In a list of Melbourne laneways, Hardware Lane is always there. Two of our Melbourne food tours visit this area. While there are some excellent laneway stalwarts here, here we will focus on recent additions so you can avoid the tourist traps.

Gracie

This tiny space with minimalist aesthetic has been embraced by locals seeking a very nice glass of wine at the end of the week in a laneway bar. Gracie also pride themselves on serving good sake and some Japanese inspired snacks. The only problem is trying to snatch one of the few tables from the local suits.

Hardware Club

Hardware Club is a Melbourne restaurant serving Italian food. The owners are childhood friends from Verona and are recreating dishes as they remember them. Some of the dishes are comforting, courtesy of the woodfire oven, some of the a little more challenging. The space hosted a local social club in the 1920s and they’ve tried to keep a sense of that heritage in the experience.

Maker Coffee

In a city obsessed with coffee it’s always exciting when a new speciality coffee shops opens in a laneway. Maker is making some of the finest coffee in the city, with their filter coffee brewed to order as a V60 pourover one of the highlights. Everything on the shelf is a single origin, even for their milk offering. Sitting on the bench seating outside, taking in the Melbourne laneway on a sunny day has got to be a sure fire way to fall in love with the city!

Lulu’s Char Koay Teow

If you haven’t tried it before, Char Koay Teow is a smoky and flavourful blend of stir fried noodles, meats, pipis and vegetable that it’s hard not to love. Lulu’s does such a good version that the lunch time queue along the laneway is almost exclusively for them. Oh and the Curry Mee (similar in style to a Curry Laksa) is also excellent. Bonus points if you order the optional blood jelly with it. Arrive early.

Rice Paper Scissors

If there’s one thing you can find in Melbourne’s laneways, it’s Australian style Asian fusion. Rice Paper Scissors is one of the best in the genre. The also have excellent vegan options and regularly run Vegustation (vegan degustations).

Note: From May-September 2023, there’s a fair bit of construction in front of RPS while the Council beautifies the laneway. You can also find the RPS food around the corner on Bourke St at a rooftop bar called The Stolen Gem.

Piccolina

If you feel like a change of scene for dessert, perhaps wander down the laneway and past Piccolina after dinner for excellent hand made gelato. The owner has studied at ‘Gelato University’ in northern Italy and it’s reflected in the quality of the goods. They have all the classic favours, but also regular specials which can be a real treat. And don’t forget to have warm house-made Nutella drizzled over the top from the tap.

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Where to eat on Hardware Lane (updated May 2023)