That most wonderful of foodstuffs is getting a night to call its own, as the Melbourne Dumpling Festival returns for another year. Taking over the ground level at 206 Bourke Street, this dumpling dine-in will feature dumplings from some of Melbourne's best Chinese chefs, from Tim Ho Wan, China Red, China Chilli and Dragon Boat, plus pop-up bars, freebies and more.
It all kicks off at 5pm on Friday, October 20 – meaning you'll have the whole weekend to lounge around in a food coma. In addition to the more than 50 varieties of dumplings on offer, punters can grab beverages from the Brooklyn Brewery pop-up beer garden and Double Happiness Bubble Tea pop-up cocktail bar, before scoffing down free green tea ice cream for dessert.
Entry into the event is free, while you can also score free drinks with any takeaway dumpling purchase. There'll also be a fortune cookie giveaway with more than $3,000 worth of prizes and the chance to win free dumplings for a year.