Melbourne long weekend, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The too much fun is never enough bit

Melbourne is the perfect place to spend a long weekend. From sun-up to sundown, this vibrant city buzzes with things to see, eat and do.

Wander down labyrinthine laneways bursting with vibrant street art. Fuel up at hidden coffee spots loved by locals. Shop your way through Victorian arcades filled with quirky boutiques. Slurp steaming bowls of spicy pho, savour juicy dumplings and sip craft cocktails after dark.

If you're unsure where to start, here are our top recommendations for a fun-filled long weekend in Melbourne.

BYRDI

Bars

Head to this CBD bar to choose from a menu of innovative cocktails, highballs and ferments, with an emphasis on native Australian ingredients.

Pellegrini's

Cafes & bakeries

Do your bit to ensure Pellegrini's gets to its centenary as it's a known fact Melbourne would be poorer without its charm and comforting Italian food.

MoVida Next Door

Restaurants

Fortify yourself for a cultural night out in Melbourne with Spanish wine and rustically moreish bar snacks from MoVida's savvy little sister next door.

Wooden table with numerous plates of colourful food and pink menu underneath

Big Esso by Mabu Mabu

Restaurants

Big Esso is an all-day bar and kitchen run by Torres Strait Islander chef Nornie Bero. Located in the heart of Fed Square, Big Esso is a celebration of...

Straight Outta Saigon

Restaurants

Melbourne’s seven-day-a-week pho restaurant delivers steaming bowls of savoury soup from lunch until late.

Butchers Diner

Restaurants

Satiate your carnivorous cravings at this casual restaurant and takeaway inspired by the classic American diner, only elevated.

1806

Bars

From the mirrored tiles and velvet curtains to the gleaming chandeliers and historic drinking paraphernalia, 1806 is a loving shrine to the cocktail.

Bomba

Restaurants

Tuck into tapas at this contemporary Spanish bodega, then stay for a rooftop cocktail overlooking the treetops.

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.

Friday night

Start your weekend like a local, with a coffee at Pellegrini's on Bourke Street, before threading through laneways packed with artworks. Linger at cosy wine bar Embla, or dial up the dining with fancy French-inspired fare at Reine & La Rue. If you prefer something spicy, head for the buzz of MoVida Next Door or Spanish wine and tapas, or tuck into flavour-filled share plates with native ingredients at Federation Square's Big Esso.

Head through Fed Square and cross the Yarra River to join the steady flow of pedestrians along Southbank Promenade. Take in twinkling views of the city lights and shimmering reflections.

If your weekend escape falls in early June, don't miss Melbourne’s hottest arts festival, RISING. With visual art, performance and public art installations, live music and dance, the city comes alive with almost every kind of artistic experience you can imagine. Kick things off at the neon-soaked Night Trade pop-up and see where the night takes you.

Later, grab a quick bite at a late-night diner. Slurp pho until sunrise at Straight Outta Saigon, or find burgers and toasties 24/7 at Butchers Diner. Stop in at BYRDI for native-ingredient nibbles and cocktails until late.

Manchester Press

Cafes & bakeries

Get in line to praise Manchester Press, the huge lucent space softened with old timbers and quirky junkyard installations where coffee reigns supreme.

Farmer's Daughters

Restaurants

Farmer’s Daughters is an exciting dining and food experience, showcasing the abundant food offering of Victoria’s Gippsland region in the heart of Melbourne's...

Queen Victoria Market

Markets

Shop 'til you drop at this celebrated market to see buskers, find souvenirs and to marvel at the fresh produce and the treats in the Dairy Hall.

Melbourne Skydeck

Architecture & design

Teeter on The Edge, a switchable glass cube that slides you out from the building's 88th floor for unsurpassed views of Melbourne and far beyond.

ACMI

Art galleries

Venture into Fed Square and explore the world of film, television and digital media with year-round exhibitions, rare screenings and cultural events.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Gardens

Parks & gardens

Breathe deep and fill your lungs with the goodness of the freshest air from the heart of Melbourne's city centre at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Belles Hot Chicken

Restaurants

Dig into Nashville-inspired spicy fried chicken with classic southern sides, beers and bourbons, and tap your foot to Belle's signature soundtrack.

Melbourne Museum

Museums

Touch and feel your way through local history; give Phar Lap a nod, explore a rainforest, rest in a rollercoaster car, and discover Koori heritage.

Fancy Hanks, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Fancy Hank's BBQ

Restaurants

Dig out your drawl for traditional wood-fired Southern-style barbecue – ribs, brisket, pulled pork and even beer-can chooks – at Fancy Hank's BBQ joint.

Le Bon Ton

Restaurants

Letting the good times roll is easy, especially when Deep South specialties, all-night oysters and absinthe are involved.

Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade

History & heritage

An icon of Melbourne’s history opens its doors to a unique view unseen for 100 years.With its origins steeped in history, the Royal Exhibition Building...

table full of Thai food and sharing plates with guests enjoying around it

BangPop South Wharf

Restaurants

Concede the busy-ness of the Chao Praya River for the Yarra but make no compromise on the authenticity of Thai street food at BangPop on South Wharf.

