Exploring the many fresh food and produce markets Brisbane has to offer has become somewhat of a weekend ritual for many Brisbanites.
Knowing where your food comes from is increasingly important to city people who often want more than the shopping experience offered by major supermarkets.
If you're heading out to a market my best tips are - (List updated March 2016)
- Take a hat and a trolley bag.
- Slip a cooler bag into the trolley and you'll be able to buy fresh seafood if you find it.
- Take the dog with you but remember not all markets are dog-friendly.
- If easy parking and the pick of the producers is important to you, go early.
- The best bargains are always at the end of the market trading day when the stall holders are packing up.
- Chat to the stall holder to find out where the produce comes from. Not everyone is a direct seller and you will probably find that out only by asking.
Global Food Village, Logan City
Technically not Brisbane, but so close it doesn't matter, this market is a slice of Asia. The patrons and stall holders draw from the 251 cultural groups that call Logan City home and there is an amazing variety of produce on sale. A must for food lovers.
The Gap Farmers' Market, The Gap
Located in the playing fields of the Hilder Road State School, this market has plenty of variety but also a strong grower/producer element. Organised by The Gap Resident's Association, an independent, not-for-profit group focused on enhancing The Gap and Erica and John Parker of Moggill Markets, there's over 70 stalls of all types of produce, food and gift lines.The market operates on the second and fourth Sundays of the month and opens at 6.30 am.
Carseldine Farmers Market, Carseldine
This is a very large market set amidst the grounds of the old QUT Campus at Carseldine.There's a wide selection of food and some farmers stalls and also lots of stalls with general market type goods, clothing and homewares. It's a market with music and a sense of fun too, with quirky signs and props that add humour to the experience.This is a dog friendly market but it was very crowded and not easy to get around for the dog during our visit. The Carseldine Market opens at 6am and runs until 12 noon every Saturday.
Jan Powers Farmers Market Powerhouse, Newfarm
Every Saturday the Brisbane Powerhouse hosts Jan Powers Farmers Market from 6am until 12pm with over 100 stalls featured. This is the biggest and the best when it comes to farmers markets in the city with a huge array of produce. Make sure you are prepared to carry a lot home. Parking can be a bit crazy in the nearby streets but the best tip is to get there early or hunt for people leaving as there is a high turnover. A dog park close by makes this a dog friendly destination as well. Finish off with lunch down by the river in New Farm Park or Watt Restaurant.
Jan Powers Farmers Market Reddacliff Place, Queen Street, CBD
On every Wednesday between 10 am to 6 pm, the Jan Powers Farmers Market is held in Reddacliff Place, offering over 30 speciality stalls. City workers have never had it so good. Reddacliff Place is packed with stalls and visitors on Wednesdays who are picking up their fruit and veg and also their lunch from the food stalls. Very popular and worth a visit.Jan Powers Farmers Market Cambridge Parade & Cardigan Parade, Manly Esplanade
On the third Saturday of each month, the Jan Powers Farmers Market is held on the Manly Esplanade between 6 am and 12 pm. This market by the sea is a great day trip for visitors and well loved by locals.Jan Powers Farmers Market, Blackwood Street, Mitchelton
Markets are held in Mitchelton on the first Sunday of every month between the hours of 6 am and 12 pm. Blackwood Street is closed to traffic and filled with a large array of stalls. It's a good wander from end to end and you are sure to find lots of fresh fruit and veg.Davies Park Markets Davies Park, West End
Located in West End, the Davies Park Market is open every Saturday from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. The array of stalls includes organic produce, flowers, pre-loved clothing, local produce, and fresh cuisine, surrounded by fig trees.
Boggo Road Markets Boggo Road, Dutton Park
The infamous jail has been transformed into an exciting market place with exotic foods, knick knacks, produce, meats and entertainment. Less produce than food stalls here and also a good sprinkling of general market goods. The markets are open every Sunday from 7 am – 1 pm.
Northey Street Organic Markets, Northey Street, Windsor
This market offers the freshest organic fruit vegetables and meat, straight from the growers. Open every Sunday morning from 6 am -10:30 am, there is plenty of space for children to play or enjoy free workshops and art activities. Forget sleeping in if you are going to this market. Arrive at 10 am and most people will be packing up. The early bird gets more than the worm here.
Eagle Farm Markets Eagle Farm Racetrack, Ascot
The Eagle Farm Markets offer fresh produce, arts and crafts, homemade good and entertainment every Sunday from 7:30am-1:30pm, admission fee is $2, with children under 15 free. Located on private grounds, the facilities include ATM, free parking and toilets, however pets are excluded.
There's plenty of undercover areas for stalls and an air-conditioned section which seems to be popular with people selling deli type goods.
Plenty of space to stop for a bite to eat under shady trees.
Saturday Fresh Market at Rocklea, 250 Sherwood Road, Rocklea
Saturday Fresh Market is the largest fresh food and lifestyle market in Brisbane and offers fresh produce and fresh-cut flowers at low prices. The Market is open every Saturday from 6.00am – 12 noon with over 190 stalls offering a huge selection of fruit and vegetables, quality meats and poultry, fresh cut flowers, breads and baked goods, gourmet and deli lines, a huge range of indoor and outdoor plants and lifestyle products. Sellers at this market tend to source their product at the market rather than growing their own. Don't be afraid to ask where the fruit and veg comes from and if it has been grown or processed by the seller, if this is important to you. There's also a Wednesday Twilight Fresh Market is open every Wednesday from 3.00pm – 7.30pm.
Moggill Markets 550 Brookfield Road, BROOKFIELD
Held every second week with 70 stalls, boasting an array of the freshest produce; this market really does let you connect to the grower. Set in semi-rural Brookfield, you can try smoked meats, sweet treats, organic sourdoughs, fresh meat and, of course, the produce. Plenty of plants including Australian Natives and herbs are also for sale. If you are not a local, it's a very pleasant drive out to Brookfield.
Village Markets, Kelvin Grove Urban Village Precinct, Blamey Street, Kelvin Grove
The Village Markets are held every Saturday from 6am to 1pm with fresh fruit and vegetables, organic foods, gourmet stalls, plants, herbs, flowers, pre-loved clothing, bric-a-brac, and buskers. The market has over 90 stalls with a major component of farm-fresh fruit and vegetables from nearby farms. There's also performances from local musicians and an array of ethnic foods and artefacts. I've often purchased herbs and baked goodies from this market plus a few clothes.Browse my other top 10 lists