Canberra’s weekend foodie destination is where you’d least expect it
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One of Canberra’s sweetest (sometimes literally) weekend foodie rituals can be found at the humble Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets and, yes, I will die on this hill.
To be clear, I am not a keen cook. I live alone and my fridge is stocked with only the hardiest of vegetables that can survive days of neglect as I commit to every alternative dinner invite that comes my way. Step aside, lettuce. This is a job for kale and Brussels sprouts.
Why am I telling you this? Because given these facts, you might wonder why I gleefully trot off to the markets every weekend like some sort of wholefoods obsessed sociopath chef. Let me tell you, it has almost nothing to do with vegetables.
It’s because one of Canberra’s sweetest (sometimes literally) weekend foodie rituals can be found at the humble Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets and, yes, I will die on this hill.
No really, hear me out. The markets have been known for their food options for a long time (hello, bratwurst and burek) but it has been the introduction of the adorable Niche Markets in recent years that has seen options explode.
The sweet spot for a visit (in my humble opinion) is mid-morning, where you can cobble together some sort of internationally-flavored brunch before, during or after your weekly shop.
My first stop is always Piccolo Market Coffee, whose iced lattes are not only excellent but also reasonably priced before picking up fresh flowers and, yes, some vegetables and cheese etc blah blah blah. Then the real fun begins.
Ready for a taste of Italy? Colosseum Italian Street Food is one of my favourite market success stories, having upgraded from a small corner of the Niche Markets to an enormous restaurant in the main markets in less than two years. This is pizza like the Romans do it—a thick layer of ingredients on a focaccia-like base, sliced by the piece and run through the oven to allow everything to melt together. Try the prosciutto or potato—both are especially good if you’re still recovering from the night before. Medicinal, one might say.
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That being said, nothing can beat a steaming bowl of dumplings from Ma Ma Dumplings on a cold day—pan fried or steamed these are worth lining up for (and yes, there is always a line). Just try not to burn your mouth.
If you’d like your flavours a little more South Asian, Em Mai has Vietnamese-inspired burgers, rice paper rolls and chilled vermicelli salads; and if you’re craving Korean, Monster CupBop lets you build your own Korean BBQ cup and, yes, this is where you’ll find that iconic matcha soft serve.
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If the cost of living is getting you down like it is with me, grab a steamed pork bun from Fyshwick Malaysian Food to feel like you’re at Sunday yum cha (well, almost); and if you’d prefer Japanese, Umami next door does architecturally impressive sushi with a hearty twist. Think: loaded seaweed ‘tacos’.
If you’re not ready for brunch, lunch or a snack, The Juice Hut has a wholesome selection of juices and smoothies and is run by the nicest people ever. I still have the reusable straw they gave me on my first visit.
Naturally, you’ll also find oodles of baked goods at a variety of cafés and bakeries around the markets, with my recommendation being the Italian-style donuts at Coco & Rye (I have yet to try one, but I eye them off every time). This is also where you’ll find another favourite part of this weekly pilgrimage—seeing all the cute elderly couples having their breakfast and reading the paper before starting their shop.
One can only hope I’ll end up like them—just maybe with a few more actual recipes up my sleeve.
FYI, this is not #spon but if Fyshwick Markets are on the lookout for ambassadors, I wouldn’t say no.
Photography: GH Nutrition
