Queen Victoria Market: An Immigrant Melting Pot in Melbourne

Last Saturday I went to the Queen Victoria Market Foodie Tour by myself. I booked it months ago, and yesterday, when I woke up with a massive hangover, I almost cancelled it. But I am glad I didn’t give in to my laziness and poor planning, because the food helped tone down the constant ringing I heard in my head.

Queen Victoria Market Ultimate Foodie Tour

I took this tour mainly because I had never been to Queen Victoria Market in my three years living in Melbourne, and I thought something with food would definitely motivate me to turn up.

The tour was led by the enthusiastic Sarah, who has worked there for more than 3 years. The day was sunny, and we started a little after 11 AM.

The first stop was my favourite part of any kind of travel tour: the fish market. We were served a plate of freshly shucked oysters. Most of my tour mates declined to try it. Great! I finished at least half a dozen by myself. It was by far the best-tasting oysters I have ever eaten in Melbourne, better than the ones served in South Melbourne Market.

On to the meat section, we met Sarah’s favourite butcher, Matt, who has set up his meat business in Queen Victoria Market for decades. Matt has a section for less-desired cuts, including hearts, lungs, and tongues, which he excitedly flaunted in front of us.

We continued our Queen Victoria Market journey to the deli areas where we nibbled on Dolmades, dips, and kangaroo. We were also served delicious Moroccan tea and dukkah from a spice shop nearby. Hakim then gave a short cheese presentation. He is one of the three owners of Bill’s Farm, Melbourne’s No. 1 Cheese shop. He talked passionately about cheese, and his mission is to serve the best cheese from around the world.

When I was almost full, Sarah directed us to the back of the deli area before reappearing with a huge bowl of freshly made pasta. We stood in the circle and enjoyed the simply beautiful pasta.

We continued the tour with desserts

There was raspberry chocolate from Koko Black, fresh fruits from local fruit sellers, gelato and my absolute favourite from the American Doughnut Kitchen.

Normally I avoid eating doughnuts with jam, as jam doughnuts are not my jam, but boy, was I glad I was too hungover to refuse. It’s the BEST doughnut I have ever eaten in my life, and from the length of the queue waiting beside the truck, it’s obvious I am not the only one who thinks so.

Other than the delicious local produce and Sarah, the highlight of the tour for me was seeing crocodile meat up close. I almost bought it, but I wasn’t sure how Fafa would feel about coming home to deep-fried crocodile meat, so I left it for next time.

During the whole tour, the food attracted other market-goers too. Sarah politely told them that it’s just reserved for the paying tour attendees. Again and again. A lady even circled back to sample the food, even though she had been told it wasn’t for the public. I want to be her when I am older.

A random but much-appreciated observation: the toilet in Queen Victoria Market is clean and dry.

When you visit Queen Victoria Market as a tourist, start with this foodie tour and continue your market exploration to other parts. You can easily spend half a day here feasting and finding random trinkets.

The market’s massive size, combined with seasonal events like Winter Night Market and Hawker 88 Night Market, makes Queen Victoria Market an undeniable cultural spot in Melbourne worth visiting.

I, for one, would definitely come back just for a plate of oysters and a bag of doughnuts.

Follow me on Instagram @KultureKween for more recent updates.