The Standard Market Company

To say that I am in complete awe of this place is a understatement. This place is a dinner party hosts Mecca. The first time I went there was when I was hosting a christmas eve party and was in desperate need of some seriously good cheese and now I make a dedicated trip about once a month. Before I even make it in to the aisles of this nirvana I usually have already drunk one coffee, bought three bunches of flowers and clutching a fresh juice. This place is my jam!
Once inside it is amazing. You’re faced with all of the fresh produce first. There is a butcher, a bakery and patisserie, a delicatessen and cheese fridge. It is not cheap by any means. Don’t expect Woolworths pricing but it is well worth it for some seriously good produce. I tend to buy up on the high quality meat they have. Their steak is fantastic. Grab a loaf of their fresh sourdough and some gourmet butter from the fridge. Really though, it’s all about the deli. Think every olive imaginable, marinated artichokes, cured meats, caperberries and fettas. It’s a antipasto fans most hallowed place. I am lactose intolerant and it is well worth getting violently ill for some of the cheese they have in that cabinet too.
Like I said, you’ll spend a pretty penny. The Standard Market Co can be tough on the old wallet if you have zero self control like me. However, your mouth and your friends will thank you. Something about having a fridge full of their goodies makes me want to throw a party and I’ve never had a single person complain about how good their food is.

I have a Saturday morning ritual that involves a short stroll from the CBD to James Street and off to the James St Market.
It’s normally a beautiful walk at any time of the year.
I love the fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s got one of the best ranges of fresh fish that’s close to the CBD. Best of all is the great range of meats from the butcher… mmmmmm Meat!
There are other great things there too, like the patisserie and the flower shop
What a top place to hang out

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. Walking aisles of supermarkets can be super fun. Think of all the different packaging design to devour. No, just me? Okay then. Awkward. This super chic grocer is up there for me. Head straight to the aisles of jams, chutneys, and other such condiments. Packaging branding heaven.
I used to live across the road from James Street Market (and still visit frequently) and yes, it is as dangerous on your back pocket as you might imagine but let’s break it down. For a slightly higher price you’re selecting top quality produce, specialty cheeses, sweets and other accoutrements. You’ve got access to a patisserie (French Twist), a florist, a butcher, a fishery and sushi bar. The produce is always fresh and the ability to walk out empty handed? Extremely difficult.
Case in point: a friend and I were recently on the hunt for salted caramel for a cheesecake. Sure, we could have made it from scratch (and normally we might have) but to put it bluntly «Ain’t no body got time for that!». We’d hunted a few different specialty stores we thought would be on the money but it was James Street Markets that came through with the goods. The staff member that looked after us found it on the shelf with such air and grace. There was no trouble for her to point us in the direction of the jar that held our salted caramel dreams.

Since the very day it opened, James St Market has been a bustling hub for fresh produce buyers, Sunday morning brunchers, ice-​cream eating kids, and one-​stop shop for wannabe master chefs. The wide, open building with high ceilings, big windows, and outdoor areas really allows the shops and cafes within it to shine. The fresh, bright feel of the place is on par with the quality of the things you will find within it. The highlight is probably the enormous fruit and vegetable section. The produce here is of excellent quality (which means that the prices are a bit above average). Right next to the fruit and veg there are shelves and chilled sections full of gourmet cheeses, yoghurts, dips, condiments, dips, pasta, sauces, gelato etc.
Adjoining the fruit and veg area is the Fresh Fish Co. which I have reviewed separately if you want to read about it. In short, it’s very fresh and not at all stinky. James St Market also comprises a butcher, a florist, a gelato bar, a café/​deli, a bar/​restaurant, a bottle shop, and a couple of other miscellaneous stores. There is a really nice, casual, urban vibe at James St Market, and you can shop for groceries, have a drink, or have a meal all in one place.

James St Market has long been my dad’s favourite food market, and after finally visiting the place myself, I can see why. At James St Market, you can get the best gourmet food all in one location; It is like going to one huge deli.
I remember the day my dad come over my house for lunch after a trip to James St Markets; he had a bag filled with goodies he had purchased from James St Markets. In this bag was cheese, pesto dips, fresh bread, sliced salami, smocked chicken, and Italian chocolate biscuits. WOW. That was one of the best lunches I ever had. The standout elements where the cheese (duh), the smocked chicken and the Italian chocolate biscuits.
The place looks a little bit posh and so it should as this place is not cheap. By no means do you have to be a millionaire to shop here though, treating yourself to gourmet foods is not that extravagant, just don’t go overboard.
James St Market is a must for any gourmet food lovers in Brisbane.

