12-course Samoan degustation. Wine-fuelled hatmaking. “Butter Butlers”. Free pizza. Anchovy martinis. New York’s hottest restaurant hosted northside.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is back with a jam (and jang) packed program March 20-29. It’s Australia’s largest, longest running food festival – but Creative Director Pat Nourse says it’s not just for ‘foodies’ (indeed, he waves away the “f word”).
“Ours is not a festival just for people who spend all day long thinking about food,” he says. “Ours is a festival for everyone in Melbourne, everyone in Victoria.”
There are over 200 events, with some yet to be announced in one of their biggest programs ever.
Here’s a taste of what’s to come.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
- When: 20-29 March
- Where: Various locations across Melbourne and regional Victoria
- Tickets: here
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
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Score a free feed
MFWF freebies were some of their biggest events in 2025. This year they’re giving away 1,000 slices of pizza at the Something Saucy pizza party and 1,000 serves of Korean Fried Chicken at Healey’s Lane, aka. Koreatown.
Taste the bakers’ best
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The sold-out Cake Picnic isn’t the only chance for baked goods. Baker’s Dozen drew over 10,000 people to Fed Square last year, and has expanded to spill out to the riverside. Helen Goh, Yottam Ottolenghi’s right-hand-baker, will collab with Mietta by Rosemary, as well as hosting lunch at Zinc with dishes from her new cookbook, Baking and the Meaning of Life, including prawn sambal buns, puttanesca galette and apple yuzu crumble.
The Hot Cross Bun Bar features specialty HCBs from Baker Bleu, Wild Life, Bread Club and Loafer, with the return of Butter Butlers’ flavoured butters. As well as goodies from local baking legends, visiting New York baker Abi Balingit will infuse Filipino flavours into Dröm, and AP Bread from Sydney is teaming up with Oji House. Gluten free needs are lovingly accommodated by Kudo. It’s bigger than ever, but Nourse says not to worry: the lines move fast and there’s entertainment between carbs.
Explore the crème de la crème of cuisine
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The Global Dining Series offers the chance to “explore the world without leaving Melbourne.” While New York restaurant Bridges’ popup up at Cutler sold out fast, Chef Sam Lawrence is adding a second event at Gerald’s Bar. In another highlight, James Henry of France’s Le Doyenné will cook at Brae.
“It’s one of the world’s great farm restaurants just outside Paris teaming up with one of the world’s great farm restaurants right here in Victoria,” Nourse says.
Mindy Woods from Karkalla on Bundjalung Country, 2025 winner of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Champions of Change award, will be in residence at Residence at the Potter. Aotearoa chef Monique Fiso (“Probably the best known Māori chef working in the fine dining space”), will cook with Alejandro Saravia at Farmer’s Daughters. Chef Henry Onesemo of three-hatted Tala is dishing up Samoan at Stokehouse. There’s international cuisine for the casual wanderer, from an Indonesian food fest to Mr Mills’ Martini and Bikini anchovy-focused specialties.
Get hands-on with the flavours
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“There’s plenty of opportunities to make stuff,” Nourse says. “You can learn how to make gnocchi, pizza, yum cha, bread or the food of Thessaloniki. You can get hands-on with fondue or cannoli and sausages and salami and passata.”
Break down a whole beast over brews? Pirate Life for you. Think you could pick a $1,000 30-year-old Scotch? Put your tastebuds to the test at Whisky & Alement. Yearn to balance your love of hats and wine? Learn hat-making at the wine warehouse of Steve Kimonides.
Eat local like never before
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“Obviously Melbourne is synonymous with Greek food,” Nourse says. “I think we’re in a moment when it’s fair to say that it’s really flourishing.”
This World’s Longest Lunch is dedicated to the longstanding place of Greek eats in Melbourne, led by Kafeneion, Tzaki and author Ella Mittas, where Victorian-made ouzo will flow. Kafeneion will also have a festival-long menu featuring family recipes from Melbourne’s Greek community.
Have a meal with mates
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While some events are “blind dates” partnering out-of-towners with local talent, Nourse says there’s “a special kind of magic to these things that are really driven by relationships.” For example, Shaun Moffat’s feast at Reed House, Moffat being both chef at Manchester’s lauded Winsome and longtime friend of Mark Hannell. Ben Williamson of Brisbane’s Agnes joins friend Steve Harry at Suze for Cafe Beirut, and Brico has brought London mate William Gleave (ex Brawn) for a week’s residency.
Escape to the country
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Melbourne Food and Wine Festival goes regional
MFWF is again hitting the road with regional events.
“I have always been… transported by reading about the feasts that people cook for their grape pickers in Europe,” Nourse says. “If you want to get a taste of that action, I reckon you should get along to the MoVida vintage at Stonier.”
Jayden Ong is hosting Sip, Stroll and Sounds, showcasing the Healesville Maker’s Quarter. As well as teaming up with Manzé for a meal, Meredith Dairy are hosting an event at Meredith with five courses of goat. On the final weekend, Chin Chin is taking over Pt. Leo Estate, from a fancy five-course menu to a DJ party on the terrace.
Keep an eye on their socials for the next ticket drop.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with MFAWF.
