2025 Trader Awards Winners Announced

Celebrating Your Favourite Traders of 2025

We’re proud to announce the winners of our 2025 Trader Awards, as voted by our community. From fresh produce and specialty foods to standout customer service, these awards recognise the passionate traders who make Dandenong Market one of Melbourne’s most loved destinations.

Thank you to everyone who voted and supported the small businesses that keep our Market vibrant and thriving!

Shop Of The Year—Overall Winner

Saccha Sugarcane Juice Bar

Crowned Shop of the Year, Saccha Sugarcane Juice is loved for its freshly crushed sugarcane juice blended with real fruit. Inspired by Mai’s childhood memories of sugarcane juice in Vietnam, Saccha brings a street-food staple enjoyed around the world to Dandenong Market.

Using Australian-grown sugarcane crushed fresh on the spot and blended with market ingredients like ginger, strawberries and pineapple, the result is a naturally sweet, refreshing juice that’s low GI and rich in antioxidants. Paired with friendly service and the theatre of live crushing, Saccha adds a little sweetness to every market visit.

People’s Choice—Fruit & Vegetable Hall

5 Rivers Fruit & Veg

Congratulations to Gary and Navi of 5 Rivers Fresh Fruit & Veg who took home the People’s Choice Award for the Fruit & Vegetable Hall.

This husband-and-wife duo is known for their vibrant stall, beautifully fresh produce, and hard-to-find ingredients. The name 5 Rivers pays tribute to their Indian heritage — Punjab, which literally translates to “five rivers.”

For Gary and Navi, it’s the early starts and daily connections with customers that make it all worthwhile, with Navi loving the pre-dawn mornings spent hand-picking the best produce.

People’s Choice—Meat, Fish & Deli Hall

Dandy Free Range

With years of passion and expertise, Peter, Desi and their team have built a business dedicated to quality, care, and community, earning them this well-deserved win.

From 100% Australian-grown, locally sourced meat to gluten-free sausages and homemade schnitzels, skewers and Kievs — everything here is free-range, hormone-free, and chemical-free.

Dandy Free Range brings expert knowledge, friendly service, and genuine love for what they do and are honoured to receive the People’s Choice Award.

People’s Choice—The Pantry

Peanut Market

From a humble curbside setup to a third-generation family business with over 1,000 product lines, Peanut Market has solidified its place as a Dandenong Market favourite.

Run by Sam and his children, this family team brings decades of experience, a passion for quality, and a genuine love for the community. They’re known for their incredible range of nuts and spices, hard-to-find ingredients, and flavours from far-flung places.

Their dedication to sourcing the best, staying on top of new trends, and offering honest, friendly service has earned them this well-deserved win!

People’s Choice—Market Square & Terrace

Dandee Donuts

A true Dandenong Market icon, Dandee Donuts has been drawing loyal fans for decades — and in 2025, that love has spoken. Proudly taking out the People’s Choice Award for Market Square & The Terrace, this family–owned stall continues to delight customers.

Freshly made and cooked on demand, Dandee Donuts are made in-house using an original recipe dating back to the 1950s. Their classic yeast donuts are twice-raised for that signature light, fluffy bite, dairy-free, egg-free, and made with 100% Australian ingredients.

For many, a visit to Dandenong Market simply isn’t complete without a hot jam donut in hand — and this win proves just how much the community agrees!

People’s Choice—The Bazaar & Cleeland St Shops

Louise’s Pet Supplies

Congratulations to Louise’s Pet Supplies winner of the People’s Choice Award for the Bazaar & Cleeland Street Shops!

A familiar and friendly face at Dandenong Market for years, Louise has helped our community care for their pets with honest advice, affordable essentials and a whole lot of heart. She’s known for her kindness and extensive range of dried food, treats, bones, toys, collars, coats and more.

This win celebrates her dedication, passion for animals, and the trust she’s built with generations of pet lovers — truly well deserved.

Image credit: The Age

 

Best Food Experience

NZ Street Food—Hangi

Known for its authentic Māori flavours, NZ Street Food has taken out the Best Food Experience award.

Owners Rihanne and Nuns are proud to share the traditional kai they grew up with, bringing a taste of Aotearoa to the Australian-Kiwi community. They pour their heart into every dish, from fried bread and fish and chips to their signature hangi — cooked above-ground in a specially made oven, just as delicious as the traditional underground method.

This award celebrates their dedication to delivering a truly memorable experience that keeps customers coming back for more.

Hidden Gem

Nesh’s Corner Deli—Squid Ink & Truffle Salami

Nesh’s Corner Deli has been crowned your Hidden Gem award winner!

Originally from Turkey, Baris has brought a world of flavour to Dandenong Market, sharing his passion for artisan smallgoods, cheeses, and delicacies with the community.

Baris and his team combine expert knowledge with genuine warmth, offering a range of imported smallgoods, artisan salamis, world-class cheeses, dips, pasta, paninis, and even hard-to-find seasonal items like truffles.

For anyone looking to create the perfect antipasto or charcuterie board, Nesh’s Corner Deli is the ultimate destination.

Best Customer Service

Rahila—Orchid Fresh Flowers

Congratulations to Rahila from Orchid Fresh Flowers, our Trader Awards winner for Best Customer Service.

A proud family-run business led by a wonderful female owner, Orchid Fresh Flowers is known not just for their stunning blooms, but for the genuine care they show every customer.

From romantic Valentine’s Day bouquets to birthday surprises, graduations, engagements and life’s many moments in between, their flowers always say it best. If you’re looking for beautiful blooms and exceptional service, this award-winner delivers on both.

Celebrating Our Traders and Community

These awards are a celebration of the incredible diversity, skill and dedication found across Dandenong Market. Whether it’s fresh produce, street food, specialty groceries or friendly service, our traders are at the heart of everything we do.

Congratulations to all the 2025 winners, and thank you to our community for continuing to support local, family-run businesses at Dandenong Market.