Andrew McConnell’s Marea Channels South-Euro Summer With Sangria And Woodfired Snacks

Marea Beach House brings the sun-drenched spirit of southern European seaside dining to St Kilda Beach. The bar and restaurant is a breezy reimagining of the downstairs Stokehouse space by Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann, focused on fresh seafood and fire-cooking. With views of the bay washing over the massive outdoor deck and through floor-to-ceiling glass, live gigs and a monthly DJ drop, Marea is exactly where you want to sit when you come to the sea. Probably for a few hours.

Picture yourself, cold gin and tonic in-hand, lazily snacking through fritto misto and a pile of salty crisps, Jamón Serrano and guindilla peppers. Or maybe sharing a carafe of white sangria (lychee and apple notes, summer stunner) as you work your way from tuna tostadas and oysters to chicken with garlicky skordalia, burnt lemon and pistachio.

Image credit: Josh Robenstone

That wood grill is put through its paces, churning out prawns with smoked butter and bisque sauce, whole fish, steak, a pork chop tomahawk with fermented chilli and hot, house-made flatbread for swiping through the juices. 

The beach shack burger or beer-battered fish and chips sound like a humble takeaway, but they come from former Marion head chef Davy Dai. With Lachlan Bentley of Apollo Inn managing the bar, expect everything here to be dialed up and delicious across the board. 

You can keep to a Euro theme for dessert, with vermouth flan or the daily gelato (think, tropical, beachy flavours, with a Pidapipo collab ahead), or go nostalgic Aussie summer with a mango and passionfruit pavlova. 

Image credit: Josh Robenstone

While the fitout is new, it’s been designed to feel warm and lived-in, with natural textures, flashes of greenery and handcrafted art and sculptural pieces by artist and friend, Magnus Reid. Marea invites you to kick back and relax, preferably with a glass of something crisp, watching the sunset as DJs spin the perfect tunes. The November DJ drop sees Edd Fisher, DJ Possum, Biscotti and Smoochie on the decks at the beach house, as well as still-to-be-announced international acts.

McConnell and McGann announced they would be taking over the 36-year-old St Kilda institution earlier this year. While the upstairs refurb is still in progress, Marea is a shining debut for their refreshed seaside venue.