25 Mar 2025
As Victorians we are spoiled for choice with a constantly evolving culinary scene. Whether it's discovering a new restaurant or bar, wandering through lively markets, or grabbing a bite from a food truck while perched on a milk crate.
Melbourne’s hospitality business owners recently snagged a gong. The city’s dining scene was crowned the world’s top foodie destination for 2025 in a recent study by British travel company Travelbag. With so much on offer, food-obsessed travellers are flocking to Victoria to snack their way through the state—and can we blame them?
Travelbag was founded by Aussie entrepreneur Peter Wade in 1979. Beyond his travel industry success, Peter has significantly contributed to Australia's entrepreneurial landscape, including a donation to establish the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship at the University of Melbourne.
This March, the foodie scene heats up even further with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, an event that showcases the best libations and dining from 21 Friday to 30 Sunday March 2025.
The Finders Keepers Food Market transformed the Meat Market in North Melbourne into a vibrant atmosphere brimming with food, culture, and connection. Subtle Tea’s owner Samantha Griggs reflected on the experience:
“Being part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival through the Finders Keepers Food Market has been such a special experience for our business. It’s not every day we get to meet our customers face-to-face, share the story behind Subtle Tea, and see people light up when they try it for the first time."
Reconnecting with familiar faces and introducing so many new people to what we do was a real privilege. The festival is an iconic celebration of food and culture in Melbourne, and we’re proud to be a part of it.
With so many other events on, we’ve got a taste from the festival menu to tantalise your senses below. If you can’t resist a picture of a beautiful meal or a fabulous cocktail, then don’t forget to snap and share to Business Victoria’s Instagram if you attend an event:
- Shake things up at Melbourne in a Glass, where top bartenders stir, mix, and pour the city’s essence into every sip.https://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/events/melbourne-in-a-glass-a-cocktail-masterclass/
- Get ready to ooh and aah as Fare Share chefs turn rescued ingredients into a stunning three-course meal, with drinks by Wonki’s talented mixologists. https://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/events/every-ingredient-has-a-story-to-tell/
- Grill and chill Slavic style with internet sensation Daniel Dobra and Eat Pierogi Make Love’s chef Ola Gładysz in belt busting evening. https://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/events/slav-a-cue-the-slavic-barbecue/
- Tuckerberry Hill, on the Bellarine, will host a magical dinner with acoustic music, farm-side chats, and an onsite brewer. https://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/events/an-enchanted-orchard-evening/
To see the full lineup, make sure to visit: https://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au