Chinatown Melbourne: Best places to eat, drink and entertain in the CBD
Chinatown is calling Melburnians to come and bring life to its foodie streets again. Here are the reasons why you need to make it your next dinner destination.
Melbourne City
Don't miss out on the headlines from Melbourne City. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne’s Chinatown has been a thriving hub in the city since the 1850s gold rush, now the street is urging Melburnians to head out for some dumplings, drink a bubble tea and splash some cash to treat your self.
The popular precinct runs down Little Bourke St from Spring St to Elizabeth St and is home to more than 450 businesses who are in needed of local support.
See our map and guide below on where to eat, drink and play in Melbourne’s Chinatown.
WHERE TO EAT
Musou
398 Elizabeth St
Feeling like a stir fry? Look no further than Musou.
Every bowl at this Elizabeth St restaurant is customised from peppers and chillies to extra veggies, completed with Musou’s spicy Malaxiangguo special sauce.
You won’t be disappointed.
JiYu Thai Hot pot
Level 1/208 Little Bourke St
Jiyu Thai hot pot first began in Phuket before making its way to Chinese markets and later Melbourne.
Known for a secret soup recipe, fresh seafood and mouth-watering desserts.
HuTong
14-16 Market Lane
A nod to Beijing’s ancient alleyways, HuTong Dumpling Bar is where hungry customers can experience authentic dumpling culture.
Open for more than 10 years the eatery is known for its xiao long bao, spicy wonton and pan-fried dumplings.
Gotcha Fresh Tea
Ground Floor, 208 Little Bourke St
Gotcha Fresh Tea serves up the ultimate eye candy of bubble teas in Melbourne with every order individually brewed.
Niubi
11 Heffernan Lane
After opening last year during Melbourne’s pandemic peak Niübi is the new kid on the block that packs a punch.
Owners describe the menu as your favourite Asian dishes served with a cheeky Melbourne attitude.
Yamato
28 Corrs Lane
Visit this small Japanese restaurant famous for dishing up sushi and small plates in a warm setting.
Maxims’ Cakes
173 Little Bourke St
Filled with a range of custard treats and colourful desserts Maxims’ is the perfect spot to get an after dinner snack.
With a giant range to suit every craving this is a must for Chinatown visitors.
Ta-ta House
179 Russell St
Tata House is not one to miss, a favourite lunchtime spot for CBD workers coming for the in-house dumplings made everyday.
Go for the dumplings and spring onion pancake but stay for the unique stone pot soup, a very hard to find dish in Melbourne, served with assorted veggies, noodles and meat.
WHERE TO DRINK
For those looking for a bar off the beaten track there are several hidden and secret bars across Melbourne.
Berlin Bar
If you find the way in you will be transported to Berlin where you can choose your own adventure just one laneway off Chinatown.
The menu is themed around the cold war with all cocktails drawing on different elements, there’s even a Vladimir Putin cocktail if you feel like getting you spy on.
The bar has a unique atmosphere with the space split between West and East Berlin with decor to match.
To enter head to 16 Corrs Lane Melbourne and look up to see the Berlin lion – go up the stairs to the top floor, find the door and ring the bell to be let in.
Croft Institute
The Croft Institute is for the weird and wonderful of Melbourne, not your average bar, drinks here are served with a side of science.
The medical institute themed bar can be found by walking up Croft alley until you reach a dead end where you will find a large door for admittance.
21 Croft Alley, Melbourne
Bar Margaux
Bar Margaux is inspired by lux French bars in New York and is a recent addition to the Melbourne bar scene with the sophistication of a French bistro combined with lavish cocktails and a golden hour menu.
Located in a CBD basement, the bar is inspired by lux French bars in New York where glamorous drinks meet bistro food.
It’s owned by the Shade group, who run The Everleigh, Heartbreaker and Connie’s Pizza.
Currently open Thursday through to Saturday from 5pm.
To enter head to the basement at 111 Lonsdale St Melbourne.
Bar Clara
Melbourne is packed with unique cocktail bars but Bar Clara steps it up a notch with a well balanced menu described as an adventure for the senses.
Try the Banoffee Special to blow your socks off with a clarified banana infused whisky sour with toasted meringue.
87 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
THINGS TO DO
Tea Connoisseurs’ Night
Calling all tea lovers! The Tea Heaven Experience explores tea culture over the past 5000 years.
The event will cover the warming drinks’ impact on history before enjoying a tea ceremony where different varieties will be served in a small group experience.
Tea Connoisseurs’ Night is running from March 18 to April 11 from 7.30pm to 10pm at the Museum of Chinese Australian History, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne.
Museum of Chinese Australian History
22 Cohen Place
Learn about the history of Chinese immigration in Australia dating back 200 years.
Home to an extensive collection of significant items to the Chinese Australian population little known Melburnians.
One item prised by the museum is an opera gown donated by Eunice Leong.
Failed tennis prodigy on serious drug charges
A Melbourne man who went toe to toe against Roger Federer during a brief tennis career is now facing a string of drug trafficking charges.
Accused fraudster in rehab after alleged $4.6m+ scheme busted
One of two men facing fraud charges over allegedly swindling Infrabuild Australia out of millions over a four-year period has checked into drug and alcohol rehab overseas.