Box Hill Cultural Food Tours 2025 concluded at the end of 2025, wrapping up a vibrant year-long program that celebrated the rich multicultural identity of Box Hill through food, stories, and shared experiences. Designed as a fun, welcoming, and informative walking tour series, the program invited participants to explore Box Hill as one of Melbourne’s most dynamic food destinations—where culture, history, and community are expressed through everyday dining. The tours offered both locals and visitors a fresh way to see, taste, and connect with the precinct.
Across 2025, the program featured a diverse range of themed tours that reflected seasonal celebrations and the cultural life of the community. Key topics included Festivals and Feasts: Lunar New Year, Sip, Savor, and Brunch – A Taste of Asia’s Mornings, Matsudo Week: A Bite of Japan, Winter Comfort: Hot Pot, Vegetarian and Vegan Delight, Families: Moon Festival, A Bite of South East Asia, the playful Weird Food Tour, and an End of Year Finale. Each theme was carefully curated to showcase local traders, share cultural stories, and highlight the people and traditions behind the food.
More than a food experience, the Box Hill Cultural Food Tours delivered strong community and economic outcomes. In 2025, the tours welcomed over 100 participants, supported more than 25 local businesses, and received consistently positive feedback. The program was also recognised nationally, winning a Mainstreet Australia Award of Excellence for Best Place Activation (Council-led, under $100k). By blending storytelling, cultural education, and shared moments around food, the tours strengthened connections between people and place—reinforcing Box Hill as not just a destination to visit, but a place to belong.
Participants feedback include:
"I loved this tour - it was terrific and I tried food and restaurants I hadn't been to before! Terrific experience run by Tongtong :) and Erica - well done!!!"
"The Food Tour was wonderful I would definitely go again even thou I have lived in Box Hill over 50 years I still learned more I loved being with the group which was very friendly and welcoming and would love ❤️ to go again."
"It was a real value-for-money tour that provided good food, variety, entertainment, and cultural immersion. Tour leaders Tong Tong and Alex were pleasant, energetic, and attentive. A great experience!"
"It was a very friendly tour, with everyone on the tour joining in for the fun. The food was delicious and we enjoyed visiting one of the supermarkets to explore different sauces. The Tai Chi was an eye-opener to me, and I plan to see if I can do a class at U3A"