Endless Summer Vibes: The Best Bayside Dining in Melbourne

Melbourne’s bayside dining feels like a long, sunlit day stretched into evening, where sparkling coastal views meet the freshest seasonal produce. Imagine a table by the water, the sea breeze tousling your hair, plates of oysters, flaky fish, succulent steaks, and chargrilled seafood arriving in effortless rhythm with the tides. Crisp white wines glint in the afternoon light, and every forkful tastes of summer — slow, luminous, and just a little indulgent.

From breezy Euro-style terraces to hidden beachside gems, this is Port Phillip Bay at its most seductive and utterly unforgettable.

Bottarga

Bottarga’s new Bay Street dining room hits from the first bite. Handmade pastas have real texture, seafood is handled with precision, and the sauces taste dialled in. The open kitchen shows a team cooking Italian food with range and curiosity: crab-spiked spaghettini with bottarga, a playful Peking duck cigar with foie gras snow, agnolotti filled with rabbit, wild boar, kangaroo, emu and crocodile. Add a deep cellar and clever desserts, and the night feels quietly special.

198 Bay Street, Brighton

The Carpenter’s Ruin

The Carpenter’s Ruin brings fresh energy to St Kilda. The menu leans on mussels with fries, crisp schnitzels, well-seasoned seafood and vegetarian plates that feel considered rather than token. Drinks are straightforward and well-chosen, service remains attentive without fuss, and the space is relaxed and lively. A new bayside spot worth adding to your rotation this summer.

Ground Floor/15 Inkerman Street, St Kilda

Summer Pop-Up: Ellie’s Kiosk

Ellie Bouhadana’s summer pop-up has landed in St Kilda like a little slice of the Med. Think salt on your skin, breeze off the bay and coastal dishes that feel effortless in the best way: fried snacks straight from the pan, charcoal-kissed fish pitas, lemon ices and chilled wine. It’s a seaside kiosk built for long afternoons that drift into mellow, rose-tinted evenings — a simple, joyful summer ritual waiting to happen.

Open Thursday through Sunday all summer long

30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

The Walrus Oyster Bar

The Walrus brings breezy sophistication to St Kilda with oysters shucked to order, ocean-leaning small plates and cocktails that keep conversation flowing. It’s relaxed but quietly polished, perfect for long lunches, early-evening dates or that spontaneous seafood fix you didn’t realise you needed. Order a dozen, settle in with something cold, and let the bayside mood do the rest.

Ground Floor/9 Inkerman Street, St Kilda 

Yang Thai

In St Kilda, Yang Thai rewrites the neighbourhood chook shop with charcoal and Thai soul. Smoke curls over birds with glassy, burnished skin; you tear in, wrap a piece in warm sticky rice, and chase it with papaya salad that crackles with lime and chilli. Chips meet a cheeky tamarind ketchup — sweet, sour, a little bit dangerous. Lunch packs keep it easy, but a late-night snack feel inevitable. There’s room for veg lovers, heat seekers and anyone who knows flavour when it taps them on the shoulder.

49 Blessington Street, St Kilda

Rufio

St Kilda has an underrated siren call in Rufio, where Latin fire meets Melbourne cool. The menu is entirely gluten-free (yes, really). Yet, nothing feels compromised: smoky arepas, tamales, croquetas and chargrilled octopus, all made for sharing over rounds of tequila and hibiscus-spiked margaritas. Weeknights bring steak and parma specials, and Sundays see a Latin-inspired roast. Inside, it’s moody and minimalist; upstairs, the rooftop spills into golden afternoons made for lingering. From the team behind Repeat Offender, this is Latin fusion with style to spare.

188 Carlisle Street, St Kilda

81 Bay & Baix

Brighton’s dining landscape lifts with 81 Bay Wine Bar & Baix. Start at 81 Bay with bistro classics, bone marrow toast, gnocco fritto and a wine list that knows its audience. Then slip into Baix, a 40-seat dining room shaped by Jo Ward’s desserts, seasonal plates and Ian Curley’s signature finesse. Oak, marble and Italian leather complete the mood.

81 Bay Street, Brighton

Henrys

Brighton’s dining scene has more than one new crown jewel — Henrys. From the moment you step in, it’s European Riviera meets 1970s LA: bright white walls, forest green accents, and terrazzo floors set the scene. The menu celebrates shared indulgence — handmade pastas, Josper-grilled proteins, wood-fired seasonal vegetables, and desserts like bombe Alaska and tiramisu. Cocktails are as creative as the food, from Seashell Martinis to Rosa Margaritas. Spread across two floors with 140 seats, Henrys delivers a vibe that’s both relaxed and elevated, where sophistication meets effortless fun.

