- Published:
- Monday 24 November 2025 at 10:00 am
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is returning from 20 to 29 March with 200 events to excite the appetites of foodies seeking uniquely Victorian experiences.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today joined Food + Drink Victoria CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha to unveil the 2026 program, which fuses local and international culinary delights at events in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
As one of Victoria’s signature events, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival plays a key role in attracting visitors and boosting the state’s $43.7 billion visitor economy – accelerating economic activity and supporting almost 300,000 jobs across the state.
The iconic World’s Longest Lunch will celebrate Australia’s Greek influence through a menu designed by author Ella Mittas, chefs from CBD hit restaurant Kafeneion and Yarraville sensation Tzaki. Held across 600 metres of table winding through Kings Domain, the 1,600-seat event is expected to sell-out quickly.
Supported by the Allan Labor Government, the festival’s international guest program features an exciting line-up of chefs from Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malta and the United Kingdom.
Visiting chefs will team up with some of Melbourne’s most-loved establishments including Maha, Brico, Omnia, Osteria Ilaria and Farmer’s Daughters, and in regional Victoria, events at Trapeze Wines and Phillip Island Winery will offer special dining experiences only available through the festival program.
The festival also includes the Southern Hemisphere debut of the international cake sensation, Cake Picnic, in Kings Domain on 21 March. Cake Picnic has captured the world’s attention with a delicious proposition: no cake, no entry. Everyone must bring a cake, and in turn can sample an extraordinary collection of baking.
The jam-packed program will welcome three new free events across the city, including The Spicy Side of Collins Street, The Festival of Korean Fried Chicken, and Something Saucy: The Pizza Party.
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival has been a mainstay of Melbourne’s major events calendar for more than 30 years, helping to cement Melbourne and Victoria’s reputation as Australia’s premier food and wine destination.
The festival adds to the blockbuster 2026 major events calendar, with highlights including the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Fashion Festival, NRL State of Origin and NFL Regular Season Game.
Tickets for the 2026 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival go on sale at 10:00am on Thursday, 27 November. To learn more, visit melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is quintessentially Victorian – a melting pot of culture and culinary delights – while supporting almost 300,000 jobs across the state.”
“Victorians play a vital role at every stage of producing our world-class food and beverages – so whether you’re dining in Frankston or Kew, you’re enjoying the work of one of the most talented workforces in the world.”
Quotes attributable to Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements
“We’re thrilled to be supporting this iconic festival on Victoria’s blockbuster major events calendar in 2026.”
“In addition to the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, 2026 is shaping up to be another bumper year with the Australian Open, Melbourne Fashion Festival, A Beautiful Noise musical, State of Origin, and the first-ever NFL Regular Season Game next September.”
Quotes attributable to CEO of Food + Drink Victoria Anthea Loucas Bosha
“From a Greek-themed World’s Longest Lunch, the global sensation that is CAKE PICNIC, our supersized baking fair Baker’s Dozen at Fed Square, an extraordinary line-up of international culinary talent and 200 events in restaurants and venues across the state, there is so much to be excited by in the 2026 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival program.”
“For 10 days in March there will be nowhere better to eat and drink in the world.”