Style After Dark – The South Melbourne Night Market

Style After Dark at the South Melbourne Night Markets sees evening street sellers erect stalls under the federation-style verandas that surround the market’s sheds. On display is a range of handcrafted goods with vendors selling handmade leather bags, locally crafted jewellery, vintage clothing and homewares, hats, underwear, leather chokers and more.

For culinary types, the drawcard here is the food, sold hawker-style from a selection of the food stalls open on market days.

Evening Star, Claypots’ South Melbourne arm, offers an array of seafood served on the street (or at the bar inside, a good option if the weather turns).

Next door, the Italian Brasserie sells hot pizza by the slice as well as traditional Italian fare, including osso bucco, house-made gnocchi and braised ox tail. Diners can eat alfresco, or if Melbourne’s skies turn moody, wander inside to be seated at tables covered Little Italy-style in red-chequered tablecloths. Slush puppies and gelati are also served on the street for sweets, a treat on a balmy night.

Turkish mezze bar, Koy, is known for its gozleme, a traditional Turkish pastry filled with either salty cheese and spinach or spicy meat and vegetables. It sounds a bit like a borek, but the doughy casing is much thinner and it’s warmed on a hotplate until it is golden brown and melted. Absolutely delicious!

For yum cha on the run, Linx BBQ offers dim sum, BBQ pork bun, prawn dumplings, golden crispy duck and many more mouth-watering Chinese morsels.

Wander around the corner to Coventry Street for a golden knot from the Pretzel Van and enjoy while perusing one of the many street stands on display.

Style After Dark (the South Melbourne Night Market) takes place on Thursdays from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, and runs until November 24.

southmelbournemarket.com.au