More about: 10 Best Food Tours of Melbourne
Melbourne is one of the most important global destinations in the world, the most populated city in Australia and one of the cultural capitals of Oceania, but it is also an ideal place to discover the most varied gastronomy. Among the alternatives to enjoy its culinary profile are some of the most interesting excursions that will take you through the local flavors.
Among the best activities you can do in Melbourne to discover its gastronomy are taking a tour of the city's alleys and chocolate shops, visiting the Yering Station wine bar, taking a tour of the hidden bars and sampling the coastal delicacies on an itinerary around the Mornington Peninsula.
1. Foodie tour of Melbourne's delicacies
Taking a foodie tour of Melbourne's delicacies is a delightful experience that will allow you to discover the city's rich culinary diversity. Melbourne is known as the food capital of Australia, and its streets are lined with restaurants, cafes and markets offering a wide range of flavors and dishes.
During your food tour you can sample a variety of local specialties. From Melbourne's cafes, famous for their high quality coffee and latte art, to restaurants offering dishes from around the world, including Asian, Mediterranean, Italian and more. You can also sample local wines at wineries and wine bars, and sample fresh produce at markets such as Queen Victoria Market.
One of the advantages of taking a food tour like this in Melbourne is the chance to explore different neighborhoods and discover the culinary treasures each has to offer. You can visit places like Chinatown, famous for its authentic Asian cuisine, or the Fitzroy and Brunswick neighborhoods, known for their trendy restaurants and bohemian cafes.
In addition to enjoying the food and drinks, you'll also have the opportunity to learn about Melbourne's history and culinary culture on some of Melbourne's best guided tours.
Details of interest
- Price: around 71 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 3 hours.
- Advantages of these tours: you will be able to have an approach to the main products of the local gastronomy.
- Disadvantages of these excursions: you will not have free time to explore the sites on your own.
2. Tour of the alleys and chocolate shops of Melbourne
Taking a tour through the alleys and chocolate shops of Melbourne is a delicious experience that will allow you to discover the sweetest corners of the city. Melbourne is famous for its alleys full of street art, cafes and chocolate shops.
During the tour, you will explore iconic places such as Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane, where you will find amazing street and urban art murals, as well as a vibrant atmosphere. These alleys are also home to some of the most outstanding chocolate shops, making it one of the best things to do with kids in Melbourne.
Melbourne's chocolate shops are known for their quality and creative chocolate making. You can find everything from classic milk chocolates to exquisite flavor combinations such as chocolate with ginger, sea salt or exotic fruits.
During the tour, you can also enjoy chocolate tastings and pairings with coffee or wine to enhance the flavors even more. In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet the talented chocolatiers and learn about their passion for chocolate.
Details of interest
- Price: about 62 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 2 hours and a half.
- Advantages of these tours: you will be able to do tastings and also learn about the local culture.
- Disadvantages of these excursions: it is a very fast paced excursion.
3. Full day Yering Station Wine Tour
If you want to get to know one of Melbourne's most representative wine bars you can't miss a full day tour of Yering Station, where you will discover the secrets of wine in the heart of the Yarra Valley wine region.
During the tour wine experts will guide you through a tour of the vineyards and the production facilities. You will learn about the grape varieties grown in the region and the winemaking processes.
After the tour, you will have the opportunity to participate in a wine tasting. There you will taste a selection of their award-winning wines, from fresh and fruity whites to robust and complex reds.
In addition to the wine tasting, on these tours you will usually enjoy a delicious lunch at the winery's restaurant. You can also discover some of the best scenery in the valley, especially if you plan to visit Melbourne in the summer.
Details of interest
- Price: approximately 155 euros per person.
- Duration: between 8 and 10 hours.
- Advantages of these tours: you will get to know some of the most beautiful areas of the outskirts of Melbourne.
- Disadvantages of these excursions: it is a very long excursion, which could be detrimental to a short stay in the city.
4. Walking tour of the hidden bars of Melbourne
One of the best alternatives to the city's nightlife scene is to tour the circuit of speakeasy bars that hide behind discreet doors, in secret alleys and subway cellars. To do so, you can hire a tour that will take you to the most famous ones.
