Swords Select Prahran Market
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Recommended Reviews - Swords Select Prahran Market
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There are many delightful things about this market. Fresh produce, the best meats, cheeses, seafood, delis, flowers and locally made stuff. You will not find tourists and rubbish for sale, thank goodness! It's a real market for the locals in search of inspiration for dinner or with an open afternoon to lounge in the courtyard. During one of the busiest days I came right in the heart of the cheese festival. More than the normal vendors lined inside and outside the market with pop up shops, cooking demos, tastings and many smelly-good bites to buy. I skipped the queues and headed straight for a smaller but even more satisfying queue at The Mussel Pot. A husband and wife team were busy cooking up delightful dishes to please a sailor or royalty. Thankfully they serve to the common woman! While I was sad that their mussel chowder sold out, I went for the closest option of the chilli coconut cream mussel bowl with a slice of sourdough. There was no shortage of flavour with garlic, parsley, tomato and sherry blending with the chilli and coconut to form an amazing broth. The mussels went down quickly and the broth with all its hidden treasures were enjoyed with the bread. I will return to sample more from their menu. It is no wonder they have won multiple awards from the market for best food. The market has something for everyone and the shop owners are all friendly and knowledgeable so you can pick a great wine to go with your handmade pasta and get the right cut of beef. Enjoy your visit to the market, I sure do every time. :)

A really charming traditional food market in one of Melbourne's most happening areas. If you're into farmers markets and supporting local businesses this is a pretty cool place to go in Melbourne. There's a veggie and fruit section, meat, fish, garden and deli section. There's something here for everyone but mainly for those who want fresh products for good prices. Oh and awesome ready made food... There are tables both inside and outside where you can enjoy your purchases or you can grab your box of goodies to go. My recommendation is to stock up on fresh and yummy market foods and then head out for a picnic in the park! Enjoy!

My Local market & enjoy it for that. I find it best early on a Saturday Morning around 8 am. Take your pick of produce available at the many fruit & vegetable stands. The Organic Butcher has all the great Cuts of meat. "Prime cuts". Good Coffee from Market Lane Coffee where they do a pour over brew with changing roast flavours. The main hall and market floor has recently undergone renevations. So noticed a number of new traders on the floor. If you want to enjoy a Nutritious breakfast the Cafe at the commercial street entrance will make you a delisous tasting & more importantly nutritious egg white omellet. This is nice as it is getting hard to find with alot of cafes working to a set menue.

Cleaner and less crowded than Victoria market. The meat and fish areas don't spell and everything is kept neatly. They have an organic grocer , ripe, which has a good selection of organic produce and health foods including kombucha which I was delighted to see. On the downside there are too many places to eat in the actual market besides quick grab and go fast food, but there's many places to have a sit down meal outside of the market. Note- they are closed on Monday and Wednesday, so I'll save you the trip
10 years ago
I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to realise how valuable Prahran Market is! It's a true treasure, comparable with South Melbourne Market and dare I say Queen Victoria in terms of fresh produce and gourmet foods available! There is a wide selection of fruit & vegetable shops offering locally grown organic, Market Lane Coffee, various cafes & eateries, bakeries, butchers, fish mongers, delis, international stores, luxury homewares and health stores, as well as various stalls offering miscellaneous other products and services. Even on a Saturday morning I have always been able to find parking (free or paid) with minimal effort. Everyone that works within the Market are extremely friendly and always willing to help out. There is a suspiciously low amount of bathrooms and bins throughout the complex. I appreciate these services require maintenance and lowering the amount reduces costs. It I found myself forever wondering around with rubbish and in the end I went home desperately needing the bathroom! Not cool Prahran Market. read more
13 years ago
A great market with a good balance of stalls and services. From great coffee at Market Lane and Jaspers to the perfect restaurant quality gourmet spud (Michael Mow) or mushrooms (Damian Pike), Prahran has almost anything you would wish for. A criticism of Prahran Market that I commonly hear is that it is too expensive ... and this is probably a valid point to make ... yet you are getting the best quality fruit, vegetables and meat available. By the way Aldi is next door for the basics :) My tip for shoppers is that exploration can lead to surprising finds ... from the potato stall that sells fresh wasabi roots to the asian grocer that sells Italian vongole clams ... you will be rewarded for digging around. read more
