Melbourne is the Australian city that takes coffee and small restaurants most seriously, and it built both on Greek and Italian migration after the Second World War. 20 bookable food tours below — plus the neighbourhoods and dishes the city is built around.
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The guide
Melbourne is the Australian city that takes coffee and small restaurants most seriously, and it built both on Greek and Italian migration after the Second World War. The city holds one of the largest Greek populations of any city outside Greece, alongside Vietnamese, Lebanese, and Ethiopian communities that arrived later. The result is a laneway culture of tiny rooms with no signage, a licensing environment that produced hundreds of small bars, and a brunch scene that treats a plate of eggs as a serious proposition. Nothing here is centred on a harbour view, so the cooking has had to be the attraction.
Where to focus
Four neighbourhoods to anchor a few days of eating
Fitzroy & Collingwood
North of the centre, the densest run of small restaurants, wine bars, and cafés. Brunswick Street and Gertrude Street between them cover most of it.
Richmond
Victoria Street is the Vietnamese strip, several blocks of pho and grilled pork at prices the inner north gave up on.
Footscray
West across the river, Ethiopian and Vietnamese. The market and the injera restaurants around it are the reason to make the trip.
CBD laneways
Degraves, Hardware, Centre Place. Espresso bars and hole-in-the-wall kitchens that made the city's reputation, still working at lunch.
What to eat
The dishes the city is known for
- 01
Espresso
· Melbourne roasts and pulls coffee to a standard that embarrasses most of Europe. The magic, a shorter flat white, was invented here. - 02
Souvlaki
· The late-night food, from Greek shops that have run since the fifties. Lonsdale Street is the historic Greek precinct. - 03
Pho
· Victoria Street in Richmond does it as well as anywhere outside Vietnam, with rice noodle houses that open at 8:00. - 04
Parma
· Crumbed chicken with ham, tomato, and cheese, served in every pub with chips. A local fixation and a reliable measure of a pub kitchen. - 05
Injera with wat
· Fermented teff flatbread with spiced stews, eaten by hand. Footscray has the concentration, and it is a communal meal. - 06
Dim sim
· A larger, coarser cousin of the dumpling, steamed or deep fried. An Australian invention from Chinese cooks in this city.
Practical notes
Meal timing, tipping, payment
Cafés from 7:00 with brunch until about 15:00. Dinner 18:00 to 21:30, earlier than Europe. Tipping is optional because wages are high; rounding up or ten percent for good service is plenty. Many small bars do not take bookings and the queue is the system. Public transport in the centre is free within the tram zone.
All 20 food tours
Viator last revised 2026-11-09The full list · sponsored partner links
- 01
Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky and Chocolate Tour
WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF FIVE STAR REVIEWS! We operate 7 days a week without fail! And it is a great thing to do if you are in Melbourne and it is raining all day! After years of providing private group tours for friends,
8h from $119 - 02
Melbourne: Epic Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch - Gin/Beer Upgrade
Enjoy a relaxed and premium day exploring the Yarra Valley with everything taken care of. This wine tour combines quality tastings, a delicious winery lunch and visits to some of the region’s most loved cellar doors, mak
8.5h from $179 - 03
Yarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne - Choc, Gin & Good Times
Be fun spirited like a kangaroo dancing through the Yarra Valley to experience up to 6 unique stops. Looking for an upbeat, social and stress free day sipping wine and trying new flavours? Then come on and join a great
8.5h from $119 - 04
Laid back Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Beer, Cider & Chocolate tour
Voted #1 tour in all of Melbourne and Australia (Tripadvisor 2026), this is the most social, flexible and laid-back way to spend a day in the Yarra Valley. Make new friends and spend the day sampling world-class wine, gi
8h - 05
All Inclusive Yarra Valley Winery Tour Inc Chandon & Kangaroos
This afternoon in the Yarra Valley is built around what people remember: an exclusive tasting at Chandon, and a kangaroo experience at sunset we're confident enough to guarantee. Chandon caps how many people it takes pe
7h from $195 - 06
Yarra Valley Wine Day Tour
