Chinatown
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Neighborhood: Central Business District
Full of discovery and delight, Melbourne’s laneways tease the imagination long after you’ve put your weary feet up to rest. They weave through the heart of the city: cafes, bars, restaurants and boutiques, throbbing with conversation and espresso coffee. You never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner: cobblestone alleys, old beer barrel hoists and even vats of simmering organic soup. There is the air of Berlin in the street art, a touch of Paris in the umbrella-shaded cafes and, reminiscent of Rome, eateries tucked away in the most unlikely of places. Perhaps you might want a break and cross the Yarra River to Southbank - walk along the promenade, bask in the sun at a waterside bar and decide whether to go to the nearby casino or book a ticket at the Melbourne theatre company.
Reach out directly
See what travelers are saying
  • Stewarts Vacation
    1,035 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visit later in the day
    We visited mid-morning and found the entrance archways, decor and architecture interesting. However, there was no vibe as many of the shops/restaurants were not open yet. Probably best to visit later in the day and plan to have a meal at one of the many restaurants.
    Visited March 2023
    Written April 1, 2023
  • Jeffry b
    Essendon, Australia14,153 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Chinatown hosts many eateries
    Chinatown remains a Chinese enclave in the heart of Melbourne. Apart from the Chinese Museum, it hosts many eateries, in varying price ranges. Diners can get lunch for $20 at the Shanghai Dumpling House in Tattersalls Lane. At the other end of the spectrum, the Flower Drum in Market Lane is said to be the best Chinese restaurant in Australia, with prices to match. Chinatown was hard hit by Covid, but it is bouncing back. By the way, don't over-order, you can always order more.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 7, 2023
  • Jeffry b
    Essendon, Australia14,153 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Original and most interesting Chinatown
    This is one of Australia's original and most interesting Chinatowns. Melbourne's Chinatown has flourished for over 100 years. Numerous restaurants have come and gone, but Chinatown has always bounced back. Chinatown is a community center for the city's Chinese population. It's a great place to explore, you can get anything from a bowl of noodles to a top-notch meal. Chinatown is located in Little Bourke Street, between Swanston Street and Spring Street.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 31, 2023
  • Travelove58
    11,338 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Chinatown that is no different from any other streets here
    Its just like most places in Melbourne with a mix of restaurants, shops & even a church - spread along 2 straight stretches of street. Obviously there are more Chinese restaurants here, but also Korean, Japanese, Indonesian. KMart has a big store here, housef within a small mall. Really, nothing distinctive to differentiate it from any normal street. However the surrounding streets/road offers lots of nice shops/dining.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 29, 2023
  • Jeffry b
    Essendon, Australia14,153 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oldest Chinatown in the Western World
    Melbourne's Chinatown is the oldest Chinese settlement in the Western World. Chinatown has been a community hub since the 1850s. Although Chinatown is well-known for its cuisine, it is in constant flux; here today, gone tomorrow. Restaurants range from the up-market Flower Drum to dumplings, a bargain for locals and visitors. Chinatown takes in Little Bourke St, from Swanston St to Spring St.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 8, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles877 reviews
Excellent
257
Very good
381
Average
208
Poor
23
Terrible
8

Diane S
Fairfax Station, VA101 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Family
The Lunar New Year celebrations exceeded our expectations. Amazing variety of performers and food. There are also many great restaurants.
Written December 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia14,153 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
Melbourne's Chinatown is the oldest Chinese settlement in the Western World. Chinatown has been a community hub since the 1850s. Although Chinatown is well-known for its cuisine, it is in constant flux; here today, gone tomorrow. Restaurants range from the up-market Flower Drum to dumplings, a bargain for locals and visitors. Chinatown takes in Little Bourke St, from Swanston St to Spring St.
Written December 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

westoz
Perth, Australia109 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
A yum cha restaurant in little Bourke St - a pot of Chinese tea ($3.50pp) 2 serves of dim sum (only 3 pieces in each) and 1 serve of sticky rice - total bill $43 !! This is outrageous price gouging at its worst. How pathetic, goodbye little Bourke street forever
Written October 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

reeceyb
Chichester, UK1,636 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
This was a good place to wonder and follow your nose for the food which was all very very good all sorts of different vendors selling they take on Chinese food worth walking through
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

krocchi
Singapore, Singapore1,430 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
Melbourne’s Chinatown is easily accessible. It is basically an Asian food street with nothing much to see honestly. All there are are asian restaurants.
Written September 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travelove58
11,338 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Its just like most places in Melbourne with a mix of restaurants, shops & even a church - spread along 2 straight stretches of street. Obviously there are more Chinese restaurants here, but also Korean, Japanese, Indonesian. KMart has a big store here, housef within a small mall.
Really, nothing distinctive to differentiate it from any normal street. However the surrounding streets/road offers lots of nice shops/dining.
Written August 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia14,153 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
This is one of Australia's original and most interesting Chinatowns. Melbourne's Chinatown has flourished for over 100 years. Numerous restaurants have come and gone, but Chinatown has always bounced back. Chinatown is a community center for the city's Chinese population. It's a great place to explore, you can get anything from a bowl of noodles to a top-notch meal. Chinatown is located in Little Bourke Street, between Swanston Street and Spring Street.
Written August 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia18,466 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
This area adds to the beauty, of this amazing city, we loved just walking around taking it in, there are many eateries to enjoy, not to be missed.
Written July 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mayccm2018
Hong Kong, China513 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Solo
Chinatown locates in the heart of Melbourne. There are numerous Chinese characteristic food shops with reasonable prices and cheap shops there. Can have leisure time to walk around.
Written April 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia14,153 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Friends
Chinatown remains a Chinese enclave in the heart of Melbourne. Apart from the Chinese Museum, it hosts many eateries, in varying price ranges. Diners can get lunch for $20 at the Shanghai Dumpling House in Tattersalls Lane. At the other end of the spectrum, the Flower Drum in Market Lane is said to be the best Chinese restaurant in Australia, with prices to match. Chinatown was hard hit by Covid, but it is bouncing back. By the way, don't over-order, you can always order more.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CHINATOWN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Chinatown

According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Chinatown: