7 Great Markets in Melbourne's Northern Suburbs

Melbourne’s north has a way of turning a simple market visit into a full morning out. One minute you’re picking up sourdough, seasonal fruit or flowers, the next you’re chatting to a local maker, stopping for coffee, or planning lunch around whatever smells best from the food stalls.

From Preston’s much-loved fresh food institutions to farmers’ markets, handmade design stalls and community favourites, Melbourne’s northern suburbs are full of places to browse, taste and take home something special.

Whether you’re staying locally, visiting friends, travelling for an event, or enjoying a weekend in the inner north, these seven markets are well worth adding to your itinerary.

Preston Market

A true local favourite, Preston Market is one of the best-known markets in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. It has long been a go-to for fresh produce, deli goods, seafood, meat, poultry, bakeries, flowers, pantry staples and casual eats, with a strong multicultural character that reflects the Preston community.

This is the kind of market where you can do a proper weekly shop, grab lunch, pick up ingredients for dinner, or simply wander with a coffee and see what catches your eye. Its central Preston location also makes it an easy stop before or after exploring High Street, nearby cafés, bars and shops.

Address: 30A The Centreway, Preston

Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday, 8am-3pm

Best for: Fresh produce, deli goods, seafood, flowers, casual lunch and a classic Preston experience.

Coburg Farmers’ Market

Held at Coburg Primary School, Coburg Farmers’ Market is a friendly Saturday market with a strong community feel. Expect fresh seasonal produce, artisan food, pantry goods and stallholders who know exactly where their food comes from.

It’s a great option for visitors who like to shop directly from Victorian farmers and makers, or anyone planning a relaxed Saturday morning in Coburg. Pick up fruit, vegetables, bread, eggs, cheese or something sweet, then make a morning of it with a wander through the surrounding neighbourhood.

Address: Coburg Primary School, 92 Bell St, Coburg (entry from Urqhuart Street)

Opening times: Every Saturday, 8am-1pm

Best for: Saturday produce shopping, seasonal food, local growers and a relaxed community atmosphere.

Alphington Farmers Market

Alphington Farmers Market is a Sunday favourite for fresh food lovers. Located at the Melbourne Innovation Centre in Alphington, the market is known for seasonal fruit and vegetables, free-range meats, eggs, dairy, seedlings, olives, olive oil, nuts and other locally produced goods.

It’s a particularly good choice if you enjoy knowing more about the people behind your food. Bring reusable bags, arrive hungry, and leave with the kind of produce that makes a simple dinner feel a little more considered.

Address: Melbourne Innovation Centre, 2 Wingrove St, Alphington

Opening times: Every Sunday, 9am-1pm

Best for: Sunday produce runs, Victorian-grown food, pantry staples and sustainable shopping.

Bundoora Park Farmers Market

Set within the green surrounds of Bundoora Park, Bundoora Park Farmers Market is a convenient market for those exploring Melbourne’s north-east. It typically brings together fresh fruit, vegetables and seasonal produce, making it a practical stop for locals and a pleasant outing for visitors.

The location is part of the appeal; pair your market visit with time outdoors, especially if you’re travelling with family or looking for a slower start to the weekend. It’s easy, low-key and grounded in the simple pleasure of buying good food close to where you’re staying.

Address: Bundoora Park, Plenty Rd, Bundoora

Opening times: 1st Saturday of every month, 8am-1pm

Best for: Fresh produce, family-friendly mornings and combining market shopping with green space.

Eltham Farmers’ Market

Eltham Farmers’ Market is a genuine farmers’ market with a strong local food focus. Held in the centre of Eltham, it features Victorian-grown and Victorian-made produce, including fruit, vegetables, condiments, baked goods and sweet treats. The market is run by Local Food Connect and has a clear emphasis on supporting growers, makers and more sustainable food systems.

It’s a lovely option for travellers who want to experience the north-east at a gentler pace, with a village-style feel and plenty of local character.

Address: 10-18 Arthur Street, Eltham

Opening times: Every Sunday, 8am-12.30pm

Best for: Local Victorian produce, Sunday mornings, sustainable shopping and a relaxed north-east Melbourne outing.

Kingsbury Drive Community Market

Located at La Trobe University in Bundoora, Kingsbury Drive Community Market is a large, varied market with a broad mix of stalls. Visitors can often find food, fashion, gifts, art, pet supplies, plants and everyday items, making it a handy all-rounder rather than a single-purpose food market.

It’s a good choice when you’re in the mood to browse without a fixed shopping list (you might leave with produce, a gift, a homeware find or something completely unplanned, which is usually half the fun of a community market!).

Address: La Trobe University, Carpark 3, 3 Park Drive, Bundoora

Opening times: Every Sunday, 9am-1pm

Best for: Variety, gifts, plants, fashion, art, general browsing and a bigger market experience.

Heide Makers’ Market

For handmade goods in a beautiful setting, Heide Makers’ Market is a standout. Held at Heide Museum of Modern Art in Bulleen, the market brings together artists, designers and makers, with stalls featuring art, design, handcrafted goods and quality creative pieces.

The setting makes this one feel a little different from your typical market; you can browse the stalls, visit the museum, walk through the sculpture park and turn the outing into a full cultural morning or afternoon. It’s especially suited to gift shopping, slow browsing and finding something with a story behind it.

Opening times: Every 2nd Saturday of the month, 10am-3pm

Best for: Handmade gifts, art, design, creative wares and pairing a market visit with a museum outing.

Still deciding where to stay when visiting markets in Melbourne’s northern suburbs?

If you’re planning a weekend around Melbourne’s northern suburbs, staying locally makes the experience much easier. Instead of crossing the city before breakfast or heading back across town with market bags in tow, you can base yourself close to Preston, Coburg, Northcote, Thornbury, Alphington, Bundoora and the surrounding north-east.

Novotel Melbourne Preston is well placed for visitors wanting modern hotel accommodation in Melbourne’s inner north. Located on Bell Street in Preston, the hotel offers contemporary rooms, on-site dining, parking, a 24-hour gym and easy access to public transport, making it a practical base for market mornings, local events, business travel or a relaxed Melbourne stay. It also places you near some of the north’s best-loved neighbourhoods, with cafés, bars, restaurants, shops and green spaces all within easy reach.

After a full morning of market browsing, local food and neighbourhood wandering, return to the comfort of Novotel Melbourne Preston. With modern rooms, on-site dining, parking and easy access to Melbourne’s vibrant inner north, our hotel offers a relaxed and convenient base for discovering Preston, Coburg, Thornbury, Northcote and beyond. Book your stay with Novotel Melbourne Preston and enjoy Melbourne’s northern suburbs at your own pace.