Guidebook for Saint Kilda
Food Scene
Dr Jekyll is owned and run by Matt and Arwen and they make the best coffee in all of St Kilda and one of the best in Melbourne. Melbourne is ranked number 1 in the world for coffee so having Dr Jekyll just a few minutes from home makes you very lucky indeed. Tell them we say hi.
47 habitants recommandent
Dr Jekyll
Dr Jekyll is owned and run by Matt and Arwen and they make the best coffee in all of St Kilda and one of the best in Melbourne. Melbourne is ranked number 1 in the world for coffee so having Dr Jekyll just a few minutes from home makes you very lucky indeed. Tell them we say hi.
Galleon is an institution in St Kilda. Mismatched chairs and formica tables, super casual and great for people watching
76 habitants recommandent
Galleon Cafe
9 Carlisle StGalleon is an institution in St Kilda. Mismatched chairs and formica tables, super casual and great for people watching
A little hideaway cafe. I love the salmon and tomato breakfast
61 habitants recommandent
Miss Jackson Cafe
19 Grey StA little hideaway cafe. I love the salmon and tomato breakfast
Fitzrovia is awesome in every way. Love their breakfasts
114 habitants recommandent
Fitzrovia Restaurant and Cafe
155 Fitzroy StFitzrovia is awesome in every way. Love their breakfasts
The best bread in Melbourne is a few minutes from home. Take away a fresh baked loaf or eat in. Their Sakshuka breakfast is sensational.
86 habitants recommandent
Woodfrog Bakery
108 Barkly StThe best bread in Melbourne is a few minutes from home. Take away a fresh baked loaf or eat in. Their Sakshuka breakfast is sensational.
Machi
14 Inkerman StModern Japanese, good service, popular with locals.
Mr Wolf has been in St Kilda forever. This iconic restaurant is a staple for locals and has a super popular kids menu as well. Go on Wednesday night for half price pizza.
44 habitants recommandent
mr. wolf St Kilda
15 Inkerman StMr Wolf has been in St Kilda forever. This iconic restaurant is a staple for locals and has a super popular kids menu as well. Go on Wednesday night for half price pizza.
Quick cheap fresh lunches or dinners. Makes for a good take away too
13 habitants recommandent
Kwan's Table
7 Inkerman StQuick cheap fresh lunches or dinners. Makes for a good take away too
Ichi Ni has the best combination of view and good food. Great Japanese fare and a huge deck overlooking the bay. Time your visit to see the sunset!
All those small dishes do add up though!
51 habitants recommandent
Ichi Ni
127 The EsplanadeIchi Ni has the best combination of view and good food. Great Japanese fare and a huge deck overlooking the bay. Time your visit to see the sunset!
All those small dishes do add up though!
Pelican has been in St Kilda since tapas first came to Melbourne many many years ago. They did it first and they're still doing it well. Open all day.
24 habitants recommandent
Pelican Restaurant
16 Fitzroy StPelican has been in St Kilda since tapas first came to Melbourne many many years ago. They did it first and they're still doing it well. Open all day.
Fine dining food in a casual atmosphere, Luxembourg is a sophisticated night or lunch out. Bring your wallet!
13 habitants recommandent
Luxembourg
157 Fitzroy StreetFine dining food in a casual atmosphere, Luxembourg is a sophisticated night or lunch out. Bring your wallet!
Milk the Cow isn't really a restaurant, or a bar or a cheese shop. But you can eat there, drink there and buy cheese there. Their cheese flights are an absolute must. 4 cheeses and 4 matching wines or beers or ciders or whiskeys. Definitely great value. Not such good value if you order wine by the glass and individual cheese. though.
144 habitants recommandent
Milk the Cow Licensed Fromagerie
157 Fitzroy StMilk the Cow isn't really a restaurant, or a bar or a cheese shop. But you can eat there, drink there and buy cheese there. Their cheese flights are an absolute must. 4 cheeses and 4 matching wines or beers or ciders or whiskeys. Definitely great value. Not such good value if you order wine by the glass and individual cheese. though.
Rococo is a insanely busy and popular restaurant. They keep expanding and growing and are always full. Book if you want to go on a weekend night. The wine list is pricy but the food is always consistently good quality. Mainly pasta, pizza.
