A Gourmet Guide to Melbourne’s Easter Treats

Easter in Melbourne

Easter in Melbourne is an exceptional time for lovers of tempting treats. From handmade chocolate eggs to mouthwatering baked goods, the city buzzes with flavors and festivities tailor-made for the epicurean adventurer.

Mork Chocolate

For those searching for the ultimate chocolate experience, Mork Chocolate offers artisanal, handcrafted chocolate eggs that are as exquisite in taste as they appear.

Haigh's Easter Bilby

At Haigh's Chocolates, swap the traditional Easter bunny for a charming Easter Bilby. It's a delightful twist supporting Bilby conservation efforts, making your indulgence more meaningful.

Antara 128

Antara 128 elevates the traditional hot cross bun to a gourmet level. Their heavenly buns are a must-try for any food lover looking to upgrade their Easter treats.

Picnic in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens

Enjoy the autumn sunshine with a leisurely Easter picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens. It's a perfect setting to sit back, exhale and appreciate the change of season.

Morning Stroll along the Yarra River

Easter morning is ideal for a peaceful stroll along the Yarra River. Keep your eyes peeled—you might catch a glimpse of the elusive Easter Bunny.

While our Melbourne Foodie Discovery Walking Tour won't be available over Easter, there's no shortage of culinary delights to explore in Melbourne during the holiday. From gourmet hot cross buns to unique chocolate experiences, Melbourne's vibrant food scene promises an unforgettable Easter. We invite you to explore these suggestions and more as you wander through Melbourne's laneways and culinary hotspots. For more foodie adventures beyond Easter, keep our tour in mind. Happy exploring!

A Foodie's Guide to the Melbourne Grand Prix

Melbourne Grand Prix 2024 - A Foodie’s Guide

Grand Prix weekend is one of the most exciting times to be in Melbourne. The festival descends upon Albert Park and all the F1 fans fill the city with a real sense of occasion. While there are lots of things to eat at the track, visitors to Melbourne can also enjoy a whole city of culinary delights while they’re in town.

Whether you’re interested in our amazing brunch scene, a quick drink and a snack or dinner after a day at the track, Melbourne’s hundreds of cafes, restaurants and bars covering a myriad of cuisines are ready for you to enjoy. Whether it’s your first time in Australia or a regular visitor, our amazing hospitality professionals are ready to welcome you during your time here for the F1 Grand Prix.

Best Spots for Quick Bites

Melbourne is renowned for it’s ‘laneways’ - which are small streets like alleyways - often filled with cafes and stores. They are pedestrian only, which makes them great for people watching while you grab a bite at one of the very informal and casual eateries. You could try Centre Place which is full of cafes for breakfast and lunch or if you’re after something later in the day, you’ll find ShanDong Mama mini open for Chinese dumplings for dinner.

Hardware Lane is also a good option for laneway people watching with a bunch of great food options open three meals per day. Maker coffee is great for breakfast and if you like an extra punch of flavour try Lulu’s for the best Malaysian food in town. Nearby, Rice Paper Scissors will pair your Asian fusion with a delicious cocktail.

Fine Dining Experiences

If you prefer your dining environment a little more refined, pursue the myriad of options along Flinders Lane between Swanston st and Spring st. This is one of the best dining districts in Australia and you can’t walk more than a few meters without passing somewhere wonderful to eat or drink. Not all the entrances are directly on Flinders Lane. Don’t be afraid to head upstairs… or downstairs… or down the side alleys to find the entrances to the restaurants. Some highlights include Nomad, Cumulus Inc or Lucy Liu.

Relaxation Spots

Botanical Gardens Melbourne

If it’s a lovely day you might like to take yourself away from the buzz of the track for a quiet morning wandering through the Royal Botanic Gardens. The Terrace cafe has recently been revamped by one of Melbourne’s best cafe owners, so you won’t go hungry either.

To relax with a quiet drink, the open air bars under Princes Bridge near Federation Square have a lovely atmosphere. Riverland and Pilgrim might still be busy, being near the river and amongst the trees of Birrarung Marr is still a nice place to relax. If you’re looking for slightly more adventurous flavors, head into the main piazza at Fed Square and try some indigenous flavors (and maybe even a cocktail!) at Big Esso.

