il Mercato Centrale: Melbourne’s Italian Food Destination
Melbourne has its very own slice of Italy with il Mercato Centrale, Australia’s first outpost of the iconic Italian market, housed in the beautifully restored McPherson Building on Collins Street.
Food lovers flock here for pizza straight from the oven, fresh-made pasta, oysters, and a glass (or two) of vino, before finishing with handmade chocolates and creamy gelato. And that’s just the beginning…
The impressive three-level venue is fully wheelchair accessible with lifts and ramps throughout, just 50 metres from Southern Cross Station. There’s even a dedicated gluten-free artisan serving Italian favourites like arancini, pasta, and cannoli.
il Mercato Centrale Melbourne: A Taste of Italy
Imagine stepping into a bustling Italian market square, where the aroma of freshly baked bread mingles with the scent of fine cheeses and cured meats. That’s the experience il Mercato Centrale promises to deliver.
This culinary hub features 23 “artisans of taste,” each meticulously chosen for their expertise and passion for their craft. From traditional cheesemakers to expert bakers, each artisan brings a unique flavour and authenticity to the market.
Chris’ review
“The Central Market”, sounds a little uninspiring, but that is what Google Translate tells me the name of Melbourne’s latest Italian food hotspot means.
Il Mercato Centrale, three floors of exquisite Italian cuisine created lovingly under the direction of nearly two dozen artisan chefs, is as far away from uninspiring as you can get.
The address, the McPherson’s Building in Collins Street retains its hardware shop heritage in history only, metallic smells of nuts and bolts now replaced with scrumptious aromas that foretell of the delicacies to be had.
There are several options for enjoying the Il Mercato experience. You may order fresh produce from a mouth-watering selection, meat, fruit & veg, fish and seafood, bread. Or you may choose to eat in at the restaurant, or food-court style, sampling fresh hand-made fare prepared at the many food stalls.
On our visit, we wandered around enjoying the atmosphere and sampling when something took our fancy, which was often. The experience was delightful and if I had to choose a favourite it’d be between the mozzarella (so fresh!), truffle arancini (slightly decadent!), gnocchi pizza (kind of unusual!) and coffee gelato (just really good!).
When in Melbourne, this is definitely the posizione del ciba for me.
Midweek Lunch Specials
Discover a changing line-up of tasty and affordable lunch deals. Think $3 Taco Tuesdays, $8 soup with bread on Wednesdays, and $15 calamari & chips on Fridays. You’ll also find $2 oysters every Friday and other rotating specials to keep things interesting. Perfect for a quick, flavour-packed lunch in the heart of the city.
Related reading: 20 Midweek Specials for a Cheap Lunch in Melbourne CBD
The Artisans of il Mercato Centrale
At the heart of il Mercato Centrale are the incredible artisans who bring authentic Italian flavours to life. Visitors can savour fresh sourdough from the bakery, sample exquisite treats from the patisserie, and enjoy wood-fired pizzas and focaccias that capture the true essence of Italy.
The market also features a butcher, green grocer, and a seafood selection with calamari, oysters, and lobster rolls. For pasta lovers, there’s fresh-made pasta alongside an array of gluten-free Italian delights at il Riso, including arancini, pasta, and cannoli.
With three bars serving vino and the best quality spirits, an espresso bar, handmade chocolates, cannoli, and fresh gelato, the choices are endless for a true taste of Italy.
A Cultural Haven
More than just a place to eat, il Mercato Centrale aims to be a cultural centre where food and tradition meet. The market occupies the beautifully restored McPherson Building, an art-deco marvel built in 1937.
Renowned architect Alberto Torsello has designed the space to honour its historical roots, with exposed concrete and polished steel reflecting its origins as a hardware manufacturing factory.
With seating for 1500 people, the layout is multilevel, open plan and fully accessible.
Gluten-Free Artisan, Il Riso
Located on the first floor, Il Riso serves gluten-free Italian meals, snacks and sweet treats with safe kitchen preparation for celiacs.
Related reading: 35 Best Gluten-Free Melbourne CBD Lunch Spots
Terrie’s review
Wow! How exciting to be one of the first people to experience the new Il Mercato Centrale. Another building in the City of Melbourne with such a rich history, the MacPhersons Building in Collins Street, formerly providing building supplies for many generations, now home to the Italian cuisine of Il Mercato Centrale.
It was a joy to explore and immerse oneself in this culinary experience. The many stallholders are so friendly. I loved that a lot have that beautiful Italian accent. But mostly the food was so fresh, authentic, italian! From pizza, pasta, pork, fresh mozzarella, seafood – the calamari was divine – the pastries, gelati, cannelloni, to coffee and wine and lots more.
There were many tables set up in the middle of each of the 3 floors. Then it was a delight to explore each stall with its unique produce and food, and come back to sit up and soak in the very Italian vibe while enjoying eating. A truly wonderful experience.
There are a lot of steps, but also lifts for every level so accessible for wheelchairs etc. Very close to Southern Cross Station. I will definitely be going again.
An Immersive Experience
Spread across 3,500 square metres and three levels, il Mercato Centrale Melbourne offers a variety of experiences. The ground floor hosts an immersive market square with open kitchens, where you can watch artisans at work. Think handmade pasta bars, specialty patisseries, and butchers showcasing their skills.
The first floor provides casual and fine dining options, while the second floor is reserved for private events, masterclasses, and free community cultural events.
Something for Everyone
Whether you’re planning to drop by for a Friday afternoon aperitivo, explore the artisanal market, join a free community event, or find a unique midweek lunch option, il Mercato Centrale promises to offer something for every occasion.
il Mercato Centrale Melbourne
546 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
https://www.mercatocentrale.com.au
Opening hours
Sunday – Thursday: 7.00 am – 10.00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 7.00 am – midnight
The team from Seniors in Melbourne was hosted by il Mercato Centrale, all opinions are the writers’ own.
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