Dendy Plaza, 3 Well Street, Brighton 

Malena Cucina & Bar

Malena Cucina & Bar brings a slice of Southern Italy to Brighton, oozing moody, European elegance with just the right amount of old-world charm. Inspired by Monica Bellucci and helmed by Michelin-trained chef Domenico Fazzari, this bayside gem is all about slow Sicilian afternoons and long, wine-soaked dinners. Expect squid ink spaghetti tangled with crab, golden arancini oozing with bolognese, and silky eggplant parmigiana straight from Nonna’s playbook. Sip a Negroni, watch the world go by, and pretend you’re in Calabria… if only for the night.

151 Martin Street, Brighton 

10 Greek Plates

Brighton’s Martin Street hides a sun-soaked secret: 10 Greek Plates, a love letter to the Aegean. Family recipes take centre stage: succulent souvlaki, golden spanakopita, and slow-cooked lamb that melts the moment it hits your tongue. The room hums with warmth, laughter, and the smoky scent of chargrill, a slice of Santorini by the bay. Pour a glass of ouzo, let the world slow, and taste Greece exactly as it was meant to be.

146–148 Martin Street, Brighton

Ciao Cielo

Housed in a grand old Port Melbourne courthouse, Ciao Cielo is pure Italian romance — moody lighting, velvet banquettes, and the scent of wood-fired pizza curling through the air. The menu is pure Italy: golden calamari fritto, house bread with whipped ricotta and volcanic salt, zucchini flowers, and charred octopus arrive on share plates made for long, languid evenings. House-made pastas twirl around forks, Neapolitan-style pizzas blister in the oven, and spritzes flow as freely as conversation.

Sitchu Tip: Come summer, Ciao Cucina’s Mediterranean beer garden is the move. Sun, spritzes, and a Brighton take on Portofino.

115 Bay Street, Port Melbourne

Hotel Esplanade

Hotel Espy needs no introduction. At the heart of St Kilda, the Hotel Esplanade — or “The Espy” — blends history with contemporary flair across five levels of diverse spaces. The Main Bar serves seaside snacks and stone-baked pizzas, while Mya Tiger offers Cantonese-inspired dishes framed by sweeping views of St Kilda Bay. Louey’s Bar & Kitchen channels Italian-American energy, and the newly launched Sunroom invites relaxed dining with signature cocktails.

For drinks and live music, The Ghost of Alfred Felton pairs history with panoramic views, while the Basement and Gershwin Room pulse with live performances. From casual bites to memorable nights out, every corner of this legendary venue delivers something fresh, playful, and distinctly Espy.

11 The Esplanade, St Kilda

Winston’s

Bayside bliss in every bite. Winston’s serves French-inspired dishes that make time slow: oysters that glisten, chicken liver parfait that melts, and steak frites that demand a second helping. Pink snapper with globe artichokes, elegant desserts, and cocktails like the silky Grasshopper complete the scene. In Black Rock, where old-world charm meets coastal ease, every visit feels timeless — and utterly indulgent.

Unit 1/300-302 Beach Road, Black Rock 

Pipi’s Kiosk

Pipi’s Kiosk is where laid-back meets luxe. Overlooking St Kilda’s sparkling coastline, it captures the very essence of Melbourne’s bayside charm. Crisp calamari, Goolwa pipis in smoked tomato and Pernod, or a seasonal catch — paired with a chilled drink as the sun dips — make every visit feel like a small celebration. Dine in or grab a bite from the takeaway window, but don’t just hear about it — taste it. Casual, elevated, unforgettable: Pipi’s is seaside dining at its most effortlessly indulgent.

129a Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park

Stokehouse 

Stokehouse is Melbourne’s beachside classic, all sunlight, sea air and polished ease. The dining room opens to the bay, setting the scene for oysters on ice, pristine seafood and plates shaped by coastal produce. Service moves with easy confidence, wine flows, and the horizon does the rest. It’s St Kilda at its most assured and indulgent.

30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

Stokehouse Pasta Bar

At sand level sits Stokehouse’s charming younger sibling, Stokehouse Pasta & Bar, serving up glistening beach views, ample spritzes, and Euro-inspired dishes, plus some of the city’s best desserts. With natural timber and abundant sunlight, the coastal vibes are unmistakable. The menu stars handmade pasta like crab, garlic, and chilli spaghetti, and pork and fennel campanelle. Alongside seafood starters, rib-eye steaks, and crispy veal cotoletta mains, rotating specials keep things fresh.

