Discover the Ultimate Asian Foodie Paradise: Hawker 88 Night Market, Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market hosts the Winter Night Market and Summer Night Market every year and we are regular visitors to both events.

But what if you’re hankering for some street food action and neither market is on? Thankfully Queen Victoria Market fills the gap this Autumn with the Hawker 88 Night Market!

The weekly night markets are on every Wednesday from 12 April to 10 May 2023 from 5pm to 10pm for a bevy of Asian food trucks and food stalls.

Each week has a different theme featuring live music and cultural celebrations:

12 April: Taste of Asia Night
19 April: Malaysia Durian Night
26 April: Korea Japan Night
3 May: Bollywood Night
10 May: Island Night – Celebrating the Isles of Asia

Food-wise you’ll find everything from Asian tacos to satays, dumplings to rice paper rolls. There are more than 20 stalls so you can experience a real Asian food adventure!

There’s loads of communal seating though it does get busy from 6pm onwards, so best to get there early. BYO drink bottles, reusable containers and napkins to reduce (plastic) waste and help the environment.

I recommend the wok-tossed char kway teo (sorry can’t remember which stall)…

…grilled squid on a stick…

and this fairy floss by Son-in-law, purely for Instagram value!

The Hawker 88 Night Market is a fun way to get over hump day, whether you’re coming straight from the office or taking the family out and enjoying the last of the fine weather during Autumn.

Check out the Queen Victoria Summer Night Market

Check out the Queen Victoria Winter Night Market

HOT Tips:

get there as close to 5pm as you can as it gets busier and the lines longer. Peak hour is 7pm;
if you go early it’s relatively easy to find street parking close to the market at that time if you’re coming by car;
$14 flat rate parking from 4:30pm-11pm in market car park, otherwise there is paid street parking $7 per hour until 8:30pm;
take a tram up Elizabeth St for the easiest access via PT;
the main market is not open;
allow $20-$30 per person for food. We spend $70 for 1 adult and two children eating 1-2 savoury items and a dessert; and
bring cash as not all vendors accept cards. There are a few ATMs by Therry Street/toilet blocks but with long queues;
baby change facilities in public toilets.

Food, Food Markets, Food Trucks

Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.