? I tend to only buy organic produce but would be willing to buy non organic plantains. Thanks much! Alisha
        
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Greg @ Full of Beans says

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Sounds too cool! Great photos and fun post Amrita. Good stuff. I'm getting country envy. lol

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- Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
  
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  We were actually planning to visit the US next year!! Whereabouts do you live? It'd be cool to cross paths, for real. But then again, the US is HUGE!
  
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  - greg @ Full of Beans says
    
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    If you're visiting you simply must pass your travel route down our street (now that you know where that is). Would love to have you both. :-)
    
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    - Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
      
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      We definitely plan on visiting the States sometime in the next 2 years - so hard with the three cats, they freak out even if we go missing for a day LOL!!!! Thanks Greg, it would be a pleasure to meet you and Georgia.
      
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Helen @ Scrummy Lane says

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Melbourne is so coool! I must say, though, I've been there twice and both times the weather was amazing, so I don't believe you that the weather isn't always like that!! ;-) Next time we go to Melbourne, we really must add this to our 'to visit' list. I thought the best thing about Melbourne was the massive variety of food there, markets and restaurants. You are very lucky - I truely believe you're in one of the best cities in the world!

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- Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
  
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  Hey Helen! The next time you go to Melbourne you should give us a ring. We'd love to meet you and hang out and even go food blog shopping, haha! The weather here is.... well, let's just say summer consisted of warm mornings, chilling evenings, and cold nights - in a single day! And now that it's autumn coming into winter... it feels like... winter. Continuously. But hey, we love this place because it's an easy place to live, albeit rather expensive! Levan
  
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Melissa@ vegan does it says

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I love to see and read about what inspires the creative minds behind the blogs I enjoy! And that produce shop looks like a vegan's dream!

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- Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
  
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  Hey there Melissa! Yes we love getting most of our stuff from the South Melbourne Market, including our pots and pans and little jars which we like to use in our posts. Things are a bit on the pricier side here but they are usually of good quality!
  
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A Vegan’s Review: South Melbourne Market

FREE EBOOK SERIES! 5 SECRETS FOR FOOLPROOF VEGAN DESERTS

South Melbourne Market

322-326 Coventry Street,

South Melbourne (3205) Victoria

http://southmelbournemarket.com.au

FREE EBOOK SERIES! 5 SECRETS FOR FOOLPROOF VEGAN DESERTS

FREE EBOOK SERIES! 5 SECRETS FOR FOOLPROOF VEGAN DESERTS

South Melbourne Market

322-326 Coventry Street,

South Melbourne (3205) Victoria

http://southmelbournemarket.com.au

FREE EBOOK SERIES! 5 SECRETS FOR FOOLPROOF VEGAN DESERTS

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