Prahran Market, while still with it's original charm, is probably the slicker and cleaner of Melbourne's major markets (compared to South Melb and Queen Vic). Smaller in size, the quality from vendors is quite high - but the prices match and shopping here is a little more expensive than the others. The meats and seafood are awesome, you can always find something interesting here that you won't get shopping at a supermarket. Great deli selections too. Prahran Market is also home to the original Market Lane which is a must-go for coffee. There is a new section at the front for Street Food which is kinda cool...but I can't go past the old classics like The Felafel Man (so cheap and delicious!). All in all a great market and far less crowded/overwhelming than QV. read more
There is nothing like being able to scout around to pick the best fresh food available. I am very lucky to live 2 minutes from Prahran market. Fresh fruit & vegetables, fresh flowers and specialty stores such as deli's, butchers, cakes and many more. This place is a regular haunt for us now. We love it. read more
So I'd heard all the splendid things about South Melbourne Market but not a whole lot about Prahran. Playing second to fiddle it seems. What Prahran lacks in magnitude, they bring in character. The layout seems to happen a lot more organically, with it's edges spilling out over an otherwise grid-like arena. I had a ball exploring these markets, as well as the tastings. The best thing about markets are the free morsels of cheeses, fresh fruit, chutneys, tepenades, nuts, dips and sweets! And the Prahran folk are much more generous with them. Brunch - sorted! To see what I mean, find your way to the lovely lady with her table of Turkish Delight toward the back. She will be practically forcing these drops of jelly sweets down your throat. Her Halva is divine too. read more
11 years ago
There are many delightful things about this market. Fresh produce, the best meats, cheeses, seafood, delis, flowers and locally made stuff. You will not find tourists and rubbish for sale, thank goodness! It's a real market for the locals in search of inspiration for dinner or with an open afternoon to lounge in the courtyard. During one of the busiest days I came right in the heart of the cheese festival. More than the normal vendors lined inside and outside the market with pop up shops, cooking demos, tastings and many smelly-good bites to buy. I skipped the queues and headed straight for a smaller but even more satisfying queue at The Mussel Pot. A husband and wife team were busy cooking up delightful dishes to please a sailor or royalty. Thankfully they serve to the common woman! While I was sad that their mussel chowder sold out, I went for the closest option of the chilli coconut cream mussel bowl with a slice of sourdough. There was no shortage of flavour with garlic, parsley, tomato and sherry blending with the chilli and coconut to form an amazing broth. The mussels went down quickly and the broth with all its hidden treasures were enjoyed with the bread. I will return to sample more from their menu. It is no wonder they have won multiple awards from the market for best food. The market has something for everyone and the shop owners are all friendly and knowledgeable so you can pick a great wine to go with your handmade pasta and get the right cut of beef. Enjoy your visit to the market, I sure do every time. :) read more
A really charming traditional food market in one of Melbourne's most happening areas. If you're into farmers markets and supporting local businesses this is a pretty cool place to go in Melbourne. There's a veggie and fruit section, meat, fish, garden and deli section. There's something here for everyone but mainly for those who want fresh products for good prices. Oh and awesome ready made food... There are tables both inside and outside where you can enjoy your purchases or you can grab your box of goodies to go. My recommendation is to stock up on fresh and yummy market foods and then head out for a picnic in the park! Enjoy! read more
13 years ago
My Local market & enjoy it for that. I find it best early on a Saturday Morning around 8 am. Take your pick of produce available at the many fruit & vegetable stands. The Organic Butcher has all the great Cuts of meat. "Prime cuts". Good Coffee from Market Lane Coffee where they do a pour over brew with changing roast flavours. The main hall and market floor has recently undergone renevations. So noticed a number of new traders on the floor. If you want to enjoy a Nutritious breakfast the Cafe at the commercial street entrance will make you a delisous tasting & more importantly nutritious egg white omellet. This is nice as it is getting hard to find with alot of cafes working to a set menue. read more
10 years ago
