There's always something new to discover in Melbourne's hive of bustling, creative laneways, with their covert boutiques, famed restaurants and hole-in-the-wall cafes and bars.

Bar finds

Give 'Mainstreet' a miss and head down alleyways to find walls covered with stencil work, lightboxes and sculptures that point you to the door of quirky bars. Check out Bar Americano in Presgrave Place and Section 8 in Tattersalls Lane. Find addresses that reveal themselves to be velvety jazz clubs and flashy wine bars, or bare-bone student hangouts and dimly-lit hideaways.

Old favourites

Tried and true laneway Meyers Place still hosts the old-school, no-fuss Italian amico Waiters Restaurant, while the Pellegrini's welcome to Crossley Street is an institution.

Hardware Lane, Degraves Street and Centre Place are vying to feed you and ensure you look the part.

Visual arts

On the off chance that a tiny laneway isn't hiding boozy dens or caffeine lairs, you're likely to find an ever-changing outdoor gallery of street art. Check out the murals, paste-ups and stencils in the laneways off Flinders Lane between Russell Street and Swanston Street. Don't miss Hosier Lane.

Somerset preening

Menfolk who care about the cut of their jib should make their way to Somerset Place for a tidy haircut, beard grooming or close shave at Captains of Industry.

Explore

ACDC Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn
ACDC Lane
Streets
Named after the Australian musical heroes, ACDC Lane is the physical embodiment of Melbourne's love affair with down and dirty rock 'n' roll.
Centre Place, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn
Centre Place
Streets
Despite being Melbourne's quintessential laneway, Centre Place still surprises and delights with its wild street art, boutiques and buzzing cafes.
Degraves Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn
Degraves Street
Streets
Join the happy throng filling up the cafes, boutiques and eateries on this walkway linking the city's fashion precinct with Flinders Street Station.
Duckboard Place, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Duckboard Place
Streets
Once the place where World War II troops came to let off steam, the lane is now a chic playground for local foodies, wine lovers and artists.
Dukes at Ross House, Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Flinders Lane
Destinations
Melbourne's laneway HQ, Flinders Lane is a mecca for award-winning fine diners and boutique bars, contemporary galleries and local fashion labels.
Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn
Hosier Lane
Public art
Wander down the bluestone laneway and take in the dizzying array of colours and characters created by local and international street artists.

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Dining out

Becco, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Becco
Restaurants
Enjoy an evening of understated Italian elegance at this hatted restaurant on Crossley Street. Delight in the beef carpaccio or almond praline gelato.
Pastuso Melbourne Victoria
Pastuso
Restaurants
Pay homage to Paddington's heritage and taste Peruvian flavours from the Andes and the Amazon at this Peruvian grill, cevicheria and pisco bar.
Cumulus Inc. - open every day from breakfast until late
CUMULUS INC.
Restaurants
This loft-inspired restaurant, hatted by the Good Food Guide boasts a drinking bar, an eating bar and regular tables for serious eating.
Coda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Coda
Restaurants
From Movida's Mykal Batholomew and Longrain chef Adam D'Sylva, this hatted eatery ticks all the right boxes without taking itself too seriously.
San Telmo, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
San Telmo
Restaurants
Tastefully decorated to create an authentic, old-world bodega atmosphere, San Telmo is famous for its imported 2.5-metre parilla (charcoal grill).
Shoya, Melbourne
Shoya
Restaurants
It's worth learning the Japanese for 'throw another shrimp on the barbie' because you'll want more from the BBQ before belting out a karaoke classic.
Gingerboy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Gingerboy
Restaurants
Modelled on the street kitchens of South-East Asia, Teage Ezard's hip restaurant is less rustic authenticity and more opulent interpretation.
Hutong Dumpling Bar, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
HuTong Dumpling Bar
Restaurants
Demand is deservedly high here for an alluring menu of homemade dim sum, especially the exquisite xiao long bao, and other provincial delights.
Tonka, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Tonka
Restaurants
Let the team behind Coda tempt you with their Indian-inspired menu lauded by both the Good Food Guide and Australian Gourmet Traveller.
More laneway restaurants

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Do a modern version of "the block", a century-old form of cruising Melbourne's arcades that takes in cutting-edge artwork, fashion, music and design.
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Climb the stairs to seven levels of merriment in this art nouveau building. Stop for food and fashion along the way and finish with a rooftop tipple.