I first visited Melbourne aged 21 as a backpacker. My time was mostly spent in hostel bars, visiting the Neighbours set, and ticking off a few of the city’s headline attractions. Back then, I barely scratched the surface of Melbourne’s food scene, something I didn’t truly appreciate until much later.
It was only on subsequent trips, after I moved to Australia in 2016, that I began to understand just how impressive Melbourne’s dining culture really is. Fast forward to now, and I’ve just returned from my 10th visit, this time with one very clear goal: eating my way through the city and exploring some of Melbourne’s best restaurants.
So, I wanted to share what I think is the perfect 3-day Melbourne itinerary for food. This relaxed weekend guide features some well-known (and celebrated) spots, along with some lesser-known eateries, covering a wide mix of cuisines, dining styles and price points. I’ve also included extra restaurant recommendations at the end, just in case you’re hungry for more.
Melbourne is famous for its coffee and café culture, next-level brunches, bakeries, food markets and fine dining — and the sheer variety is hard to beat. Whatever cuisine you’re craving, you’ll find it here, and thanks to the city’s walkability and excellent tram network, it’s all wonderfully easy to explore.
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Where to Stay in Melbourne
There are lots of great accommodation options in the city, and for this Melbourne itinerary, staying in the CBD is the best option, with many eateries within walking distance or easily accessible by public transport.
Quincy Hotel is an excellent choice for a Melbourne weekend trip. Rising 29 storeys above Flinders Lane, the hotel offers colourful, design-led rooms with city and river views, right in the heart of the CBD. You’re perfectly placed for exploring Melbourne on foot, with laneways, street art, restaurants, bars and boutiques all a short walk away.
Quincy Hotel Melbourne is also Victoria’s first Climate Active Carbon Neutral hotel, making it a great choice for travellers who want to pair indulgence with sustainability. The hotel’s restaurant, Salted Egg, offers delicious Southeast Asian cuisine, with a breakfast buffet/à la carte breakfast often included in the room rate. For late-night drinks or happy hour, The Q rooftop bar has some pretty special views, with both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s also worth making time for the swimming pool and gym, both of which also offer gorgeous views over the Yarra River. I stayed in a Skyline View room overlooking King Street, which was extra special at nighttime.
Melbourne Weekend Itinerary Map
Day 1: Arrival & Dinner in the City
Land in Melbourne on Friday evening, and take a taxi/Uber or the SkyBus into the city. Check into your hotel, drop your bags and head straight out for dinner.
For your first meal, Emilia is an ideal introduction to Melbourne dining. Warm, welcoming and most importantly, serving delicious food. As the name suggests, the restaurant specialises in food from the Emilia Romagna region, which is commonly considered the best Italian region for food. It certainly is for me anyway (despite my husband hailing from neighbouring Veneto). The region produces delicacies such as Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, alongside dishes like tortellini, tagliatelle al ragu, and lasagne.
On my latest visit, I had the mortadella-filled tortelloni, which was easily as good as the same dish I’ve tasted in Italy. There was also a big table of Italian tennis players and coaches dining there, as it was during the Australian Open, so you know it’s good!
Wander back to the hotel, stopping at The Q rooftop bar for a drink before bed. If you’re into cocktails, try one of the Asian inspired creations, like the Lychee and Limoncello Spritz or a Mai Old Fashioned. And just in case you’re still hungry, they offer some excellent bar snacks too, like soft-shell crab bao and loaded char sui pork fries.
Day 2: Coffee, Markets & Melbourne’s Best Neighbourhood Eats
Breakfast at Quincy Hotel Melbourne
Have breakfast at Salted Egg, the buffet has all the classics, but I recommend going à la carte and trying some of the chef’s Asian inspired brunch dishes. During our stay, we enjoyed Poached eggs with char siu pork and Thai basil hollandaise sauce, and an Asian inspired avocado on toast.
If you have the chance, come back for lunch or dinner and try some of the restaurant’s excellent curries. The son-in-law eggs also come highly recommended.
Explore Melbourne’s Laneways & Street Art
Make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes, as there will be a fair bit of walking today. Leave the hotel and head along Flinders Lane until you reach Melbourne’s famous laneways. In just over 10 minutes’ walk, you’ll reach Degraves Street and Centre Place, with lots of cosy little cafes, restaurants and shops to explore.
Continue on Flinders Lane and stop for a coffee at Dukes. This environmentally focused coffee shop ethically sources beans from individual farms or small cooperatives, carefully roasting them in Melbourne.
A little further along Flinders Lane, you will find Hosier Lane and ACDC Lane, Melbourne’s iconic street art laneways, full of colourful and frequently changing murals.
Take a Melbourne Street Art Tour.
Parks & Green Spaces
From here, continue along Flinders Lane/Flinders Street to Treasury Gardens. Wander through the lovely green park and head north to Fitzroy. (If it’s raining, you can take the tram instead). For even more green space, you can take a detour to Fitzroy Gardens, Known for its wide tree-lined avenues, manicured lawns and seasonal flower displays.
