Hardware Lane
Hardware Lane
4.5
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Top ways to experience Hardware Lane and nearby attractions

The area
Neighbourhood: 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.

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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles522 reviews
Excellent
270
Very good
182
Average
48
Poor
17
Terrible
5

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,631 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Hardware Lane is more upmarket than the usual Melbourne lanes. It's full of restaurants and retailers. Hardware Lane runs between Bourke St and Lonsdale St.. Its paving is a distinctive red brick style. The lane is wider than most lanes. Traffic is banned between 11:00 am nd 11:00 pm. Hardware Lane is different to the more usual gritty Melbourne lanes, splattered with grafitti. It certainly adds a civilising touch to Melbourne's laneway culture.
Written 22 April 2020
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.

TravelleDD
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia44 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Hardware Lane is one of those quirky Melbourne laneways that offer quite a few very good restaurants. They are popular so it pays to book but I have noticed that they try their hardest to service walk in customers, even if you may have to wait 20 mins.
There is usually live music outside to listen while dining and the food and service is great no matter where you choose to dine.
Written 20 April 2022
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.

jeffryb
Keysborough, Australia366 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
Hardware Lane is Degraves Street's up-market cousin. Graffiti is lacking. There are several restaurants; visitors can dine alfresco at Max's but other restaurants are equally rewarding. Hardware Lane is best when it's warm outside, but diners can retreat inside during inclement weather
Written 8 October 2020
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, Australia13,631 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
The best time of year to dine at Hardware Lane is late summer, as it fades into the long, warm autumn. You can site outside on the pavement, and take your choice of many cuisines. Everyone has their favourite eatery, whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Hardware Lane is Degraves St, with some class.
Written 25 January 2022
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, Australia13,631 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
Hardware Lane is one of Melbourne's top restaurant streets. You can eat inside or out, depending on the weather. The eateries came in a pleasing variety. my favorite is Max's, which has good food at a reasonable price. Menus tend to have an Italian bent. By the way, the easiest way to access Hardware Lane is from Bourke St, near Queen St.
Written 7 September 2022
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.

Traveller
Melbourne, Australia17,411 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
My wife and I visited this place to have lunch at one of the many dining places located along this lane, which stretches perpendicularly from Bourke Street through to Lonsdale Street.

Pre Covid-19, this place would be very busy during lunchtime. During the pandemic, there are very people here and some of the shops are shuttered.
Written 6 January 2022
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, Australia13,631 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
Hardware Lane is one of Melbourne best-known "food streets." You can buy almost everything. Eat inside, or outside if it's warm. Hardware Lne runs between and Lonsdale St, it can be a bit hard to find.
Written 21 November 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.

AndyJohn74
Sydney, Australia5,376 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021 • Solo
Along both sides of Hardware Lane are restaurants with various National cuisines. Some fine dining or a cafe style feed. I can see why this is highly rated, it gets busy but has a nice atmosphere to it.
Written 6 February 2021
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.

Leigh & Grace
Melbourne, Australia101 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
Such a great vibe and atmosphere during lunch and dinner periods.
We are at Max on Saturday afternoon around 2pm. Beer and pizza was superb.
The lane was filled with people of all ages, a really Good buzz.
Written 12 March 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.

Tommo
Melbourne, Australia56,715 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
Hardware Lane is a typical atmospheric Melbourne laneway dining venue of which there are many others like Degraves Street. Not located far from melbourne Central Station.

We recently dined at an average Mexican restaurant Amigos, in Hardware Lane.

If the weather is good there is nothing better than dining alfresco in this popular laneway.
Written 12 January 2022
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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HARDWARE LANE (2024): All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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