Activities and Attractions

National Gallery of Victoria

While you might be in town for the race, there are so many other things to do in Melbourne while you’re visiting. While art and F1 are not a classic combination, Melbourne’s hosts some of the best art galleries in the country. The NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) is hosting a once every three year exhibition - aptly named the Triennial - where cutting edge modern art from around the world is scattered through the permanent collection of much older and more traditional art making for a fascinating experience.

You could also try for an evening experience at one of Melbourne’s classic theaters to catch a show. Head to Halftix on Little Collins St (just behind the Town Hall) to snatch some last minute discounted tickets to any number of Melbourne’s theatre shows.

Foodie Discovery Walk

Of course, one of the ultimate Melbourne experiences is to immerse yourself a walking tour with a local to soak up the local history. Our Melbourne Foodie Discovery Walk will answer all your questions and you’ll get fed with some of Melbourne's most delicious bites from places you wouldn’t find on your own. Book our Foodie Discovery Walk today!

Melbourne's Laneways: A Foodie's Paradise

A Foodie’s Guide To Melbourne’s Laneways

Melbourne's laneways are known for their street art, boutique shops, and hidden bars, but they're also home to some of the city's best food destinations. From hole-in-the-wall cafes to fine-dining restaurants, Melbourne's laneways offer a diverse range of culinary experiences. Here's our guide to some of the best foodie destinations in Melbourne's laneways.

Flinders Quarter

The Flinders Quarter is the neighbourhood around Flinders Lane between Swanston St and Elizabeth St. It includes the famous laneways of Centre Place and Degraves St which are lined with cafes and small places to eat. But there are many other lesser known treats in this neighbourhood. The Flinders Quarters’ unique and eclectic atmosphere makes it the perfect destination for foodies looking for a quick and delicious meal.

Flinders Lane ‘restaurant run’

The Flinders Lane ‘restaurant run’ is just east of the Flinders Quarter. It runs between Swanston St and Spring St and is home to some of Melbourne's (if not Australia’s ) best restaurants, making it a must-visit destination for foodies. From fine-dining to something more casual, Flinders Lane is the perfect destination for a night out. Don’t forget to visit a bar or two along the way as well.

Hardware Lane

Hardware Lane is a charming laneway located in Melbourne's CBD. The laneway is lined with restaurants and cafes serving up a range of cuisine, from Italian to modern Australian. Hardware Lane's outdoor seating and lively atmosphere make it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Little Collins St

The sophisticated neighbourhood near the Melbourne Town Hall offers something for those discerning foodies. You’ll find wine bars and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines and experiences, all in extreme comfort. For those that enjoy nothing but the best, visit ARU, voted Best Restaurant in Australia in 2023.

For those in the know this area offers one of the most prestigious addresses in Melbourne.

Melbourne's laneways offer a unique and unforgettable culinary experience, with their diverse range of cafes, restaurants, and bars. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a fine-dining experience, you're sure to find something that satisfies your taste buds in these laneways.

If you're interested in exploring Melbourne's laneways and discovering the best food destinations, check out Walk Melbourne Tours. Our knowledgeable and friendly tour guides will take you to some of the best foodie destinations in the city, and help you discover the hidden gems of Melbourne's laneways.

The Untold Stories of Melbourne: A Journey Through Time and Taste

Melbourne Guided Tours

Uncover the City's Secrets with Authentic Guided Tours

A guided tour in Melbourne offers a unique, immersive experience that goes beyond the typical tourist experience. A local guide brings to life the untold stories and hidden histories of the city, intertwining them with Melbourne's renowned culinary scene.

Historical Insights

Spending time with a local guide is a great way to bring together how the local history of the area has contributed to the modern society that you see now. In Melbourne, we can highlight some aspects of indigenous culture and how this was impacted by British colonial settlement. We can show you how the many people who have come to Melbourne - from the gold rush to post-war migration - have impacted the city today. We’ll look at architecture, the way we navigate the streets themselves and (of course!) the food that we eat.