Fitzroy
Fitzroy is Melbourne’s oldest suburb, a creative hub known for independent boutiques and vintage stores, alongside an eclectic mix of bars, restaurants and cafes. Take a wander along Gertrude Street and stop for lunch at Gabriel, sitting outside if the weather permits.
Following lunch, make your way up Brunswick Street, exploring the boutiques until you reach Rose Street Artists’ Market (weekends only). Here you can browse the stalls of some of Melbourne’s best artists and designers, selling jewellery, clothes, homewares, and artworks. The markets close at 4pm.
You’ll likely be ready for a coffee/drink about now, so stop at one of Fitzroy’s excellent coffee shops, including Industry Beans or Bell St. Coffee. Or if you prefer a beer, head to Naked For Satan. This Melbourne bar is spread over four floors with fantastic views of the city from the rooftop level. Enjoy a cocktail, a schooner or some pinxtos if you’re a little hungry.
Dinner at Supernormal, Melbourne
Wander or take the tram back to your hotel for a shower and a change of clothes. Dinner tonight is at Supernormal, one of Melbourne’s most iconic restaurants, and it lives up to its reputation. Supernormal is one of those places I always suggest when someone asks where to eat in Melbourne. The Asian-inspired dishes, with flavours from Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and Hong Kong, are all designed for sharing. Make sure you order the prawn toast and the Szechuan white cut chicken.
Day 3: Brunch, Bakeries & Brunswick Eats
Breakfast at Higher Ground
Eat breakfast at Salted Egg, or head out to Higher Ground, one of Melbourne’s best brunch spots. Housed in a historic power station, the setting is as beautiful as the food. I recommend the avocado pretzel.
Explore Brunswick
Once fuelled and caffeinated, stroll to Southern Cross Station and take the train to Brunswick (get off the train at Anstey). Then walk south back towards the CBD along Sydney Road. Here you will find a multicultural mix of bakeries, cafes and restaurants, along with independent, vintage and food shops, and live music venues.
Even if you’re still full from breakfast, don’t miss the opportunity to pop into A1 Lebanese Bakery and stock up on some treats for later. It’s incredibly affordable, with delicious za’atar pizza only setting you back $2.50. The baklava is highly recommended, too, as is the cheese pie. You can also buy Middle Eastern groceries at the back. (The pickled chillis are excellent!)
If one bakery isn’t enough, then Iris is another fantastic spot, with incredible focaccia, sandwiches and pastries.
After exploring the shops, hop back on the train to Southern Cross and back to the hotel to check out if you haven’t already.
Lunch at Delhi Streets
Grab lunch a few steps away at Delhi Streets. I honestly think this place has some of the best food in Melbourne. There is so much on the menu, and it’s great value. The thalis are huge and delicious, but the standout for me is the pani puri, little balls stuffed with chickpeas and chutney, served with spiced water. So so good.
Walk Along the River
Take a stroll along the river and grab a drink at Yarra Botanica or Arbory Bar, both overlooking the water. Then pick up your luggage and head to the airport for your return flight.
Getting Around Melbourne
Melbourne is an easily walkable city, and most of this itinerary can be done on foot. Within the CBD, the trams are free to hop on and off. To use trams and trains outside of the CBD, you need a Myki card, which you can get from 7-Eleven or train stations.
Longer Than a Weekend in Melbourne
If you have more time in the city, some great additions to this Melbourne itinerary are:
- Explore some of the city’s markets. Queen Victoria Market is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a wide variety of food, clothes and souvenirs. I love South Melbourne Market, which is smaller with a focus on artisanal speciality goods.
- Visit the beautiful State Library, Australia’s oldest public library. Make sure to check out the La Trobe Reading Room.
- Explore the Melbourne Museum or the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).
- Head to St Kilda and Brighton for an afternoon on the beach.
- Climb Eureka Tower, the second-tallest skyscraper in Australia.
- Take a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Day Trips from Melbourne
There are lots of great destinations within a short drive of the city, including:
- The Great Ocean Road. One of Australia’s most famous road trips, featuring the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and lush rainforests in the Otways. This is a great tour that means you don’t need to hire a car.
- Phillip Island. The best place in Australia to see fairy penguins, at the nightly Penguin Parade.
- Mornington Peninsula. Beautiful beaches, excellent wineries and the Peninsula Hot Springs.
- Yarra Valley. Home to world-class wineries, gin distilleries, and breweries.
Other Melbourne Food & Restaurant Recommendations
- Vietnamese in Richmond (Than Ha 2, Pho Hung Vuong 2 and Co Thu Quan)
- Shan Dong
- Juicy Bao
- Shujinko Russell
- Bansho
- Soi 38
- Tacoya
- Da Pepi
- Tipo 00
- Elio’s
- Di Stasio Citta
- Lagotto
- Bar Bellamy
- Amarillo
- Reed House
- Marion Wine Bar
- El Columpio
- Little Hop
- Gimlet
- Butcher’s Diner
- Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar
- Farmer’s Daughter
- Louie’s Souvlaki
- Season Chargrilled Chicken Service (SCCS)
Have you been to Melbourne? I’d love to hear your favourite places in the comments below.