Today I saw a man humbly buying his groceries here and then casually driving away in the latest black Maserati.
He shops here. And drives a damn MASERATI!
Today I saw an older couple humbly buying their fruit for the week and then casually driving away in a red VINTAGE FERARRI.
They shop here. And drive a g’damn red vintage Ferarri!
Do you get where I’m going with this?
This is the place where Brisbane’s poshest of dwellers come to act normal and do as we humble folk do, which is the groceries.

James St Market is the place you go shopping when you are Somebody. If you want to feel like Somebody, then head there on a lazy weekend afternoon to pick up some tasty gourmet snacks for the perfect romantic picnic by the river or fresh organic produce for your special dinner party.
I love so many aspects of this urban oasis — the Flower Trap do fantastic flower arrangements at really reasonable prices and always have some gorgeous spray roses to pick up when you’re buying said gourmet delicacies. Fresh meat, fresh fish and fresh fruit and veg are plentiful, French Twist have a small bakery there and best of all, Cru Bar have an extensive wine cellar with a fantastic selection of wines and spirits. I’ve picked up many a bottle of Hendrick’s here, and they always import wines that you will be hard-​pressed to find elsewhere.
All in all — a great place to pick up something special and treat yourself.

Come here if you want to spy on Brisbane’s elite in their natural environment. God forbid, those who live in the lap of luxury ever have to do something so menial as purchase food for themselves, but if they do, well it should be an experience second to none.
The meat goods will all have the highest accolades, the cheeses will have names and details on the label that no one has any understanding of, and the fresh produce will look as it has just arrived, freshly plucked from the farm.
At least this is the appearance that James Street Markets offers its customers.
It is atrociously over-​priced, but it is worth the experience of going in there to purchase one «pork champagne french herb sausage» ($ 15.99 kg), and maybe the other «Pork, apple and sultana sausage» (also $ 15.99 kg). You can also choose to purchase a «Tasmanian free range rib eye fillet» that is presented in the fridge as well as it would be if it were coming out as a dish at a 5 star restaurant. On your way to the counter perhaps you’d like to pick up some «chevre du poitou» ($ 77.99 kg). Chevre du poitou, for your information simply means «rich and creamy goat’s cheese. I know, you thought it meant something infinitely more fancy, me too.
I don’t think you’re paying for better quality food, as much as you’re paying for the appearance of better quality food. It does stock interesting goods, but nothing you can’t find at a local wholesalers for a quarter of the price. You go here to purchase foods that are as well decorated, highly celebrated, as perfumed and as perfect as you are.

Until I’m earning a few more zeros on the end of my pay cheque, you won’t see me shopping at James Street Market frequently. In saying this, for a treat, there’s nothing nicer than strolling the isles and drooling over the incredible selection of antipastos, cheeses and oils that you can’t get in a regular supermarket.
This is the perfect place to find food for a special occasion. The butcher is stocked with some of the freshest meat I have seen, some of it pre-​prepared or marinated for those of us (like me) who are little challenged in the kitchen. The fruit and veggies never have a blemish on them and are always stocked with the seasons finest. With a florist, a bakery, a seafood store, butcher and the fruit and vegetable section, you could find everything you need here for a night of entertaining. There would be a little bit of snobbery from me if I suggested that it’s a good place to do your weekly grocery shopping, because let’s face it, some of the stuff you can get from a regular supermarket for nearly half the price.
James Street Market is a must-​visit for any foodie who is willing to stock their cupboards with the finest. At this point in my life, I am happy to treat myself only every now and then, and in the mean time I will just admire from a distance.

James St Market is where I go when I want to pamper myself. The produce is amazingly fresh and you can guarantee you’ll find your rare fruit and veg here. The butcher is top notch, and they stock only the best meat (including Bangalow ham which has to be tried to be believed). The fish market is full of fresh, fresh, FRESH fish and there’s a little sushi section which has very tasty meals (and great sashimi thank God, otherwise you’d be a bit dubious about buying the fish).
Basically you’ll pay for the experience, but what you buy will be the best of the best. The guys behind the counters are also very good with advice, I got a crash course in filleting a whole fish one day.
The one draw back is the dairy section. I appreciate that you have French butter, however even in my flushest moments I can’t sanction cooking with it. Some good old Western Star would save me a trip to the supermarket on the way home.

Just an overall review of James St market, can be quite confusing if you have not been here before but the James St Market consists of
Change the Essence
Cru Bar
Fine Fruit on James
Flower Trap
French Twist
Fresh Fish Co
James St Cooking School
Prime
Quench
Spoon
The Nut Market
Wheel & Barrow
These urban markets include some of the freshest fruits, cheeses, fish and a beautiful bakery. Surrounded by Cafes, bars and shopping all in one area. Free parking just outside in the carpark or paid on street parking. Great to walk around or to sit and watch the world go buy. The markets are also part of the Ferry Rd Markets on the Gold Coast.