Cleaner and less crowded than Victoria market. The meat and fish areas don't spell and everything is kept neatly. They have an organic grocer , ripe, which has a good selection of organic produce and health foods including kombucha which I was delighted to see. On the downside there are too many places to eat in the actual market besides quick grab and go fast food, but there's many places to have a sit down meal outside of the market. Note- they are closed on Monday and Wednesday, so I'll save you the trip read more
I have a confession to make. I've been cheating...on Camberwell Market. I was in the 'hood and had time to kill so wandered in the market to have a quick browse. This was my first visit since the recent renovations and I LOVED it. The fresh fruit and veg area seems just so, well, fresh! It was bright and airy and I wanted to eat everything. It beats Camberwell Market hands down for variety and price in every department. I think I'm willing to jump on a tram every week to stock up. read more
I do love the characters in the Prahran Market and like to think they have as much fondness for me as I do them. There's the flower lady with her super fresh blooms, the character in the far corner who screams about the price of his mangos as if his life depended on it and of course there's *my* Bahn Mi lady who knows exactly how I like my sandwich. Then you have the cute kids in the coffee shop and the dude on the mushroom stand who I'm certain moonlights as some kind of poetry reading musician (he just has a *look* about it, okay?). There's the cool guy in the Asian grocery store, the egg people and the woman who sells her dips and olives with abundant passion. It's a real family here and it is the people who make it one of the best places to shop for produce in Melbourne. read more
What more could you want or need? This market has it all without being too large and full of over kill. Flowers, Cheese, Deli's, Butchers, Fishmongers, The Potato Man (who sells Truffles), Fruit & Vegetables galore. Another winner for me is the Prahran Market constantly holds events like: The annual Cheese Festival, The Tomato Festival, The Truffle Festival & Cooking Demonstrations. There are stalls that make fresh food to be enjoyed there so why not grab a bowl of mussels and enjoy the live music they have on the weekend. read more
Prahran Market has undergone a pretty huge revamp where the green grocers used to be. Although the layout has changed somewhat, most of the sellers are still in their original spots but you'll notice immediately the wider aisles, bigger shops and also more decorative elements in signage or shop fronts. It's pretty interesting, looks like there's also a few brand new shops that have popped up, and so the choice on offer has increased. It's probably still having a bit more work done but as of yesterday it was pretty much back in full swing almost. Now that I live further away from the market, every trip back now and then makes its so much more enjoyable and reminds me of what I miss so much. The atmosphere unlike other giant, expansive metal roofed markets. If you read the reviews prior, you'd get the general idea that Prahran Market is a bit more upscale than the rest in Melbs. True. But I disagree with that pricing is generally more expensive here. It's competitive, and you do get what you pay for. Sellers here only stock THE BEST quality produce or items they can make or source, so if you place quality as a premium than this is the place to go. I've still managed to get cheap veggies, meat and fruit in the early mornings on Saturdays; believe you me. Cheaper too sometimes compared to the supermarket across the road. Key is to buy in season people, know what's current and off course walk around a bit before settling on your chosen stall. Highlights of the market for me include the egg stand, the fresh pasta stall (now selling dimmies in all incarnations too), the fruit and veg beside the meat section, jasper coffee, the cheese and dip stall where you'll get four cheeses for a tenner(chose wisely there) and the Asian grocer as well as Claringbolds seafood. Speaking of which, the Asian grocer has everything. Seriously, props to that shop! You don't need to be huge to have a huge range. And they are super friendly, ask them to show or recommend unfamiliar ingredients and they gladly help you even when there might be a queue at the counter. Quality AND variety. Sellers are friendly and will take the time to talk to you, especially if you ask the right questions. Weekends is a must-go time, where the hustle and bustle that makes a market a market. The courtyards lovely too for kids. But surprisingly it's busy during the week, over lunchtime where there's more of a crowd. Parking is the only b*tch here, the Elizabeth st car park has doubled in price over the years and now charges by half- hour blocks. read more
9 years ago
