15 best laneways and arcades in Melbourne

Melbourne might be awash with cute laneways, but the one that’ll really leave you ‘thunderstruck’ is AC/DC Lane. The wee laneway was named after Aussie rockers AC/DC in 2004, and it sits not far from where the band shot the video clip for their 1975 hit ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’ (filmed on Swanston Street). 

Time Out tip: While you're there, pop in for a drink at Bar Bambi or a meal at Pastuso.

See the exact location here.

Otherwise known as “that laneway with all the hole-in-the-wall restaurants” and “Melbourne’s answer to Diagon Alley”, Centre Place is fantastic for food, shopping and street art. The magical little alleyway still has its blue cobblestone floor that contrasts with the cacophony of murals, tags and paste-ups on the walls. Grab a coffee and perch yourself on one of the tiny stools after browsing through the boutiques.

Time Out tip: Pull up a milk crate and enjoy a freshly squeezed bevvie from Jungle Juice Bar.

See the exact location here.

Hardware Lane feels like the light, leafy, European cousin to some of Melbourne’s grungier laneway haunts. There’s not a huge amount of room for pedestrians, but that’s because restaurants spill out onto the laneway on both sides.

Time Out tip: This is where you head for a feed come knock-off time – may we suggest the roasted cauliflower at Miznon or a vino at Kirk's Wine Bar?

See the exact location here.

The most beautiful stretch of Melbourne retail real estate unquestionably belongs to the Block Arcade. Opened in 1892, the grandiose arcade astonishes visitors with its ornate French Renaissance style architecture – think tall, sweeping arches, delicate cornices and a fancy pants decorative tiled floor. Enter off Collins Street to see shoppers flit through boutiques like Georg Jensen, the French Jewel Box, Card and Caboodle and the cocoa kings Haigh's Chocolatiers.

Time Out tip: Go on a guided tour to discover more about the arcade's rich and colourful history.

See the exact location here.

Connecting Flinders Lane and Flinders Street is Degraves Street, the slightly wider, slightly more Parisien extension of Centre Place. There’s less street art but more waffles (thanks to Waffle On) as well as cafés where you can get a glass of red as easily as a coffee. Degraves is also a great place to pick up a nifty gift (or something for yourself) with artisan stationery at Il Papiro and ice creamery Pidapipo. 

Time Out tip: This is one of the city's best spots for people-watching. Grab a chair, order a coffee and enjoy the show.

See the exact location here.

Sitting pretty on the corner of Flinders Lane and Swanston Street is the historic and heritage-listed Cathedral Arcade, which is located on the bottom floor of the famous Nicholas Building. Look up and you’ll see a leadlight archway that runs along the arcade, as well as a beautiful central dome that harks back to 1925. 

Time Out tip: You might recognise it from Courtney Barnett's 'Elevator Operator' video, which was filmed there in 2015.

See the exact location here.

When people think of Melbourne street art they’re probably thinking of Hosier Lane. Located off Flinders Street, this laneway’s like a gallery of evolving street art that's earned it a place in the guidebooks. If you’re looking to take some ace pics, arrive early or expect to wait: Hosier Lane’s popularity means it’s often filled with tourists also wanting to get the perfect 'gram. 

Time Out tip: Be sure to check out the historic Forum Theatre next door – it's just as picturesque if slightly less ‘grunge chic’.

See the exact location here.

Like many laneways on this list, this one's full of surprises. In Tattersalls Lane, you'll discover a budget-friendly dumpling institution (Camy Shanghai Dumpling and Noodle Restaurant), a graffiti-covered shipping container bar (Section 8) and a cool new spot for cocktail and vino (Aster). One thing’s for sure: you’d be hard-pressed to find a Melburnian who hasn’t spent a late night wandering down Tattersalls.

Time Out tip: Tattersalls links the CBD to Chinatown, so there are plenty of great surrounding Asian restaurants to also explore.

See the exact location here.

Just as glamorous as its older sister the Block Arcade, Royal Arcade is a high-ceilinged, checkerboard-floored shopping precinct wedged on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets. Constructed in 1870, the arcade takes the prize for being the oldest in Melbourne (and Australia), and it’s here you can pick up threads, vintage goods and seriously good chocolate from Koko Black.

Time Out tip: Before leaving, be sure to give its most famous residents a quick nod: Gog and Magog guard the Gaunt clock above the Little Collins Street entrance and punctually ring their bells to mark each hour.

See the exact location here.

Originally known as Nicholas Lane, Meyers Place is one of the city’s oldest laneways, but it hasn’t lost any of its old-school charms. Try San Telmo for some traditional Argentinian fare (which includes a lot of meat) or there’s Lily Blacks, an Art Deco cocktail bar that is a bit of fun. And for $7 slices of 'za (yes, really!) head to the aptly named Pizza, Pizza, Pizza.

Time Out tip: Score a bird’s eye view of Meyers Place when you saddle up to Loop Roof, the fun alfresco drinking deck that boasts foliage, '90s hip hop and botanical booze.

See the exact location here.

Melbourne Place isn’t your traditional straight-and-narrow laneway. It actually wraps around in an arc, meaning you can take in wine bar Embla, the members-only Kelvin Club, the Latin-inspired rooftop cigar bar Santana and delicious Armenian restaurant Sezar all in one easy swoop. Arguably you could spend a whole day just in this small inner-city quadrangle.

Time Out tip: Hot new hotel Melbourne Place (yep, named after the location) has just opened – book a room and thank us later.

See the exact location here.

While we’re still a little bitter that Melbourne’s historic GPO was taken over by a huge H&M store, one solace is that Postal Lane still stands. This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it laneway sandwiches itself between the GPO and Myer and can be accessed from both Bourke Street Mall and Little Bourke, opposite Driver Lane. 

Time Out tip: Think of it as a quiet haven away from shoppers – we recommend visiting Ca De Vin for cheesy Italian pizzas and pasta.

See the exact location here.

Market Lane provides a welcome entryway to Chinatown from Bourke Street. The cobblestone laneway is home to big-name restaurants, including HuTong Dumpling House (order the soup dumplings, and if you can manage it, some steamed, gelatinous pork belly) and Bavarian beer house Hofbräuhaus (don’t forget your lederhosen). 

Time Out tip: The jewel in this dining hub is undeniably Flower Drum – a five-star high-end Cantonese restaurant that’s stood the test of time.

See the exact location here.

Despite its grandiose name, Celestial Avenue is on the smaller scale for laneways in Melbourne’s CBD, but its rich Chinese history is what makes it stand apart. This small, slightly darkened lane was actually an integral part of the arrival of Chinese immigrants in the mid-19th century, as it’s here where the first Chinese lodging houses were built. 

Time Out tip: Chinese heritage lives on in the exceptional Cantonese restaurant Supper Inn (which also happens to be open until 2.30am every single day).

See the exact location here.

Alas, being called Flinders Lane doth not maketh a laneway. Maybe it used to qualify as a lane back in ye old times but these days Flinders Lane is most definitely a street. Still, it is still special enough to get a nod, considering it’s home to some of Melbourne's best restaurants. It's also conveniently central and connects two of Melbourne’s top laneways, Degraves Street and Centre Place.

Time Out tip: There are a number of notable heritage-listed buildings on Flinders Lane, including Manchester House, Ross House and Tomasetti Warehouse.

See the exact location here.