New Year Street Feasts

Overview

It's little surprise New Year's Eve celebrations are set to look a little different for 2020, thanks to a certain global pandemic. But if you've got a thing for good food, you're sure to be pretty chuffed with the brand-new event helping Melburnians wrap up the year in style. Descending on popular dining precincts across the CBD and beyond on Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1, is the inaugural New Year Street Feasts.

The event is a collaborative effort between the City of Melbourne, the Victorian Government and Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (MFWF), which was itself postponed and then cancelled this year due to COVID-19. Featuring offerings from dozens of local bars and restaurants, it promises to help you make up for lost time on the wining and dining front.

Jake Roden

Eleven outdoor dining precincts will be created for the festival, appearing in top culinary spots like Flinders Lane, Little Bourke Street and Domain Road. Nearby venues from each precinct will be on board, serving up a jam-packed program of special menus and feasting experiences. Pulling inspiration from the famed piazzas of Europe, the pop-up outdoor dining set-ups will see thousands more restaurant seats added to Melbourne's streets for the occasion.

You might find yourself tucking into a six-course unauthentic Indian feast at Jessi Singh's Daughter in Law, a Spanish-inspired Bomba dinner complete with heirloom tomato gazpacho and buttermilk-braised lamb shoulder, or perhaps a Bar Margaux soiree featuring champagne cocktails and roast duck. Though, with a wide lineup of venues involved, including everyone from Pellegrini's to Sunda, you might find it hard to pick just one feed. Stock up on stretchy pants and dive right in.

Image: Bar Margaux, Kate Shanasy