I can't believe I've lived in this suburb for 4 weeks and have only just 'discovered' the little gem that is Prahran Market. I wasn't convinced by the outside as it always looks closed (due to empty shops on the street), but friends had told me I should try it. I had an amazing breakfast in the court yard from a really good French-style baker's. It's a bit of a gourmet market inside and nicely laid out. The smell of food in the busy continental deli area is worth walking in for and the array of tasty treats in there does not disappoint. You are spoilt for choice by veggies, fish, poultry and meat on offer! It was a busy Sunday, but I did not have to queue for anything. It's not the cheapest market, but its a really good one and I suspect I'll be hear most weekends now. read more
The Prahran market makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. With every fruit and vegetable known to man, you can find whatever foodage you need. More deliciously fresh delis than you can poke a baguette at and enough deliciously smelly cheese that makes your little brother's gym bag smell like roses. Don't miss the organic grocer / organic fruit and veg stand or the cute little nut guy (he's not a nut). The Essential Ingredient is up the other end of PM for all your specialty cooking & baking needs. I stay away from the EI as I can't leave there without putting a hole in my wallet. Love the florists here, super fresh, good, wholesale prices so you're sure to get a great bunch of flowers at a great price. Beware though that prices on most stands here are exorbitant (the mercs/audis/bmw's parked out front make this a dead giveaway). Most of the time I chose to shop here on Sunday afternoon after 2pm to get a massive bag of f&v for a bargain! Pick up a coffee at Market Lane after your big shop! xx read more
Isn't interesting how perceptions change over time? Growing up I was so accustomed to the South Melbourne Markets, that I thought anything else was inferior. Well, South Melbourne Market did steal my heart first, for a good 15 years, but I was pleasantly surprised when I visited here the other day. Sure the layout is a little different, but what originally was a "just going to duck in for a quick fifteen minutes, to pick up some ingredients," turned into almost an hour of getting lost in a world of distractions before I actually bought anything. Everything was new and exciting, and I still didn't even check out everything there. You know those high prize lotteries with upwards of $20 million to be won? I think a size able portion may easily be lost here. So many things that I want. Food, kitchen stuff, spices, fresh pasta, and the the deli's. I could get lost here. In fact I did. read more
15 years ago
Prahran Market has been an iconic fresh food market since 1891 and has since grown from strength to strength. Withstanding the 1930s great depression, world war two and a major fire in 1950 has not only given this market it's stronghold in the area but has enriched the market with such a culture and longevity. Even though the market is known to be slightly pricier than some other markets, it is still regarded as one of the top places to go to because of the sheer diversity of produce. The market complex is also renowned to offer many other services such as a hard ware store, Asian grocers, great coffee shops and even a dog groomer. What I normally do is drop my dog off in the morning to get groomed by my favourite groomer, Colin and then do my shopping and pick my dog up after. For bargain hunters, 3pm on Saturday is when Prahran Market is in a frenzy of bargains - with $1 bags of the best fruit and vegetables, trays of fish and meat at super cheap prices. The famous fish auction starts at 4.30pm. Drivers will be happy to know that you can normally find ample undercover parking at the multi-storey carpark on Elizabeth Street. read more
Its a good to come here and get some of the freshest food in Melbourne. A great alternative to Safeway and Coles across the road. Of course if you are up to the trip, you should probably opt for the South Melbourne or Vic Markets up the road. :-) read more
I really freaking love this place and go there each and every Saturday that I'm in town. I can't get enough of the amazing seafood at Theo and Sons, and the awesome meats that come from Hagen's. Then there are the brilliant cheese and dips delis that are on the other side of the market. I will never have people over without having a big shopping trip to get all the fish, oysters, dips, meats, cheeses and greek desserts from this amazing market. Oh, and 6 J's wine market is awesome - the staff knows me by name, they do fun tastings on Saturday, and the selection is affordable, lots of interesting finds. It is a total shame they are closing in February, which will knock a star off for me. There is even a pet spa in the back where I send my dog for his baths and grooming but I don't think it is actually part of the market itself. The only thing I don't buy there is produce - I find Cato's produce across from Safeway and Coles to be very affordable comparatively speaking. A really brilliant and beautiful market that will always get my business. A highlight of each weekend in Melbourne. read more
13 years ago
