Soak up high summer at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. More than three decades on and this is one festival still firmly positioned as the premier Australian event on the international food and wine calendar. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival returns in 2025 with an illustrious 10-day program of 175 events across Melbourne running from 21–30 March.
The annual festival is a celebration of eating and drinking in Australia’s food capital, and as always its upcoming rendition is set to deliver a bumper program of pop-ups, chef collaborations, long lunches and Fed Square bakery takeovers.
The Global Dining Series will call upon an all-star cast of culinary talent. Expect chef collabs with Sezanne’s (currently ranked number one in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants) Daniel Calvert to join forces with Brae’s Dan Hunter for two intimate services, while Vue de Monde’s Hugh Allen and Michelin-star chef Konstantin Filippou will up the fine dining factor.
The renowned ‘World’s Longest Lunch’ which kicks off the festival each year, will be taking place in the Kings Domain on Friday 21 March. Guests will be seated at the 600-metre-long table, with Melbourne’s Curtis Stone headlining the event. While Julia Busuttil Nishimura’s desserts are the drawcards at the World’s Longest Brunch.
“This is the richest, broadest, deepest and flat-out tastiest food festival Australia has seen in years,” says Melbourne Food and Wine creative director Pat Nourse. “I’m so pumped for March, and whatever you’re into, be it things fancy or casual, epic or intimate, there’s a whole lot in this festival for you.”
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2025 highlights
World’s Longest Lunch
The World’s Longest Lunch has been a mainstay of the MFWF calendar since 1994, and the 2024 edition will see guests seated at a 600-metre-long communal table at Kings Domain. In 2025, the event will be led, direct from Los Angeles, by fan-favourite Curtis Stone.
15 March
Flower Drum x Ho Jiak takeover
Sydney-favourite Junda Khoo of Ho Jiak will step into the kitchen at Australian landmark Flower Drum. “I’m super-excited to team up with one of my favourite restaurants, Flower Drum, for MFWF,” Junda says, “We’ll be bringing our take on classic Chinese dishes fused with a lil’ tinge of modern Malaysian. Think things like 12-hour slow-braised short-rib with a Vegemite sauce.”
This evening celebrates the vibrant flavours and traditions of Malaysian and Cantonese cuisine across a thoughtful six-course menu.
25 March
World’s Longest Brunch
The World’s Longest Brunch is a walk in the park. In 2025, it’s literally a walk in the park. Led by beloved author and food personality Julia Busuttil Nishimura in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, grab some friends and get ready for an on-the-go feast like no other. The adventure starts at Tecoma Pavillion for coffee and meanders all the way to Dog Flat Lawn (with plenty of stopping and snacking in between), where The Alto Structure provides a spread of everything sweet and savoury.
Baker’s Dozen
Baker’s Dozen has been supersized in 2025, with the two-day celebration of Melbourne’s obsession with cakes and baking bringing together some of the city’s finest pastry makers. Some drawcards include croissant savants Lune, Baker Bleu, Tarts Anon and Antara 128, plus an exclusive showcase from special guests AP Bakery from Sydney.
Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 March, 10am to 3pm.
Danielle Alvarez x Stokehouse Pasta & Bar
Sit down for an exclusive dinner inspired by chef Danielle Alvarez’s time at the California-favourite Chez Panisse. Drawing on Danielle’s time at the Berkeley restaurant, this collaboration celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients through a beautiful bespoke three-course menu. Expect vibrant, ingredient-led dishes (Alvarez’s signature) that bring a playful nod to the legacy of Chez Panisse.
Progressive Dining Experience at the MCG
Curated by MCG executive chef Dylan Sanding, guests are invited to venture inside of the boundary lines and beyond, discovering exclusive members’ reserves, players’ change rooms and the MCG’s culinary centre. The experience includes a five-course meal, culminating with a rooftop chocolate garden, featuring creations by Australia’s only Belgian chocolate master, Ryan Stevenson.
25 March
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, presented by La Trobe Financial, runs from 21-30 March, 2025. View the full program at melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Tickets for the 2025 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, presented by La Trobe Financial, go on sale 10am Thursday 28 November to the general public, with pre-sales from 10am Monday 25 November for Melbourne Food & Wine Festival subscribers.
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival details
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