Culinary Adventures

One of our favorite ways to share the stories of our city is through food. Melbourne’s culinary options can seem overwhelming! It’s a real culinary adventure but it can feel difficult to navigate. Time and time again, we hear guests tell us that they would have walked right past the places we have selected, because they’re unassuming from the outside. Or perhaps they are down a small street they would not have ventured into. Our food tours include tastings that tell the stories of what locals love to eat and the stories of the people that make the food. You’ll leave our guided tour with a new appreciation of the food that is important to Melbourne and the people that brought it here.

Local Guides

If you are interested in really getting to know Melbourne, but have limited time, one of the best ways is with a local guide. You can have all your questions answered and get a real sense of what Melburnians are like! All our tour guides are lovely and passionate local people who enjoy showing you the best of their city. They all have favorite personal anecdotes to share with you, whether it’s a fun story from one of our historical icons or sharing their favorite restaurant as a recommendation for dinner. 

 Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences: 

Of course, we cover the popular places in Melbourne, but we also like to show you some less obvious corners of the city. We might visit the lobby of a building to share some hidden architectural details or perhaps take you to a cafe that you might pass by if you were traveling solo. We have had many local Melburnians on our tours that are surprised by some of the places we take them and discover new things themselves.

So many options

We have a range of tours that cover different types of history and local knowledge from specialist local guides.

Coffee Tours: If you’re interested in where to get the best cup of coffee and how it became such a big thing in Melbourne, join our Coffee Lovers Walk.

Nightlife: If a fun night out with a bit of history about Chinese Melbourne sounds good, our Dumpling Discovery Walk

Foodie Tour: is a good bet. However, if it’s your first time in Melbourne and you’d like a bit more of an overview of the city (or you simply can’t decide between sweet and savory!) join our Foodie Discovery Walk which covers everything! 

 Everyone wants to feel like they have really experienced a place like a local. The only way to get local knowledge is to talk to a local and coming along on one of our guided tours is the best way to do that.  

 You can book any of our guided tours of Melbourne here. 

How to get the best out of Melbourne for a weekend.

Exclusive guide to the Perfect Melbourne Weekend

Plus a 10% discount on our Foodie Discovery tours

Melbourne is a destination jam packed with great things to do, no matter where your interest lies. However, it can be hard to know what to focus on if you are here for a couple of days. At Walk Melbourne Tours, we get many people who are new to town and during their time on tour with us ask, ‘what else should I do while I’m in Melbourne?’. The city excels in so many different areas our first question would be ‘what are your interests?’ because surely there is something we can recommend for everyone! We always want to create your perfect Melbourne weekend.

If you are an open-minded traveller, typically, you’ll be interested in things that are unique to the city or that the city is famous for. This doesn’t just include ‘seeing the sights’ and visiting attractions, but participating in activities that really provide you an insight into the culture of the city. In other words, “What are the locals good at, and what do they like to do”? What would a local Melburnian consider a perfect Melbourne weekend?

What makes a weekend in Melbourne unique?

Melbourne has some favorite topics of conversation: Sports, the weather and food and drink - especially coffee! You should include all these things in your perfect Melbourne weekend. Hopefully, the weather treats you kindly, but if it’s raining, don’t forget it might change. Melbourne famously experiences four seasons in one day!

It’s also one of the best places in Australia that has preserved its architecture, and if you know where to look, you can really learn some fascinating stories about the buildings you walk past. Don’t forget to look up!

It’s also a fantastic city for art lovers and shoppers! After becoming inspired at one of the many galleries, you can defiantly indulge in some retail therapy with a broad mix of big name stores and unique local boutiques all located and easy walking distance from each other.

Do I need a car to get around?

One of the best things about Melbourne city that it’s so very walkable. It’s pretty much flat with wide footpaths. If you do get tired, there is abundant public transport. Melbourne sits on a grid of streets and you can take frequent trams along almost all of them. It's an iconic local experience, and the best part is that it’s free (within the Free Tram Zone)!

