Melbourne’s laneways are an adventure on their own. Turn a corner and you might find colourful murals, a tiny hidden café, or a cool little boutique. You can wander on your own or join a walking tour – either way, there’s always something interesting to see. From shuttered alley galleries to European-style coffee bars, these narrow streets are part of what makes Melbourne so fun to explore.
Exploring the top laneways in Melbourne for street art and culture
Melbourne laneway street art bursts with colour and creativity, often changing daily. Fans explore these alleys on foot or on guided walks to see the latest graffiti installations.
Hosier Lane
- Location: Between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane (opposite Federation Square).
- How to get there: Access from Flinders Street Station.
- Best time: Early morning or midday (to avoid crowds).
The canvas is painted over regularly, so each visit reveals new artwork by local and international street artists.
AC/DC Lane
- Location: Runs north off Flinders Lane between Exhibition and Russell Streets.
- How to get there: Walk along Flinders Lane from Federation Square or catch a tram to Flinders Lane.
- Best time: Evening (rock ‘n’ roll vibe).
Look for the 3D sculpture of Bon Scott bursting through the wall and murals of rock legends.
Blender Lane
- Location: Off Franklin Street between Queen and Elizabeth Streets (just south of Queen Victoria Market).
- How to get there: Take the nearest tram at City Square/Swanston or train to Melbourne Central, then walk north.
- Best time: Daytime.
Named after Blender Studios, this bluestone lane bursts with bold artworks.
Union Lane
- Location: Between Bourke Street Mall and Little Collins Street near Swanston Street (opposite the Nicholas Building).
- How to get there: From Bourke St Mall, head south; the lane is tucked behind Melbourne Central.
- Best time: Daytime for vibrant art or evening for mood lighting.
Union Lane’s vibrant murals shine by day and are spotlit at night by shopfronts.
Famous laneways to eat in Melbourne
Wander into any alley, and you will find laneway restaurants in Melbourne that buzz with locals and tourists enjoying coffee, brunch or dinner.
Degraves Street
- Location: Runs north from Flinders Street Station (under Campbell Arcade).
- How to get there: Immediately north of Flinders St Station, the crowd heading up the stairs leads you in.
- Best time: Morning to midday.
Degraves Street is the archetypal Melbourne café alley with al fresco tables and espresso bars.
Hardware Lane
- Location: Between Bourke Street and Little Bourke Street (east of Swanston).
- How to get there: Walk down Bourke Street Mall (near City Square) and turn north into the cobblestone alley.
- Best time: Lunch or evening.
Grab a wood-fired pizza or pasta and wine at one of the trattorias, or listen to live jazz if you visit after hours (the lane often features jazz performances after dark).
Centre Place
- Location: Leads north from Flinders Lane between Elizabeth and Swanston Streets, veering left to Collins Lane.
- How to get there: From Degraves or Flinders Lane, turn into Centre Place (look for the open-air, covered arcades).
- Best time: Late morning to early evening.
It is lively at lunchtime and famous for its coffee shops and tiny sandwich bars. In the evenings, cheery lights and music from the cafés create a funky hideaway vibe.
Hidden laneways in Melbourne for food and drink, recommended by locals
Away from the well-trodden paths are hidden gems in Melbourne that locals love. These intimate eateries sit in unexpected alleys around the CBD. They include:
Duckboard Place
- Location: A tiny lane connecting Flinders Lane and AC/DC Lane (near Russell Street).
- How to get there: Head down Duckboard Place from Flinders Lane, just East of Russell St.
- Best time: Evening (restaurant crowds).
Tucked inside is the Tonka restaurant, where you can try the flaky pakoras, lamb curry, and cool wine bars.
Tattersalls Lane
- Location: Runs from Lonsdale Street up to Little Bourke Street between Swanston and Russell.
- How to get there: From Chinatown at Little Bourke and Russell, walk north into the covered alley.
- Best time: Evening.
Tattersalls is lined with Chinatown eateries by day, but it becomes a party lane at night. It is home to some of the hidden bars in Melbourne that locals swear by.
Meyers Place
- Location: Connects Bourke & Little Collins.
- How to get there: Begin at the intersection of Bourke Street and Spring Street, then head east toward the entrance, which is situated between Spring Street and Exhibition St.
- Best time: Late night.
Do not miss Pizza Pizza Pizza, an NYC-style joint hidden behind a curtain. The doughy slices and jukebox give it a downtown New York vibe.
Bligh Place
- Location: Runs from Flinders Lane north to Commerce House, between Queen and Elizabeth Streets.
- How to get there: From Flinders Lane opposite Melbourne CBD’s Queen Street, duck into Bligh Place.
- Best time: Lunch.
Grab a quick bowl of ramen or green tea and watch the nearby University of Melbourne students go by.
Guildford Lane
- Location: Between La Trobe Street and Little Lonsdale Street, near Queen and Sutherland Streets.
- How to get there: Walk 5 minutes from Melbourne Central Station or take any La Trobe Street tram and alight at Queen Street.
- Best time: Day or evening.
Some of the best cafés in Melbourne’s laneways, such as Krimper Café, are found here. Potted ferns and vines drape its walls, and tiny cafés with outdoor seating line the brick laneway.
Discover more hidden laneways and attraction sites in Melbourne that locals love for a deep dive into the city’s secret nooks.
Boutique shopping and unique finds in Melbourne’s laneways
After enjoying the best food in Melbourne laneways, you can explore boutiques by independent designers and high-end concept stores. These hidden passages lead to art galleries, designers, and vintage finds away from the big malls.
Flinders Lane
- Location: Runs east-west from Spencer Street to Spring Street (parallel to Flinders and Collins Streets).
- How to get there: Easily reached by tram or train to Flinders Street, then walk along the parallel Flinders Lane.
- Best time: Daytime.
Find boutiques like RetroStar Vintage Clothing or Vintage Sole for some of Melbourne’s funky vintage clothing
Cathedral Arcade & Nicholas Building
- Location: Arcade entrance at 37 Swanston Street, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral.
- How to get there: Tram to Flinders St–Swanston or walk north from Flinders Station.
- Best time: Daytime (shops close by evening).
Browse indie fashion boutiques like Kuwaii or Distal Phalanx, pick up a speciality coffee at Cathedral Coffee, and then take the vintage lift upstairs.
Manchester Lane
- Location: Connects Flinders Lane to Collins Street between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets.
- How to get there: Take any tram along Swanston Street and alight at City Square/Swanston St (Stop 11) or Melbourne Town Hall/Collins St (Stop 6).
- Best time: Daytime, shop hours.
In this laneway, you will find accessories, local designer brands, and even good books. A few notable names include Bared Footwear and Theosophical Society Bookshop. With cobblestones and heritage office buildings, it feels like stepping into a quiet lane dedicated to Melbourne’s creatives.
Choose your best place to stay in Melbourne with L’abode Accommodation
After exploring the best laneways in Melbourne and all they offer, you can retire to your ideal stay within the city or in Melbourne’s suburbs. At L’abode Accommodation, we offer various types of homes to suit every preference. Whether you want to pop into Hosier Lane’s street art by dawn or prefer a quiet cottage nested in Melbourne’s suburbs, we have you covered. Book the perfect base at L’abode and get ready to explore Melbourne’s famous laneways.