Gleadell Street Market

Gleadell Street Market traces its origins to 1873, when farmers travelling into Richmond for the district's cattle markets began bringing their wives and families along to sell fresh produce from the farm on the side. That simple, family-run tradition has continued largely unbroken for a century and a half, making Gleadell Street one of Melbourne's oldest surviving markets by a considerable margin.

A century and a half of the same farm-to-street tradition

What's remarkable is how little the market's essential character has changed. It remains one of the few traditional street markets left anywhere in inner Melbourne, a straightforward produce market of fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, nuts and other foodstuffs sold directly on the street itself, rather than relocated into a purpose-built hall the way so many historic markets eventually were.

Reviewers consistently rank it among the best in Melbourne, describing incredibly fresh produce and stallholders happy to chat and share tips, with regulars of three years or more still finding unbeatable value against local supermarkets on both everyday groceries and fresh drinks.

Good to know before you go

It runs Saturday only, wrapping up by 1pm, so a morning visit is essential rather than optional. Being one of the few genuine street markets left in inner Melbourne, it's worth visiting for the historic atmosphere as much as the fresh produce itself.