Home › Food tours › Melbourne
Food tours in Melbourne: what to eat and which tour to book
Melbourne's food reflects who moved here. Italian migrants brought espresso and the cafés of Lygon Street in Carlton; one of the largest Greek communities outside Greece made souvlaki a late-night staple; Chinatown on Little Bourke Street dates from the 1850s gold rush; and Vietnamese families made Victoria Street in Richmond and the centre of Footscray the places for pho and banh mi. The city also has its own snacks — the Melbourne dim sim and the potato cake from fish and chip shops — and a serious café culture built on the flat white and long weekend brunches. Fresh food markets such as Queen Victoria, South Melbourne and Prahran are still where many locals shop.
Use this page to know what to eat and where, with rough 2026 prices in Australian dollars (AUD; about 1.7–1.8 AUD to the euro), which include GST. The tours shown are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm the price and meeting point on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Melbourne
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat white and brunch flat white / smashed avo | Espresso with thin steamed milk, and the café brunch: smashed avocado on sourdough, eggs any way, ricotta hotcakes or more inventive plates. Weekend brunch is a Melbourne institution. | Independent cafés in the CBD laneways, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Brunswick, Richmond and South Melbourne. | about AUD 5–6.50 (€3–3.70) a coffee; AUD 20–30 (€11–17) for a brunch dish |
| Melbourne dim sim dim sim | A large Australian take on Chinese dumplings: pork and cabbage filling in a thick wrapper, steamed or deep-fried and eaten with soy sauce. Invented in Melbourne in the 1940s. | Fish and chip shops, market stalls (South Melbourne Market's dim sims are famous), and takeaways. | roughly AUD 2–3 (€1.20–1.70) each |
| Souvlaki souvlaki / yiros | Grilled lamb, chicken or pork in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki; the classic late-night meal in Melbourne, reflecting its large Greek community. | Souvlaki shops in the CBD, Oakleigh (Eaton Mall), Richmond and inner suburbs. | roughly AUD 14–20 (€8–11) |
| Pho and banh mi phở / bánh mì | Vietnamese beef or chicken noodle soup with herbs, and baguette rolls with pork, pâté, pickles and coriander. | Victoria Street in Richmond, central Footscray and Springvale. | roughly AUD 16–22 (€9–12.50) a bowl of pho; AUD 8–12 (€4.50–7) a banh mi |
| Dumplings and Chinese food dumplings, xiaolongbao, noodles | Handmade dumplings, soup dumplings and noodles from many regions of China, with a growing number of Sichuan, Hunan and Xinjiang restaurants. | Chinatown (Little Bourke Street and its lanes), plus Box Hill and Glen Waverley in the eastern suburbs. | roughly AUD 14–22 (€8–12.50) for a plate of dumplings |
| Chicken parma at the pub parma (chicken parmigiana) | Crumbed chicken schnitzel topped with tomato sauce, ham (sometimes) and melted cheese, served with chips and salad. The default pub meal; many pubs have a cheaper 'parma night'. | Pubs across the city and inner suburbs. | roughly AUD 26–35 (€15–20) |
| Potato cake potato cake (Victoria) | A slice of potato dipped in batter and deep-fried, sold by fish and chip shops. Called a potato cake in Victoria and a scallop in Sydney. | Fish and chip shops (takeaways) in the suburbs and bayside. | roughly AUD 1.50–3 (€0.90–1.70) each |
| Italian on Lygon Street pizza, pasta, gelato | Pizza, pasta and espresso in the old Italian quarter, plus gelato and pastries such as cannoli. | Lygon Street, Carlton. Some places on the strip are touristy; compare menus. | roughly AUD 25–35 (€14–20) a pasta or pizza |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Queen Victoria Market
The city's large historic market on the CBD's northern edge, with meat, fish, deli and produce halls and hot food stalls. Seasonal night markets run on some Wednesday evenings in summer and winter.
South Melbourne Market
Neighbourhood market south of the CBD, known for its dim sims, oyster bars, delis and produce, and less touristy than Queen Victoria.
