Guidebook for Saint Kilda
Food Scene
Although the service can be a bit hit or miss, the coffee and food are consistently very good.
29 locals recommend
Leroy Espresso
191 Acland StAlthough the service can be a bit hit or miss, the coffee and food are consistently very good.
St Kilda Bowling Club
66 Fitzroy StreetTake away coffee close to home.
A favourite of ours. The brunch menu is sometimes unusual and a bit adventurous but the food is, without fail, excellent. The coffee is also sensational.
61 locals recommend
Miss Jackson Cafe
19 Grey StA favourite of ours. The brunch menu is sometimes unusual and a bit adventurous but the food is, without fail, excellent. The coffee is also sensational.
The Saint, as it's known to locals, is a cool 2-floor bar / restaurant for European fare, with distressed brick walls, large windows & atrium dining. Young and sophisticated, chic and cool, it doubles as a bar / nightclub after dark. Eat here during the week, dance here on weekends.
44 locals recommend
St. Hotel
54 Fitzroy StThe Saint, as it's known to locals, is a cool 2-floor bar / restaurant for European fare, with distressed brick walls, large windows & atrium dining. Young and sophisticated, chic and cool, it doubles as a bar / nightclub after dark. Eat here during the week, dance here on weekends.
Radio Mexico
11-13 Carlisle StDelicious mexican in a funky venue
Rococo Acland Street
91 Acland StItalian staples and share plates, in a smartly designed room
Truly authentic Italian restaurant, the staff speak to each other in Italian and the interior is faithfully decorated. The food is unbelievable, try the bufalina pizza with prosciutto.
41 locals recommend
i Carusi ii
231 Barkly StTruly authentic Italian restaurant, the staff speak to each other in Italian and the interior is faithfully decorated. The food is unbelievable, try the bufalina pizza with prosciutto.
Milk the Cow Licensed Fromagerie
157 Fitzroy StCheese, cheese, and more cheese. And also wine!
La Roche
138-140 Acland StCheap, pub-style food and drink. A decent budget option.
Their variations on french toast are one of the best kept secrets in Melbourne. A must-try.
25 locals recommend
Hannah
141 Chapel StTheir variations on french toast are one of the best kept secrets in Melbourne. A must-try.
Renix Woodfired Pizza
60 Acland StLovely woodfired pizza but can be hit or miss.
Ultra cheap yet amazingly delicious thai take away. For service, price and quality, nowhere else comes close. Local tip: It's not on the menu, but ask for the chicken hokkien noodle.
11 locals recommend
Derby Thai St Kilda
52 Fitzroy StUltra cheap yet amazingly delicious thai take away. For service, price and quality, nowhere else comes close. Local tip: It's not on the menu, but ask for the chicken hokkien noodle.
Babu Ji
6 Grey StFunky Indian in an intimate venue.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cushion Lounge
99 Fitzroy StThis weird and wonderful little bar is themed as a New York apartment, complete with bed, bath and lounge. Play some giant jenga or Connect 4 while drinking a cocktail.
16 locals recommend
29th Apartment
29 Fitzroy StThis weird and wonderful little bar is themed as a New York apartment, complete with bed, bath and lounge. Play some giant jenga or Connect 4 while drinking a cocktail.
Day of the Dead themed cocktail bar. Extensive cocktail menu and friendly, well informed staff. An intimate environment more suited to couples than groups.
Day of the Dead
129 Fitzroy StDay of the Dead themed cocktail bar. Extensive cocktail menu and friendly, well informed staff. An intimate environment more suited to couples than groups.
One of four bars in The George, the iconic white building on the corner of Fitzroy and Grey Streets. This place is actually relatively new, having only opened in mid-2016. A trendy yet relaxed bar with craft beers, hot dogs and a pool table. The outside seating is very popular for people-watching on warm days. A personal favourite.
19 locals recommend
Freddie Wimpoles
125 Fitzroy StOne of four bars in The George, the iconic white building on the corner of Fitzroy and Grey Streets. This place is actually relatively new, having only opened in mid-2016. A trendy yet relaxed bar with craft beers, hot dogs and a pool table. The outside seating is very popular for people-watching on warm days. A personal favourite.
Prince Public Bar
29 Fitzroy StLegendary Melbourne live music venue.
Popular drinking spot during the day due to the fenced sitting area out front. Can get busy.
90 locals recommend
Vineyard Restaurant
71A Acland StPopular drinking spot during the day due to the fenced sitting area out front. Can get busy.
Your standard dingey pub. Not bad for a pub meal during the week but gets rowdy on Friday and Saturday nights.
12 locals recommend
The Elephant & Wheelbarrow
94-96 Bourke StYour standard dingey pub. Not bad for a pub meal during the week but gets rowdy on Friday and Saturday nights.
Popular on sunny Sundays when they throw open the doors and play live acoustic music.
9 locals recommend
The St. Kilda Branch
Popular on sunny Sundays when they throw open the doors and play live acoustic music.
The top level of the Hotel Barkly is very exclusive, particularly on Sunday nights. A good place to spot B-grade celebrities. The bottom floor is a fun backpacker bar.
10 locals recommend
Hotel Barkly
109 Barkly StThe top level of the Hotel Barkly is very exclusive, particularly on Sunday nights. A good place to spot B-grade celebrities. The bottom floor is a fun backpacker bar.
Metropol St Kilda
60 Fitzroy StTrendy, relaxed bar, close to home.
A picturesque bar / restaurant on the sands of St Kilda Beach. On a sunny summers day, there's no better place in St Kilda.
