The Rocks Markets

As if there weren’t already enough reasons to get excited about Fridays… thanks to The Rocks Friday Foodie Markets, there’s now another. Whether you’re dashing out of the office for a quick lunch, or you’ve got the time for an unhurried stroll through the cobbled back streets of The Rocks, the only problem with this open-​air food market is deciding what to put in your mouth first.
I kicked off my food crawl with some irresistibly smoky scented meditterean-​style BBQ skewers (2 for $ 10 or 3 for $ 15) at Danieli. Spoilt for choice, I went for one each of the garlic-​infused prawns, marinated octopus and kangaroo fillet skewers, enjoying each with Danieli’s homemade chimmichurri and tzatziki sauces on the side. Next up, I found myself pigging out on a Phillip’s Foote Roast Pork Roll ($ 10) with ‘slaw, apple sauce, gravy and crackling, which was every bit as decadent as it sounds.
As I wandered deeper into the markets, I found myself intrigued by Dare Café’s 30-​person strong line, and dropped in for a Spinach & Cheese Gozleme ($ 9.50). I can report that it was indeed worth the wait. As I left the markets, I grabbed a few Mini Monet Cupcakes ($ 2.50/each) for the road, which I inhaled on my slow stroll home along the beautiful harbour.

You might have heard me bemoan food choices in The Rocks. Like, constantly, all the time, never shut up about it, I know.
That does not happen on a Friday. Hallelujah for the Rocks Markets! The Gosleme stall is always pumping, with a long queue. Worth the wait. Their Spinach and Feta is lovely. I always ask for extra lemon with mine. There is a dried fruit and nut stall, and a guy who sells juicy corn on the cob with a can of drink for five bucks.
The Sushi King guys have a stall there too, and pump out lots of scrummy things. There is a lady who does fresh juices, there are cup cakes and sorbets too. The guys who sell flowers are terrific. Very fresh, long lasting blooms. I buy from them every couple of weeks.
On the weekend, it gets bigger, with lovely jewellery stalls, lot’s of clothing and souvenir places, arts and crafts and nick nacks. Live music pumps out, and there’s nothing to stop you having a beer and soaking up the ambience between shopping stints.
No fruit and veg in sight, if that was what you were looking for, but a fun place to find unusual things.

A for ever changing market that I always make a point of visit a lest once a month, with everything in a walking distance and the sweetest of corn on the cob to make your day throughout the rock market enjoyable! !!

As a tourist in Sydney, this is a must-​do. The stalls are fabulous, lots of food choices, and great live music! You can even get on the Harbour Bridge from here for a quick work out after eating all that food or hop on the boat and head towards Manly!

I pass through the weekend markets semi-​regularly and have gone here on purpose a few times. Main comment is that it’s a great place for tourists for the shopping and the vibe, but not really a place for locals to go to over and over again.
It’s not a market in the farmer’s market sense — this is not a place to get your fresh veggies or fruit. (There’s a Friday foodie market, but I’ve never been to those — so maybe you may be able to get more food there???) There is food for sale, but it’s already cooked and ready to go – it’s quite nice to grab a meal from the stalls and enjoy it in the open air, or drop in one of the cafes and restos nearby.
There is a lot of handmade, artsy, and boutique-​y stuff on here. If you’re looking for cheap souvenirs to give en masse to people back home, you’re better off in Paddy’s Market. Come here if you want things are more unique and, dare I say, expensive.

A market that twists thought the laneways of the rocks, Great place to pick up a random gift and the food is great, a must do if your visiting the rocks. Check out the gozleme yum :)

A definite visit of you’re an out-​of-​towner. At The Rocks Markets you get to experience the best of Sydney — the harbour, the history of Sydney and the amazing food we’re blessed to have in this country.
I work in this area and am here every Friday, it’s my treat day where I allow myself to follow the aroma at lunch time which normally takes me to a food stand that’s sizzling away… Gourmet burgers, rolls, wraps, ice cream, nuts, fruit, juices, scones… You can find it all here. Just don’t be in a hurry as it’s buzzing down this way every Friday and queuing is part of the experience. Don’t let this phase you as standing in line watching the chefs at work and taking in the atmosphere is as exciting as getting your chompers into your lunch.
For the tourists there are lots of pretty cool and niche arty souvenirs and gifts to take home to remind you of the ‘lucky country’ as we all know Australia to be.
But the cherry on top is taking my lunch, finding my spot on the cobblestones and letting the amazing buskers serenade me into the weekend. TGIF!

