Orange Grove Market — Attraction in Sydney

A lovely mix of produce, takeaway food, pastries and goods. 👇 for an approximate listing of the stalls.

I like this market because of the mix. It's got something for everyone, from buying a giant box of raw olives to cure yourself to just coming and having a latte and a croissant.

🥓🥚🥖 The Orange Grove market is perhaps most famous for the vendor selling bacon and egg rolls for $10. Apparently they're really good, but the queue is epic, so I haven't partaken.

🍭 As this is at a primary school, there's a kid's playground and a bouncy castle brought in for the market. There's also grass to picnic with items you've purchased.

🥕🍎 At least 5 large stalls with a large selection of produce

🐟🍗 A couple of vendors selling meats

🥐🥖 A few vendors with breads and pastries

☕🧃 One coffee vendor (could do with another judging by the length of the queue) and fresh juices

🍴 There's a descent selection of takeaway foods and pre-packed foods for easy dinners during the week: Indian, gozleme, Middle Eastern and more

🌱🌵 Plants are trending. At least 3 vendors selling succulents and indoor plants.

🔪 There's even a knife sharpening guy!

👕🕯️Plus vendors selling clothes, jewelry, candles and other misc, but in a way that isn't distracting or taking away from the food-centric vibe.

🚘 Parking is a nightmare. No lot, just street parking which is a challenge. Expect to drive in a few circles.

🚈 Closest light rail is Lilyfield, which isn't really at a practical distance if you're carrying groceries.

🚫🐶 No dogs allowed inside. There's a heap of them tied...

Beware this is an outdoor market in the inner west (ie dog central) which does not allow dogs! This information is not conveyed anywhere prior to coming to the market, not on its website or Facebook page, not when you arrive, check in and enter at the gate. Only once you are inside walking round will you suddenly be approached by rude and officious "staff" who claim dogs aren't allowed because it is at a school and act as if this is somehow obvious. They will point you to a small old peeling sign on the fence away from the gates and away from all the other signs for the market as you enter. The market is on a weekend outside school hours, not a school event and anyway, it's not at all usual for schools to have rules banning all dogs. People reasonably expect dogs will be allowed at an outdoor market. If you are going to have such a ridiculous and unusual policy, at least have the intelligence and decency to publicise it clearly beforehand so people know not to waste their time coming. Having gone to numerous outdoor markets around Sydney I've never once encountered one where dogs aren't allowed. Clearly plenty of other people were caught by surprise as well as we saw many dogs sitting sadly tied to the gates. There are plenty of great outdoor produce markets in Sydney, go to one of them and don't bother...

Organic and fresh is why we go (and handy to home). Trouble is it's a bit difficult to differentiate stallholders certified organic from those organic but not certified from those that seem sort of organic and the many who just aren't. Anyway we can do 90% of our food and groceries here. Favourites (not sure of many real names - we just make them up): Claudia & Charlie (C&C) been there since day one (have some groceries too); Kombuchea lady (for artichoke hearts, humus and soup - not the K.); Noble Organics for meat (although don't think their upselling is in the spirit of the market); Mushroom Man and partner Chinese lady next door (veges and herbs); Sonoma bread; Hoxton Park man (tomatoes, cucumbers, freshest herbs - the last hangout of cash only); Peyton for fish; German lady (especially for 83 year old Cambodian lady's tomatoes but all good veges here); Flower man (probably does the best trade in the market). Should be on twice a week; then the fresh things would be...