There’s so much more to St Kilda than backpackers and beachside vibes—this iconic Melbourne neighbourhood is making a serious comeback in 2025, with its restaurant scene leading the charge.
When it comes to St Kilda restaurants, you’ll find a mix of legendary dining spots and hot new places serving up some of the freshest seafood around. But if you’re not into fish, don’t stress—there’s an array of cuisines on offer, from Italian and Mexican to Indian, Japanese, and classic pub fare.
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Without further ado, here's your guide to the best St Kilda restaurants in 2025.
2 Acland Street, St Kilda
Image credit: Prince Dining Room | Supplied
A real old charmer and true Melbourne icon, plenty is happening at The Prince. The multi-level venue is one of the most storied spots in Melbourne and the public bar is an absolute gem—one of the best pubs going around. In recent hospo news, Mitch Orr has also come into the fold, leading as Creative Director of the restaurant arm, Prince Dining Room. He’s brought along some of his signature dishes such as the famed bologna sandwich, a must-try new diners. The team have also recruited a new Head Chef, Ben Parkinson after working in the scene for over 15 years.
Radio Mexico
11-13 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
Image credit: Radio Mexico | Website
Tried and tested, Radio Mexico hasn’t let us down yet. This restaurant is one of the biggest highlights of the food scene and one of the best restaurants in St Kilda, with authentic flavours and stellar produce. With a menu packed with juicy authentic dishes like chipotle tamarind pork ribs, spanner crab and corn and potato and chorizo quesadillas, Radio Mexico is everything you didn't know you needed in a modern Mexican restaurant. A special mention also goes to the carnitas, which are bite-sized tacos with crispy cheese crust.
Stokehouse
30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
Image credit: Stokehouse | Supplied
If you’re looking for beach luxe dining, look no further than Stokehouse. The venue has a relaxed fine-dining feel to it, with a 12.5-metre oval bar, a lounge area, and a terrace to sit by the beach. With the entire ground floor buried under a sand dune and a delectably seafood-focused menu, Stokehouse takes its beach luxe aesthetic very seriously. Don’t be afraid to indulge in the seafood here, the calamari and the oysters are among some of the best around. And that’s why it’s one of the best restaurants in St Kilda.
Stokehouse Pasta & Bar
30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
Image credit: Stokehouse Pasta & Bar | Arianna Leggerio
Stokehoue Pasta & Bar is the beachfront little sibling of Melbourne institution Stokehouse, and a stellar option if you're looking at St Kilda beach restaurants. Two years back, the space got a major facelift, a name change and a whole new menu—ushering in a new era, Stokehouse Pasta & Bar. Open Tuesday to Sunday from midday 'til late, the venue is focused on fresh Mediterranean flavours, highlighting the beautiful simplicity that makes coastal dining so appealing.
And if you're up for a feed, the Mediterranean sibling just launched Lasagne Nights. Every Wednesday from 5pm for the winter months, book yourself a table and devour not only a very decent serving of homemade lasagne, but a generous serving of tiramisu (one of Melbourne's best, in our humble opinion) for nothing more than $30 bucks. Bookings this way.
Saint George
54 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Image credit: Saint George | Kristoffer Paulsen
Saint George is the hot new Italo-centric diner in the resurrected iconic corner spot in St Kilda. In the very capable hands of chef and author Karen Martini who has stepped in as Culinary Director, the formal feel of the previous iteration has been stripped and replaced with an elevated pub vibe. The front bar is donned ‘The Tavern’, a walk-in only situation suitable for a feed, small bites or just a vino—see the menu over here. The back dining room is ‘The Grill, offering a full a la carte menu with primi, pasta, cuts grilled on the josper, and more—full menu this way.
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Babu Ji
4/6 Grey Street, St Kilda
Babu Ji has brought the intense aromas of classic Indian cuisine to Grey Street. The old-style building feels cool and fresh with its minimal fit-out and high white-washed walls adorned with various artworks. Experts when it comes to both classic and non-classic curries, the menu features a varied selection of regional dishes from beef Madras to mushroom Korma. They also do one of the best butter chickens around, which really helps cement it as one of the best restaurants in St Kilda.
