Hello lover I purred back at the welcome sign to this temple of street eats. I knew a street food market was always going to be right up my street (sorry about the bad puns, can’t help myself) but I didn’t realise just how much until I got there.
What was once a barren strip of land next to Brisbane’s International Cruise Ship Terminal is now home to 60 food-friendly shipping containers as part of a concept called Eat Streets Market. The founders’ (food and market doyen Peter Hackworth, producer John Stainton and TV celebrity Jacki MacDonald) vision was to recreate the hustle and bustle of Asian food markets. But Eat Street Markets goes one better than that – throwing in a good dose of Brisbane’s hip shopping and street art scene too.
The main focus here is definitely food though and almost every cuisine imaginable is covered. My heart was torn between Italian, Malaysian, Greek and Mexican, and that was before I even looked at what was on offer for dessert. After much lapping of the market, swaying between decisions every two minutes, I finally settled on curry and roti from Street St. After purchasing my order the roti was swung out before me. The final dish is not the most photogenic but it sure did taste good – a creamy chicken and potato curry with a hidden kick was the perfect accompaniment to the freshly baked gooey roti bread.
Then there was the shopping. Interspersed between the aromatic food containers were shipping containers turned into shops. From vintage clothing to home-made soaps and natural chocolate, I wanted to shop it all. (I still regret not picking up a kimono one of the ladies had for sale.)
The market is a vibrant, twinkly place. The shipping containers are sprayed with street art, crates have been given a grassy makeover. There is ample seating, all made from recycled materials, and the place gets livelier as the night wears on. Although there was no one on during my visit the market also hosts live music and entertainment events, which are suitable for all the family. (Details of which get posted on their Facebook page.)
Then there was dessert.
And so finally we get to the cronut. Despite drooling over many in my social media feeds I was a cronut virgin until my visit to Eat Street Markets. The Chocolate Komberry is a truck dedicated to them and on offer on the night of my visit were some cronuts with an Aussie twist. Pictured below is my selection – the Tim Tam and Milo Cronut – which was as ridiculously delicious and indulgent as it sounds. Not able to consume it all in one sitting I had to take it back to the hotel for a second attempt. As far as first tastes go, I think this one will be hard to beat.
More Information
Eat Street Markets is on every Friday (4pm – 10pm), Saturday (4pm – 10pm) and Sunday (10am – 7pm) at Hamilton Wharf, North Shore, Brisbane. Visit their website for more information.
I love this style of street food eating, it is so laid back and always has interesting choices.
Exactly! And you don’t feel bad about mixing up the cuisine with a bit of something from all parts of the world!
This looks amazing! I wish this had been here when I was in Brisbane, because this is totally up my street. It reminds me of Street Feast in Dalston which I went to a couple of times this summer 🙂
Exactly – they had a smaller one in Shoreditch too before we left London but it wasn’t nearly as good as this. You’d love it!
Love the look of this! Will have to check it out when we move to Brisbane
Nomad Notebook
We’d be there every week if we moved to Brisbane! Good luck with the move 🙂
Hi Jayne,
this is a great post. The seafood eatery looked tempting for me! I was a street food operator in the UK for a short while and absolutely love the quality and cost of a meal which can be found in places like these. Out in the air and the open and so much choice in a short space – where you can wander and smell and see what is on offer before making a final decision. My idea of heaven. 🙂 I envy you being there. Just love Australia to bits!
Can’t wait to find out more about your adventures and indulgences.
Hi Janice, it sounds like you would really like this market – I think it might meet your professional approval! I haven’t found anything like this in Sydney yet but I’ll keep looking/hoping! J
Gosh I love this place. It seriously has to be one of the best places for food in Australia, especially for diversity and atmosphere. It is the reason why any trip to Brisbane should happen on a weekend!
Agreed – for that and the Suitcase Rummage at Brisbane Powerhouse – in case you have pennies left from the food market to buy vintage clothes 🙂