During the tour, an expert guide will take you through the streets of the city, revealing the best hidden bars and telling you interesting stories about their origins and their owners, who in many cases belong to families that have run the place for generations.
At each bar you visit, you will have the opportunity to sample a variety of handcrafted drinks and creative cocktails. Melbourne's bartenders are famous for their ability to create unique, surprising and themed drinks, especially during the festive season, which you will see if you plan to visit Melbourne over Christmas.
In addition to the drinks, the walking tour of Melbourne's hidden bars will also give you the opportunity to enjoy the company of other nightlife lovers and immerse yourself in the city's lively social scene.
Details of interest
- Price: around 56 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 3 hours.
- Advantages of these tours: you will get to know Melbourne's alternative bar circuit.
- Disadvantages of these tours: you will not have too much time to relax in each place, as it is a walk through many bars.
5. Melbourne ice bar tour with cocktails included
If you want to live a unique experience during your trip, you can't miss the Melbourne ice bar. Located in the heart of the city, this bar will immerse you in a world of ice and surprises with sub-zero temperatures.
In this place you will be immersed in an environment completely made of ice, from the walls to the furniture. During the tour, you can enjoy delicious cocktails served in ice glasses.
In addition to the cocktails, you can explore and admire the impressive ice sculptures that adorn the bar. From abstract figures to replicas of famous monuments, the talent and skill of the artists will amaze you.
You'll also have the opportunity to take fun and original photographs while enjoying the frozen atmosphere, even if you're visiting Melbourne during the summer!
Details of interest
- Price: about 28 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 45 minutes
- Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of the most striking and interesting bars in the city.
- Disadvantages of these tours: it is a short experience.
6. Full day Yarra Valley wine, gin and chocolate tasting tour.
The Yarra Valley is famous for its lush vineyards, craft gin distilleries and gourmet chocolatiers, making it a paradise for lovers of good food and drink. During your trip, you can opt for some of the excursions that will take you around this site.
In the course of the visit you will visit several wineries, where you will be able to taste a wide selection of high quality wines. You will meet the passionate wine producers, who will guide you through tastings of white, red and sparkling wines.
After satisfying your palate with exquisite wines, the tour will take you to a craft gin distillery, one of Melbourne's most popular beverages. There you will have the opportunity to learn about the distilling process and sample a variety of unique and aromatic gins.
The experience culminates at a gourmet chocolate shop, where you can savor delicious handmade chocolates. In addition, the Yarra Valley area is home to some of Melbourne's best hot air ballooning.
Details of interest
- Price: about 103 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 8 hours
- Advantages of these tours: you will be able to taste exquisite local wines and beverages while learning about the elaboration processes of each product.
- Disadvantages of these excursions: Usually these excursions do not include hotel pick-up.
7. Wine tour for small groups
In Melbourne you can sample some of Australia's finest wines and the ideal alternative to do so is on a small group tour. These tours will take you through the wine region outside of Melbourne and immerse you in an intimate and personalized atmosphere.
During the tour you will visit a handpicked selection of wineries around Melbourne. These wineries are known for producing high quality wines and for their focus on craftsmanship and sustainability.
The advantage of a small group wine tour is that you will enjoy more personalized attention from the expert winemakers and guides. You will be able to ask questions, get detailed information about each wine and explore your preferences and tastes in a more intimate way. In addition, because it lasts less than half a day, it is compatible with your trip if you plan to visit Melbourne in 3 days or even less.
During the tour, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious lunch paired with specially selected wines to enhance the flavors of each dish.
Details of interest
- Price: about 241 euros per person.
- Duration: about 3 hours and a half.
- Advantages of these tours: you will be able to visit some of Melbourne's most popular sites in a personalized tour.
- Disadvantages of these tours: it is an experience that can be considered expensive.
8. Tour of Melbourne's coffee shops
Have you ever wondered why Melbourne is considered the coffee capital of Australia? On these tours you will find the answer, as Melbourne is famous for its vibrant and diverse coffee scene, offering a wide range of flavors and unique experiences for coffee lovers.
During these tours you will visit a selection of outstanding coffee shops, from the iconic and traditional to the more modern and avant-garde. Each has its own style and approach, allowing you to explore different brewing methods and understand why these places are often included in the best Melbourne tours.
