Chinese dragons at the front of a festival parade.

Chinatown

Venture through the golden-roofed gateways and let the hanging lanterns guide you along Little Bourke Street into Australia’s oldest Chinatown.

In this iconic strip, between Spring and Elizabeth streets, neon lights hint at hidden bars, while dumplings, yum cha, karaoke and Asian fashion beckon from arcades, laneways and windows.

Visit at any time of year and you’re bound to find delicious food, enchanting buskers and inspiring sights. Or see Chinatown come to life with festivals like Chinese Lunar New Year, Moon Lantern Festival and the Asian Food Festival.

A parade of performers walking a long lion puppet down a street during Chinese Lunar New Year

Melbourne's best Lunar New Year events

Featuring lion dances, delicious street food and weekend pop-ups.
The gates at Chinatown at night

The ultimate guide to Chinatown

Where to eat, drink and karaoke the night away in Melbourne's famous Chinatown precinct.
A busy Chinatown street with lanterns and restaurant signs.

Chinatown’s most iconic restaurants

These restaurants are some of the oldest and most loved in Melbourne's famous Chinatown precinct.

Where to find the best hidden bars in Chinatown

Take a detour to find secret basement cocktails, secluded rooftop bars and a fairytale wonderland.

Chinatown attractions

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Museum preserving and displaying the history of Chinese immigration.

206 Bourke Street

206 Bourke Street

A gateway to the Chinatown district and a unique retail and dining destination.

Chinatown Cinema

Chinatown Cinema

This cinema screens the latest Chinese-language movies.

The Paramount Corporate Centre

The Paramount Corporate Centre

Three-level retail centre in Chinatown with a licensed food court.

Eating and drinking

Flower Drum Restaurant

Flower Drum Restaurant

An iconic upscale Cantonese restaurant serving delicious food.

Supper Inn Chinese Restaurant

Supper Inn Chinese Restaurant

Supper Inn has been serving authentic, yet affordable, Cantonese food for over 35 years.

Chine On Paramount

Chine On Paramount

Cantonese restaurant that uses fresh ingredients to create a range of innovative dishes.

HuTong Dumpling Bar

HuTong Dumpling Bar

A three-level dim sum restaurant recreating the moody ambience of a Chinese dumpling house.

ShanDong MaMa Dumplings

ShanDong MaMa Dumplings

Traditional eastern Chinese cuisine mixed with diverse, multicultural influences.

Section 8 Bar

Section 8 Bar

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

China Red

China Red

Chilli wontons, Shanghai shao long bao and touch-screen ordering.

New Shanghai

New Shanghai

Located in Melbourne Central, New Shanghai offers Chinese cuisine of the Shanghai region.

Dragon Hot Pot

Dragon Hot Pot

Choose your base stock, then pick from over 100 fresh ingredients to make your own unique hotpot.

Liyin Rice Roll Master

Liyin Rice Roll Master

Serving authentic cheong fun (rice rolls) and Cantonese street food.

Taste of China

Taste of China

Offering authentic Chinese food where every bite transports you to the street of China.

Crystal Jade Melbourne

Crystal Jade Melbourne

Serving modern contemporary Cantonese cuisine in Chinatown.

Le Charme

Le Charme

Enjoy Hong Kong street food, Asian cuisine and desserts.

Sichuan House

Sichuan House

Cheap, authentic and spicy food from China's Sichuan province.

Chatime Melbourne Central Lonsdale

Chatime Melbourne Central Lonsdale

Serving a delicious range of freshly brewed iced tea.

ShanDong MaMa Mini

ShanDong MaMa Mini

This tiny dumpling eatery is tucked away in a Melbourne laneway.

Dainty Sichuan Food

Dainty Sichuan Food

Noodles and spicy hotpots cooked on your own personal cooktop inlaid into the table.

Oh Dumplings

Oh Dumplings

A family-run restaurant serving food with unparalleled freshness and flavour.

Toppings n Tea

Toppings n Tea

The ultimate destination for tea and boba lovers.

Shanghai Street

Shanghai Street

In Chinatown, Shanghai Street specialises in Chinese xiaolong bao dumplings.

Discover more

Monthly highlights

Monthly highlights

Make the most of your visit to Melbourne with our monthly guides to what's on in the city.

Museums and art galleries

Museums and art galleries

Explore Melbourne's public museums and galleries along with artist-run and commercial galleries.

Film

Film

Melbourne has a thriving film scene, with film festivals and screenings at cinemas year-round.

Theatre and shows

Theatre and shows

Discover Melbourne's hit musicals, cutting-edge theatre and late-night cabaret shows.