Little Market, Big Flavours: Melbourne’s Winter Food Playground Returns

The Little Food Market is bringing 200+ of Australia’s best producers, chefs and makers to the Royal Exhibition Building this weekend for three days of seriously good eating, sipping and discovering.

Little in name, big on flavour — The Little Food Market is bringing a huge celebration of Australia’s best food, drink and culinary talent to Melbourne this weekend. Returning to the iconic Royal Exhibition Building from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July, the winter favourite will transform Carlton into a playground of bold flavours, artisan producers and unforgettable bites, with more than 200 of the country’s top tastemakers coming together for three days of tasting, feasting and discovery.

The Little Food Market

When: Friday 17 July: 12pm – 8pm, Saturday 18 July: 10am – 7pm, Sunday 19 July: 10am – 5pm
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton VIC

Keep up to date with the latest in food and drinks across regional Victoria here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Little Food Market (@thelittlefood_market)

Now recognised as Australia’s largest curated food market, The Little Food Market is all about celebrating the people, passion and stories behind the country’s best producers. From boutique wines and small-batch spirits to handmade cheeses, cult pantry staples and freshly prepared dishes from some of Melbourne’s favourite kitchens, it’s a chance to taste your way through the very best of Australia’s food scene — all under one spectacular roof.

Whether you’re hunting for a new favourite bottle, stocking up the pantry, planning your next dinner party or simply chasing a delicious winter day out, The Little Food Market offers the perfect mix of discovery and indulgence. Visitors can meet the makers, sample limited releases, uncover new brands and take home plenty of inspiration for the kitchen.

This year’s line-up brings together a who’s who of Australian producers, with favourites including Zonzo Estate, St David Dairy, Oakridge Wines, St Hubert’s, Pics Peanut Butter, Bruny Island Cheese Co., KIN Southern Bluefin Tuna, Axil Coffee, Vannella Cheese, Pizzini Wines, Taronga Almonds, Bippi and Puopolo Artisan Salumi joining much-loved names such as Departed Spirits, Madeleine Butter, Posh Crumpets, Chappy’s Chips, ACIDE, Matcha Matcha, Tommy’s Booze, Goldi and Cobb Lane.

There are plenty of fresh faces joining the feast in 2026 too, including Pinto’s indulgent tiramisu creations, Sebby’s Scrolls with their giant artisan scrolls, Japanese-inspired ice cream from Kōri Ice Cream, premium wild-caught seafood from Ocean Road Abalone, organic dairy from Schulz Organic Dairy, boutique wines from Blood Moon Wines and Circulus Wine, and award-winning Australian whisky from The Gospel Whiskey.

Cheese lovers will want to make a beeline for the artisan dairy offerings, with some of Australia’s finest cheesemakers coming together for the ultimate winter grazing experience. Expect everything from creamy burrata and rich washed-rind varieties to bold blues and perfectly aged classics from Milawa Cheese Company, Long Paddock Cheese, Grandvewe Sheep Milk Cheeses, Vannella Cheese, Bruny Island Cheese Co., Stone & Crow Cheese Company, Coal River Farm and Curdsy. Add premium smallgoods from Puopolo Artisan Salumi, Goose on the Loose and Prosciutto di Parma, plus olives from Mount Zero Olives, and you’ve got the makings of a very serious cheese board.

The Winnings Food Experience Stage will also return with a packed program of live cooking demonstrations, tastings and conversations celebrating the people shaping Australia’s food culture. Beloved home cook, bestselling author and presenter Julia Busuttil Nishimura, pastry icon Gareth Whitton from Tarts Anon, chef and food advocate Tobie Puttock, and acclaimed wine writer Nick Ryan are among the headline names appearing across the weekend.

Joining them will be Sharon Flynn from The Fermentary sharing the secrets of milk kefir, D.O.C. Gastronomia Italiana Executive Chef Tom Jones-Davies showcasing handmade pasta, Bruny Island Cheese Co.’s Nick Haddow, Sandra Seah from Six-Eyed Scorpion, and the cocktail creators behind Tommy’s Booze. Hosted by food journalist Dani Valent and Turnip Media’s Hilary McNevin, the stage will serve up everything from pasta and cheese to Greek orange cake, rhubarb and cardamom tarts, wine tastings and cocktail creations — with complimentary tastings at every session.

For those arriving hungry, The Feasting precinct is where Melbourne favourites come together for a winter feast worth lingering over. Designed as a cosy dining oasis with moody lighting, lush floral displays and a ceiling of stars, it’s the perfect place to settle in with friends and enjoy signature dishes without the need for a booking.

The menu is stacked with crowd-pleasers, including handmade pasta and slow-cooked ragù from Allegria Pasta, fluffy bao and gua bao from Wonderbao, porchetta focaccia and burrata from UGO Burrata Bar, crispy Pizza Baciata and tiramisu from D.O.C. Gastronomia Italiana, and Texas-meets-Mexico tacos from Dingo Ate My Taco. Add modern Japanese comfort food from ILZA Japanese Café, gourmet pies from Wonder Pies, golden Portuguese custard tarts from Casa Nata and specialty coffee from Axil Coffee, and there’s no shortage of reasons to arrive hungry.

Beyond the city’s best bites, The Little Food Market will also shine a spotlight on Victoria’s celebrated food regions through its Regional Hubs. The Great Ocean Road showcase will bring together producers inspired by rugged coastlines, fertile farmland and native ingredients, while the Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges will highlight the region’s renowned cool-climate wines, artisan produce and agricultural heritage. Together, they offer visitors the chance to meet the makers and discover the stories behind some of the state’s most exciting food and drink producers.

Adding to the experience, visitors can take home exclusive event merchandise including reusable Bettercups, artist series wine glasses and tote bags designed by Alice Oehr. Entry starts from $15 plus booking fee online, with options including a Bettercup, wine glass or tote bag package.

The Little Food Market runs this weekend at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, with doors open Friday 17 July from 12pm–8pm, Saturday 18 July from 10am–7pm and Sunday 19 July from 10am–5pm. For food lovers looking to taste, shop and celebrate Australia’s thriving culinary scene, this is one winter event not to miss.

Find out more here.