Melbourne carries one of the most established shisha scenes in Australia, built on decades of Middle Eastern migration and a café culture that runs late across most of its inner suburbs.
The lounges here range from dedicated hookah venues in the northern suburbs to street-level cafés in the CBD that keep their doors open well past midnight. Flavour variety is broad, pricing is generally reasonable by Australian standards, and the better venues pair shisha with food menus that hold their own independently of the smoke.
Read more: Top 11 Hookah Lounges & Shisha in Sydney
Mint & Co. Shisha in Melbourne
Mint & Co in Carlton occupies a modern lounge with low lighting and a menu that runs an extensive range of flavours, with mint grape and blueberry among the more frequently ordered. The space draws a younger crowd and the service moves at a pace that suits group sittings. Non-alcoholic drinks including mocktails pair well alongside the shisha, and the venue sits comfortably as a late-night option in the inner north.
- Address: 62 University St, Carlton VIC 3053, Melbourne
- Opening hours: 5 pm–12 am
- Contact number: (03) 9966 3960
Medusa Shisha Lounge & Bar
Medusa Shisha Lounge in Oakleigh runs a full lounge setup with plush seating and a consistently busy floor through the evening. Fruity mixes and double apple are among the most ordered flavours, and the staff customise blends on request. The venue draws a lively crowd and operates best as a group outing rather than a quiet sitting.
- Address: 56B Portman St, Oakleigh VIC 3166
- Opening hours: 5:30 pm–1:30 am
- Contact number: 0432 001 864
The Balcony Shisha Bar Melbourne
The Balcony Shisha Bar sits on Lygon Street in Carlton and runs a compact lounge with a straightforward offer. The shisha is well-packed and the draws are consistently smooth, which keeps a regular crowd returning for casual sessions. The size works in its favour for smaller groups who prefer a quieter sitting over a larger, busier venue.
- Address: 1/145 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053
- Opening hours: 2 pm–3 am
- Contact number: +61 413 777 273
Two Hands Rooftop Bar & Beer Garden Eatery
For something a little different, Two Hands in Abbotsford offers a rooftop setting where patrons can enjoy shisha in Melbourne with a city skyline view. With regular themed nights and live entertainment, the atmosphere is social and dynamic. The bar also serves hearty pub-style food and cocktails, making it ideal for a complete night out.
This bar is often included in lists of places for shisha in Melbourne, drawing guests who enjoy a relaxed session and a wide selection of flavours.
- Address: 311a Victoria St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
- Opening hours: 3 pm–1 am
- Contact number: +61 481 871 000
Cairo Nights Restaurant & Bar
Cairo Nights brings a slice of Egypt to Melbourne with its traditional cuisine and shisha offerings. The setting is tastefully decorated, and the experience is elevated with belly dance performances on select nights. Shisha here is loved for its flavour and longevity, with grape mint and watermelon often recommended.
- Address: 5/252 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053
- Opening hours: 5 pm–1 am
- Contact number: (03) 9654 1005
Chamman Sheesha Café and Restaurant
Chamman Sheesha Café in Carlton runs outdoor seating alongside a broad flavour selection, with apple mint and tropical fruit among the more popular orders. The space is casual and suits relaxed group sittings, drawing a consistent weekend crowd. The outdoor tables make it a practical option for those who prefer open-air shisha over an enclosed lounge setting.
Counted among the places for shisha in Melbourne, this lounge attracts guests who enjoy a slower evening centred on flavour and conversation.
- Address: 144 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
- Opening hours: 6 pm–3 am
- Contact number: +61 404 189 921
Botanical Shisha Lounge Melbourne
Botanical Shisha Lounge sits in Melbourne CBD with a greenery-influenced interior and softer lighting than most venues in the area. The pace here is slower and the setting suits smaller groups or pairs over the larger social crowds drawn to outer suburb lounges. Peach and berry blends are among the more noted flavours, and the smoke quality draws consistent mention across reviews.
Among the spots offering shisha in Melbourne, this lounge draws a steady crowd looking for familiar flavours and an easy place to settle in.
- Address: 271-273 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, Australia
- Opening hours: 6 pm–2 am
- Contact number: +61 3 9462 1685
Arabesque Restaurant & Lounge
Combining authentic Middle Eastern cuisine with shisha, Arabesque Restaurant & Lounge is located in the heart of Melbourne and is known for its warm service and vibrant setup. Guests are encouraged to stay a while: sharing platters, sipping tea, and savouring shisha into the night. Double apple and lemon mint are crowd favourites here.
- Address: 642 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Opening hours: 3 pm–1 am
- Contact number: +61 3 9995 9189
Miura Lounge Melbourne
Miura Lounge combines a minimalist interior with premium service and shisha. Often described as “Melbourne’s best-kept secret,” it appeals to a slightly more refined crowd. Shisha flavours are expertly packed, with glowing reviews for their coconut and ice mixes. Expect a mellow soundtrack and a calm, polished atmosphere.
For those searching for shisha in Melbourne, this lounge remains a popular stop for a relaxed session and a wide selection of flavours.
- Address: 217 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
- Opening hours: 5 pm–3 am
- Contact number: +61 415 926 435
El Giza Restaurant & Bar Melbourne
Located along King Street, El Giza Restaurant & Bar is known for its upbeat atmosphere and a menu packed with both Egyptian staples and crowd-pleasing shisha in Melbourne.
Diners love the energy of this space, especially on weekends when the lounge is at its liveliest. The melon and mint combo is highly rated, and the staff are always happy to make recommendations.
This lounge is often mentioned among the places for shisha in Melbourne, known for its attentive preparation and a setting suited for a long evening session.
- Address: 152-154 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
- Opening hours: 5 pm–3 am
- Contact number: +61 414 580 516
Melbourne’s shisha scene covers enough ground to suit most preferences, from quiet neighbourhood lounges in the inner north to rooftop venues with city views.
The spots in this guide represent the most consistently visited options across the city, and weekend evenings at the better-known venues fill quickly, so booking ahead is worth doing before making the trip.
Get the good stuff first. Join Rolling Grace for the restaurants worth crossing a city for, the stays worth the upgrade, and the places to go before everyone else. Free, straight to your inbox.
Leave a Reply