Sitchu Tip: Don’t miss the decadent desserts, including a delightful carrot cake sundae and a tiramisu-inspired bombe.

30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

Ellora

Ellora brings breezy Bayside glamour across two levels, with a rooftop that catches every shade of sunset over the water and skyline. Come for bottomless brunch, Tapas Thursdays or cocktails with your favourites. Think antipasto, truffle fries, salt-and-pepper calamari and easy plates built for shared moments. From casual meet-ups to big nights, Ellora keeps the energy bright.

1 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Captain Baxter 

Captain Baxter sits above the St Kilda Sea Baths with wide-open bay views and a breezy, holiday pulse. The menu leans into Japanese, Thai and Southeast Asian influences: crisp seafood, bright ceviche and cocktails built for warm afternoons. Long lunches roll easily into sunset drinks, giving Baxter its effortless charm and unmistakable St Kilda sparkle.

St Kilda Sea Baths Complex, 10/10-18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda 

Donovans 

Donovans on St Kilda Beach feels like stepping into a stylish coastal home — relaxed yet quietly elevated. Sweeping bay views frame Mediterranean-inspired dishes built for long lunches or lingering dinners. Charcoal-grilled favourites include Otways porchetta, Queensland leader prawns with oregano and chilli, and whole baby snapper with fresh lemon. Finish with the Bombe Alaska for two and call it a perfect date night.

St Kilda Beach, St Kilda Marina & Surrounding Foreshore, 40 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

Chiki Chan & Hiki Bar

Chiki Chan has landed in Mordialloc, an electric collision of bold Asian flavours and Melbourne cool, all under a glow of vibrant neon. Silky burrata draped in Szechuan chilli oil, punchy Malaysian roast chicken, and other inventive plates keep taste buds dancing. At the bar, eco-conscious cocktails steal the scene, from martini slushies to bamboo-infused riffs on the classics; playful, sustainable, unforgettable.

2/6 Centreway, Mordialloc

Bang Bang

Bang Bang brings its Pan-Asian fire to Mordialloc, Elsternwick and now St Kilda, serving crispy pork belly, bright curries and salads with real bite. Think hawker energy meets coastal cool, backed by sharp cocktails and a room that never feels still. Steps from the sand, it’s a bayside go-to for colour, heat and nights that roll on easily.

576 Main Street, Mordialloc 

2/157 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

294 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick 

True South

True South blends modern Argentine tapas, craft beers, and signature cocktails with Black Rock’s effortless beachside charm. Sweeping bay views set the scene for sunset drinks, weekday lunches, or long, leisurely bites. Char-grilled delights, zesty share plates, and refreshing cocktails keep the hours slipping by, as coastal calm meets lively energy. From casual catch-ups to sun-drenched evenings with friends, True South delivers relaxed sophistication with a side of irresistible buzz.

Black Rock Village, 298 Beach Road, Black Rock

Baia di Vino

Baia di Vino exudes Mediterranean elegance with sweeping views of Melbourne’s bayside. True to its name — ‘Wine Bay’ — this coastal haven offers a dining experience that’s both relaxed and refined. Dishes like fried sardines with fennel cream and scampi brodetto arrive perfectly paired with European and Australian wines. Vaulted ceilings, a marble bar, and sunlit bayside vistas create a setting that feels effortlessly sophisticated.

For those seeking chic, breezy dining by the water, Baia di Vino is a destination to savour slowly, glass in hand.

Sandringham Village, 1 Melrose Street, Sandringham 

Elwood Bathers

Elwood Bathers brings sun, sea and easy coastal polish to the shoreline. With Port Phillip Bay shimmering out front, dishes like kingfish crudo, spaghetti vongole and crisp fish and chips land bright and generous. Start with breakfast on the terrace or settle in for dinner as the sky softens at sunset. With thoughtful wines and sweeping views, it’s seaside dining at its most relaxed and inviting.

15 Elwood Foreshore, Elwood 

Best Bayside Dining: Western Suburbs

Sebastian

Summer is always in season at Sebastian in Williamstown, where the beach bar and expansive deck invite sand-between-your-toes dining with sparkling bay views. Spanish-inspired dishes — from Basque crispy mussels to Arroz De Primavera — pair effortlessly with refreshing cocktails and live music. Indulge in fresh seafood or a sizzling Thursday-night steak special as the sun dips low.

Whether you’re lounging on the deck or grabbing a bite from the Beach Bar, Sebastian is the correct summer play.

26 Esplanade, Williamstown

Feeling like a seafood feast after reading our guide to the best bayside dining in Melbourne? Be sure to check out our favourite oyster bars and explore the best restaurants for a long lunch. 

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

10 December 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.