Curious

Bars

Curious is an award-winning bar with a design as impressive as the exclusive cocktail list. The place to see and be seen, Curious pairs bold concoctions...

Saturday morning

Feast your way through Queen Victoria Market. You'll find food halls and market sheds loaded with buyers, sellers and fresh produce, locally-made goods and great coffee. As you discover deli stands and bakery counters, flower stalls and food courts, don't miss local favourites like The American Doughnut Kitchen and the borek and bratwurst shops.

Slept in? Take it easy with brunch at Manchester Press on Rankins Lane - a laneway cafe in the city's heart. Or head to the deli at Farmer's Daughters for fresh, seasonal fare and excellent coffee.

Saturday afternoon

Wrap yourself up in a stylish Melbourne-made scarf and take the tram down St Kilda Road to Melbourne's green heart: the Royal Botanic Gardens. Then stroll to South Wharf along the Yarra for LUME's dazzling digital display of modern and classic art. BangPop's fresh and fragrant Thai-inspired menu may tempt you on the way!

Want more to explore? Eureka Skydeck delivers incredible 360-degree Melbourne views. If you're in the mood for culture, check out the latest ACMI collection, or an exhibition at the famed Melbourne Museum. There's also the newly opened Dome Promenade at the Exhibition Building. It's been closed off for over 100 years!

Time to head back to the city. Off Exhibition Street, pop into basement bar Curious for cocktails and bar bites, or wine and dine at Euro-inspired Hardware Lane hotspot Kirk's Wine Bar.

Saturday night

Booked your seat in Melbourne's East End Theatre District? Don't miss smash-hit shows Beetlejuice The Musical and Jesus Christ Superstar while they're in town!

For pre-show menus, check out No. 100 on Flinders Lane for delicious Lebanese feasting, or head to Daughter in Law for incredible Indian food with a contemporary twist. Or if it's late dinner you're after, get your fill of barbecued bites at Belles Hot Chicken, Fancy Hanks or Le Bon Ton.

Neighbourhood Wine

Bars

There’s nothing more neighbourly than dropping in for a drink and a meal at this welcoming local wine bar and restaurant.

The Rose St. Artists' Market

Makers markets

29 Mar 2025

Perfect for post-brunch perusing, the Rose St. Artists' Market is where those in-the-know find Melbourne's art and design talent each weekend.

Estelle

Restaurants

Options abound at Estelle. Savour light snacks and hand-picked wines in the bar, order à la carte, or get serious with the five-course tasting menu.

Marquis of Lorne

Pubs

The Marquis of Lorne combines a traditional pub bar, rustic-chic dining room and an open rooftop space to suit any mood, any time.

Old Palm Liquor

Restaurants

There's nothing remotely 'old' about this spot. Slip into the sleek lines of Old Palm Liquor for standout modern share plates and an encyclopaedia of natural wines.

Block Arcade, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn

The Block Arcade

Architecture & design

Wander through this iconic arcade, which boasts a soaring glass canopy and mosaic floors inspired by Milan's famed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

Royal Arcade

Streets

Marvel at the Italianate architecture, see the famous statues of Gog and Magog, and check out the unique boutiques, jewellers and specialty stores.

Cathedral Arcade

Streets

Marvel at the magnificent art deco surrounds, browse fashion boutiques, and explore the galleries and studios in the Nicholas Building above.

Degraves Street

Streets

Join the happy hubbub in the cafes, boutiques and eateries on this iconic laneway between the city's fashion precinct and Flinders Street Station.

Sunday morning

Jump on a tram to nearby neighbourhoods, and explore leafy streets, cafes and patisseries, record stores, wine bars and boutiques. Discover Carlton Gardens; Rose St Artist's Market, Collingwood Yards arts precinct, Gertrude and Brunswick streets in Fitzroy; and Smith Street, Collingwood.

Sunday afternoon

Slow Sundays in Melbourne are for roasts and wine-matched long lunches. Check blackboards at Neighbourhood Wine, Estelle or Marquis of Lorne for warming specials, or kick back over a sharing menu at Old Palm Liquor in Brunswick East. If you find yourself on Smith St in Fitzroy, grab a scoop or two of weird and wonderful ice cream at Fluffy Torpedo.

Sidestep the sidewalk to explore covered heritage arcades in the CBD. Head to St. Collins Lane for fashion’s latest collections, stop at the Block and Royal arcades for chocolatiers and jewellers. Take flyovers connecting Melbourne Central to Emporium and Bourke St malls. Cross to Centre Place and Degraves for cafes, and Flinders Lane for the best boutiques.

Sunday evening

Ease into Sunday evening at a relaxed bar with top-notch food. Take your pick of HER Bar, Gimlet at Cavendish House or Bar Liberty and join the great debate: is it a bar or a restaurant? With food, wine and cocktails this good, we're happy to keep searching until we find the answer. For a bit of fun to finish the weekend, head to global food-meets-electronic-darts restaurant sensation, Oche.