Melbourne's famous laneways are buzzing with shopping arcades, street art, cafes, bars and boutiques, all with their own individual character and charm.

A laneway restaurant with glowing lanterns

What’s new in Melbourne’s laneways

Take a peek down unfamiliar roads as we highlight the best hidden attractions in the city.

Melbourne laneways

Degraves Street and Centre Place

Loved equally by tourists and locals alike, this iconic Melbourne laneway is packed with tiny shops, hole-in-the-wall cafes and Euro-style restaurants. Discover the ultimate guide to Degraves Street.

Hosier Lane

Melbourne's most iconic street art laneway draws throngs of tourists, with every centimetre covered in a colourful riot of murals.

The Nicholas Building

Known as a ‘vertical laneway’, this heritage building is home to an eclectic selection of small businesses and attractions. Discover the ultimate guide to the Nicholas Building.

Manchester Lane

A range of independent designers are tucked into shoebox-sized stores in Manchester Lane, from fashion to footwear.

Famous arcades

The Block Arcade

The Block Arcade

A lavish 19th century shopping arcade featuring an impressive mosaic floor.

Royal Arcade

Royal Arcade

Oldest covered shopping walkway in Australia, known for its giant clock that chimes every hour.

Centreway Arcade

Centreway Arcade

Historic arcade with boutique stores, connecting Collins Street and Flinders Lane.

Cathedral Arcade

Cathedral Arcade

This beautiful Art Deco shopping arcade is the gateway to Melbourne's famed Nicholas Building.

Laneway bars

Section 8 Bar

Section 8 Bar

A funky outdoor bar with drinks served from a converted shipping container.

Sojourn Melbourne

Sojourn Melbourne

Outdoor laneway dining experience, blended with an iconic rooftop bar.

Bar Ampere

Bar Ampere

Vermouth, fortified wine, absinth and food until 3am.

Little Lon Distilling Co

Little Lon Distilling Co

Melbourne city's only distillery and cocktail bar serving handcrafted, small batch spirits.

Beneath Driver Lane

Beneath Driver Lane

A basement bar serving a wide range of cocktails, French bistro-style bar food with live music.

Eau de Vie

Eau de Vie

A bar with liquid nitrogen cocktails, tasting menus, plus a secret lounge hidden behind a bookcase.

Hell's Kitchen

Hell's Kitchen

Trading since 2001, and one of the stalwarts in one of Melbourne's iconic laneways.

Mitre Tavern

Mitre Tavern

A historic pub and steakhouse in Melbourne's oldest building.

Laneway culture

Iconic laneways and arcades walk

Iconic laneways and arcades walk

Take a walk through Melbourne’s arcades and laneways.

Street art

Street art

Melbourne laneways are filled with street art, stencils, paste-ups and mixed media.

Walks and itineraries

Walks and itineraries

These self-guided walks and itineraries will help you discover Melbourne's best sights.

Coffee shops

Coffee shops

Get the scoop on the best coffee spots in Melbourne, from roasteries to cafes.

Discover more

Where to find Melbourne's best hidden laneway bars

Where to find Melbourne's best hidden laneway bars

Discover some of the city's best hidden laneway bars and enjoy unique cocktails, sensational food.

Melbourne’s best hidden laneway cafes

Melbourne’s best hidden laneway cafes

Head down these laneways to find leafy cafes, tiny hole-in-the-walls and hidden gem coffee roasters.

A laneway lover’s guide to Guildford Lane

A laneway lover’s guide to Guildford Lane

Seek out Scoopy Milk Bar, brunch at Krimper and visit more of Melbourne's best cafes.

Guide to Melbourne’s best street art

Guide to Melbourne’s best street art

We've found the best art hiding in laneways, on buildings and exploding out of the walls.