This is a great weekend destination, especially if you have friends visiting from out of town.
The stalls are pretty standard, so I wouldn’t suggest going every weekend but you can find anything and everything here.
From clothes and jewelry to fun Australian trinkets and food, I would definitely recommend as a place for a quick stroll.

Walking about at random in the heat can be fun when you add shopping for random stuff to the mix.
Jewelry… check!
Soap… check!
Crafts… check!
All the necessities of life are available!
The Rocks Market on weekends is obviously designed for tourists but, that just means I’m qualified since I’m a tourist too!

What a place! The Rocks was by far one of the best places we went to on my short but sweet trip to Sydney; after being surrounded by the giant buildings and neverending queues outside of Gucci on Pitt Street et al, it was quite refreshing to visit the market on Saturday.
With food and craft stalls aplenty, this is a family friendly morning or afternoon out that all visitors should experience. For those, like myself, who can’t handle the sun on the best of days, be assured that there is plenty of shade!
I walked away with a few goodies — a gorgeous print of Sydney, some coasters, a leather necklace (great when it’s hot outside!) and a loaf of banana bread. We also perused a chilli stall, an UGG shop, plenty of jewellery, and some of the best liquorice my mum has ever tasted!
We all had a wrap from Wine Odyssey for our lunch; chicken tikka with spinach for three of us, meatballs for father. These were really tasty and left us feeling content but still able to walk around for the remainder of the afternoon.
A great space to spend your time in Sydney.

Just as I remembered from a decade ago!
Only now it’s bigger, has a separate area open on Fridays, and there’s a guy at the end (nearest the bridge) who sells shave ice with a butterbeer flavor!
I have to say, all improvements.

I have been to the Rocks Markets few times.
Really like on Friday night to get some nice cheap food and walk around and see the stalls.
There is always some live music too.

Been to the Rocks markets a few times. Its a pretty cool market but can get a bit touristy. There are some cool stands with different fun little gadgets and funky clothes. There are also some cool food stands. My favorite is the Gozleme, so yummy! They also have glazed nuts and once I got this weird but yummy frozen hot chocolate.

If you’re out and about in downtown Sydney, then you’ll need to try these markets out. However, I would recommend you try it out on what I like to call ‘fine food’ Friday first. So, for this review I’ll focus on Friday. Argyle Street is where the stalls are located.
The stalls run from the corner of George and Argyle Streets in The Rocks district and you’ll know you are there when you see located on opposing corners the Orient Hotel, Guilliame Chocolate and the Police Station. The first stall you meet is a smörgåsbord of fruit and vegetables and as you snake around Argyle St, on the Orient Hotel side, you’ll see further stalls for flowers, chocolate and sweets, Moroccan artisans products and any number of fresh food stalls. It is because of these food stalls that for me ‘fine food’ Fridays here have become the key to the heart of the Rocks Markets.
Where to begin?
The Fine Food Store stall is perfect for barbeque meats and thick juicy sandwiches or rolls. Think of perfect bacon and egg combos, mini burgers, steak sandwiches or any other combination of meat, veg and bread perfectly packaged for your enticement. Fine food it may be but it caters for fine hearty meals too!
Another favourite is Pony. This little stall is in humbler surrounds than it’s finer food premises in the Argyle stalls building. However, if you want a sampler of its menu then its finely packaged fine food presented at this stall is a good start.
… And did I hear you say Gözleme? Yes! Then, the next stall past Pony is this little gem. For those who yearn for a hot and savoury traditional Turkish hand made and hand rolled pastry cooked over a griddle… need I say more. The line at this little stall says it all. Be prepared to wait, but my word is it worth it, when eaten with a bit of fresh lemon juice you’ll be back queueing for more!
Japanese perhaps? The Hero Sushi Box stall with its korroke, omelettes, gyozas, or karrages will be for you. There’s a stall catering to any of your Japanese craving. I quite like this stall, especially if you want to pursue some mindfulness moments at the Observatory Hill Park.
Finally, there’s a few stalls with bread, oils, macadamia nut sweets, coffee and juices.
On a sunny Friday, this little corner of Argyle Street buzzes. I love it.
After finding your food, just walk around. Listen to live music or even sample some wine nearby or a little french patisserie on your way home or back to work. You just don’t know what is next in stall? You see Friday here is just a little introduction to the bigger days of Saturday and Sunday.