53 habitants recommandent
Rococo Acland Street
91 Acland StRococo is a insanely busy and popular restaurant. They keep expanding and growing and are always full. Book if you want to go on a weekend night. The wine list is pricy but the food is always consistently good quality. Mainly pasta, pizza.
Cinta Ria is a long time favourite on Acland St. Delicious Malaysian food. Book on weekends. Try the seafood laksa!
cinta ria restaurant
94 Acland StreetCinta Ria is a long time favourite on Acland St. Delicious Malaysian food. Book on weekends. Try the seafood laksa!
Renix does awesome traditional woodfired pizza. Eat in and watch people go by or take away and eat at home.
Renix Woodfired Pizza
60 Acland StRenix does awesome traditional woodfired pizza. Eat in and watch people go by or take away and eat at home.
Your local Thai restaurant. Food isn't bad. Eat in or take away. It's at the end of the street so only minutes from home.
7 habitants recommandent
Krua Thai
62 Acland StYour local Thai restaurant. Food isn't bad. Eat in or take away. It's at the end of the street so only minutes from home.
If you're into instagramming your food or clean eating then this place is for you. You'll have to queue to get a table for breakfast. But your food and drinks will be extremely good looking by the time you get to eat and drink. The service is excellent too.
48 habitants recommandent
Matcha Mylkbar
72A Acland StIf you're into instagramming your food or clean eating then this place is for you. You'll have to queue to get a table for breakfast. But your food and drinks will be extremely good looking by the time you get to eat and drink. The service is excellent too.
The Vineyard is so much more than a restaurant. It is a bar and nightclub and live music venue. The staff are laid back and tattooed. The wine pours are generous and the crowd is always happy.
They serve lunch and dinner or just drinks all day if that is your desire. At 11pm the tables get cleared away and the bands come on and play till 3am. Sundays there is no dinner, the DJ starts around 4pm and the dance floor is heaving by 6pm.
90 habitants recommandent
Vineyard Restaurant
71A Acland StThe Vineyard is so much more than a restaurant. It is a bar and nightclub and live music venue. The staff are laid back and tattooed. The wine pours are generous and the crowd is always happy.
They serve lunch and dinner or just drinks all day if that is your desire. At 11pm the tables get cleared away and the bands come on and play till 3am. Sundays there is no dinner, the DJ starts around 4pm and the dance floor is heaving by 6pm.
Claypots does insanely good seafood. Go there. There's nothing other than fish and a few clay pots to choose from. But it is the freshest fish in town. Menu is updated daily depending on the catch and everything sells out every day.
Then have a drink and a dance in the bar next door.
110 habitants recommandent
Claypots Seafood Bar
213 Barkly StClaypots does insanely good seafood. Go there. There's nothing other than fish and a few clay pots to choose from. But it is the freshest fish in town. Menu is updated daily depending on the catch and everything sells out every day.
Then have a drink and a dance in the bar next door.
Quan 88 St Kilda
217 Barkly StVietnamese restaurant highly regarded by locals.
Uncle is our favourite place to eat in all of Melbourne. You can book for tables over 6 or else go at lunch time to be guaranteed a table with no waiting. Tell them you're staying at Ed and Pam's place and that we miss them heaps!
Oh, it's modern Vietnamese food, great wine list, awesome Pho. Eat on the terrace upstairs, perfect in any weather.
86 habitants recommandent
Uncle St Kilda
188 Carlisle StUncle is our favourite place to eat in all of Melbourne. You can book for tables over 6 or else go at lunch time to be guaranteed a table with no waiting. Tell them you're staying at Ed and Pam's place and that we miss them heaps!
Oh, it's modern Vietnamese food, great wine list, awesome Pho. Eat on the terrace upstairs, perfect in any weather.
Oki2Go
92D Acland StIn a hurry? Grab some sushi here
Do you like ice cream with texture, flavour, crunchy bits, chewy bits? Go there.
50 habitants recommandent
Gelato Messina Windsor
171 Chapel StDo you like ice cream with texture, flavour, crunchy bits, chewy bits? Go there.
Fun and modern Japanese. You have got to try the salmon tacos. My dream meal is just ordering 3 of those. So so so good!
They don't take bookings for less than 6 and if you are more than 6 they won't seat you without a booking.
Impossible to get into on a weekend unless you follow these steps exactly.
