Most Sydneysiders have a memory of Paddy’s. The whopping marketplace in Haymarket has stood there since 1834, and over its lifetime has evolved into a mishmash of fresh food producers, snack stalls and oddities. Whether you need a Mardis Gras outfit, tropical fruit, three kilos of almonds or seafood, Paddy’s Markets was for you. Now, it’s had a $20 million food-fuelled upgrade.

One 3000-square-metre patch of the site is now Hay St Market, a food hall that’s tipped to compete with international players like London’s Borough Market and La Boqueria in Barcelona – and it opens on Wednesday March 26.

Late last year Melbourne got Il Mercato Centrale, the first global outpost of the Italian marketplace. So, it seems fair Sydney’s getting in on the action. Here are the 43 Hay St Market vendors that are open now.

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Little Midden by Mark Olive

Celeb chef Mark Olive’s championing a mini version of his Opera House restaurant – and it’s all about Aussie seafood. Expect barramundi smoked in paperbark and Skull Island prawns jazzed up with indigenous seasonings.

Pho Chu Lap

Another celeb chef popping up at Hay St is Luke Nguyen, and he’s bringing his dad’s pho recipe.

Luke Luk Dumplings

Nguyen’s taking his eye to a Southeast Asian menu too, delivering the likes of laksa dumplings and Singaporean chilli crab. Plus, his crispy chilli oil.

Traders Bar

Cocktails, local beers and wine is the MO here, all pouring in a fit-out that harks back to Sydney in the ’40s and ’50s.

Biaggio Coffee & Cannoli

Filled-to-order cannoli are made only better by a strong coffee, and the roast here is done in-house. Hay St Roasters (by Alexandria’s Genovese Coffee House supplies the beans, and it’s got a dedicated market kiosk too.

Cans & Crates

The market is licenced, so you can wander around with a drink in hand – or pull up a milk crate here. The red-hued bar is all about tinnies, from all over the world. Beer, wine, cocktails, sodas: all of it’s canned.

Yuki Izakaya Bar

Snacks on sticks are a favourite to all, and this izakaya has the goods. Umami-powered cod, Wagyu skirt steak and marinated king oyster mushrooms are in the mix.

El Mercado Spanish Deli

Whether you want vinegars, tinned seafood, paella rice or saffron, this is the market stall for you. It’s all premium and it’s all from Spain.

Plus:

Burger Box
Curry House
Donny’s Donuts
Flowers by Agnes Harrington
Gigi’s Hot Dogs
Gozle-Me
Hay St Roasters by Genevose
Haymarket Health Lab
K-Pocha
La Charcuteria
Loukamades
Love Me Tender
Madam Banh Mi
Mika’s Deli
Mundo de Pastie
Najla’s Lebanese Street Food
Nico’s Cypriot Chargrill
Paolo Panino
Paddy’s Patisserie
Pasta e Basta
Pizzarina
Ruby’s Iced Tea
Scoop & Sons
Signorelli Bros
Taco Nixtamal
The Bagelry
The Cheese Table
The Fish & Chippery
The Fish Co
The Goods
The Pie Guy by Broomfields
Thiago’s Empanadas
Urban Farm
Wan Chai Wok