Spring Graze Southside

A new major food event, Spring Graze Southside is coming to Melbourne's Southside! Launching on 1 October, it will showcase unique dining and drinking experiences at over 40 top bars and restaurants across Elwood, St Kilda, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Balaclava and Ripponlea.

With a focus on local and sustainable food and wine practices, program highlights include Melbourne Food & Wine Crawl and Bite Southside, a five-event series produced by Melbourne Food and Wine, and a broader program of independently produced events including dinners, tastings, tours, bespoke dishes and drinks menus, and other special events.

Melbourne Food & Wine Crawl and Bite Southside

Melbourne Food and Wine's signature Crawl and Bite events are coming to the Southside!

Melbourne Food & Wine Crawl and Bite Southside will showcase five exciting dining destinations including Acland Street and surrounds, Fitzroy Street, Carlisle Street, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne. Described as a 'speed-dating exercise between diners and venues', each event is a culinary journey featuring a one-course, one-drink introduction across three unique venues each night.

Five Crawl and Bite events will showcase venues across Southside’s key precincts and main streets:

2 October - Carlisle Street Crawl: Charlong, Rufio and Moonhouse
9 October - St Kilda Crawl and Bite: Cicciolina, Sorsi e Morsi and The Walrus
9 October - Fitzroy Street Crawl and Bite: Chronicles Bar (with dishes provided by Pippi's Kiosk), Buba Local Shuk and Bistro Voliere.
16 October - South Melbourne Crawl and Bite: The Clarendon, Park Street Pasta and Wine and Casa de Vinos.
23 October - Port Melbourne Crawl and Bite: Hanoi Mee, Ciao Cielo and The Cricketers.

Independent events

Many of the Southside's top bars and restaurants will host special events including tastings, tours, dining experiences, master classes, exclusive menus and cocktail lists, drinks and dining specials and more. It’s an opportunity to explore everything from iconic diners and beloved neighbourhood bars to the most exciting newcomers, including Wally’s (Albert Park), Omen (Albert Park), and Pirate Life (South Melbourne).

Special dining events

Ripponlea Food and Wine x Gippsland Wine Co. - Wine Series and Meet the Maker dinner

1 October, Ripponlea

Book your spot this special wine series dinner at Ripponlea Food and Wine. Settle in with a grazing plate, wine tasting, and a presentation by Master Vigneron Mark Heath, featuring his top Gippsland wines. After that, pick your main dish from the menu with a perfectly paired glass of wine. Added bonus: snag exclusive discounts on cellar door prices while you're there.

The Espy - Tastes of the Region at Mya Tiger and Louey's

9 October, St Kilda

Head to The Espy for Tastes of the Region, a curated bite-sized feast from Mya Tiger and Louey's, with each venue serving up a $30 tasting plate. Mya Tiger’s plate includes Yumbah abalone prawn toast, Moreton Bay bug and prawn dumplings, and cornfed duck pancakes. Louey's features prawn arancini, mussels on toast, and local seafood fritto misto. Both will be paired with a selection of prosecco from local vineyards.

Captain Baxter - Land and sea dinner

11 October, St Kilda

St Kilda's favourite beachside rooftop is presenting a once-only Land and Sea Dinner. Sit down to an exclusive four-course dinner highlighting the finest locally sourced ingredients, with a special focus on premium Provenir meats and a perfectly curated wine pairing from Chandon. Even better - it's set against the stunning backdrop of Port Phillip Bay.

Stokehouse Pasta and Bar - Oyster Shucking & Bubbles on St Kilda Beach

Sunday 13 October, St Kilda

Stokehouse Pasta & Bar alongside Appellation Oysters, invite guests to the St Kilda Beachfront to shuck oysters and sip bubbles on Sunday 13 October. Guests will be treated to an interactive oyster shucking demonstration from our friends at appellation oysters, a company known for their world best sustainable practices within the oyster world. Included in the event are oysters (of course) and prosecco, the perfect combination.

D.O.C - a celebration of Gippsland Chianina Beef

9 to 14 October, St Kilda

D.O.C St Kilda is serving up a special Chianina Beef menu that's set to excite. Feast on Italian classics, including Chianina polpette, Chianina ragù and a Chianina salame pizza, available as à la carte or a set menu. An optional wine pairing, showcasing wines made locally by Italian winemakers using traditional Italian fermentation methods and grapes, is also available.

The Prince - Spring Grazing in The Prince Dining Room

9 to 13 October, South Melbourne

Local ingredients and sustainability take centre stage at Spring Grazing in The Prince Dining Room. Enjoy a curated select bar menu by Mitch Orr with a bar snack, handmade pasta, and a glass of locally sourced wine. Each dish reflects our commitment to supporting local producers and crafting flavours that celebrate Port Phillip.

Casa de Vinos x Westside Ale Works x South Melbourne Market - Whisky, Beer, Cheese & Charcuterie Extravaganza

24 October, South Melbourne

Book for the ultimate whisky, beers, and cheese & charcuterie extravaganza at Casa de Vinos. Indulge in four rare and exceptional whiskies, expertly paired with beers from local brewer Westside Ale Works. Each table will be adorned with generous sharing platters, featuring the finest offerings from South Melbourne Market producers.

