Welcome to a gastronomic extravaganza in the heart of Melbourne! Having carved its place as one of the world's biggest culinary celebrations, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (MFWF) this year promises a celebration of culinary delights, world-class wines, and the vibrant spirit of our food-loving city.

We hope you’re hungry, because we’ve compiled a selection of the best and most-anticipated events of the 2024 food and wine festival in Melbourne. Let's dive into the highlights!

Key Events at MFWF 2024

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Event

When and Where

World’s Longest Lunch

15th March 2024 at Kings Domain

World’s Longest Brunch

16th March 2024 at Kings Domain

Global Dining Series

15th–24th March at venues across Melbourne

Eat Drink Westside

15th–24th March at venues across Melbourne’s West

Fed Square Events

15th–24th March at Fed Square

Tasting Experiences

15th–24th March at venues across Melbourne

Kickstart Your Adventure with Dorsett Melbourne’s Food Scene

With Melbourne food festival events scattered throughout the city at award-winning restaurants and gorgeous venues like the Royal Botanic Gardens and Fed Square, you’re perfectly positioned at Dorsett Melbourne to explore the best bites with easy transport access and walking distance to plenty of events.

Indulge in a foodie and cocktail-lover’s paradise right in the hotel at Jin Bar, which features gorgeous lounges and golden decor alongside exquisitely crafted cocktails and share plates.

And each morning of your stay, we recommend you head down to Port Bistro, our dedicated buffet breakfast restaurant with all the trimmings.

Keen to get out and explore the festival with no delay? Make a pit stop at Merriment Café for a quintessentially perfect Melbourne brew and delicious café menu offerings.

Even better, Dorsett Melbourne guests receive 25% off their bill at Merriment every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 2:30pm! Simply show the café staff your Dorsett Melbourne keycard to redeem the offer.

Highlights of the MFWF 2024 Program

When it comes to the revered Melbourne food festival, there are so many fabulous events to choose from that it can be hard to know where to start.

From Michelin star restaurant pop-ups and renowned chef collaborations to workshops, talks, and tastings, there’s a plethora of experiences set to tempt your tastebuds. Who knows, you might even stumble across a few hidden food gems along the way.

To help you plan your Melbourne Food and Wine Festival itinerary, we recommend you start with these unmissable events:

Chef Andrew McConnell sitting in front of a red backdrop

Credit: Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

World's Longest Lunch

15th March 2024 at Kings Domain

If you’re looking for just one event to attend at the Melbourne food festival, the esteemed World’s Longest Lunch has to be it.

Opening the 2024 MFWF program, culinary genius Andrew McConnell crafts a three-course masterpiece served along a sprawling 600-metre table in the stunning Kings Domain just a 15-minute drive from Dorsett Melbourne.

Witness the magic of Melbourne's culinary landscape with premium offerings from Aurum, wines by Tahbilk, beers from Brick Lane Brewing, and a touch of local flavour from Inglewood Coffee Roasters.

World's Longest Brunch

16th March 2024 at Kings Domain

Experience a culinary journey like no other with three dynamic talents—Harry Mangat, Helly Raichura, and Mischa Tropp—taking center stage at the World’s Longest Brunch, presented by Cocobella.

Harry Mangat kicks off the feast with his innovative chaat featuring local snapper, Cocobella coconut yoghurt, and lemon myrtle masala. Mischa Tropp presents the gutsy deliciousness of Goan tradition with a twist in the form of a ros omelette. Finally, Helly Raichura, known for her finesse at Enter Via Laundry, adds an elegant touch with a falooda infused with local flavors.

This three-course extravaganza includes prosecco, coffee from Inglewood Coffee Roasters, and a delightful gift bag, promising a day of culinary delight you won’t soon forget!

Global Dining Series

15th–24th March at venues across Melbourne

Sit down to the Global Dining Series, where international culinary maestros collaborate with Melbourne's finest chefs to deliver a series of unforgettable dining experiences.

Let your taste buds travel the globe without leaving your seat at a banquet of delicious events scattered throughout the city, including:

  • Taste of Chengdu at Chef David, 15th–17th March

  • Palida Anderson x Sungeun Mo at BKK, 17th–18th March

  • Potato Head Comes to Brunswick at Etta and Bar Romantica, 17th March

  • Where The Wild Things Are at Amaru Melbourne, 18th–19th March

  • Porteno x Smith & Daughters at Smith & Daughters, 19th March

  • Noble Rot x Marion at Marion, 20th March

Tickets are selling fast to the Global Dining Series events, so get in quick to reserve your seats!

