Queen Victoria Market Is Being Revamped With A New Food Hall And Our Forks Are At The Ready

Queen Victoria Market has always held a special place in our hearts. From hotcakes and jam  to European-themed night markets and fresh produce, it's definitely a much-loved Melbourne landmark. But sometimes you can make a good thing  better, and that's exactly what will happen when a  new food hall opens on the market next month.

The Queens Food Hall replaces the old food hall on the corner of Victoria and Queen Streets (which hasn't been touched since the 1990s), and the space has been completely transformed with  exciting new vendors showcasing our city's food culture at its best. The room is designed to be a place to sit and relax  and of course a place to eat.

There'll be a diverse line-up of eateries to choose from, including favourites from the former food court like Spanish tapas bar El Rincon, Sri Lankan Cafe Drums and Asian fusion eatery Canton Malay, plus some exciting newcomers joining the market like The Happy Mexican and Brunswick East's Bellyboy Coffee Bar, pouring everything from coffee to cocktails.

And if you've ever wandered through the fish hall and gazed longingly at all the mouth-watering oysters and fresh fish – you'll now be able to enjoy it on the spot at the market. Saltwater will be a new sushi and oyster bar that will connect with vendors at the fish hall, fast-tracking seafood from ocean to plate. Expect a fresh, theatrical menu with Japanese flair, including live oyster shucking, flame-torched lobster rolls and aburi scallops, as well as live sushi hand rolling. And yes, there'll be plenty of wine to pair with your eats too, from a curated local list of drops.  The renovated dining room will be bigger and better than before, with more seating and places to relax; we're already imagining a walk to the market during our lunch break.

Melbourne Mayor Sally Capp said: "Our new food hall will become a modern and welcoming indoor dining destination within the Queen Victoria Market precinct, attracting more visitors and generating business for shoppers." .

"The Queen's Food Hall is part of the $268 million regeneration plan for the Queen Victoria Market precinct  to ensure this Melbourne institution can continue to serve traders and customers for decades to come. We are delighted to add vibrancy to the market and announce an exciting line-up of tenants, which will enhance the market's reputation as a global dining destination.

No opening date has been set for the new eatery, but it's slated to open in November, so get your forks ready.