Way back in 2009 (!) when I first started blogging, I documented a visit to the Adelaide Central Market in a series of eight blog posts. Excuse the photos – I had literally been blogging for 2 months at the time! I just returned from 2 weeks in Australia, including a few days in Adelaide with mum and we deliberately set aside a whole morning just so we could tour the market together. It never gets old! It is, in fact a world-class market and I appreciate it even more each time I return.
The first place mum and I always stop is at Lucia’s
…because, breakfast…
Since we were headed back to Sydney that afternoon, our “shopping” consisted mostly of window shopping. We arrived fairly early at the market (before 10am on a Tuesday morning) and, aside from a couple of school groups who arrived later on, we pretty much had the place to ourselves. It’s really interesting looking at my photos from this trip to see what caught my eye nine years after I first wrote about this place!
The fruit stands were a sight for sore (winter) eyes for sure!
And don’t forget the juices!
Spotted some more unusual offerings too…
(aren’t these gorgeous?)
Had to look these ones up – Ziziphus jujuba (from Greek ζίζυφον, zízyphon), commonly called jujube (/ˈdʒuːdʒuːb/; sometimes jujuba), red date, Chinese date, Korean date, or Indian date is a species of Ziziphus in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Didn’t buy any, wish I had!
We did try these though…
Super sweet! Have you ever heard of Sapphire Grapes?
Some of the desserts featured glorious summer fruits too…
And let’s not forget the dried fruits:
I love the “pronounced tang and concentrated apricot flavour” Australian dried apricots have (more like Californian than Turkish). Have you ever tried them? They are great for snacking on!
Did someone say snacks?
Uh huh. Back in my old stomping ground amongst the lollies (that would be candy or sweets)…
Classic Aussie childhood flashbacks….
The. Best.
Also:
Uh huh. All of that was what I grew up on (well, not really but you know what I mean…)
(aka: candy floss/ cotton candy)
There are even frozen sweets – artisinal Icy Poles (another classic Aussie childhood staple)
Also, all the roasted nuts you could possibly ever want…
Charlesworth – classic South Australian since 1934…
And more…
There’s more coffee in case you need a pick me up…
If you’re shopping for more substantial food, there’s plenty of choice. You definitely won’t go hungry…
Fritz. Unapologetically, iconically South Australian. Read more about this luncheon meat (theoretically containing “top-shelf products such as beef, lamb and pork meat trimmings”) here.
And what about some other true blue Aussie dishes for dinner?
(I mean….)
It’s a great place to shop for edible (and drinkable) souvenirs too:
And as we were there near Easter, there were some beautiful seasonal souvenirs too…
If bread or baked goods are your thing, the Market has you covered too:
(Jam Face is owned and operated by Poh Ling Yeow, runner up in the first season of Masterchef Australia)
Need something to read?
There really is a little something for everyone at the Market – these images (and the ones from 9 years ago) don’t really do it justice at all! If you’re ever in Adelaide, make sure your itinerary includes a few hours here (and make sure to check opening hours – it’s closed on Friday, Sunday and Monday).
Adelaide Central Market
44-60 Gouger St,
Adelaide, South Australia 5000
https://adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/
Market looks lovely – I don’t remember it being so BIG when I was there.
(And can I just say, in the morning, making me mightily hungry.) 🙂
This Market looks amazing.
I’m also agreeing with Neil….. it’s making me hungry as well 🙂
Loved this post. I have only been to the Adelaide Market once, about 5 years ago. I really want that custard and apricot tart from Lucia’s! And I would love to visit Jam Face because I watched Poh build it on Poh & Co and I like her style.
Hi Marnie, thanks for promoting Adelaide! Shame you couldn’t time your trip for Tasting Australia next month.
Hi and thanks for reading. I’m a full time teacher so that just wouldn’t have been possible, I’m afraid!
Just wish I could go there regularly like I used to. But it was especially good go with you.
It was SO much fun!