The best pre-packed picnics in Melbourne

Earl Canteen’s Spring Picnic Share Platter is the perfect option for two to four  people to graze. Whether you’re busy catching up or not, you’ll have chicken sandwiches, spring tartlets, fritters, antipasto, sweets and more at your disposal. You can also opt for a vegetarian version. The pack is ready to eat (and even includes napkins) and is priced at just $60. You can also opt for delivery or pick up from Earl’s Cremorne or CBD locations. Order yours here.

There’s something incredibly satisfying in being able to choose your own bagel toppings, and the Pick Up Picnic Pack by Migrant Coffee gives you the chance to have fun with your food. Comfortably serving four, the pack is priced at $80 and includes: four New York style bagels, four spreads, fresh avocado, rocket, tomato, onion, capers, premium pastrami slices, sliced smoked salmon, sliced leg ham and sliced cheddar cheese. But then they throw a delicious spanner in the works by also including polveron, atchara and chicharon, and four cans of Prosecco with two bottles of OJ. This is a picnic you won’t soon forget. Get yours via their website.

Divert your eyes from day-old, chain-store sushi and cast your attention to these Picnic Boxes by Komeyui. Choose between the Appetiser and Omusubi Box valued at $98 which comes with a variety of Japanese rice balls, edamame, and ebi tempura, or the Temari Sushi Box priced at $55 which is served with beautiful little Temari sushi which you’ll probably want to admire for hours on end before you eat them. If you’re feeling particularly hungry grab both boxes for $153 via their online store here.

The team at Bahari in Richmond are giving you the chance to pick and choose what you would like from their menu, and they will serve it up so you can enjoy it in the park. They also have picnic rugs and baskets available to borrow, and they will provide you with eco-friendly cutlery, napkins, plates and cups. Choose from a variety of souvlakis, dips, salads, soups or small plates including grilled octopus, halloumi chips and more. Browse the menu and place your order via the contact number listed on their website.

Who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned cheese platter? The Victorian Farmhouse Cheese Platter for two by Maker and Monger is certainly no exception. Each platter features some of Maker and Monger's favourite Victorian cheesemakers and comes with four varieties of cheese, honeycomb from the Dandenong Ranges, fresh and dried fruits and water crackers. It’s valued at $40, or for an extra $30 they can even throw in a bottle of Pennyweight’s Biodynamic 2019 Gamay.

You can click and collect it from Prahran Market, or have it delivered within a 15km radius of Prahran. Order here.

Mickleham winery Marnong Estate has opened the doors to La Vètta, its new refined restaurant purveying contemporary Italian fare that’s been dreamed into reality by executive chef Salvatore Giorgio (+39, A25, Scopri, Bar Bambi). But if you'd rather indulge in the joys of good food and wine outdoors, then grab one of Marnong Estate's delightful trio of festive picnic gift boxes instead. Along with vino, they're brimming with goodies like premium salted nuts, almond bread, milk choc speckles, rocky road milk chocolate, lemon nougat, aniseed humbugs and more. Check this one out! 

Scott Pickett's Estelle is offering a chic and cheesy picnic option for two complete with two cheeses (one hard and one soft for balance), olives, chutney and lavosh. Or try out the venue's charcuterie picnic pack toting its housemade charcuterie, pickles and focaccia. For those looking to step up their picnic game, you can add on half a dozen Merimbula oysters (with a lemon and mignonette) for an additional $28. Pre-order via Estelle's website and pick up your goods from noon the following day. 

Support Victorian suppliers and take their produce to the park with by creating your own picnic box with goods from Co-Lab Pantry. Choose a bottle of rosé or olives, lavosh and hummus from Victoria’s finest makers, producers, bars and restaurants. Bar Louriñha also has a Picnic in Sevilla Box that comes with a range of tapas via their website here.

Joseph Vargetto and his team have put together picnic packs that are ideal for the individual picknicker, or those heading out in a group. Each pack comes with Mt Zero's marinated olives; salumi misti; Campari roasted duck and panzanella salad; a brioche roll with Gippsland Jersey cultured butter; a lemon tartlet and peach nectar. Add-ons include San Pellegrino's mineral water or a four-pack of beers, and each pack will set you back just $42 per person. Get it delivered to your door or pick it up in-store. Order here. 

For those seeking a chic French-inspired picnic date, look no further than Bistro Guillaume's picnic menu inspired by the French provinces of Burgundy, Provence and Brittany. Expect classics including mussels escabeche, freshly shucked oysters, Mooloolaba prawns, beef bourguignon, salad with Ortiz anchovies and more. A sommelier-curated wine pairing is also available as an add-on. Order here prior to 5pm for next day delivery within a 25km radius.

Footscray's pan-Asian diner Ms Sue has just released a Grazing Box suited for up to four people at $110. Sample salmon tacos; crab rolls; fresh papaya salad; seafood spring rolls; twice-fried wings and more. Pre-orders close each Friday by 6pm and are available for takeaway and delivery every Saturday. Call 0412 597 723 to place your order.

Cheese could be the ultimate picnic food, and if variety is the spice of life, then bringing a cheese platter to a picnic is the definition of livin'. Look no further than That's Amore Cheese for your cheese hamper needs this picnic season with boozy options also available on-hand. Order here. 

The brainchild of two avowed fans of Asian street food, Rice Paper Scissors is a casual dining concept bringing together Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Singaporean flavours. The picnic box by its catering arm can be ordered for two to 20 people and contain a banh mi per person, a rice paper roll flavour per person, and the choice of any two Southeast Asian inspired salads to share. Order here.

Scott Pickett's other award-winning venue, Matilda 159 is putting on a luxe picnic box priced at $70 for two. Each box is complete with a selection of charcuterie and cheeses; duck rillette; puffed veal crackers; lavosh; a baguette; a selection of fruit; smoked chicken and chive sandwiches; potato salad; raisin pear chutney; quince paste and pickles. Order here.

Elsternwick's Carter Lovett has your breakfast and lunch picnic needs sorted. Each breakfast box is priced at $70 for two (with the option to add on extra people for $30 a head) and can be made vegan. Start your day with housemade friands, egg sandwiches, soba noodle salad and more. For lunch, it's $80 for two (and $35 per extra person), and you can dig into the likes of chicken sandwiches, various salads, baba ganoush, fresh baguettes, cheeses and more. Order via email or phone 9528 4767.