Clevedon Farmers Market

Checked out this market recently, second visit, and it was even better than before… it may have been Winter, but still plenty of stall holders and patrons. Plus, they are still selling the famous authentic Cornish pasties, which are delicious! I do think however that I may have slightly offended the lady when I asked for tomato sauce, «you don’t need it» she said, perhaps, but I am an Aussie, and we think everything tastes better with tomato sauce;)

The best farmers market in Auckland. Just about 30 mins from CBD, the last bit of the drive always makes us appreciate the beauty of Clevedon. The site is well suited because there is so much space — lots of parking, and space to lounge and sit and for kids to run around. And haybales to sit on! The market itself has a good variety. We’ve been going here for years and our favourites have stayed on and form the core of our experience — the buffalo mozzarella, the empandas and alfajores, the coffee, the heirloom vegetables. Recently, I tried the yummy venison hotdog and the organic grape juice.
After doing the market, there is always an option to head into the town centre for the craft market.
Remember — it’s a SUNDAY farmers market.

This is one of my favourite close to Auckland markets. Clevedon is the perfect setting for a Sunday morning get together over some local produce and hay bales.
Take advantage of the spacious grounds and free parking. Make a beeline straight across the seating area from the main entrance and grab a coffee (order inside, and collect outside), then stroll around the grounds buying food goodies.
If you’ve come for breakfast, the gluten free crepes are great! They also have bacon and egg baps $ 6, or the gf option for $ 7.50. There are wood-​fired pizzas and empanadas along with a wide variety of baked goods such as brownies, macarons, cupcakes and slices. In season, they do amazing whitebait fritters for $ 8.
I love the Curious Croppers stand which is dedicated to tomatoes, the buffalo milk/​cheese stand inside which often has great specials on mozzarella. Get the Zip coffee man to sell you some whole beans that have been freshly roasted (always the day prior!) or he will grind them to your specifications on the spot. Sample the hot sauces and chipotle on corn chips, then crunch on the varieties of nut brittles before hitting the vege and plant stands.
They have one stall with heirloom seeds which always attracts a lot of people, as soon as I move to a place with a garden, I’ll be there. The harmony meat stand inside is always a winner and so is the fish stand with its many smoked types which have all been really tasty. I’ve not tried the salmon, because I tend to avoid farmed fish and there is no wild caught salmon in NZ (except in cans!).
The music can be a bit hit and miss, the artists often sell their CDs during their performances but the large tables and hay bales in the centre are a huge hit. So many dogs and people enjoying the sun!

I really love going to this Farmers Market when I get the chance (which is rare, since I love sleep and can hardly ever wake up early for it when it’s on every Sunday morning). But the few times I have gone it’s been great.
I’ve stopped there on the way to Maraetai beach, and it is truly a perfect way to start off a beach trip. The market is well known in southern Auckland for its fantastic produce. Not only that, but they also allow you to sample some awesome baking — pastries, cakes and breads, as well as cheeses, spreads, oils, fruits and coffee. I scored some cheap vege plants which I put in my garden and they have yielded some awesome fresh produce over the years!
The producers at the stalls are always happy to have a chat to you and it’s a pleasure to do so. Overall an awesome way to spend the morning if you’re out and about in the south.

The Clevedon Farmers Market attracts people to the Auckland countryside every Sunday morning, and for good reason. About 15 – 20 minutes from Alfriston, it can be a bit of a drive if you don’t live in the southern suburbs, but it’s well worth it.
The best part about the market is the set-​up; the stalls surround an open grass area making it ideal for lounging in the sun, having some breakfast or letting the kids run around. There’s even a section by the end of the markets where kids can go on pony rides– a great way to keep ‘em entertained!
There’s an indoor area which sells great pastries, baked loaves, cheese, cupcakes and the like. You can also find a lot of New Zealand-​made organic products and preserves. Beauty products, flowers and even dog food are available– its practically your one-​stop shop. Get a taste of other countries while you’re at it as there are some great Argentinian and French stalls selling nice little sweets, baked goods and excellent crepes.
Paleta, one of the outdoor stalls, sells handcrafted ice blocks which fly out the door. The espresso stall has constant queues but the wait is never too long and the service is excellent. You can also find The Cupcake Tree here, their French vanilla cupcakes are a favourite of mine. I Love Pies also occupies a stall here, and their pies are delicious! They’re available all over Auckland but nothing beats a freshly baked pie– especially if its the Angus Beef Steak with Caramelised Red Onion!
I highly suggest a visit to the Clevedon Markets. It’s perfect for all walks of life (dogs are welcome!) and is great way to start your Sunday morning or a nice stop off before you hit Maraetai Beach.