Just an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is globally renowned for its outstanding chardonnay, pinot noir, and sparkling wines, and stands as Victoria’s most prestigious wine region. This small group tour takes a sce
10h from $340 - 07
Yarra Valley Wildlife & Wine Day Tour with Healesville Sanctuary
Experience a full-day small-group tour that blends native wildlife encounters with wine tasting in Victoria’s renowned Yarra Valley. Departing from Melbourne, begin with a visit to Healesville Sanctuary, established to h
10h from $350 - 08
From Melbourne: Hop On Hop Off Yarra Valley - GREEN Route
Depart from Central Melbourne and get ready to explore the Yarra Valley wine region. Create your own schedule and then sit back and relax without having to worry about transportation during the day. Explore the very best
7h from $93 - 09
Relaxed Half Day Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Melbourne
Discover the Yarra Valley's finest wines on this relaxed half-day tour that starts midday, making it perfect for those who love a leisurely pace. Visit three handpicked wineries and taste exclusive selections from both i
5.5h from $119 - 10
Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour: History, Laneways & Culture
Experience authentic Melbourne on this 3-hour walking tour with a passionate local guide who unlocks the city's secrets, including complimentary coffee and pub drink (or morning treat) with stories you won't hear elsewhe
3h - 11
Hidden Bars & Laneway Legends Tour Of Melbourne
Experience the best of the City in three hours: our famous laneways, our coolest bars and our fascinating history. Why do three different tours, when you can get the best of Melbourne in just one! Explore Melbourne’s fa
3h - 12
Melbourne Independent Laneway Bar Tour with Drink Included
Melbourne is one of the world's great bar cities, and this tour shows you exactly why. Let a guide with genuine industry relationships take you to 4 independent, owner-operated bars you would never find on your own. You
3.5h - 13
Yarra Valley Food Wine and Gin Tour Departing From Melbourne
One complimentary bottle of wine to take home Visit to strawberry farm with a guided fruit tasting experience Visit to 3 wineries with all tastings included Visit to indigenous art galleries Winery lunch with a glas
8h from $115 - 14
Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge & lunch - Melbourne
The Great Ocean Road is travelled by more than 3.5million visitors each year. We have designed this Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour to avoid the crowds at peak times and to also allow our guests to see the awe inspiring 12
13h from $180 - 15
Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner
Experience stunning views of Melbourne's skyline on this 3 hour kayak paddle along the Yarra River at sunset, led by an experienced, friendly guide. Explore Victoria Harbour and enjoy unique on the water dining, then pad
3h - 16
Mornington Peninsula Wine Day Tour
Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is encircled by Port Phillip Bay, Western Port Bay, and the Southern Ocean, and is celebrated as a premium cool-climate, maritime-influenced wine region.
10h from $340 - 17
Melbourne Balloon Flight + 5star breakfast - FREE Photos + Video
Come on a spectacular hot air balloon Melbourne ride with us. Enjoy the serene spectacle of Melbourne, a bustling metropolis of over 4 million people. Drift with the wind, and experience Melbourne’s beautiful landmarks.
3h from $650 - 18
Melbourne Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings in Hidden Laneways
Discover Melbourne’s world-famous laneways and vibrant food culture on this guided walking tour that blends history, hidden gems, and unforgettable flavors. Enjoy 6 tastings that showcase the city’s unique mix of Europea
3.5h from $162 - 19
Melbourne Pub Crawl
Please note: due to many previous negative experiences WE NO LONGER ACCEPT BUCKS/HEN DOS on our main crawl. Depending on the date we may be able to arrange a private tour; please contact us for further details. Filled
5h from $35 - 20
Melbourne Coffee Lovers Walking Tour with 5 Coffee Tastings
Melbourne is obsessed with coffee and has the most cafes and restaurants per person than any other city in the world! This 2-3 hour walking tour takes you to places that really care about the origin, roast and brewing of
2.5h from $109
Frequently asked
- How much do food tours in Melbourne cost?
- Roughly $35–$650 per person, with the median around $162.
- When should I book?
- One to two weeks ahead in peak season; same-day is sometimes possible off-peak but limits choice.