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.

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 scene just got serious — meet 81 Bay Wine Bar & Baix, two sides of the same culinary coin. Start casual at 81 Bay: hearty bistro bites, bone marrow toast, gnocco fritto and a wine list that refuses to disappoint. Feeling fancy? Step into Baix, a 40-seat fine-dining haven with a seasonally curated three-course menu, sharing plates, and desserts crafted by Jo Ward. Interiors? Think oak, marble, Italian leather and lighting that makes every evening feel special. Local legend Ian Curley brings city finesse to the bayside — from weeknight dinners to intimate celebrations, this is Brighton done with flair.

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.

Temporarily closed, to reopen in new location soon

New address: 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 a love letter to 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. Step outside to Ciao Cucina, their Mediterranean beer garden, where Portofino dreams meet beachside ease — a place to eat, drink, and forget the clock entirely.

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 quintessential bayside dining in Melbourne, a St Kilda icon where coastal charm meets relaxed luxury. The sun-filled dining room boasts breathtaking sea views, creating the perfect setting for long lunches and sunset dinners. The menu showcases the finest regional produce and seafood, ideal for sharing over a glass of wine. The beachy-luxe ambiance invites you to indulge in fresh oysters and exceptional dishes while soaking up the laid-back vibe of the bay. 

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 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.

Don’t miss the decadent desserts, including a delightful carrot cake sundae and a tiramisu-inspired bombe. Pair it all with cocktails or spritzes for a quintessential beachside feast.

30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

Ellora

Ellora is the bayside destination for elevated fun and sweeping views. Spread over two levels, the chic rooftop frames sunsets over the bay and city skyline, setting the scene for bottomless brunches, Tapas Thursdays, or cocktails with friends. Share antipasto boards, truffle fries, salt-and-pepper calamari, and more, all designed for lingering bites and lively conversation. Casual catch-ups or full-on celebrations — Ellora delivers a lively, sun-kissed vibe with every visit.

1 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Captain Baxter 

Captain Baxter perches atop the St Kilda Sea Baths, where beachside ease meets a touch of tropical glamour. Retractable roof, panoramic Port Phillip Bay views, and a sun-soaked vibe set the scene for grazing on share plates inspired by Japanese, Thai, and Southeast Asian flavours. Crisp seafood, zesty ceviche, and refreshing cocktails keep the hours slipping by, whether it’s a long lunch, bottomless brunch, or sunset sip. Light, effortless, and utterly addictive, this is bayside dining in Melbourne that flirts with sophistication while never taking itself too seriously.

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

Donovans 

Donovans on St Kilda Beach is like stepping into a stylish coastal home, effortlessly relaxed yet quietly elevated. Sweeping bay views set the backdrop for refined, Mediterranean-inspired dishes built for lingering lunches or indulgent dinners. Charcoal-grilled highlights include Otways porchetta, Queensland leader prawns with oregano and chilli, and whole baby snapper with fresh lemon. Bombe Alaska for two and a comforting old-fashioned chicken pie bring warmth and flair. With impeccable service, a stellar wine list, and sunsets that steal the show, Donovans is Melbourne’s bayside dining at its most seductive.

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—think martini slushies and bamboo-infused riffs, playful, sustainable, unforgettable. Hidden within, Hiki Bar adds a sultry edge: sleek, energetic, and made for nights that stretch long into laughter, clinking glasses, and neon-lit memories.

2/6 Centreway, Mordialloc

Bang Bang

Bang Bang, in Mordialloc and now St Kilda, delivers bold Pan-Asian flavours to Melbourne’s bayside. Hawker-style street food meets contemporary flair with crispy pork belly, spicy curries, and zingy salads that hit every note. Stylish décor, creative cocktails, and a relaxed, playful atmosphere make it ideal for casual catch-ups or full-on celebratory feasts. Just steps from the beach, Bang Bang serves up a colourful, flavour-packed experience that’s as lively, fun, and magnetic as the menu itself — Melbourne bayside dining with a punch.

576 Main Street, Mordialloc 

2/157 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

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 is where sun, sea, and laid-back sophistication meet. Overlooking shimmering Port Phillip Bay, it’s the kind of spot made for lingering — kingfish crudo, spaghetti vongole, and crisp fish and chips arrive fresh, vibrant, and made to share. From a breezy breakfast on the terrace to an intimate dinner as the sky blushes at sunset, the effortless coastal vibe carries from sand to table. A curated wine list and endless water views complete the picture: seaside dining that tastes like a slow, sunlit afternoon.

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. Lounging on the deck or grabbing a bite from the Beach Bar, Sebastian offers a quintessential bayside escape, combining relaxed seaside charm with expertly crafted food and drinks.

26 Esplanade, Williamstown

Pier Farm

Step aboard Pier Farm’s restored wooden boatshed, where modern seafood and pasta dishes meet breathtaking bay views. Nautical charm infuses every corner as oysters with champagne vinaigrette, crab ravioli in prawn bisque, and calamari fritti arrive, each bite celebrating the sea. Desserts demand attention too — the Bombe Alaska is unforgettable. Inspired by Mediterranean flavours and crafted from fresh, local, seasonal produce, Pier Farm turns coastal dining into an experience that feels both timeless and effortlessly indulgent, with every mouthful kissed by the bay.

34 The Strand, 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

17 August 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.