Romance & Glamour: Discover Melbourne's true Italian food history

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Overview

Available languages

English
Italian

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Have you ever wondered why Melbourne is obsessed with coffee and in love with pasta?

Then join Australia's leading Italian food historian as she answers this question (and more!) while guiding cultural explorers on a walk from the Royal Exhibition Building into the heart of Carlton.

Drawing on her original research, Tania tells the largely unknown story of how ideas of Italy influenced the acceptance of Italian food. Myths will be busted and mysteries uncovered as you meet some of the migrant visionaries and mavericks who paved the way for Italians and their food to become the mainstream mainstays of multiculturalism.

The walk includes:

- Expert commentary from Australia's leading Italian food historian

- Coffee and a sweet treat from Australia's first Italian cookbook

- Entry into the Museo Italiano

- A glass of wine and a generous antipasto at one of Carlton's historic cafes

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

A glass of prosecco or house wine

Coffee and/or Tea

A generous antipasto of cheese, charcuterie, foccacia, olives and various pickles plus a sweet treat from Australia's first Italian cookbook

What To Expect

1

Royal Exhibition Building

Meet food historian Dr Tania Cammarano and find out why the Royal Exhibition Building has a starring role in Melbourne's Italian food history.

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable
2

Visit the site where Australia's first Italian cookbook was published back in 1937.

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Romance & Glamour: Discover Melbourne's true Italian food history

Reviews

5.00

4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

4
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  • Italian history you can taste!!!

    lisatF959TH,

    Oct 30, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Tania’s Italian Food History Walk was an absolute treat — for the mind and the taste buds! Her passion for Italian culture and cuisine shines through in every stop and story. From the early Italian immigrants who shaped Melbourne’s dining scene to the family-run cafés that still carry those traditions today, Tania brings it all to life with warmth and insight. The tour blended history, culture, and mouth-watering tastings perfectly. You don’t just learn about Italian food — you experience it. Tania’s enthusiasm and storytelling made it a truly memorable day. Highly recommended for anyone who loves food, history, and authentic Melbourne experiences!

  • Rewarding Italian food history walking tour of Melbourne

    Escape825786,

    Oct 26, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    What a great way to spend a few hours walking around the back streets and laneways of Melbourne. It was fascinating to learn the history of the early Italian and other European migrants and their former warehouses, newspaper offices etc that I have often walked past as a shortcut to Lygon St and the CBD. Tania effortlessly brought their stories to life on this tour. Along the way you’ll hear some truly interesting and choice versions of favourite Italian dishes. Highly recommend.

  • Go if you are an Italian food lover or geek!

    wasabimelbourne1,

    Oct 24, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    This was a lovely afternoon spent on a walking tour, getting exercise and fresh air while learning about the different ways Italian migrants have influenced Melbourne, particularly through their food. Tania was an engaging speaker, sharing interesting stories behind many historic venues where Italian migrants made an impact. I found out about and visited many different spots in Melbourne's CBD that I had never known about, despite being a Melburnian all my life, such as the "Cosmopolitan Publishing Company" which was run by Italian migrants in the 1930s and 1940s. It published Australia's first Italian cookbook, which we got to flick through. The other spot I didn't know about that we visited was the Italian museum in Carlton, near Lygon Street —the Museo Italio.We learned about how some iconic Italian food brands started in Australia and how some Italian food family businesses are interestingly connected.One of the highlights was enjoying coffee, antipasto, and wine at two different venues on the iconic Lygon Street, as Tania further disentangles Italian food culture with you. She is the perfect person to consult if you are an Italian food fan and geek, with her background as an Italian food historian. She is also one of the loveliest people you will meet, and enjoy the tour with.

  • Relaxed and fun. Informative and tasty!

    nathankylbumers,

    Oct 22, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    It’s funny how we walk through places all the time and don’t give much thought to their history. I must have walked these streets hundreds of times between where I park and the office, and now I have greater context for Melbourne’s storied history thanks to this tour. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but Tania’s knowledge of Italian food history and migrant history is unsurpassed, and it shows her obvious passion for both. The walk itself is easy, accessible to people of all abilities, and paced with enough breaks to be relaxing. I’m a chatterbox, so it was good to walk and talk with the others who came. I think there were eight of us. Tania clearly hasn’t stopped researching, and I suspect she’ll keep discovering more over time, so I’m going to take this tour again in a year to find out what new things she’s uncovered. My only suggestion is a slightly earlier meeting time and an icebreaker to coax the introverts into talking to us handsome, debonair extroverts. Sticker name badges might be too much, but I’m hopeless with a whole bunch of names at once, and I find them helpful.

    nathankylbumers's photo 1

From A$125.00

5.00
4 reviews