Pirate Life Brewery - Georgie’s Panigyri

Saturday 26 October, South Melbourne

Come together for a festival of food, drink, music and community at South Melbourne's new beer and dining hall, Pirate Life South Melbourne. With cooking by Head Chef Maria Delengas and hosted by Georgina Dragwidge (from iconic South Melbourne Market stall Georgie’s Harvest), Georgie's Panigyri will see the venue transform to showcase two women’s love for fresh and well sourced produce with a nod to their Greek heritage.

Bespoke cocktails, tastings and more

Tom's Liquor - Spicy Margs to go

12 October, St Kilda

Don’t miss a spicy fiesta of flavor and fun! Toms Liquor Merchants has teamed up with Kitty’s Pickles and Departed Spirits to bring you the ultimate Spicy Margarita Kit, with everything you need make your own cocktails at home. Swing by for mini marg tasters to ‘try before you buy,’ or pre-purchase before 4pm on 12 October to save 10%.

Omen Restaurant - Victoria takeover

15 to 21 October, Albert Park

Albert Park newcomer Omen is creating a cocktail menu centered around Victoria. Discover five cocktails inspired by the classicsas part of their Victoria takeover week, utilizing only spirits and liqueurs made in Victoria with local produce. For wine lovers, there'll be some special drops served by the glass. From emerging makers to established cult wineries, explore the diversity of Terroirs and grape varieties available in Victoria, and the creativity of our local winemakers.

Masterclasses

Pinsa Masterclass - Flour Child

9 October, St Kilda

Learn the ancient secrets behind making the perfect pinsa Romana dough, and make amazing pizza using local produce! Hosted by Head Pizza Chef, Alessandro.

Little Prince Wine - Long Paddock Cheese masterclass with paired wines

10 October, St Kilda

Don't miss this essential event for cheese lovers, exploring the art of local and sustainable cheese-making with Long Paddock Castlemaine. Their cheeses are crafted with locally sourced ingredients, inspired by the world’s finest cheese-making traditions. Hosted by Gaetan Chapon, General Manager of Long Paddock Castlemaine, dive into the process behind these creations, while enjoying perfectly paired local wines.

Tours

A Victorian Affair - South Melbourne Market

16 to 26 October, South Melbourne

A Victorian Affair is the next incarnation of South Melbourne Market's popular ‘Foodie Affair’ event showcasing local growers, producers and makers. This 12-stop degustation tour is a delicious culinary journey which includes stops at iconic diners and fresh food traders including Agathe Patisserie, Cobb Lane Bakery, Ugo Burrata Bar, Smithburg, Claypots Evening Star, Bambu and Simply Spanish.

Frontside, CBCo Brewing & Starward - Progressive Lunch in the Back Streets of Port Melbourne

20 October, Port Melbourne

Embark on a culinary journey through the hidden gems of Port Melbourne with this exclusive progressive lunch. This unique dining experience takes you on a flavourful adventure across three distinctive venues, each offering its own specialty. It includes wine and canapes at Frontside Food & Wine, beer tasting and tacos at CBCO Brewing and whisky and Bertie bite at Starward Whisky.

Unique menus and delicious dishes

Mission District - Queso Fundido featuring Oaxaca Cheese from That’s Amore

4 to 6 October, Ripponlea

Mission District offers laid-back Cali-style Mexican eats in a charming century-old building in Ripponlea. For three days, they’ll be dishing out a Mexican classic: Queso Fundido, made with That’s Amore's Oaxacan Cheese. A Tex-Mex essential, this 'string cheese' has a mild, creamy flavour with a tangy kick. Get ready for melted Oaxaca and Monterey Jack cheese topped with chorizo or mushrooms, served with tortillas, pico de gallo, and salsa verde.

Saint George - Chianti and Pasta Bolognese

9, 16, 23, and 30 October, St Kilda

The Saint George Tavern will be hosting a Treat yourself to a glass of Chianti and Pasta Bolognese at Saint George Tavern, any Wednesday in October for $30.

Birria Taco night - Repeat Offender Elwood

10 October, Elwood

Join Repeat Offender on 10 October for their once off Birria Taco special event. Enjoy braised beef grilled tacos with melted cheese and pickled onion, paired with our house made consommé dipping sauce. Ingredients sourced from Elwood businesses.

Wally's - Victorian wine and pasta pairing

15 to 21 October, Albert Park

Visit Albert Park's acclaimed new wine bar for this Spring Graze special created with Victorian produce and seafood: a fresh and delicious pasta dish with a perfectly paired glass of local Victorian wine.

Hotel South Melbourne - Golden Hills Brewery tasting and seasonal menu

22 to 31 October, South Melbourne

The doors have reopened to this South Melbourne iconic pub, established in 1854. Visit between 22 to 31 October, to indulge in a Golden Hills Brewery beer tasting paddle and beer snacks.

TAGS: Spring Graze