7 Must-Visit Hidden Food Gems in Melbourne

If you’ve ever been to Melbourne, you’ll likely be familiar with the city’s treasure trove of hidden rooftop restaurants, hole-in-the-wall-cafés, and secret bars behind bookshelves. There are hidden Melbourne gems all over the well-worn city streets, and while it might take a little digging to discover them, we think it’s well worth the extra research.

Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of 8 must-visit Melbourne hidden gems so you don’t have to! From cocktail havens and tropical hideaways to unassuming cafés and cosy nooks, these delicious and little-known hotspots are perfect for your travel itinerary.

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Jin Bar: A Taste of Gold Rush Paradise

Where: Dorsett Melbourne, 615 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Be transported into Victoria's gold rush history at Jin Bar, our very own hidden watering hole gem. "Jin," Mandarin for Gold, meticulously intertwines this cultural heritage into Jin Bar's specially crafted menu, accentuated by elegant gold leaf decor and warm, welcoming service.

In its intimate corners and subdued lighting, Jin Bar beckons patrons to savour an enticing cocktail list crafted to perfection by our expert mixologists. We also pay homage to local suppliers with craft beer from Spotswood, wine from Gippsland, and spirits from the Yarra Valley.

Explore a menu that embraces local treasures, such as Mornington Peninsula olives, regional ceviche, and a charcuterie board laden with cured meats, cheese, and condiments from Victoria's finest.

Hot tip: Don't miss the Happy Hour, a golden opportunity from 5-7pm Sunday to Thursday, offering classic cocktails, beers, and wines to enhance your Melbourne nightlife experience.

Eau de Vie: Melbourne's Hidden Cocktail Haven

Where: 1 Malthouse Lane, Melbourne
Distance from Dorsett Melbourne: 12-minute drive or 20-minute tram ride

Immerse yourself in the clandestine allure of Eau de Vie, where dim lighting, an intimate setting, and jazz melodies create a captivating ambience reminiscent of 1920s prohibition America. Does a hidden Melbourne bar get more fabulous than this? We think not.

At Eau de Vie, the spotlight shines on its secret lounge concealed behind a bookcase, housing an extensive array of rare and exclusive whiskies. Aptly named The Whiskey Room, this intimate and moody space exudes an air of danger and excitement. A drink in this concealed bar truly feels like you’ve stepped back in time to the scandalous era of bars in the roaring 20s.

If whiskey isn't your thing, you'll be in heaven with Eau de Vie’s exceptional spirits collection and cocktails crafted under exotic liquid nitrogen plumes. Accompany your drinks with a food menu filled with delicious snacks, share plates, and charcuterie boards for the perfect start to a night out discovering all the secret things to do in Melbourne.

Credit: Glam Adelaide

Trinket: Secret Wardrobe Bar

Where: 87 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Distance from Dorsett Melbourne: 11-minute drive or 20-minute tram

Trinket offers a captivating escape from the ordinary, immersing visitors in a world of enchantment and vintage charm. Enter the main bar on Flinders Lane, but don't get too distracted by the twinkling lights and bustling bar activity.

Instead, weave your way through tables and chairs to the cherrywood wardrobe, situated about halfway down the bar on the left-hand side. Live your Narnia dreams in full (though without the winter wonderland on the other side) as you step through coats and hangers onto a hidden staircase. Below ground, you'll emerge into a lavish realm adorned with velvet sofas, chandeliers, and some of the best cocktails in Melbourne.

Indulge in delicious menu offerings like chilli prawns, tempura cauliflower florets, swordfish with yuzu and wasabi pearls, and a sumptuous selection of wood-fired pizzas. On the cocktail menu, we can’t go past the Prima Ballerina, featuring raspberry-infused gin, pineapple shrub, rhubarb bitters, lemon, and cranberries.

Jungle Boy: A Tropical Hideaway in Melbourne

Where: 96 Chapel Street, Windsor
Distance from Dorsett Melbourne: 16-minute drive

If you’re looking for that real hidden gem in Melbourne, Jungle Boy is definitely one that takes a bit of extra digging to find. If you don’t know where it is or how to access it, you likely won’t just stumble across this most hidden Melbourne establishment. Luckily, we’re here to dish on all the secrets.

Concealed behind the fridge door at sandwich shop and deli Boston Sub on Chapel Street, Jungle Boy is a slice of tropical charm nestled in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most iconic urban streets. This contemporary bar is adorned with lush greenery, hanging plants, and animal paraphernalia, creating a jungle paradise that makes it hard to bid farewell.

While this eclectic mix of Boston Sub’s New York-inspired sandwich shop and Jungle Boy’s tropical-style secret bar might seem odd at first glance, we promise that a visit to both of these venues will be one of the best hidden things to do in Melbourne during your trip!

Section 8: Graffiti Laneway Bar

Where: 27-29 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne
Distance from Dorsett Melbourne: 9-minute drive or 14-minute tram

Grungy-chic takes on a whole new meaning at Section 8, one of the coolest Melbourne hidden gems and a true slice of the gritty, graffiti-decked city secrets.

Tucked at the end of Tattersalls Lane in the heart of the city, Section 8 operates out of shipping containers inside a converted car park. While it might sound a little questionable, the look and feel of this lively bar is anything but.

Join the crowds milling in the laneway and outdoor area, adorned with some of Melbourne’s best graffiti street art and dripping in lush greenery. Colourful hanging bulbs light the space as the sun goes down and the DJ set begins, transforming this container into a buzzing open-air wining and dining mecca.

Section 8 is quintessential Melbourne in a nutshell. If you’re looking for a hidden laneway experience, this is the one to go to.

Credit: Longsong

Longsong: Drinks Above the City

Where: Upstairs, 44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Distance from Dorsett Melbourne: 12-minute drive or 18-minute tram

If you’ve ever wandered along the famous Little Bourke Street in Melbourne, you might have seen the impressive converted 1990s horse stable that houses acclaimed Thai restaurant Longrain. While this rustic and sprawling eatery should be at the top of your must-visit list of dinner spots, it’s the secret bar atop Longrain that really takes the cake – or should we say, stir fry.

Enter Longrain and make your way to the stairs at the back of the building. Up here, you’ll discover Longsong, the restaurant’s sibling venue and the perfect place for a little authentic piece of Bangkok-meets-Melbourne.

The innovative cocktails and drinks at Longsong mirror the sweetness and spice of the downstairs dishes. Enjoy creations like:

• Playing It Safe: A spicy blend of chilli infused vodka, kaffir lime, pineapple, and passionfruit.
• Clarified Thai Milk Tea: Indulge your sweet tooth with this boozy twist on the Thai classic, featuring spiced rum, coconut condensed milk, chocolate, and lime.
• Danny’s Elixir: Light and refreshingly good, the white rum, honey, and lemon blend beautifully with the Averna and St Germain elderflower.

Bar Lourinha: Tapas Delights

Where: 37 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Distance from Dorsett Melbourne: 13-minute drive or 20-minute tram

While Bar Lourinha isn’t exactly hidden, we like to think of this fabulous tapas bar as more ‘hidden in plain sight’. Bar Lourinha is relatively modest in its street-facing appearance, and it’s one of those restaurants that passersby could easily just, well, pass by. If you’re a Melburnian or an avid foodie, though, you’ll know that skipping this eatery would be a big mistake.

This European fusion eatery combines the best flavours of Spain, Italy, and France to create a seriously stunning culinary experience. From excellent service to exquisite wine and even better food, it’s no wonder Bar Lourinha is always packed – even on a weeknight.

The Mediterranean and Iberian-inspired menu boasts the best in organic and sustainable foods, with new specials from locally sourced ingredients almost every day. Start with some rock oyster and kumquat mignonette tapas, move on to the free-range pork and spicy feijoadas, and finish with a delectable pomegranate crema and pistachio praline for dessert.

We recommend booking a table at this most popular of Melbourne hidden gems – and be prepared to return the following night for more!

Credit: Little Rogue

Little Rogue: Cosy Coffee Hideout

Where: 12 Drewery Lane, Melbourne
Distance from Dorsett Melbourne: 7-minute drive or 15-minute walk

Let’s take a break from the bars and nightlife and venture into the world of Melbourne’s coffee house gems. Kicking off our list of caffeinated hidden Melbourne spots is Little Rogue. This small coffee house might look like little more than a blue door set into a brick wall, but rest assured that this must-visit café boasts big character inside.

Light-filled and bright, Little Rogue is a cosy nook set into the cobbled and graffitied Drewery Lane. Take a seat at the window-facing coffee bar to enjoy a velvety latte and fresh-baked croissant, or grab a takeaway coffee to keep you fuelled for a day of laneway hopping and city exploring.

Patricia Coffee Brewers: Hole-in-the-Wall Heaven

Where: Rear of 493-495 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Distance from Dorsett Melbourne: 10-minute tram or 10-minute walk

Another Little Bourke staple is Patricia Coffee Brewers, a half-hidden hole-in-the-wall secret that draws avid coffee lovers and Melbourne locals to its hideaway every day.

Like Little Rogue, Patricia Coffee Brewers is unassuming yet oh-so-chic. If you’re not looking for it, you’ll very likely miss the hidden entrance just off the street. Go past the barber shop on the laneway’s corner and enter the warmly inviting and divinely-smelling café, where you’ll be treated to some of the best coffee in Melbourne.

If you’re feeling peckish, or you simply want to indulge your sweet tooth, Patricia Coffee has a window display that dreams are made of. The baked goodies are renewed weekly, but you can expect the likes of giant chocolate chip cookies, chewy whoopie pies, carrot cakes, date loaves, and, of course, flaky croissants.

While this café is standing room only, it’s the perfect pitstop for a morning brew before venturing out into the city to uncover more Melbourne hidden gems.

Stay in the Heart of Melbourne’s Hidden Gems

Uncover the secrets of Melbourne's culinary and cocktail scene by exploring these hidden gems. From tucked-away laneway cafés to concealed wardrobe bars, each venue offers a unique and intimate experience that goes beyond the ordinary.

Whether you're savoring innovative cocktails in a tropical-themed bar, indulging in delectable subs and poutine, or stepping into a world of fantasy and whimsy, these hidden Melbourne treasures await your discovery.

For a stay that complements your journey through all the best hidden things to do in Melbourne, book your accommodation at Dorsett Melbourne and make your stay truly extraordinary.

Looking for even more places to eat? Check out our guide to the most iconic eateries in Melbourne to complete your culinary adventure.