What’s new in Melbourne’s laneways

Wondering what’s been happening behind the scenes in the city? Find out what’s new in our guide to the latest laneway openings.

Party at a hidden bar in a grungy laneway – Croft Alley

Fans of science lab-themed Croft Institute have waited five long years for a new bar in this Chinatown space. Enter, Solace. The test tubes have been swapped for disco balls in this bar-meets-club. Expect underground DJs, live bands and an intimate listening room. Follow the graffiti art down the laneway and raise a glass of natural wine to good times and good music.

Sip matcha in a sneaker wonderland – Flinders Lane

A matcha cafe popping up in a sneaker cleaning store? Sure, why not! Head to Flinders Lane to get your favourite kicks revived with a full detailing service. Then sip creamy Tokyo banana matcha, a Mont Blanc or freshly brewed coffee. Sneaker Laundry Lab opens 18 May and is slinging 3000 free drinks on launch day.

Sing karaoke at an after-dark festival pop-up – Howey Place

Lose yourself in RISING’s late-night festival hub in the Capital Arcade and Howey Place. Taking over the laneway with a frenzy of art installations and pop-up performances, it's the perfect stopover on your way to a show, or for kick-ons afterwards. Catch DJ sets and join in the karaoke. Then grab a drink at the micro bars.

Pretend you're in Tokyo and order premium katsu sets – Healeys Lane

Kappo Tora is Melbourne's newest Japanese diner and the menu has all the favourites. Look for the glowing lanterns and order a signature katsu set. It features the crispiest pork cutlets, house-made pickles, fresh wasabi, rice, miso soup, dessert and more. Or try shareable dishes like spicy salmon rolls, steamy hot pots, oysters and sashimi tasting plates.

Visit Yaowarat Road in Melbourne – Waratah Place

Inspired by Bangkok's Chinatown strip of the same name, Yaowarat brings Thai and Chinese street food to Waratah Place. The hidden Chinatown restaurant is from the team behind Aung Lo and Pick Prick. Load up on affordable dishes like crispy pork, tiger prawn noodles and whole steamed barramundi. Open until midnight every day of the week, you can always stumble in for a $1 bowl of warming congee.

Go on a dessert bar crawl – Manchester Lane

Two delicious new dessert spots have opened on Manchester Lane. First stop is Pecks Road Artisan Doughnuts. Grab a loaded toastie or a Caramilk cruller. And don't skip the signature Filipino-style ube doughnut. Keep the flavours of the Philippines going next door at Miguelitos Ice Cream. Try a scoop of the avocado ice cream, or go sweet and savoury with ube cheese.

Eat gimbap in Melbourne's official Koreatown – Little Lonsdale Street

Healey's Lane, affectionately known as Kimchi Street, is officially the home of all things Korean in Melbourne. Head to Dong Dae Mun just opposite the laneway on Little Lonsdale Street for a cheap lunch feed. It's hard to go past the gimbap. It comes loaded with fresh crunchy veggies, rice and your choice of protein, wrapped in seaweed. Get it with bulgogi, tofu, ham and more.

Feast on Hong Kong comfort food – Rose Lane

For more cheap eats in the west end, visit Mandarin Food Store. This unassuming spot in Rose Lane is dishing up some of Melbourne's best home-style Hong Kong lunches. Favourites include the signature braised beef brisket claypot, mapo tofu and pork chops. Nothing on the menu is over $25, so you won't go home hungry.

Discover Melbourne’s smallest Thai restaurant – Little Collins Street

Blink and you could miss Eek Charm – Melbourne’s smallest Thai restaurant. This tiny hole-in-the-wall kiosk in The Causeway dishes up a menu of authentic noodle boxes. Choose from toppings like chilli pork crackling, quail eggs, fermented tofu, chicken meatballs and more. Then add a dash of house-made sauce, a sprinkle of crunchy peanuts and a squeeze of fresh lime. And the best part? Everything is under $12. 

Sip on spicy margs with a view – Hardware Lane

Melbourne’s new laneway rooftop bar doubles as a gluten-free Mexican restaurant. Located in the iconic Hardware Lane, Hotel Nacional is a five-storey foodie paradise. Take a seat at ground level and order everything from slow cooked barbeque lamb to juicy birria tacos. Then head upstairs for spicy margaritas with a view and small bites like corn ribs, tostadas, croquettes and more.

Enjoy a street food feast at a secret Thai spot – Sutherland Street

Sutherland Street has just scored a tiny Thai food joint. Make your way to Pak Soi and get ready for a big to-go feast or pull up a little plastic stool and tuck in. Try a filling snack pack with sticky rice and a tangy mango salad. Or go all out at the choose-your-own skewer station. On the sweeter side, you can’t go past the crispy pancakes with a Thai milk tea. Hot tip: it's open until 1am, perfect for those late-night tummy rumbles. 

Order handmade Japanese rice balls – Degraves Street

Find Japanese-style comfort food at Onigiri Kitchen and Sake Bar's second location on Degraves Street. Swing by for gluten-free rice balls, bento boxes and chicken karaage. Sip from unique jelly fruit sake flavours like peach, apple, plum and more. And for dessert? Try delicious sweet tofu cinnamon donuts.