Top food markets in Sydney

Paddy’s Markets 

Often hectic and chaotic, but always fun, Paddy’s Haymarket is one of the oldest and largest markets in Australia. Grocers from across the city once came here to pick up produce to resell; 150 years down the track, it’s a mostly retail affair, attracting shoppers on the hunt for seasonal produce – at extremely reasonable prices. Given the market’s setting in Chinatown, many stalls specialise in hard-to-find Asian fruit and veggies, alongside specialty herbs and spices. The multi-storey market charters a satellite Sunday produce pop-up in the suburb of Flemington, transforming an enormous warehouse that also holds weekday growers and flower markets. 

Sydney Fish Market 

For a full immersive experience into everything scaly and swimming, it’s hard to look past the Sydney Fish Market. Every day, traders arrive early to attend wholesale seafood auctions, while the general public descend at a more reasonable hour to admire sea urchins, spanner crabs, oysters, prawns and barramundi. Take away your goodies or linger at tables along the boardwalk, enjoying the freshest imaginable fish and chips, sashimi or lobster tail while overlooking Pyrmont’s Blackwattle Bay. For hand-on tips on preparing your haul, head to the on-site Sydney Seafood School – classes here instruct on everything from Singapore-style chilli crab to Spanish paella. 

Bondi Farmers Market 

Rain or shine, the Bondi Farmers Market puts out the stalls every Saturday, celebrating farm-fresh produce on the grounds of Bondi Beach Public School. Load your shopping basket with seasonal fruit and vegetables, free-range meat, just-picked flowers, artisanal breads, cheese and olives. Then refuel with a vegan cookie or roast pork roll before strolling along Sydney’s most famous stretch of sand, just metres away. 

Cambridge Markets EQ

Equally epic is the Cambridge Markets EQ, where 70-plus stalls take over Moore Park’s Entertainment Quarter every Wednesday and Saturday. Say goodbye to the supermarket and hello to in-season spears of asparagus, enormous artichokes, gleaming stone fruit and petite microherbs, among others. It’s not just the growers you’ll meet, but the makers, who come here selling small-batch gins, pickles and jams, and teas and coffee. Follow the lead of locals to the bakery counters for still-warm chocolate croissants and cinnamon doughnuts. 

Watsons Bay Market

The same company operates Watsons Bay’s biannual mega-market, a union of 150 stalls that pop up in harbourside Robertson Park every spring and autumn. Global eats abound – from Vietnamese to Peruvian, Italian to Israeli – alongside providores selling all things fresh and seasonal. While you shop, point kids in the direction of the jumping castles and amusement-park games. 

Carriageworks Farmers Market 

While Carriageworks often hosts fashion shows, art exhibitions and music festivals, the former Eveleigh Railway Workshops in Redfern becomes a food mecca every Saturday morning. Depending on the season you visit the Carriageworks Farmers Market, you’ll meet the farmers who grow Hartley Truffles, Mountain View tomatoes and The Fungi mushrooms, and load your shopping bags with Pecora Dairy cheeses, Pepe Saya butter, Alto Olives and Westmont Pickles. This Sydney institution is as much about community as it is stocking your fridge, with locals bringing the entire family – dogs included – to enjoy the atmosphere and a steaming bowl of pho. 

Marrickville Organic Food & Farmers Market 

People across Sydney attend the eclectic Sunday Marrickville Market, specialising in organic food across a spectrum of fruit and vegetables, meat and seafood. Aside from offering farm-fresh edibles, stallholders here range from tarot readers to fashion designers, with plenty of on-site entertainment – even pony rides for kids. Depending on the week, visitors queue for everything from dim sum and cold-pressed smoothies to homemade slices and tarts. 

Tramsheds Growers Market  

Head to Glebe for another Sunday shopathon at the Tramsheds Growers Market, hosting a revolving collection of stalls from the likes of Nomad Spices, The Honey Library and AB Cheese. When you’re done browsing, grab lunch at one of the precinct’s restaurants. 

Flour Mill Markets 

The suburb of Summer Hill is the site of the Flour Mill Markets, a fortnightly Sunday gathering with a focus on sustainability – it’s entirely plastic free. Held in the forecourt of the historic Mungo Scott building (once a flour mill), this is the place to discover small-batch producers: try Mama Liu’s chilli oil, handmade chocolate by A Tiny Bit Decadent and Marshmallow Club's S’mores kits.  

Ryde Wharf Market  

As its name suggests, Ryde Wharf Market has a watery setting – the Parramatta River and the Ryde Bridge form the backdrop for these markets, held on the second and fourth Sunday of the month in Meadowbank’s Anderson Park. The 70-plus stalls hawk fashion, artisanal wares and food, with the latter’s highlights including delectable bureks from Alexander’s Bakery and equally delectable sweet Filipino pastries.

Northside Produce Market 

Just over the Harbour Bridge in North Sydney, the Northside Produce Market draws locals on the first and third Saturday of the month. The long list of stall-holders changes, depending on what’s in season, but might include Maria River Distillery, Margin’s Mushrooms, Willowbrae Chevre Cheese and Moonacres Farm. Grab a Broomfields pie or an offering from Brooklyn Boy Bagels with a schmear, and soak the vibrant atmosphere in Civic Park. 

Sydney Vegan Market

Explore more than 100 stalls selling 100& plant-based food and drink, homewares, fashion, art and cosmetics on the third Sunday of every month at Sydney Vegan Market. Located at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park, you can enjoy live vegan artists, yoga classes and kids spaces at this family and dog-friendly market.

Orange Grove Organic Markets 

Stock up on organic goods in Leichardt every Saturday from 8am to 1pm at the Orange Grove Organic Markets. You’ll also find gourmet goodies from France, Argentina, Turkey and more along with Bowen's bacon and egg rolls, Flour and Stone's lemon cake and Mayan coffee. 

Manly Fresh Produce Markets

Head to Manly on Sundays for the Fresh Produce Markets at Sydney Road and Short Street Plaza, a short walk from Manly wharf and ferries. Here you can purchase produce directly from NSW farmers and makers, including organic fruit and vegetables, quality cheeses, olive oils, freshly baked bread and fresh flowers. 

Parramatta Farmers Market  

Every Wednesday Centenary Square is the setting for Parramatta Farmers Market. You’ll find an array of fresh produce including fresh fruits, eggs, vegetables, nuts, bread, meat, honey, pastries and flowers, along with street food vendors selling delicious quiches, paella, gozleme and more.