This is one of Melbourne's traditional markets Has a great range of butchers delis fruit shops and cafés. You can find Essential Ingredients a specialty cooking shop. There is a great mushroom shop and potato shop. read more
Everything you want in a market with room to swing a cat! It's a bit more spacious than South Melbourne market and it has everything you need. I avoided it for a while because I thought it was a bit too spendy but having come back to visit, it's really quite comparable to other markets in terms of the veggies, cheese, breads etc. The meat might still be a bit more dear than other markets. Great deal we found: 4 cheeses for $10 including, tassie blue brie, cheddar, haloumi, boursin and we were going to put one back in exchange for some stilton but the shop owner slipped it into our bag for free. NICE! read more
9 years ago
Convenient, gourmet edge, easy parking, not too big or too crowded. Nice courtyard though more could be done there. It has all a local needs in fresh produce. "The Essential Ingredient" has a good range of cooking equipment for your purchases. Nearby Safeway and Dan's can complete the local's food shop expedition. read more
Worth checking out if you're in the neighbourhood, and maybe worth a special trip if you want your fruit, veggie and cheese shopping to be a market experience. That said, this isn't the best fresh food market I've been too, it can be a little pretentious, and only about half the vendors seem to be friendly. I should also probably caveat this post by stating upfront that I'm not much of a cook so scoping out fresh ingredients doesn't really appeal to me as a pastime in the first place. But even if it did, I'd probably go somewhere else. read more
One of the more interesting things to see if you are a roads less traveled kinda guy in Melbourne. They have everything organic, from vege to german food to freshly cut pasta. Be sure to get some ostrich eggs while you're at it! read more
10 years ago
Love it. Always something new on offer. Great atmosphere. Great range of stores and products! Great customer service from all vendors. read more
The general population need to start spending more time in the market. This is where humans belong. Supporting local businesses throughout the market supply chain is a positive step in the right direction. Unlike the big supermarkets you can have a chat with store owner and find out some information about the produce you are about to purchase and where it came from. It's always fresh and you will find things that you would not normally find at the supermarket. It makes for a great time with children and you might even pick up a few cooking tips. read more
15 years ago
The Prahran Market is notably up-scale in comparison to some of the other inner-urban markets that I've been to (such as the South Melbourne market and particularly the Footscray market). It has a really good, though quite small deli section that sells all kinds of cured meats, fresh pasta, cheeses, etc. The space itself is quite pretty, and it makes for a nice spot to have a relaxed lunch in the open food court on a sunny day. If you do visit the market, be sure to pick up one of the gourmet cupcakes from the cupcake stand inside. They're insanely good! read more
10 years ago
This place sure is clean! Not crowded at all and lovely to walk around. It's not super huge but if you're preparing a meal, you should be able to get everything you need from this market. You must try Jasper Coffee. I ordered a soy latte with 2 sugars and it tasted soooooooo good! I might just go back for this alone! Wanted to try Market Lane Coffee but I couldn't find the shop until I was about to leave. It's at the front corner of the market and they have an entrance that faces the main road. Bought a box of Chocolate Snowballs from the Turkish Delights store, and they were delicious! read more
When I lived in Sydney most weekends my 'nana shopping trolley' and I would walk around Paddy's Markets shopping for fresh fruit and veg, flowers and whatever else was deemed necessary for that week's at home food consumption. Walking through Prahan Markets at 7am on a Wednesday morning, not another shopper around, I imagined it would be the same for many Melbournites looking for the best produce. There's organic, 'reliable fruit', European gourtmet deli goods and more flowers than you could poke a hayfeverish stick at. The disappointment was that there was no one else around so there was none of the atmosphere that you'd expect during peak times read more
This was my first adventure after arriving in Melbourne. Trying to stick to my Paleo ways while on vacation. Great selection of fruits, veggies and various areas catering to oils and cooking accoutrements. Overall a pleasant place to shop and get your clean eating on! read more
14 years ago
I love that all the shop owners know my parents by their first names and have "special produce" for them to try. I wish we had more fresh food markets like this back home in Perth read more
13 years ago