Chinatown, Little Bourke Street
One of the oldest continuous Chinatowns in the Western world, with dumpling houses, noodle bars, Cantonese restaurants and dessert shops in the lanes off Little Bourke Street.
Victoria Street, Richmond
Melbourne's best-known Vietnamese strip, with pho shops, banh mi bakeries, grocers and restaurants.
CBD laneways (Degraves Street, Centre Place)
Narrow lanes of cafés, bars and small restaurants in the city centre. Degraves and Centre Place are the famous ones and busy with visitors; Hardware Lane and the lanes off Flinders Lane are worth exploring too.
Fitzroy and Brunswick
Inner-north suburbs with cafés, bars and restaurants on Brunswick Street, Gertrude Street, Smith Street and Sydney Road, which has many Lebanese, Turkish and Middle Eastern bakeries and grills.
Food tours in Melbourne compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne: Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink | 2.5 hours | from €98 per person | — | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Melbourne: 4-Course Dinner Cruise with Drinks | 3 hours | from €130 per person | max 10 | Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark. | Check dates |
| Melbourne: 3-Hour Foodie Discovery Walking Tour | 3 hours | from €86 per person | max 10 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| From Melbourne: Yarra Valley Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Ticket | 7 hours | from €57 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Melbourne: Chinatown & Laneways Food Tour, Lunch or Dinner | 3 hours | from €61 per person | max 8 | Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark. | Check dates |
| Melbourne Flavours: Queen Victoria Market Food Tour | 2.5 hours | from €155 per person | private | Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them. | Check dates |
Melbourne: Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink
On GetYourGuide · run by Otao Kitchen
- Length
- 2.5 hours
- Price
- from €98 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 18 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Dumpling Making Class A drink with wine, beer or soft drink. Recipes to take home
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
- Starts
- Head to the Otao Kitchen Cooking School on Victoria Street.
Melbourne: 4-Course Dinner Cruise with Drinks
On GetYourGuide · run by Melbourne River Cruises
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €130 per person
- Rating
- 4.7 ★ from 587 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 10
- Included
- Dinner cruise with beautiful sights 4-course meal with chicken, beef, blue eye fish, lamb, and vegetarian main course options Wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, and juice
- Suits
- Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark.
- Starts
- Berth number 1, Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct Landing, Lower Promenade, located at the rear of Langham Hotel, Southgate.
Melbourne: 3-Hour Foodie Discovery Walking Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Walk Melbourne Tours
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €86 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 393 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 10
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- 350 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
From Melbourne: Yarra Valley Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Ticket
On GetYourGuide · run by Hop It
- Length
- 7 hours
- Price
- from €57 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 103 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Commentary Bottled water Transportation Storage box on the bus for any purchases Audio guide app 4 stops at wineries from the timetable provided Tasting fees and any other purchases
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Meet at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne (Russell Street entrance) across the road from Lune Croissants.
Melbourne: Chinatown & Laneways Food Tour, Lunch or Dinner
On GetYourGuide · run by Depot Adventures
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €61 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 102 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 8
- Included
- Four to six food tastings from Melbourne's best venues, enough to replace a full meal Walking experience through Melbourne CBD, Chinatown, and laneways with cultural storytelling Expert local host, a genuine Melbourne…
- Suits
- Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark.
- Starts
- Starting point is Gordon Reserve (74-108 Spring St East Melbourne) Gordon Reserve is the small park opposite the Hotel Windsor. Go to the Windsor Hotel. Cross the street to the park with the fountain. Look for your guide with a blue umbrella.
Melbourne Flavours: Queen Victoria Market Food Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Intrepid Urban Adventures - Australia
- Length
- 2.5 hours
- Price
- from €155 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 66 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Local English-speaking guide Food tastings of local and multicultural specialties Famous Melbourne coffee Queen Victoria Market Visit Insights into Melbourne’s food culture and history Small group experience (max 12 g…
- Suits
- Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them.