1. Plan to eat at 7:30pm with a drink beforehand
2. Show up at the restaurant at 6:15pm
3. Put your name down and be told the wait is around an hour to hour and a half
4. Go to the Woods of Windsor or Jungle Boy for a drink
5. Get called at 7:30pm for dinner
134 habitants recommandent
Mr. Miyagi
99 Chapel StFun and modern Japanese. You have got to try the salmon tacos. My dream meal is just ordering 3 of those. So so so good!
They don't take bookings for less than 6 and if you are more than 6 they won't seat you without a booking.
Impossible to get into on a weekend unless you follow these steps exactly.
1. Plan to eat at 7:30pm with a drink beforehand
2. Show up at the restaurant at 6:15pm
3. Put your name down and be told the wait is around an hour to hour and a half
4. Go to the Woods of Windsor or Jungle Boy for a drink
5. Get called at 7:30pm for dinner
This is where you have a drink while waiting for your table at Mr Miyagi or Hawker Hall
52 habitants recommandent
The Woods
108 Chapel StThis is where you have a drink while waiting for your table at Mr Miyagi or Hawker Hall
Heaving and noisy Asian street food Melbourne style.
Hawker Hall is great fun and impossible to get into on a weekend night unless you follow these steps:
1. Plan to eat at 7:30pm with a drink beforehand
2. Show up at the restaurant at 6:15pm
3. Put your name down and be told the wait is around an hour to hour and a half
4. Go to the Woods of Windsor or Jungle Boy for a drink
5. Get called at 7:30pm for dinner
137 habitants recommandent
Hawker Hall
98 Chapel StHeaving and noisy Asian street food Melbourne style.
Hawker Hall is great fun and impossible to get into on a weekend night unless you follow these steps:
1. Plan to eat at 7:30pm with a drink beforehand
2. Show up at the restaurant at 6:15pm
3. Put your name down and be told the wait is around an hour to hour and a half
4. Go to the Woods of Windsor or Jungle Boy for a drink
5. Get called at 7:30pm for dinner
As its name implies, Radio Mexico is Mexican food. A long list of tacos, great ceviche and brilliant pork belly. Don't expect there to be any pork belly available if you eat late. They don't take bookings so follow this cunning plan if you go on a weekend night:
1. Plan to eat at 7:30pm with a drink beforehand
2. Show up at the restaurant at 6:15pm
3. Put your name down and be told the wait is around an hour to hour and a half
4. Go to The Nelson or The Dogs Bar for a drink
5. Get called at 7:30pm for dinner
115 habitants recommandent
Radio Mexico
11-13 Carlisle StAs its name implies, Radio Mexico is Mexican food. A long list of tacos, great ceviche and brilliant pork belly. Don't expect there to be any pork belly available if you eat late. They don't take bookings so follow this cunning plan if you go on a weekend night:
1. Plan to eat at 7:30pm with a drink beforehand
2. Show up at the restaurant at 6:15pm
3. Put your name down and be told the wait is around an hour to hour and a half
4. Go to The Nelson or The Dogs Bar for a drink
5. Get called at 7:30pm for dinner
Babu Ji is a great little Indian restaurant. I really enjoy the food although the bill does add up pretty quickly. It isn't super expensive but it's not cheap either. Probably not for someone on a budget
40 habitants recommandent
Babu Ji
6 Grey StBabu Ji is a great little Indian restaurant. I really enjoy the food although the bill does add up pretty quickly. It isn't super expensive but it's not cheap either. Probably not for someone on a budget
Drinks & Nightlife
Without a doubt the most sophisticated bar in Melbourne. Pricy but very very special. Sit at the bar and watch the white coated Italian waiters elegantly mix cocktails. Sip an Aperol Spritz or a Negroni. Maybe have a snack. Then wonder how the hours passed and it's closing time.
59 habitants recommandent
Cafe Di Stasio
31 Fitzroy StWithout a doubt the most sophisticated bar in Melbourne. Pricy but very very special. Sit at the bar and watch the white coated Italian waiters elegantly mix cocktails. Sip an Aperol Spritz or a Negroni. Maybe have a snack. Then wonder how the hours passed and it's closing time.
Pop into Love&Dysfunction for a cocktail and a natter with Reg. There's a courtyard out the back for sunny afternoons or else lounge at the bar and chat to the locals
13 habitants recommandent
Love&Dysfunction
Pop into Love&Dysfunction for a cocktail and a natter with Reg. There's a courtyard out the back for sunny afternoons or else lounge at the bar and chat to the locals
The new kid on the block. Misery Guts opened in March 2016. A strange name but a great venue. The owner and her dad's nicknames for each other is 'misery guts'.