In addition to enjoying delicious coffees, you'll also have the opportunity to meet passionate baristas and participate in tastings of the beverage.
The Melbourne coffee tour is not only about tasting coffee, but also about immersing yourself in the unique culture and atmosphere of each coffee shop. You can enjoy the lively atmosphere, watch the experts skillfully prepare the coffee and immerse yourself in the authenticity of the experience.
Interesting details
- Price: about 121 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 3 hours.
- Advantages of these tours: you will visit the best coffee shops in the city and learn about the local coffee varieties.
- Disadvantages of these tours: they usually include only the coffee shops in the historic center.
9. Dinner cruise tour to discover the spirit of Melbourne from the Yarra River
If you want to combine a food tour with one of Melbourne's main activities, you can make the most of the dinner cruise tours on the Yarra River.
On these excursions you can admire the city's skyline from a different perspective and enjoy panoramic views of landmarks such as the Princes Bridge and the Eureka Tower.
During the tour you will savor a selection of gourmet dishes, from delicious appetizers to tempting main courses and desserts. Dinner will be complemented by a carefully chosen selection of wines and beverages to accompany your culinary experience.
In addition to enjoying the food and panoramic views, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy live entertainment on board. Whether it's live music, performances by local artists or themed shows, the dinner cruise tour will keep you entertained throughout the evening.
Details of interest
- Price: about 108 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 3 hours.
- Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know the city from a different perspective.
- Disadvantages of these excursions: the cruise tour is usually quite short and focuses mainly on dinner.
10. Half day excursion to the coastal delights of the Mornington Peninsula.
The Mornington Peninsula is a picturesque coastal region that offers a perfect combination of beautiful beaches, charming seaside towns and a rich gastronomic offer, in an area very close to Melbourne.
The peninsula is known for its picturesque coastal towns, such as Sorrento and Mornington. There you can stroll through its streets, explore its boutiques and art galleries, and enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurants overlooking the sea. Don't miss the opportunity to sample the region's fresh seafood either.
In addition to the beaches and villages, the Mornington Peninsula is famous for its vineyards and wineries. During the tour, you can visit some of these wineries and enjoy tastings of renowned wines.
Details of interest
- Price: about 60 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 8 hours.
- Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know a place little visited by tourists in the outskirts of Melbourne.
- Disadvantages of these tours: it is a long tour that is not too convenient for those who plan a short stay in the city.
How to book a gastronomic tour in Melbourne?
You can book these tours in advance online or book them once you are in the city, although if you plan to visit Melbourne during the summer or in the high season months, I advise you to secure your place on the tours as they tend to sell out.
Also, if you book in advance you can get better prices, freeze rates and plan a suitable itinerary to get the most out of your visit to each site.
Tips for a food tour in Melbourne
If you plan to go on a food tour in Melbourne I advise you, as a first step, to research the options available, as there are many and not all of them might suit your palate. Once you find the right alternative for your travel plan, book in advance to get better prices.
I also recommend you to try new flavors, discover unknown places and enjoy the bars and nightlife of the city, as touring these places on food tours and enjoying a cocktail is one of the best things to do in Melbourne at night.
Why is it advisable to take a food tour in Melbourne?
On a food tour in Melbourne you will not only discover some of the best local flavors, but you will also get to see hidden places, soak up the local culture and visit some of the most beautiful restaurants and bars in the city, thus enriching your travel experience.
In addition, during your trip you will need to eat and on a gastronomic tour you can save time and even money, as the expert guides will take you to the best places in the city and those that respect the best price-quality ratio.
What are the advantages of taking a guided tour vs. visiting bars and restaurants on my own?
The best thing about taking a guided and organized tour is that you can count on the expert knowledge of the guides who will be in charge of the tour. They will take you to the best places, which will save you time and money, and you will also get to see bars and restaurants that you could never have found on your own, unless they were recommended to you on guided tours of Melbourne.
In addition, you will be able to relax and enjoy yourself, as you will be able to put yourself in the hands of the experts, which will be more comfortable and convenient than if you had to organize the itinerary and tour stops on your own.