I love The Rocks area of Sydney and I love markets, especially if they’re less commercial and kinda quirky, so I adore these!
Set in an ideal location in The Rocks, so right Circular Quay, you cannot go wrong and especially as there are lots of food and drink options in the area too offering a great deal of choice. The only negative I can think of is the parking situation which is pretty much non-​existent but remember this is Sydney so it is a massive issue already.
The Markets run at the weekends and I think there’s a food market on the Friday?! I love the wide variety on products and goods on sale here, particularly the jewellery as I do love my accessories and it’s even better when you know they’ve been made with love and no one else is going to be wearing them! Infact I’m wearing one of the beautiful necklaces I recently bought on a beautifully warm and sunny day in Sydney, just here in London town on a drizzly day yet it still looks as bright and stunning as when I picked it out that day and reminds me of another fab time in Sydney and at The Rocks and I’ve received loads of compliments on it too.
The stallholders are friendly and welcoming and many chat to you and tell you stories about the pieces they’ve made /​are selling.
Make this one of your must visit hotspots in Sydney — whether you’re a local or a tourist — you won’t be disappointed!

We loved these markets, in such a great location and there is lovely vibe.
Locally made and reasonably priced. We had a great Steak sandwich here!
Its very busy and there was no parking (that we could see) close by. We came by bus and walked another time.

Positives:
* Spectacular views of Sydney Harbour
* Locally made products
* Reasonably priced
* Lots of interesting things to look at
* A great range of products
* Held every Saturday and Sunday, unlike other markets which are held once a month or only every Saturday.
* You can source many one-​off pieces from here
* Delicious food stalls
Negatives:
* Parking is not really an option
Other Notes:
* Main street is closed off to traffic

The Rocks is quite an enchanting area and the weekend markets make it more appealing.
The stalls change frequently and what you’ve seen a couple of months ago, may be replaced by another local seller. So, it’s definitely worth visiting The Rocks Markets every other weekend.
I especially love the Corn stall and even when I’m not hungry, I queue up for it. The buttery goodness on freshly roasted corn with salt or pepper is too good to skip.
Lookout for artworks as you could choose from lots of paintings of the same gorgeous harbour captured during different times of the day.
Good Music continues playing, the mood is festive and the market stalls offer variety. All this against the background of Sydney’s harbour, Gorgeous!

If you work near by and looking for something a bit different to do on your lunch break, you should visit The Rocks Markets which are held each Friday. If you are really close the smell from the food stalls should be enough to get your mouth watering and down there in no time!
It seems this day plenty of people have decided to come by and the place is buzzing. There is even a live band playing some acoustic tunes so it’s a really good vibe.
One of the BBQ stalls seems to be the most popular and if you could smell the aroma you’d know why. If you can’t be bothered queuing up or want something else there’s plenty to choose from including every markets staple, the Turkish gozleme.
There’s also fresh bread, fruit & nuts, oils & fragrances, the odd bit of craft and a bonsai stall if you want to purchase yourself a little bonsai plant.
Go on, take a long lunch and head down there!

A city market should be all about passionate vendors, quality goods, and reasonable prices. The Rocks Market, which operates from Friday to Sunday, is the ideal location to stroll and see what’s new. As if The Rocks wasn’t a charming enough place to be, this somewhat small market offers a glimpse of unique and locally designed clothes and jewelry, as well as sundry artwork and crafts.
If you go on Friday, you’ll find the Foodies market (my kind of market!), where various produce, prepared foods and street foods are featured. Each stall has a specialty. Don’t worry if you don’t have a stomach like mine that can eat all offerings in one go, your nose will lead you to your foremost craving. Trust in your sense of smell!
Check the Markets’ website for upcoming events, appearances by celebrity chefs, or seasonal tasting sessions. One example was The Cheesemakers Showcase that took place at the end of September. Having been ignorant of Australian cheese before, my taste buds were introduced to a multitude of cheeses from Tasmanian cheddar to local Camembert. I’m surely grateful for that experience!