Parking is a challenge but if you go on a Sunday close to closing time (3pm) its easier to find parking and there are plenty of bargain to be had seeing it is closed on Mondays. Good variety of market stand holders beyond fruit and veg. Great for just a day out to grab a coffee and lunch. read more
10 years ago
My first time here was actually for the Chocolate Festival over the weekend. I thought the market itself was easy to navigate around, had a great variety of stalls, sections were clearly marked, eg. Deli section. I particularly loved being able to try some of the cooked meats on offer (sausages were being bbq'ed at the time) and I tried different types of cheese at the deli too, which was great! Probably helpful if you are not sure what to cook for a meal and wish to try something new. I didn't actually eat here for lunch though, as the food prices at the permanent food stalls/cafes were a bit more expensive than what I would find in say, Vic Market or the cbd. read more
12 years ago
Delicatess - appalling service. The owner of Delicatess is incredibly rude and contemptuous. I had previously bought some "pitted" olives. 2/3 of the olives had pits in them. I was advised to expect some pits here and there but was not advised that there had been a contamination of pitted with unpitted olives. If I had known, I would not have purchased. I therefore couldn't use the olives in my cooking as I had to slice them into thin rounds for my dish. I couldn't slice around the pit. When I gave feedback to the owner 2 weeks later when I next attended the shop, Peter, he sneered at me for not having pitted the olives myself and sneered at me that it was such a "first world problem". He also refused to give me an 80 cent discount of another batch of olives that I had to buy to replace the previous batch. read more
14 years ago
Overpriced in everyway. Only thing going for it are the late Sat Morn tastings of sausages! South Melbourne Market superior in every way - less expensive more variety - food cafes restaurants clothes books knick knacks and more shopper/people friendly! Tram 96 stops outside. read more
More info about Swords Select Prahran Market
163 Commercial Rd
Melbourne Victoria 3141
Australia
South Yarra
Directions
(03) 8290 8220
Call Now
Hours
What time does Swords Select Prahran Market open?
Swords Select Prahran Market opens at 7:00 AM on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Friday.Swords Select Prahran Market opens at 10:00 AM on Sunday.
What time does Swords Select Prahran Market close?
Swords Select Prahran Market is closed on Monday and Wednesday.Swords Select Prahran Market closes at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.Swords Select Prahran Market closes at 6:00 PM on Friday.Swords Select Prahran Market closes at 3:00 PM on Sunday.
Mon, Wed ClosedTue, Thu, Sat 7:00 AM - 5:00 PMFri 7:00 AM - 6:00 PMSun 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Outdoor Amenities
Does Swords Select Prahran Market have parking?
Yes, Swords Select Prahran Market has parking options. Street Parking
From the Business
Specialties
The community of Prahran Market is as much a part of its cultural heritage as the wonderful produce it sells.
History
Established in 1864.
Although land was sold throughout Prahran in 1840, it wasn't until the gold rush days of the 1850s that the community really began to grow, leading to Prahran's first Council being elected. Prahran was famous for its small farms and market gardens, and goods were sold or bartered locally or carted into Melbourne. What was needed was a central market place in the municipality of Prahran. In 1864 this was organised by the Prahran Council and a smaller Prahran Market was born. It wasn't until 1891 that the Prahran Market that we now know and love opened in its current location on Commercial Road. Prahran Market continues to remain Melbourne's premier food Market with a fantastic community of highly skilled traders and specialty stores. The Market works closely with local communities to collaborate and host many 'foodie' events and is constantly partnering with well-known chefs and industry experts to provide shoppers with quality cooking demonstrations workshops.
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Review Highlights - Swords Select Prahran Market
“The Essential Ingredient is up the other end of PM for all your specialty cooking & baking needs.”
Mentioned in 2 reviews
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1 review that is not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
15 years ago
The Deli's here are good, but the Butchers, Seafood and veggies are way too expensive for a Market.. I've asked why and been told that the rents are through the roof... This is a problem with a lot of the shops on Chapel Street too... greedy land lords. It's why so many businesses can't survive. Not even large retail chain businesses. Also, be aware that when you buy Seafood here ( i.e Marinara Mix) at the Market there's lots of ice. So your paying extra for water... Quality is hit and miss too.. Better value may be going to the Vic Market instead. read more






















