Melbourne Trams

Self guided vs joining a tour

Melbourne is a perfect city to take a guided tour, because many of the great places are out of plain sight and local knowledge is a must. A walking tour is a perfect way to explore the famous alleyways, laneways and arcades of the city. These laneways are pedestrian only zones and are often filled with cafes, delicious local food vendors and small stores that exude charm.

We often hear guests comment that although they had walked around by themselves, after the tour everything in the city just made a lot more sense.

So what is the Perfect Melbourne Weekend?

Download our guide for the Perfect Melbourne Weekend to find out exactly how we would spend two days in Melbourne. Inside, you’ll find a discount code for our Foodie Discovery Walk so you can learn about Melbourne’s history and where the good snacks are at the same time. As Vicki said in June 2023, “This tour that was so much more than I was expecting! It was a history lesson, as well as an introduction to Melbourne architecture, iconic events, and the influential people who helped grow this beautiful city. As for the food and drinks…there is plenty, it’s all delicious, and you are taken on a journey with each stop providing its own fascinating story. I can’t recommend this tour highly enough, a wonderful introduction to what Melbourne has to offer”.

Discovering the Past: The Best Melbourne Historical Tours

Did you know that Melbourne was once the richest city in the world? The buildings that were built during that period added to the city’s allure and we were named ‘Marvellous Melbourne’ in 1885. Luckily, we’ve kept a bunch of these grand buildings to see today on our historical tours. 

The Significance of Melbourne's History

Born of a village of pioneering settlers, the rectangular grid of streets that was laid out in 1837 forms a convenient and simple way to navigate the city, even today. Everything changed when gold was struck in 1851. Melbourne was the closest port to the central Victorian gold diggings and people flooded in from all around the world to strike it rich.  The city evolved into a wealthy and cosmopolitan mix of people - a little bit like today! There are wonderful photos on walls throughout the city showing what the place looked like in the late 1800’s.      

Elizabeth Street Melbourne 1900 | Image Credit: Wikicommons

Unearthing Melbourne's Historical Gems

One of the things we hear so often on our historical tours of Mebourne is that so many styles of architecture are mixed together in this city. There are excellent examples of buildings and design from art deco (such as the Manchester Unity Building) to postmodern (such as Federation Square). You’ll learn about all of these on tour with us as we see how they fit into the living fabric of the city. 

Federation Square

Why Historical Tours Offer a Deeper Understanding of Melbourne

Our guides know the stories behind the buildings, whether it’s the life story of the original builder, why people loved it when it opened or who owns it and keeps it nice today. You can ask them questions and share their infectious passion for the stories. One of the most common things we hear on tour is, ‘we’ve walked around Melbourne for a couple of days, but your tour has really brought the city and its history to life!’. 

FAQs

 What Can I Expect From Historical Tours Melbourne?

A. You can expect to meet your friendly local guide and a small group of others - perhaps with similar interests. You’ll wander through the laneways of Melbourne where the guide will highlight their favorite spots. They may be explaining where particularly noteworthy buildings came from or perhaps they will stop at less obvious locations to take your imagination back to another time when something amazing happened on that corner.  

 How Do I Choose the Best Historical Tour in Melbourne?

Book with a company with experience and good reviews when choosing your historical tour of Melbourne. 

Are There Any Themed Historical Tours Melbourne Offers?

All our tours include loads of historical stories about the buildings that you visit and the food you eat along the way. Whether it be our Coffee Lovers Walk that talks about how Melbourne has become obsessed with coffee. Did you know that Melburnians drank coffee for 120 years before espresso machines even arrived?  Or that it was an extremely political drink in the 1880’s? Maybe you prefer our Dumpling Discovery Walk which examines the experience of the original Chinese migrants to Melbourne. Of course, our Foodie Discovery Walk covers it all and lots more. 

 What Should I Bring to Historical Tours Melbourne for the Best Experience?

You don’t need to bring anything except protection from the weather (umbrella, sunscreen and anything else useful for what Melbourne throws at you), a bottle of water and your enthusiasm! 

 As a guest of ours recently mentioned in their 5-star review: “If you love history and coffee this is a must do!” 

 You can book any of our tasty historical tours of Melbourne at by clicking on the button below.