Iconic laneways and arcades walk

Wandering through the city’s mosaic arcades and art-filled laneways might be the ultimate way to see Melbourne on foot. Here’s where to find the hole-in-the-wall cafes, secret shops, tiny wine bars and iconic restaurants of the small streets.

This walk is approximately 2.4km and takes around 2 hours.

Sights on this walk

A laneway with outdoor cafe seating under umbrellas.

1. Degraves Street

Across from Flinders Street Station, this is ground zero for street art and alfresco brunch.

One of Melbourne's most recognaised laneways is home to street art and a range of laneway dining options.

Browse handmade and local gifts at Clementine’s, bite-sized treats at Little Cupcakes or beautiful stationery at Il Papiro.

Two women walking through a laneway filled with boutiques and cafes.

2. Centre Place

This tiny bustling alleyway is packed with cafes, bars, offbeat shops and street art.

Pause to appreciate the Majorca Building on the corner, built in 1928 in the Spanish Moorish style.

Then take in the hustle and bustle of this dynamic thoroughfare and its surrounding street art, bars hidden up flights of stairs, and unusual shops.

People collecting food from a laneway takeaway shop.

3. Scott Alley

Stop for French crepes at Roule Galette or a taste of Hanoi at Heartbreaker Bun Mee.

Look up to take in all seven storeys of Bible House, built in 1898.

Interior of the Cathedral Arcade, showing the glass ceiling and glass-fronted shops.

4. Cathedral Arcade

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

The nine storey Nicholas Building was built in 1926 in the Chicago School style. Today it's filled with artists, studios and galleries.

In the ground floor arcade you can shop local fashion at Kuwaii or turn back time at Vintage Sole.

Discover more about Cathedral Arcade

Two women walking down a laneway into a shoe shop.

5. Manchester Lane

This lane is home to independent designers, shoes and streetwear.

Manchester Lane was named for its past life as a home to fabric factories in the 1860s.

Fast-forward to today and you'll find independent designers, chic shoes and limited edition streetwear.

Two women with shopping bags walking through a beautiful shopping arcade with tiled floors.

6. The Block Arcade

Take in the stunning glass canopy and mosaics of this historic shopping arcade.

The Block Arcade's impressive 1893 glass canopy and mosaics are reminiscent of the Galleria Vittorio in Milan.

Stock up on spices by the gram at the fragrant Gewürzhaus and don’t miss the unique Art of Dr Seuss gallery.

Discover more about The Block Arcade

A shopping arcade with domed ceilings and checkerboard floors.

7. Royal Arcade

See Australia’s oldest shopping arcade, dating back to 1870.

Here you can spot the famous Gaunt’s clock, flanked on either side by mythical figures Gog and Magog.

Shop for mystical gifts at Spellbox or sweet treats at Koko Black.

Discover more about Royal Arcade

People walking past restaurants and outdoor dining in a laneway at night.

8. Hardware Lane

This European-style laneway features live music and alfresco dining.

Stop in for a drink at the locally loved Kirk’s Wine Bar, named after the laneway’s 1840s horse-trading heritage.

Two women walking into a laneway venue at night,

9. Warburton Lane

Check out the street art and then head upstairs to find Spanish piano bar Murmur.

Three people exiting an outdoor laneway bar.

10. Whitehart Lane

Stop by for a cocktail at Whitehart's double-storey shipping container bar and rooftop.

Two women walking down a laneway with plants.

11. Rankins Lane

This laneway is home to Manchester Press, serving up great coffee and bagels.

Beloved Melbourne artist Mirka Mora once had a studio in Rankins Lane, where balconies now overflow with greenery.

12. Somerset Place

Stock up on coffee and visit a one-stop-shop for food, fashion and haircuts.

The coffee odyssey continues at Cartel Roasters in Somerset Place. Overlooking the laneway, Captains of Industry offer bespoke footwear, slick haircuts, made-to-measure menswear and lunch.

Two women carrying shopping bags past colourful stores and seating.

13. The Strand

Shop designer denim at Rag & Bone on the corner of The Strand’s rainbow-lit arcade.

The Strand Melbourne offers a mix of fashion and lifestyle retailers, among the city's most iconic laneways and arcades.

It occupies two prime corners, with direct access to Emporium Melbourne and Melbourne’s GPO. Tenants include a flagship Australia Post, on the corner of Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets, with partial 24-hour access. There are two levels of on-site car parking.

Discover more about The Strand

People sitting in a laneway outside a bar.

14. Driver Lane

Browse fashion at Acne, cake at Sweet Canteen or sip cocktails at basement bar Beneath Driver Lane.

Two women walking past a restaurant in a narrow laneway.

15. Postal Lane

Stop at lantern-lit pizzeria Ca de Vin before indulging in some retail therapy at Emporium.

A lush vertical garden leads to Ca de Vin’s lantern-lit pizzeria in Postal Lane.

At the Little Bourke Street end, you'll find five floors of shopping at Emporium, or walk though for more at Melbourne Central.

More to explore

Crossley Street

This laneway features two icons of Melbourne: Pelligrini’s and The Paperback Bookshop.

Market Lane

This shortcut between Chinatown and Bourke Street showcases the city’s best Chinese dining.

Albert Coates Lane

This newer laneway within QV Melbourne is home to local designers and international labels.

Katherine Place

Revitalised via the Green Your Laneway project, this urban jungle is a foodie hotspot.

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