16 habitants recommandent
Misery Guts
19 Grey StThe new kid on the block. Misery Guts opened in March 2016. A strange name but a great venue. The owner and her dad's nicknames for each other is 'misery guts'.
The iconic Espy is closed for renovations at the time of writing this but definitely check to see if it has reopened - especially if you like loud live music and beer in jugs.
They are building a terrace upstairs so even though I'm not a beer in jug person myself I'll be galloping over to see what it's like. The view is going to be sensational.
158 habitants recommandent
Hotel Esplanade
11 The EsplanadeThe iconic Espy is closed for renovations at the time of writing this but definitely check to see if it has reopened - especially if you like loud live music and beer in jugs.
They are building a terrace upstairs so even though I'm not a beer in jug person myself I'll be galloping over to see what it's like. The view is going to be sensational.
If drinking cocktails early in the evening while a jazz band plays or else dancing to 80's music after midnight is your thing then head to Laika. They're open till late
14 habitants recommandent
Lindt Chocolate Café , Chapel St
500 Chapel StIf drinking cocktails early in the evening while a jazz band plays or else dancing to 80's music after midnight is your thing then head to Laika. They're open till late
This is where you have a drink while waiting for a table at Mr Miyagi or Hawker Hall.
I personally don't rate the bar staff or the cocktails but the bar itself is awesome. Walk into the Boston Sub take-away shop, round the counter, open the fridge door and walk through. Voila! You're in Jungle Boy.
37 habitants recommandent
Jungle Boy
96 Chapel StThis is where you have a drink while waiting for a table at Mr Miyagi or Hawker Hall.
I personally don't rate the bar staff or the cocktails but the bar itself is awesome. Walk into the Boston Sub take-away shop, round the counter, open the fridge door and walk through. Voila! You're in Jungle Boy.
Dogs Bar is a restaurant or a bar depending on your needs for the night. Much loved by locals, it has an affordable wine list and food list with a daily $20 special of a meal and a glass of house wine. Sit outside and watch the people walk by and make friends with the people at the table next to you.
37 habitants recommandent
Dog's Bar
54 Acland StDogs Bar is a restaurant or a bar depending on your needs for the night. Much loved by locals, it has an affordable wine list and food list with a daily $20 special of a meal and a glass of house wine. Sit outside and watch the people walk by and make friends with the people at the table next to you.
Essentials
Woolworths is my supermarket of choice. Their fresh fruit and vegetables are better than the other supermarkets in the area.
90 habitants recommandent
Woolworths St Kilda
117 Acland StWoolworths is my supermarket of choice. Their fresh fruit and vegetables are better than the other supermarkets in the area.
If you're staying for more than a few days and want to cook at home then South Melbourne Market is the place to buy awesome fresh produce. Just grab some shopping bags from the laundry and jump onto the 96 tram to South Melbourne.
Get your seafood from Aptus Seafood and snack on a dozen oysters while you are there. Choose from heaps of different varieties. My favourite are the St Helens. Oysters are best in winter.
My favourite fruit and veg stall is Coventry Fruits and for potatoes you have to go to Georgie's Harvest.
All eggs sold at the market are ethical :)
Grab a coffee and a donut from Clement coffee.
Pop into Big Huey's across the road for a burger and a milkshake and say hi to Ruth from me!
365 habitants recommandent
South Melbourne Market station
If you're staying for more than a few days and want to cook at home then South Melbourne Market is the place to buy awesome fresh produce. Just grab some shopping bags from the laundry and jump onto the 96 tram to South Melbourne.
Get your seafood from Aptus Seafood and snack on a dozen oysters while you are there. Choose from heaps of different varieties. My favourite are the St Helens. Oysters are best in winter.
My favourite fruit and veg stall is Coventry Fruits and for potatoes you have to go to Georgie's Harvest.
All eggs sold at the market are ethical :)
Grab a coffee and a donut from Clement coffee.
Pop into Big Huey's across the road for a burger and a milkshake and say hi to Ruth from me!
The post office not only sells stamps and envelopes. it also sells pay as you go SIM cards, takes passport photos and a myriad other things. And they're nice people!