Sister of Soul
73 Acland Street, St Kilda
Image credit: Sister Of Soul | Website
Whether you’re north or south of the river, Sister of Soul is there to bring you all their vegan, vegetarian, raw and gluten-free meals. They’re all about sustainability and leading the way to a greener diet while building a community along the way. They divert food waste from landfill to the St Kilda community garden, so you don’t need to feel guilty if you don’t lick the plate clean—though we suspect you’ll be tempted to.
Donovans
40 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
Award-winning Donovans in St Kilda is one of Melbourne's most iconic restaurants and one of the best in St Kilda. Famous for its excellent food, relaxed vibe and beachside location, Donovans is best enjoyed via the floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor terrace. The menu is extensive with a modern mix of dishes like the crispy skin Cone Bay Barramundi, the glazed duck breast with charred mustard greens, or other favourites like the grass-fed Hopkins River eye fillet. There's also an extensive wine list of Australian and imported wines, as well as an eclectic mix of cocktails—perfect for any occasion.
Flour Child
77 Acland Street, St Kilda
Image credit: Flour Child | Arianna Leggerio
Flour Child is equal parts fun as it is delicious. Go for a casual dinner with the fam, or a riotous time with mates. The cocktail bar and pizzeria has been kicking around St Kilda for over five years, perched high on Acland Street with sweeping views of the iconic St Kilda palm trees and directly opposite Luna Park. Back when it opened, it was Melbourne’s first dedicated burrata bar, so you know the offering on the cheese front is next level—have it with bresaola, caponata tartare, beetroot or pumpkin, have one delicious blob or three nicely lined up on a plate. Don’t miss the flame-fired dishes and experimental cocktails—and if you’re looking for things to do in Melbourne, definitely check out one of their many masterclasses.
Cafe Di Stasio
31 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Image credit: Café Di Stasio | Supplied
Café Di Stasio is an award-winning Melbourne establishment. Mood lighting, red leather banquettes and Bill Henson artworks set the scene for an indulgent, authentic Italian dining experience. From the freshest homemade pasta, to suckling pig, saltimbocca, tiramisu and zabaglione, the extensive menu, wine and cocktail list will definitely impress.
Las Tapas
100 Chapel Street, St Kilda
Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, lunch, dinner, or just a glass of wine, Las Tapas has you covered. The Catalan joint boasts a fresh menu whipped up from ever-rotating local produce that’ll leave you deeply satisfied. Plus their weekly specials are always on point: seafood or meat grill mix and a jug of Sangria are up for grabs. Yes, please.
The Esplanade Hotel
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
Image credit: Hotel Espalande | Supplied
Simply put, there is no other pub like the Espy. St Kilda’s Hotel Esplanade has been an iconic establishment of the area since its inception in 1878. The revamped Espy now boasts 12 bars over its five levels with an insane range of handpicked wines, signature cocktails, craft beers, it’s hard to argue its position as one of the best pubs in Melbourne.
Mya Tiger
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
Image credit: Mya Tiger | Supplied
At the forefront of The Espy's Mya Tiger restaurant is their iconic menu. The menu is broken down into snacks (go for the sesame prawn toast, or cumin lamb spring rolls), dumplings and bao, vegetables, mains (the sweet-and-sour pork is king), rice and noodles, and of course, sweets. And if you’re jonesing for some cocktails, sink into the velvety green banquettes at the gorgeous Mya Tyger cocktail bar—you won’t regret it.
Cicciolina
130 Acland Street, St Kilda
With its casual vibe and contemporary decor, Cicciolina is an obvious choice if you’re looking for one of the best St Kilda restaurants. With chef Virginia Redmond at the helm since its inception in 1993, the Cicciolina menu focuses on using the best of Melbourne's seasonal produce to make inspiring modern Italian dishes. From rich mushroom risotto to chargrilled wagyu scotch fillet, there’s something for every palate at Cicciolina’s.
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Leading image credit: Café Di Stasio | Supplied
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