2025 ‘Night Bites’ Review — A Progressive Dinner of Melbourne’s Best Food

Okay, so Melbourne’s food reputation is, you know, pretty much up there. You could literally eat out every night for a year and still feel like you’ve barely made a dent. So, in a way, the idea of a ‘progressive dinner’ tour like ‘Night Bites’ makes a ton of sense. The whole concept is that you get to sample a bunch of places in one go, which is actually a pretty smart way to see the city. It’s almost like a highlights reel for your taste buds. We went on the 2025 version to see if it lived up to the online talk, and to be honest, it was quite an evening. This wasn’t just about hopping from one spot to another; it really felt like a curated experience. You sort of get a feel for how the city’s food spots talk to each other, you know, from one neighborhood to the next. The whole thing, actually, is built around walking, which lets you see the city waking up for the night, a really different feel from the daytime hustle.

Frankly, the biggest question is whether it’s for you. This tour seems perfect for folks who are maybe a little overwhelmed by choice, or for visitors who want a guaranteed good time without hours of research. At the end of the day, you get three courses at three different, highly-regarded places. The guide we had was, well, a proper local who knew a lot of little stories. They pretty much filled the walks between stops with tidbits about street art and architecture and stuff. For example, learning about the history of a building while on your way to eat inside it is a very cool touch. So, basically, this review is going to walk you through our evening, stop by stop. I mean, we’ll talk about what we ate, the feel of each place, and give you a straight-up opinion on whether it’s a good use of a Melbourne evening. So, you can figure out for yourself if this kind of unique Melbourne experience is what you’re after.

An Appetiser Adventure in Fitzroy

So, the night kicked off in Fitzroy, which honestly, is the perfect starting point. The area just has this creative, slightly rebellious energy, you know, with all the murals and funky shops. Our first destination was a place called ‘The Gilded Kookaburra,’ which, as a matter of fact, was tucked away on a side street you’d probably miss otherwise. You just knew from the outside that it was going to be interesting. The inside was sort of dimly lit, with lots of dark wood and native plants, making it feel very cozy and a little bit secret. Apparently, the theme is modern Australian with a big focus on native ingredients, which is something you hear about a lot but don’t always see done this well. We were pretty much seated right away at a long communal table, which, to be honest, was a nice way to get chatting with the other people on the tour.

Now, the food itself was absolutely the main event. We got a tasting platter that was, quite frankly, a work of art. For instance, there were these seared scallops sitting on a little bed of lemon myrtle risotto that were just cooked perfectly. There was also some kangaroo tataki, which sounds a bit adventurous, but honestly, it was so tender and had this smoky flavor that was incredibly good. You could really see the care that went into each little bite. Our guide, meanwhile, explained where all the ingredients came from, which added a whole other layer to the experience. We also got a glass of a crisp Victorian Riesling that, like, cut through the richness of the food in a really satisfying way. This stop, in a way, set a very high bar for the rest of the night; a proper deep dive into modern Aussie cooking.

The Vibe and the Story

What really made this first stop special, I mean, was the story behind it. The chef, who actually came out to say hello, talked a bit about his passion for using ingredients that people have been eating on this land for thousands of years. It’s one thing to eat a good meal, right, but it’s another thing to feel like you’re connecting with a bigger story. The atmosphere in ‘The Gilded Kookaburra’ was really lively but not too loud. You could still have a conversation, which isn’t always the case in popular spots. As a matter of fact, the staff were super knowledgeable, happy to answer questions without making you feel silly for not knowing what a ‘quandong’ is. It wasn’t just about dropping plates on the table; you could sort of feel their excitement for the food. Honestly, you can learn so much from these kinds of unique food journeys if you just listen to the people serving you.

Main Course Majesty in the CBD

Anyway, after a pretty nice walk that took us out of the bohemian feel of Fitzroy, we found ourselves right in the middle of Melbourne’s CBD. The change in scenery was, obviously, very noticeable. It was all towering buildings and the hum of a city that was very much alive. Our second stop, called ‘Hearth & Vine’, was the complete opposite of the first, in a good way. You know, this place was sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto the street. The vibe was definitely more “special occasion,” a place you’d go to impress someone, you know what I mean? It felt a little more formal, but not stuffy, which is a pretty hard balance to get right.

