The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival will return from 20 to 29 March with 200 events for visitors seeking unique food experiences.
Minister for tourism, sport and major events Steve Dimopoulos joined Food + Drink Victoria chief executive officer Anthea Loucas Bosha to unveil the 2026 program, which brings together local and international culinary talent at events in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
“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,” said Dimopoulos.
“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.”
As one of Victoria’s long-running events, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival helps attract visitors and contributes to the state’s $43.7 billion visitor economy, supporting almost 300,000 jobs.
The World’s Longest Lunch will celebrate Australia’s Greek influence with a menu designed by author Ella Mittas, chefs from Kafeneion and Yarraville restaurant Tzaki. Stretching 600 metres through Kings Domain, the 1,600-seat event is expected to sell out.
The festival’s international guest program includes chefs from Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malta and the United Kingdom. Visiting chefs will work with Melbourne venues including Maha, Brico, Omnia, Osteria Ilaria and Farmer’s Daughters. In regional Victoria, events at Trapeze Wines and Phillip Island Winery will offer dining experiences exclusive to the festival.
The festival also marks the Southern Hemisphere debut of Cake Picnic in Kings Domain on 21 March. Cake Picnic has built a following with a simple idea: no cake, no entry. Everyone brings a cake and can sample the wider collection.
The program includes three new free events across the city – The Spicy Side of Collins Street, The Festival of Korean Fried Chicken, and Something Saucy: The Pizza Party.
For more than 30 years, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival has been part of Melbourne’s events calendar, helping reinforce Victoria’s reputation as a food and wine destination.
“We’re thrilled to be supporting this iconic festival on Victoria’s blockbuster major events calendar in 2026,” said Visit Victoria chief executive officer Brendan McClements.
The festival adds to the 2026 events calendar, which also includes the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Fashion Festival, NRL State of Origin and the NFL Regular Season Game.
“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,” said Loucas Bosha.
“For 10 days in March there will be nowhere better to eat and drink in the world.”