A great way to spend your Sunday in Brisbane is to head to a local market, grab a coffee, a pastry and soak up the vibe in the sunshine. The good news is, there are markets all over town – the Redcliffe Markets, Riverside at the Garden Market, The Global Food Markets and the Nundah Farmer’s Market to name but a few. However, the markets that will satisfy foodies most is Northey Street Organic Markets in Brisbane.
I’m lucky to say it’s my local – well, I can walk my dog there in about 45 minutes – and I’ve been there on numerous occasions during my time in Brisbane. So what’s so good about it? Apart from being Brisbane’s only organic farmer’s market, Northey Street Markets is ensconced in tall, arched trees, native fruit trees and bush food plants. The people are also super friendly and there’s a great community vibe, helped in part no doubt by the heavenly organic food and plethora of green, everywhere.
Coffee
My favourite coffee hub at Northey Street is Tim Adams Speciality Coffee. They only take cash, which is clearly displayed at the counter. I stupidly went to pay with my card and when I told them I didn’t have cash I was told not to worry about it. Then, the lady behind me paid for the coffee. Such is the vibe at Northey Street Markets. The boys here make great coffee and I now tip them every time I visit.
The Best Northey Street Organic Markets Brisbane Food Spots
If I were to try and list all the good food spots at Northey Street Markets, this post would just be one long list, so I won’t. Additionally, part of the fun is wandering through the markets and trying things out for yourself. A true Sunday morning adventure. I will, however, list a few of my favourites, which are: the delectable sweets created by Ames Starr at Raw and Peace, Na Pizzetta Organic Street Food, which makes seriously good pizza, and the onsite café, Yoke. The café has changed a few times since I’ve been but Yoke is no joke.
A few other goodies I encountered on my visit last weekend were the Honey Hunters raw honey store, which has been at Northey Street for over four years, and the benevolently baked bread from Leavain Bakery. Check out the line at the bakery in my TikTok video below!
Northey Street Markets’ Music
If you like soothing Sunday morning sounds in the sunshine with your coffee, you’re in luck at Northey Street. And if you don’t, from my experience musicians there never appear to be too loud. Better still, Northey Street Organic Farmers Markets typically support up-and-coming musicians – teens having a go – which bathes the market lanes in a sunny community vibe. Last week I also encountered a lady folk trio, who were clearly having a good time next to the Yolk cafe.
The Green
There’s more music at The Green, a place you couldn’t miss (and you’ll likely spend half your time in) on your Northey Street wanders. As far as Sunday markets Brisbane chill zones, it doesn’t get much better. On my last few visits, there’s been a DJ at the back of The Green – which is really a nice urban glade surrounded by artists. The DJ occasionally plays guitar over her electronic sounds and always looks like she’s having a good time.
At the other end of The Green is Earth Arts – which is a definite highlight at Northey Street Organic Farmers Markets. Earth Arts is a stall captained by the creative ‘Bob Mud’, who runs little workshops for kids (which are free, but donations appreciated), teaching them how to make art with mud while valuing the Earth. Kids seem to love it and there’s always activity going on at this end of the market.
The Permaculture Garden and Nursery
Lastly, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention the onsite permaculture farm with exotic native plants. The farm serves as a role model for people to participate and enjoy in hands-on permaculture.
Equally green, just across the way, is the ‘City Farm Nursery’, which sells medicinal herbs, herb and veg seedlings, and a variety of native shrubs, trees, flowers, soil, pots and other garden goodies. City Farm Nursery also provides advice to ‘help your edible garden flourish’, on topics such as bush tucker plants, butterfly host plants, bat and possum boxes, and small space gardening systems, amongst other things.
Have you been to Northey Street Organic Markets in Brisbane? Anything I’ve missed that you’d like to add?
If you haven’t been, put it at the top of your list of things to do on a Sunday morning in Brissie.