Basically, ‘Hearth & Vine’ is known for its Italian-inspired food, but with a real focus on the grill. The smell of woodsmoke that you get as soon as you walk in is just incredible. For our main course, we had a choice between a slow-cooked lamb shoulder and a hand-made pasta with a wild mushroom ragu. I went for the lamb, and frankly, it was one of the best I’ve ever had. It was so soft you could just pull it apart with your fork. It came with this rich, dark sauce and some roasted root vegetables that were just a little sweet. The others who got the pasta were also making some pretty happy noises. Seriously, pairing this with a bold Shiraz from the Barossa Valley was a decision I did not regret. This part of the tour really showed the variety Melbourne offers; you can get top-tier global food just a few blocks away from experimental local stuff.

“Moving from Fitzroy’s creative nook to the polished heart of the city for the main course, well, that just felt like a very Melbourne thing to do. It’s a city of contrasts, and so, apparently, is this dinner.”

A Sweet Detour Down a Laneway

So, you can’t really say you’ve done Melbourne without getting a little lost in its famous laneways, right? For our final food stop, our guide took us down this narrow, graffiti-covered alley that, honestly, you’d think leads to nowhere. Then, suddenly, there was this little doorway with a tiny sign that just said ‘Sugarfall’. Pushing the door open was, well, kind of like stepping into another world. The inside was small and packed with people, buzzing with a happy energy. The walls were covered in shelves stacked high with jars of sweets and old-fashioned-looking pastry boxes. It was, almost, like a baker’s secret laboratory.

The specialty here is, obviously, dessert, but not just any dessert. These were, like, architectural creations. I opted for something called the ‘Deconstructed Pavlova’. Instead of a traditional slice, it was presented as a beautiful mess on the plate: shards of crispy meringue, a dollop of passionfruit curd, fresh berries, and a cloud of vanilla cream. It was, seriously, an amazing mix of textures and flavors. My friend tried the ‘Molten Chocolate Lava Cake’, which came with a salted caramel core that, you know, just oozed out when they cut into it. Watching that happen was almost as good as eating my own dessert. To be honest, finding a gem like this is what makes wandering the city so rewarding, and these little dessert bars are a key part of the city’s food culture.

Drinks and the Final Verdict

By the way, the tour didn’t just end with dessert. The very final stop was a rooftop bar a few blocks away, a place that gave you a pretty amazing view of the city skyline all lit up. This part was kind of the perfect way to wrap things up. It was more relaxed, a chance to just sit back with a drink—they offered a choice of a cocktail or a local craft beer—and chat about the food we’d eaten. Honestly, looking out over the lights while sipping an espresso martini, you really get a sense of accomplishment. You’ve just, you know, eaten your way across a good chunk of the city in one night.

So, at the end of the day, is the ‘Night Bites’ tour worth it? I mean, I would say a definite yes. It’s obviously great for tourists, but I’d even suggest it to locals who want to try some new places without the pressure of choosing. The price might seem a bit high at first, but when you think about what you get—three amazing courses, drinks included, a personal guide—it actually works out to be pretty good value. You’re not just paying for food; you’re paying for a curated, hassle-free, and really enjoyable experience. It kind of takes the guesswork out of having a great night out. You know that exploring a city’s nightlife and food scene can be hit or miss, and this pretty much guarantees a hit.

Is This Food Tour Right for You?

Look, if you’re the kind of person who loves control and wants to meticulously plan every single detail of your meal, this might not be your thing. The whole point is to give up control and trust the experts, right? It’s for people who are a bit adventurous and open to trying things. For example, if you’re a super picky eater, you might want to check the sample menu beforehand. But for pretty much everyone else, it’s a fantastic concept. It works for solo travelers, for couples on a date night, or for a small group of friends. You basically get a VIP pass to some really cool spots without having to wait in line. The group size was small enough that it felt personal, not like you were just another face in a giant tour group. I think, arguably, that’s one of its biggest strengths.