On March 8, the world’s fastest cars will sweep through Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit for the Australian Grand Prix. If you are here now, chances are the city will feel busier than usual. Melbourne knows how to put on a show.
There is a plenty to do off the track as well. Melbourne is well known for its art, architecture, and food..
Dinner, drinks and glamour
On Bourke Street, Maison Bâtard presents modern French culture. Try the crab tartlet topped with caviar and the thick-cut, perfectly tender steak.
A short walk away, Apollo Inn transports you to another decade. Order the bittersweet Lucien Gaudin, led by gin and Campari, and Hazelnut Martinis, which have a mellow, nutty richness.
Around the corner, diner Gimlet at Cavendish House reminisces 1920s glamour. There is a touch of European charisma here with its high ceilings, curved banquettes, and brass accents that echo grand continental dining rooms. The lobster is rich and buttery, a dish that makes you work a little bit, but by the last bite you are content, and convincing yourself to go for a second round.
Art by the way
After the morning coffee, a walk across Federation Square, leading to The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is a bonus if you are a history buff.
Wurrdha Marra, meaning “many mobs” in the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language — the language of the Wurundjeri People, the traditional custodians of Melbourne region — showcases powerful First Nations’ works, while the Bark Salon gathers more than 150 bark paintings.
A short walk takes you to the Koorie Heritage Trust. The public tour, the Birrarung Wilam Walk, tells us the Aboriginal history of the Yarra River and the Kulin Nation.
A single sculler rows along the Yarra River
| Photo Credit:
AFP
The culinary circuit
A ‘Bucket List’ tasting tour (upwards of AUD 199 per person) with This Is Melbourne includes up to 10 tastings across multiple premium restaurant stops, all led by a local guide, and takes you through the city’s culinary world. You walk, talk and taste your way through the city for up to four hours.
In Hosier Lane in Melbourne’s central business district (CBD), MoVida continues to uphold Spanish flavours with seasonal Australian produce. There, the Anchoa is a bit of a surprise: Cantabrian anchovy against crisp crouton, balanced by the touch of tomato sorbet. It is refreshing and gone in two bites. And don’t forget to check out Lucy Liu Kitchen & Bar on Oliver Lane which brings out a modern Asian edge to the table. The soft-shell crab wrap here is a standout. And at Pastuso, nearby on AC/DC Lane, Peruvian influences speak to Melbourne’s multicultural appetite. The ceviche is top notch, fresh fish in sharp leche de tigre with red onion and sweet slices of orange sweet potato.
Then there is Queen Victoria Market, spanning seven hectares and operating since 1878. On an Ultimate Foodies Tour organised by Queen Victoria Market’s official tour programme, people offer generous tastings while telling the story behind the market’s history. It is a place where Melbourne’s culinary prowess begins at the source.
When you are tired from walking and want to have a lunch, head to Higher Ground, which is across tiered platforms inside a heritage-listed powerhouse. The chilli scrambled eggs are soft and luscious, folded over warm flatbread and finished with chillies and herbs. It may sound simple, but it is a must try.
After dark
As evening settles, a walk through the busiest, yet very expressive laneway might take you into ease.
A street art experience with Depot Adventures reveals hidden laneway bars and towering murals that transform brick corridors into open-air galleries. The city’s creative phase is most vivid here. Pre-dinner drinks at Caretakers Cottage, awarded Bar of the Year at the Australian Bar Award, and then dinner at Reed House, just a three-minute walk away, close the night. Within the historic Manse Building contemporary Australian cuisine draws inspiration from British brasseries.
Weekend getaways (Box)
Not venturing far? No problem. Here is what to expect around the city during Formula 1 weekend:
The Formula 1 Exhibition, open until April 2026, offers fans a dive into the sport before lights out. Historic cars, engineering displays and behind-the-scenes storytelling make it more than a photo opportunity, it is a small gateway to understand the sports in a more fun way.
And at Federation Square, you can expect free outdoor programming, live performances, screenings and community events. It is a major meeting point where visitors and locals come together mid-sessions.
If you are planning to stay and looking for a small adventure, a drive along the Great Ocean Road, ending at the iconic Twelve Apostles, may provide a scenic, serene pause after an exciting weekend.
Published – March 05, 2026 04:56 pm IST