Chef at the St Albans Twilight Market

Credit: Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

Eat Drink Westside

15th–24th March at venues across Melbourne’s West suburbs

Want to get out of the busy city vibes for an afternoon? Hop on a tram and make your way to Melbourne’s beautiful West suburbs where the acclaimed Eat Drink Westside events take place.

This distinctive program, a cherished part of the festival, is a special partnership between Melbourne's western region councils and Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

Fuelled by the region's culinary treasures and a vibrant food community, Eat Drink Westside beckons food enthusiasts, trailblazers, and trendsetters to discover the allure of Melbourne's West.

Some events are already sold out, but there’s still a handful of mouthwatering must-attends on sale:

  • Italo-Victorians Do It Better! at Pizza d’Asporto, 17th–24th March

  • Oh Honey, Honey: A Hive to Plate Dinner at The Vic Hotel, 20th March

  • Best of the West: Farm to Plate at 3030 Boulevard, 22nd March

  • Scrumptious St Albans: Twilight Market at St Albans Market, 22nd March

Fed Square Events

15th–24th March at Fed Square

Head towards the East End of the CBD to the iconic Fed Square, just a 12-minute drive or scenic 18-minute train/walk from Dorsett Melbourne, and discover Fed Square’s culinary transformation.

Embracing the city's delectable essence with an emphasis on accessibility, Fed Square is the ideal spot for those seeking spontaneous festival enjoyment or those without tickets to other events. In other words, it’s a little more flexible, allowing you to wander it at your own pace.

A highlight of MFWF at Fed Square is Dan’s Diner, a revival of the iconic retro diner experience showcasing the culinary prowess of some of the industry's most talented ‘Dans’. Think three-hat chefs Dan Hunter and Daniel Puskas, and renowned mixologist Daniel Docherty.

Presented by Dan Murphy’s (how fitting!), Dan’s Diner is open from 12pm–9pm for lunch, dinner, and drinks every day of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival this year.

Woman pouring sparkling wine into a glass

Credit: Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

Wine Tastings and Sips to Savour

15th–24th March at venues across Melbourne

No food and wine festival is complete without exceptional tasting experiences. The Food and Wine festival Melbourne curates a selection of beverage-centric events that showcase the best local and international wines, craft beers, spirits, and cocktails.

From intimate tastings to grand showcases, drinks enthusiasts will find their palate satisfied. Here’s a rundown of some key events, hand-picked by our own Jin Bar mixologists, to pair perfectly with your other festival experiences:

  • Friends, Fire and Fine Wine at Clover, 15th–16th March

  • Sake and Snacks Soirée: Exploring Japanese Flavours at Gracie, 15th–23rd March

  • Sparkling Wine Decoded at Epocha Restaurant, 16th March

  • The Journey of Beer at Brick Lane Market, 16th March

  • Caribbean Rum Tour at Casa NOM Bar & Dining, 18th March

  • The Drinks That Made Melbourne at Little Lion Distilling Co., 19th–20th March

  • Ori-Gin Story: The Garden in Your Glass at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, 20th–21st March

  • Perfect Pairing: A Wine Tasting Dancegustation at Noisy Ritual, 20th March

Farm-to-Table Delights

MFWF proudly champions the farm-to-table movement, emphasising sustainable practices and supporting local farmers, growers, and producers through its partnership with Vic Grown.

Vic Grown marks a tribute to the finest products and producers in the state, which feature at events and dishes all throughout the festival. Victoria’s diverse climate, coupled with the innovation, passion, and expertise of its producers, results in the cultivation and creation of some of the world's best food and beverages.

You’ll be treated to plenty of farm-to-table dishes at the events we’ve listed above. If you’re interested in learning more, you can discover the stories behind Victoria’s local produce and farmers here.

Mixologist at Jin Bar in Dorsett Melbourne

Dorsett Melbourne: Your Culinary Adventure Awaits

Make Dorsett Melbourne your festival headquarters. Nestled in a prime location on Lonsdale Street in the heart of the city, our hotel offers not only a comfortable stay but also easy access to the festival's epicenter.

Enhance your culinary journey by indulging in the delights of Jin Bar. Enjoy handcrafted specialty cocktails from our mixologists, delicious bites and share plates, and a gold-flecked and tranquil ambience that buzzes with a quintessentially Melbourne nightlife feel.

Embrace the flavours, aromas, and experiences that define the 2024 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. Book your stay at Dorsett Melbourne and immerse yourself in the culinary magic that awaits in this food lover's paradise.

Looking for more things to fill your Melbourne cup during March? Check out our March Madness guide for all the best events in and around the city!