6 habitants recommandent
Australia Post - St Kilda West LPO
115 Fitzroy StThe post office not only sells stamps and envelopes. it also sells pay as you go SIM cards, takes passport photos and a myriad other things. And they're nice people!
Entertainment & Activities
If you're like me, you'll be looking for a place to work out thats close to home. St K Fit Club is affordable and pay as you go and has a whole mix of classes available and is 10 minutes walk from home
Armstrong Personal health and fitness coaching
If you're like me, you'll be looking for a place to work out thats close to home. St K Fit Club is affordable and pay as you go and has a whole mix of classes available and is 10 minutes walk from home
St Kilda Adventure Playground
Neptune StreetChildren's playground unlike any other!
The oldest continually running rollercoaster in the world. Creaky and rickety. And hilarious good fun!
468 habitants recommandent
Luna Park Melbourne
18 Lower EsplanadeThe oldest continually running rollercoaster in the world. Creaky and rickety. And hilarious good fun!
Alex Theatre hosts affordable live theatre most nights. Just jump online and see what's on. They have an open bar during the shows so you can enjoy a glass of wine
6 habitants recommandent
Alex Theatre St Kilda
135 Fitzroy StAlex Theatre hosts affordable live theatre most nights. Just jump online and see what's on. They have an open bar during the shows so you can enjoy a glass of wine
The Aster is an iconic old cinema that shows new and old films. Buy a glass of wine to drink during the film and if you are very very lucky, the Astor cat Duke will choose your lap to sit on.
145 habitants recommandent
The Astor Theatre
1 Chapel StThe Aster is an iconic old cinema that shows new and old films. Buy a glass of wine to drink during the film and if you are very very lucky, the Astor cat Duke will choose your lap to sit on.
The skate park is awesome! Stroll down on a nice day, take a seat and watch the skaters defying gravity
15 habitants recommandent
St Kilda Skate Park
28 Marine ParadeThe skate park is awesome! Stroll down on a nice day, take a seat and watch the skaters defying gravity
Getting Around
We have two bikes in the garage for your use but if they aren't the right size or you need more bikes then pop up the street and get a bike from The Classic Bike Shop
The Classic Bicycle Shop
121 Grey StWe have two bikes in the garage for your use but if they aren't the right size or you need more bikes then pop up the street and get a bike from The Classic Bike Shop
The main tram stop which is served by the route 96 and 16. Both will take you into the city. You need a Myki card to ride the tram. If you're lucky there will be spare cards to use in the drawer by the front door. If they are not there then they cost $16 each at the Milk Bar on the corner of Fawkner and Acland St. total rip off!
127 habitants recommandent
Luna Park/The Esplanade station
The main tram stop which is served by the route 96 and 16. Both will take you into the city. You need a Myki card to ride the tram. If you're lucky there will be spare cards to use in the drawer by the front door. If they are not there then they cost $16 each at the Milk Bar on the corner of Fawkner and Acland St. total rip off!
Shopping
Readings St Kilda
112 Acland StReadings is a wonderful genuine local bookstore :)
Parks & Nature
Quiet and beautiful. A great place for a picnic on a nice day
276 habitants recommandent
St Kilda Botanical Gardens
11 Herbert StQuiet and beautiful. A great place for a picnic on a nice day
Walk down to the beach then turn left. The walk along the beach to Elwood is gorgeous and quiet
140 habitants recommandent
Elwood Beach
Walk down to the beach then turn left. The walk along the beach to Elwood is gorgeous and quiet
Ok so I've slotted Veg Out into the park category as there isn't a category for community veggie garden. Veg Out is fantastic. They have 150 individual veggie beds, each owned and maintained by members of the local community. It is open to the public to wonder through and is a wonderful quiet space away from the world.
Please respect the gardeners and do not help yourself to vegetables :)
The first Sunday of every month is their working bee. Show up and help out and get treated to a free lunch with the community.
17 habitants recommandent
Veg Out
Ok so I've slotted Veg Out into the park category as there isn't a category for community veggie garden. Veg Out is fantastic. They have 150 individual veggie beds, each owned and maintained by members of the local community. It is open to the public to wonder through and is a wonderful quiet space away from the world.
Please respect the gardeners and do not help yourself to vegetables :)
The first Sunday of every month is their working bee. Show up and help out and get treated to a free lunch with the community.