Uncovering Melbourne's Best-Kept Secrets: How to explore the ‘laneways’.

Melbourne Laneway Tours - The City's Culture Unveiled

Melbourne is Australia’s most vibrant and multicultural city. It’s known for its stunning architecture, fantastic dining scene, and thriving arts culture. However, there's more to this city than meets the eye. Hidden within the maze of alleyways and laneways lies a treasure trove of unique experiences waiting to be discovered. From colourful street art to charming cafes and boutique shops, Melbourne's laneways are full of surprises. One of the most authentic ways to explore these hidden gems is through Laneway Tours Melbourne. So, put on your walking shoes and get ready to explore the laneways of Melbourne.

What is a ‘Laneway?’

Melbourne's laneways date back to the city's earliest days. In the mid 1800’s, when the city was first established, narrow alleyways were used as service roads for shops and warehouses.

Melbourne's laneways are more than just a relic of the past; they are a vital part of the city's cultural fabric. They provide a space for creative expression, with street artists and performers showcasing their talents in public spaces. They are also home to some of the city's most innovative businesses, including cafes, bars, and boutique shops.

Symbol of the City’s Creative Spirit

The laneways of Melbourne have become a symbol of the city's creative spirit, attracting artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Today, they are simply where all the cool stuff happens! Many locals prefer to navigate the city through the laneways as it’s more pleasant than simply walking along the main streets. You’ll never know when you’ll find something new! Visitors to Melbourne can really get a sense of local life here by exploring the laneways – and a great way to do that is on a guided laneways tour.

Taking a laneways tour of Melbourne is a great way to explore like a local.

Hidden Cafes and Bars in Melbourne's Laneways

Melbourne's laneways are also home to some of the city's best cafes and bars, with hidden gems tucked away in every corner. From cozy coffee shops to trendy cocktail bars, there is no shortage of places to grab a drink or a bite to eat.

Degraves Street, located in the heart of the city, is one of Melbourne's most famous laneways for cafes and restaurants. It is famous for the collection of cafes under the black umbrellas – but don’t forget some of the other vendors who offer excellent gelato. Hardware Lane, another popular laneway, is home to an everchanging variety of bars, cafes and restaurants.

There are other laneways worth exploring and the best way to see them and discover the best cafes in town is to join a foodie walking tour of Melbourne’s laneways.

How to Explore Melbourne's Laneways Like a Local

To best way to exploring Melbourne's laneways like a local is on foot, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. If you’d like to get to know the locals, you can join a local walking tour. Often the guides are Melbourne locals and are a treasure trove of information about their favourite places to try.

Take a Melbourne Laneway Tour

Melbourne's laneways are a true reflection of the city's creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive. They are home to a variety of businesses and attractions, from street art to cafes and boutiques. Exploring Melbourne's laneways is a great way to experience the city's unique culture and to discover the hidden gems that make Melbourne truly special. So, put on your walking shoes and get ready to explore Melbourne's laneways like never before. You never know what surprises you might discover.

Where to eat on Hardware Lane (updated May 2023)

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.

---

WANT TO FIND THE BEST EATS TOURISTS DON’T KNOW ABOUT?

COME JOIN US!

Walk Melbourne Tours will help you get the best out of your time in Melbourne’s laneways. Our Melbourne Foodie Discovery Walking Tour will take you to visit our favorite places to eat around Melbourne’s laneways… all while our local guides tell you stories about Melbourne. Click Here for more info.

Best Photo Spots in Melbourne's Laneways

Melbourne's laneways are not only a popular destination for their cafes, bars, and shops, but also for their stunning street art and unique architecture. Whether you're an Instagram influencer or just looking for some ‘happy snaps’ these laneways offer some of the best photo spots in Melbourne. Here are some of our favorites:

Hosier Lane

Hosier Lane is one of Melbourne's most famous and iconic laneways. Its walls are covered with colorful and intricate street art, making it the perfect backdrop for photos. The laneway is often crowded with tourists and locals, so we recommend visiting early in the morning or later in the evening for the best photo opportunities.

Hardware Lane

Hardware Lane is a food photographers’ delight! If you like to take photos of the latte art on your coffee, the steam rising off your Malaysian noodles or the sun beaming through your glass of wine, this is the place! Of course, this is equally as appealing of those that don’t have a camera and just prefer to eat and drink!

Centre Place

Centre Place is a charming laneway filled with cafes and restaurants, and it's also one of the best spots in Melbourne for street photography. The laneway's narrow walls and vibrant street art create a unique and dynamic backdrop for photos. Top tip: Stand at the top of the stairs at the Collins St end and take your photo looking back towards Flinders Lane. All that photography is thirsty work! Stop for a drink and a bite to eat as well.

The Block Arcade

Melbourne‘s laneways aren’t all about grunge and graffiti. Head into the The Block Arcade – built in 1892 – to photograph the original mosaic floors, the luscious desserts in the window at the tea rooms or the domed ceiling in the centre of the walkway. Top tip: while you’re there, look up and check out the photo of Melbourne’s socialites ‘doing the block’ taken in 1905.   

Melbourne's laneways offer some of the best photo spots in the city, with their stunning street art, unique architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. Whether you're an amateur photographer or a seasoned pro, you're sure to find something that inspires you in these laneways.

If you're interested in exploring Melbourne's laneways, check out Walk Melbourne Tours. Our knowledgeable and friendly tour guides will take you to some of the best photo spots in the city, and help you capture the perfect shot.