51 locals recommend
West Beach Bathers Pavilion
330A Beaconsfield ParadeA picturesque bar / restaurant on the sands of St Kilda Beach. On a sunny summers day, there's no better place in St Kilda.
Parks & Nature
A bit of a local secret. Tucked away from all the hustle and bustle just off of Acland St, this is where locals come to relax on those beautiful Melbourne spring days when it's not quite warm enough for the beach. Universally popular.
276 locals recommend
St Kilda Botanical Gardens
11 Herbert StA bit of a local secret. Tucked away from all the hustle and bustle just off of Acland St, this is where locals come to relax on those beautiful Melbourne spring days when it's not quite warm enough for the beach. Universally popular.
The beach itself is admittedly not great as far as beaches go, but the walk along the pier or the boardwalk is nice. Can get very busy and rowdy during the summer - if you're after somewhere more peaceful, go to Elwood.
697 locals recommend
St Kilda beach
The beach itself is admittedly not great as far as beaches go, but the walk along the pier or the boardwalk is nice. Can get very busy and rowdy during the summer - if you're after somewhere more peaceful, go to Elwood.
A bit of a walk or a very short drive, we generally prefer this beach to St Kilda beach as it is quieter and less touristy. Active types can jog or ride here along designated paths from St Kilda beach. Good views of the city and public barbecues in the extensive parklands adjacent.
140 locals recommend
Elwood Beach
A bit of a walk or a very short drive, we generally prefer this beach to St Kilda beach as it is quieter and less touristy. Active types can jog or ride here along designated paths from St Kilda beach. Good views of the city and public barbecues in the extensive parklands adjacent.
The breakwater which protects the harbour is home to a colony of Little Penguins. Although they are present year round, the best time to see them is summer. Head down just after sunset.
154 locals recommend
St Kilda Pier
Pier RoadThe breakwater which protects the harbour is home to a colony of Little Penguins. Although they are present year round, the best time to see them is summer. Head down just after sunset.
Arts & Culture
The National Theatre
20 Carlisle StreetSupport local theatre at The National!
Theatre Works
Saint Leonards AvenueInnovative, avant garde theatre in an intimate space.
Linden New Art
26 Acland StPublic gallery housed in a Victorian mansion.
Palais Theatre
Lower EsplanadeLarge capacity concert hall where the biggest bands play.
Shopping
The largest shopping mall in the southern hemisphere. If you've come to Melbourne to shop, you go here. Difficult to get to without a car.
275 locals recommend
Chadstone Shopping Centre
1341 Dandenong RoadThe largest shopping mall in the southern hemisphere. If you've come to Melbourne to shop, you go here. Difficult to get to without a car.
Home to upmarket retailers David Jones and Myer, as well as others. The 96 tram into the city goes straight through here.
412 locals recommend
Bourke Street Mall
Bourke Street MallHome to upmarket retailers David Jones and Myer, as well as others. The 96 tram into the city goes straight through here.
A much loved St Kilda bookstore with dedicated staff and huge selection of books and music (including vinyl). A hidden gem.
9 locals recommend
Readings St Kilda
112 Acland StA much loved St Kilda bookstore with dedicated staff and huge selection of books and music (including vinyl). A hidden gem.
This is where the locals shop for meat, fish and fresh produce, and is one of our favourite places in the area (we're here every weekend!). Also contains specialty shops, cafes and restaurants. A must-visit, and easily accessible on the 96 tram.
365 locals recommend
South Melbourne Market station
This is where the locals shop for meat, fish and fresh produce, and is one of our favourite places in the area (we're here every weekend!). Also contains specialty shops, cafes and restaurants. A must-visit, and easily accessible on the 96 tram.
Essentials
Closest grocery store. Not as big as Acland St Woolworths but has most everything.
103 locals recommend
Woolworths St Kilda West (Metro)
64 Fitzroy StClosest grocery store. Not as big as Acland St Woolworths but has most everything.
The larger of the two local Woolworths, but a bit further from home than the Fitzroy St Woolworths.
90 locals recommend
Woolworths St Kilda
117 Acland StThe larger of the two local Woolworths, but a bit further from home than the Fitzroy St Woolworths.
Coles St Kilda
Acland StreetThe closest Coles
Acland St Medical Centre
171 Acland StSt Kilda Superclinic
156-160 Acland StEntertainment & Activities
The iconic face of St Kilda. A must-see, and great for families. Home to the Scenic Railway, the oldest continually operating roller coaster in the world, and one of only three roller coasters (the others being in Great Yarmouth, UK, and Copenhagen, Denmark) that require a brakeman to stand in the middle of the train.
468 locals recommend
Luna Park Melbourne
18 Lower EsplanadeThe iconic face of St Kilda. A must-see, and great for families. Home to the Scenic Railway, the oldest continually operating roller coaster in the world, and one of only three roller coasters (the others being in Great Yarmouth, UK, and Copenhagen, Denmark) that require a brakeman to stand in the middle of the train.
Built in 1936, the Astor is the grand old girl of Melbourne cinemas. Shows mostly classic films, but you can also catch a b-grade movie or even a sing-along! Look out for the resident cat, Duke, who has free run of the cinema.
145 locals recommend
The Astor Theatre
1 Chapel StBuilt in 1936, the Astor is the grand old girl of Melbourne cinemas. Shows mostly classic films, but you can also catch a b-grade movie or even a sing-along! Look out for the resident cat, Duke, who has free run of the cinema.