Destinations
City laneways
Hosier Lane, Melbourne
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, Section 8 in Tattersalls Lane, Croft Institute in Croft Alley and Cherry Bar in ACDC 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. Then kick back with a coffee from The Little Mule Cafe, opposite.
Highlights
Laneways
Public art
Hosier Lane
Wander down the bluestone laneway and take in the dizzying array of colours and characters created by local and international street artists.
Streets
Blender Lane
Take a wander down to Blender Lane and revel in the spectacle of colour, with stencils, murals, tags and paste-ups filling up every surface.
Streets
Block Place
Originally the home of shoe stores and dry cleaners, this popular cafe precinct street now fills up with lunchtime workers and hungry shoppers.
Streets
Centre Place
Despite being Melbourne's quintessential laneway, Centre Place still surprises and delights with its wild street art, boutiques and buzzing cafes.
Streets
Degraves Street
Join the happy throng filling up the cafes, boutiques and eateries on this walkway linking the city's fashion precinct with Flinders Street Station.
Streets
Duckboard Place
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.
Streets
Liverpool Street
With one foot in Chinatown and the other in Melbourne's humming theatre district, Liverpool Street feels more like old Shanghai than mother England.
Streets
Meyers Place
Spend a night down one of Melbourne's oldest laneways and see why Meyers Place is a popular spot for both traditionalists and new-school scenesters.
Destinations
Crossley Street
There's great comfort in knowing places like Crossley Steet still exist, with the venerable Pellegrini's standing guard over quirky shops and cafes.
Explore
Laneways
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Laneway coffee spots
Eight of the best
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Dining out
Laneways
Restaurants
The Meatball and Wine Bar
Roll up for Melbourne's latest food and wine craze – meatballs and prosecco. Or chianti. Or anything, really, in the swish Flinders Lane bar.
Restaurants
Becco
Enjoy an evening of understated Italian elegance at this hatted restaurant on Crossley Street. Delight in the beef carpaccio or almond praline gelato.
Restaurants
Pastuso
Pay homage to Paddington's heritage and taste Peruvian flavours from the Andes and the Amazon at this Peruvian grill, cevicheria and pisco bar.
Restaurants
Chin Chin
Think carefully about the friends you'll take to Chin Chin, as you'll be settling in and sharing plates of fresh, spicy Thai food plus plentiful wine.
Restaurants
Coda
From Movida's Mykal Batholomew and Longrain chef, Adam D'Sylva, this hatted eatery ticks all the right boxes without taking itself too seriously.
Restaurants
Ezard
Chef Teage Ezard combines the East and the West with verve and creativity, making this two hatted restaurant a must try for any visiting gourmand.
Restaurants
Cumulus Inc.
This loft-inspired restaurant, hatted by the Good Food Guide boasts a drinking bar, an eating bar and regular tables for serious eating.
Restaurants
San Telmo
Tastefully decorated to create an authentic, old world bodega atmosphere, San Telmo is famous for its imported 2.5-metre parilla (charcoal grill).
Restaurants
Sarti
Chef Paolo Masciopinto adds imagination and ingenuity to classic and modern bistro-style Italian fare with signature flare at this CBD sanctuary.
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48-hour itinerary: Laneways
48 hours: Laneways
Lose yourself among bars and boutiques, galleries and street art, and high-end restaurants and hole-in-the-wall cafes in Melbourne's famous laneways.
Art & culture
Public art
Take the City Circle tram or walk through city streets and laneways and along the Yarra River to see the city's street art and public artworks.
Entertainment
Live music
Variety and energy characterise entertainment and nightlife in Victoria. Melbourne features an ever-changing number of clubs, bars and live music venues.
Destinations
Arcades
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.