- Starts
- Outside the Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Melbourne's 'street food' is mostly market stalls (Queen Victoria, South Melbourne), food trucks at events and the seasonal night markets, plus late-night souvlaki and dim sims from takeaways. There are no permanent hawker centres, but Chinatown and the food courts offer cheap Asian meals.
Sit-down meals
Eating out is casual and varied: cafés for breakfast and lunch, then wine bars, pubs and restaurants. Many popular places take only walk-ins for small groups, so expect queues at peak times. Some restaurants are BYO (bring your own wine), with a corkage fee. Dinner is usually from about 18:00–19:00.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes are widely available, run by cooking schools, market venues and restaurants, covering Italian, Asian, pastry and Australian produce, usually 2–4 hours. Schedules change often, so check what is on during your dates.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | AUD 50–70 (€28–40) (coffee, market or food-court lunch, souvlaki or noodle dinner) |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | AUD 100–150 (€57–85) (café brunch and a restaurant dinner with a glass of wine) |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | AUD 250+ (€140+) (a degustation menu with wine) |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Excellent: menus routinely mark vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes, and there are many fully vegetarian and vegan restaurants. Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants have plenty of meat-free options.
Halal: Widely available, especially in Brunswick and Coburg along Sydney Road, Dandenong, Broadmeadows and the CBD, with many Lebanese, Turkish, Afghan, Malaysian and Indonesian restaurants. Many fried chicken and kebab shops display halal certification.
Gluten-free: Very good: Australia has strong coeliac awareness, and 'GF' options are standard on café and restaurant menus. Ask about shared fryers in fish and chip and dim sim shops.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Sunday and public holiday surcharges (often 10–15%) added to the bill. These are legal if clearly displayed on the menu or at the entrance. Check before ordering if you want to avoid them.
- Card surcharges of about 1–2% added at the till, sometimes not mentioned until you pay. Look for the notice at the counter, or ask before paying. Surcharge rules have been under review in Australia, so practice may vary.
- Tip prompts on card machines that suggest 10–15% even for counter service. Tipping is optional in Australia; you can press 'no tip' without offending anyone.
Top tours & activities in Melbourne
Rent a car in Melbourne
Compare rental cars from local and international companies, with free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare car rentals in MelbournePlan the rest of your Melbourne trip
Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
Do I need to tip in Melbourne?
No. Tipping is not expected in Australia: staff earn a minimum wage and prices include GST. Leaving about 10% for excellent service at a sit-down restaurant is appreciated but optional, and many locals don't tip at cafés. Card machines often show a tip prompt; it is fine to skip it.
When is Queen Victoria Market open?
The market usually trades on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and is closed on Monday and Wednesday during the day. Seasonal night markets run on some Wednesday evenings in summer and winter. Mornings are best for fresh produce. Check the market's website for current hours and holiday closures.
Where should I go for Asian food?
Chinatown on Little Bourke Street for dumplings and Cantonese food in the city; Victoria Street in Richmond and central Footscray for Vietnamese; Box Hill and Glen Waverley for Chinese; and Springvale for Vietnamese and Cambodian. All are reachable by tram or train from the city centre.
How much should I budget for food per day?
On a budget, about AUD 50–70 (€28–40) covers coffee, a food-court or market lunch and a noodle or souvlaki dinner. A café brunch and a restaurant dinner with wine come to roughly AUD 100–150 (€57–85). Degustation menus with wine pairings start around AUD 200–250 per person.
What does BYO mean on a restaurant sign?
BYO means 'bring your own': you can bring wine (sometimes beer) bought from a bottle shop, and the restaurant charges a corkage fee, often per person or per bottle. It is common in Vietnamese, Chinese and smaller suburban restaurants and can save a lot of money. Check the corkage fee when you book.
Do I need to book restaurants?
For popular restaurants at weekends, yes, often a week or more ahead. Many casual places don't take bookings for small groups, so arrive early or expect to wait, especially for weekend brunch. Weeknights are easier. For the markets and Chinatown, no booking is needed.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.