The Adelaide Central market sells everything from fruit and vegetables to gourmet cheese, fresh seafood and decadent cakes, and is one of Australia’s largest produce markets. It is located in the heart of the CBD between Grote and Gouger Streets, just to the west of Victoria Square, and has a lively shopping atmosphere that makes it one of Adelaide’s most popular tourist destinations.
At the core of the Adelaide Central Market are its fruit and vegetable stalls which offer fresh, locally sourced produce that draw loyal local shoppers. Artisan bread, cheese and yoghurt makers, together with preserved meats and small goods, are scattered throughout, with many offering tastings for passersby to sample. On the outer edges are fishmongers selling some of the freshest seafood available in the city, together with numerous cafes, gourmet delicatessens and health food stores. The Central Market Arcade and Market Plaza radiate from here, while an extensive food court lies to one side. To the west of the market is Adelaide’s Chinatown, entered through the elaborate Southern Gate from Gouger Street. Not only Chinese but also Korean, Japanese and Thai eateries can be found in the surrounding streets, in addition to specialised Asian grocery stores. Tours of the Central Market offer an excellent introduction to its history and some of the 80+ vendors that now comprise this vibrant undercover space, or visitors can easily wander at their leisure and prepare a picnic.
Buses plying Grote Street stop directly outside the Central Market, or it’s located just a short walk from the tram stop on Victoria Square to the east. After visitors have finished shopping, it’s a pleasant walk up King William Street to the shops of Rundle Mall and the museums of North Terrace, passing by some of Adelaide’s most stately architecture. For those self-driving, there is a large and affordable car park located directly above the Central Market and connected via escalators.
The Adelaide Central Market was first established in 1869 as the City Markets" and served as a secondary market to the East End Markets which were located between Rundle Street and North Terrace up until 1988. As this market grew beyond its space, many traders moved into the new building to the south-west, which officially became the Central Market after an extensive redevelopment in 1965.
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