The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is coming back to town with plenty of festival favourites and exciting new events over ten tasty days. Look forward to the return of the World’s Longest Lunch and Baker’s Dozen. Then, satisfy your sweet tooth with a cheerful cake picnic, and have fun with other events like a Korean fried chicken festival. There’s also a stacked Regional Events program, so you can embark on a culinary adventure around Victoria. The festival will run from Friday March 20 to Sunday March 29.
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival 2026
The festival will kick off with the World’s Longest Lunch on Friday March 20. This spectacular dining experience in Kings Domain will stretch over 600 metres long. This year, the lunch will celebrate Melbourne’s Greek community, with teams from CBD restaurant Kafeneion, Yarraville venue Tazki and author Ella Mittas. Feast on a meze plate, slow-roasted lamb shoulder and portokalopita, or Greek orange filo cake. Tickets include a three-course lounge with matched wines. They also include access to the Oceania Lounge, where you’ll enjoy local ouzo, Green-influenced cocktails and mezze from Vanilla Lounge.
If you like sweets, don’t miss the international sensation, CAKE PICNIC. Making its Southern Hemisphere debut at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, this event first began in San Francisco as a 15-person cake swap. This sensation has grown into a massive event around the world, selling tickets out by the thousand. Bring a cake to the picnic, and try everyone else’s. Find it at Kings Domain on Saturday March 21.
Baker’s Dozen will return to Fed Square for a two-day celebration of the best in cakes and baking around Melbourne. Find delightful treats from favourites like Amann Patisserie, Calle Bakery, Lune, Madeleine De Proust, Raya, Tarts Anon, To Be Frank and more. It will take place on the final weekend of the festival, running from Saturday March 28 to Sunday March 29.
Foodies will also get a chance to enjoy a three-course lunch with baker, recipe developer and food columnist Helen Goh. Try dishes from her new cookbook and hear from her in detail with a lunch at Zinc in Fed Square on Sunday March 29.
Global Dining Series
Remarkable chefs from around the world are coming to Melbourne as part of the Global Dining Series. Highlights include French restaurant and farm Le Doyenné taking over Brae, buzzing New York restaurant Bridges at Cutler and proud Bundjalung woman Mindy Woods bringing native ingredients to Residence. See the full list of events here.
MFWF Pop-Ups
Visit Koreatown, or Healeys Lane, and celebrate at the Festival of Korean Fried Chicken. They’re giving away a thousand serves of chicken from 11am to 2pm on Tuesday March 24.
In the Spicy Side of Collins Street, Mat’s Hot Shop is taking over Melbourne Quarter for a celebration of hot sauce. Have a sizzling time with fiery twists on brunch and lunch menus from your favourite spots on Wednesday March 25 and Thursday March 26.
Super Norma is giving away a thousand pizza slices at Leonardo’s Pizza Palace in Carlton. You don’t need to make a booking, just rock up on March 26. Something Saucy: The Pizza Party is on from 11:30am to 2:30pm, while stocks last.
Special Events
There’s over 170 experiences to look forward to in the Special Events program.
Highlights include:
- Karaoke Night Market – Luxsmith in Seddon is transforming into a night market, complete with Southeast Asian snacks like grilled skewers. There will be karaoke running in the background throughout the evening.
- An After Dark Culinary Adventure at Melbourne Zoo – Roam around the zoo and discover surprises around every corner. For something more family-friendly, there’s also a tasty and educational event in the daytime.
- The World’s Longest BBQ – Visit Left Bank Melbourne and enjoy unlimited food, local beer and free-flowing wine along the river.
- Indonesia Street Food Festival – Head to Queen Vic Market for delicious Indonesian cuisine, as well as live music and entertainment.
- Cell Block Speakeasy – Step into Old Melbourne Gaol for a moody night of jazz and vintage drinks.
See the full list here.
Regional Roadtrip
Keen to get out of Melbourne? Chefs, winemakers, brewers, distillers and growers from around Victoria are opening their doors for the festival.
Highlights include:
- Forage and Fire – Go on a guided foraging tour, then enjoy your finds in a feast cooked over fire, along with wines from Phillip Island Winery.
- Echuca’s Longest Lunch on the Wharf – Feast on local produce from the Murray region in this historic setting.
- An English Garden Party at the Dining Room – Sip on Pimm’s and Spritzes, play croquet and bocce on the lawn, and feast on produce from the kitchen garden at Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill.
- Chin Chin Weekend Takeover at Pt. Leo Estate – Indulge in Southeast Asian and Spanish-inspired flavours for lunch or dinner, or sip on cocktails and try paella fusion on the terrace.
For more regional events, click here.
Pre-sale tickets for 2026 are now available for Melbourne Food & Wine Festival subscribers. Tickets for the general public are available from 10am on Thursday November 27. Learn more here.
