Sydney’s Inner West Markets

By Ben Stephens.

Back in 1857, Lilly Martin Spencer, a creative of her time wrote a little poem titled ‘This little Piggy’. It’s a short and extremely riveting poem telling the tale of pigs going to the market. Alas, I feel we are getting off topic. Let me draw your attention to the first little piggy, the bravest of them all, the one who went to market. If that little piggy lived in Sydney today, which market would they attend?! It is a very real question and has resulted in me holding a kale and something smoothie while looking at leather goods amongst wafting food stall aromas. After spending a weekend at a number of Inner West markets, I feel I should spread the word about the standouts, those being Carriageworks, Glebe and Marrickville.

Carriageworks Farmers Market

With the a creative director like Mike McEnearney, the ‘Mike’ from former Sydney foodie favourite Kitchen by Mike, the markets are based around seasonal produce from NSW farms. It’s a simple and sweet way to spend a Saturday morning. Grab a coffee and walk around the market selecting your week’s fruit and veg from the farmer who grew it. It would be the closest market place in Sydney, to that of the Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne, minus that sweet, sweet donut van.

Carriageworks Farmers Market, open every Saturday from 8am till 1pm

Glebe Markets

Think fashion and food and chilled vibes, courtesy of the Angus and Julia style band that will be playing. Glebe has the fringe fashion and second hand goods that you never knew you really needed. A great place to grab one of the many kale smoothies on offer and to nab a sweet little Instagram shot while you’re at it.

Glebe Markets, open every Saturday from 10am till 4pm

Marrickville Markets

As a wonderful combination of fresh fruit and veg, fashion of all sorts and a classic market vibe, Marrickville (for me) gets the tick for the food on offer. Take up a spot on the grass, bring a rug or buy a new one and take in all the food cooked to order that’s on offer. Think vegan toasties and lamb roasts… you won’t be leaving hungry. Also I couldn’t find a bad coffee in the place, let me know if you can.

Marrickville Markets, open every Sunday 7.30am till 3pm

So there you have it, three very well researched markets to spend the weekend mornings collecting your needs and feeds for the week ahead. Happy Marketing!

Hero and social image: Carriageworks