Explore our guide to St. Kilda – Melbourne’s popular seaside suburb’s best coffee shops, entertainment spots, exquisite cocktail bars, recreational activities, and unmissable attractions.
Overlooking the idyllic bayside of Port Phillip, St. Kilda is one of Melbourne’s treasured suburbs boasting alluring views and renowned for captivating heritage attractions, endless music events, and cultural celebrations. A perfect mix of pleasantly convenient yet thrilling neighbourhood spots, St. Kilda is home to incredible markets, a dynamic nightlife, the trendiest eateries, markets, the Victorian Pride Centre, as well as the Hive Milton House!
Read Hive Life’s guide to St. Kilda to explore the happening neighbourhood, from local coffee shops to unique bar concepts, to its iconic entertainment venues.
Best Cafés in St. Kilda
Galleon Cafe
Galleon Cafe is one of St. Kilda’s longest-serving and local favourite coffee rooms. Founded in the 80s, the bistro maintains its long history of serving customers with the most scrumptious brunch recipes, specialty coffees, and a homey environment.
Galleon’s interior takes inspiration from classic diners, with quirky and vintage aesthetics. Conveniently situated on popular shopping strip Carlisle Street, pedestrians can make a midday stop to enjoy their extensive menu filled with delicious fusion dishes featuring local flavours with an international twist.
Insider’s Tip: Pair Galleon’s iconic pancakes with a beverage of your choice, for a quick and comforting weekend brunch.
Address: 9 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Open From: Mon-Sun 7am-3:30pm; Thurs 1am-3:30pm
Rye & Dough
Rye & Dough Bakery derives its name from head baker and founder Ryan Doux, who hails from a long lineage of French culinarians. The homegrown cafe and artisanal bakehouse is a vision-come-true for the owner, supplying freshly baked speciality breads to the neighbourhood. Incorporating the freshest natural ingredients for their food staples and coffees, Ryan maintains the cafe’s authenticity by sourcing and working closely with local partners.
Rye & Dough takes great pride in their exceptional European cooking techniques and in-house traditional recipes, from their famous pane casalinga, to the beef ragu pie, to their specialty bombolone doughnut.
Insider’s Tip: Handmade fresh daily, customers can pre-order their breakfast a day ahead for pickup on their website.
Address: 28/149 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Open From: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm; Sat 8am-2pm
Best Restaurants in St. Kilda
Three Elephants & Co.
Three Elephants & Co. checks all the boxes for offering an immaculate dining experience. With a quintessential city view overlooking the majestic old French Embassy in St. Kilda, the restaurant serves diverse flavours and elements of Sri Lankan fare in its curated menu. A culinary delight with every bite, try the in-house chef’s unique variations of specialty dishes, including their popular Ceylon Crab Curry, the well-marinated and flavoursome Arugam Bay Crumbed Fish, or their vegetarian favourite, Curried Beetroot with Red Lentils.
Insider’s Tip: For those looking to dine in, you can make a reservation beforehand, or stay home and order a delivery from their website.
Address: 97 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, VIC
Open From: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm; Sat 8am-2pm
Mya Tiger
This classic Chinese eatery is a crowd-favourite, offering an opulent and airy ambience, with a colonial-age-inspired interior. An architectural gem, Mya Tiger sits atop the first floor of St. Kilda’s iconic Hotel Esplanade. The restaurant draws attention for more than just its beautiful space, boasting an incredible selection of authentic Cantonese delicacies.
Mya Tiger’s kitchen is run by expert chefs experienced in Chinese-style roasted barbeque, serving everything from flavour-packed roast duck to mala beef. Celebrating Canto-food staples, their bao and dumpling menu also features char siu pork buns, chilli wontons, and many other delights.
Insider’s Tip: The restaurant bar is perfect for a sociable evening accompanied by live music, an epic sunset, delicious food, and craft cocktails.
Address: 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182
Open From: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm; Sat 8am-2pm
Best Bars & Pubs in St. Kilda
Freddie Wimpoles
Freddie Wimpoles pays homage to St. Kilda’s former mayor from the 1880s, with a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of the bygone era. Situated on Fitzroy Street, in the historic Old George Hotel, which was also initially owned by the former mayor, Freddie Wimpoles is lauded as a local favourite pub, and an essential staple to the neighbourhood’s nightlife.
The bar flaunts an exquisite lineup of local and international artisanal beers, and an incredible range of spirits and cocktails crafted by their in-house mixologists. Besides that, their food menu encapsulates New York delis, featuring classic hotdogs, meat subs, curries, and more.
Insider’s Tip: The bar is also renowned for hosting regular live events. Stay posted on their weekly specials through their website.
Address: 125 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Open From: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm; Sat 8am-2pm
Dog’s Bar
Located in the heart of St. Kilda, Dog’s Bar has been a mainstay of the neighbourhood’s nightlife since 1989, offering lavish entertainment, delicious food, and timeless cocktails. Their menu serves authentic soul fare, serving everything from sharing platters to finger foods jam-packed with local flavours and ingredients.
Dog’s Bar is also heavily invested in the local music and art scene, and regularly spotlights fresh and emerging contemporary Melburian artists and bands, along with other touring talents.
Insider’s Tip: Keep an eye out for the latest events and live music happening at Dog’s Bar here.
Address: 4 Acland St, St Kilda 3184
Open From: Tues-Fri 5pm-Late; Sat–Sun 2pm-Late
The Prince Public Bar
Adding to St. Kilda’s rich cultural history, The Prince Public Bar is located in a boutique hotel of the same name dating back to 1936, the city’s grandest splash of art deco decadence at the time.
One of Melbourne’s oldest gay-friendly pubs, this cosy bar is a favourite go-to gathering place to connect with the local community. Designed with wood panelling and nostalgic black and white photos, unwind after a busy day in one of St. Kilda’s favourite watering holes.
Insider’s Tip: Not only is the Prince Public Bar a popular night time destination, but it also offers a delicious breakfast menu for brunch gatherings and early morning meetups.
Address: 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Open From: Mon-Fri 7am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-11pm
What to Do in St. Kilda
Victorian Pride Centre
The Victorian Pride Centre is Australia’s first multi-purpose hub dedicated to the local LGBTQIA+ community. Its extensive space hosts a wide range of events, from assemblies and workshops, to flexible offices and workspaces, to performing arts festivals, and more. The Victorian Pride Centre co-presented Melbourne’s eminent annual LGBTQIA+ cultural festival, Midsumma this year.
Showcasing incredible versatility, its programmes include many educational talks and immersive art experiences, drag shows, storytelling, and many more festivities that celebrate inclusivity and diversity.
Known for its dynamic entertainment and vibrant community, the space is always packed with the city’s hallmark pride events and gatherings.
Insider’s Tip: If you are looking to join the community, subscribe to the Victorian Pride Centre’s mailing list for the latest event updates.
Address: 79/81 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Open From: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
St. Kilda Esplanade Market
Set on the neighbourhood’s tranquil beachfront, St. Kilda Esplanade Market is a staple craft makers’ event in Melbourne. Hailed as a “Sunday delight” by the locals, the open galleria accommodates over 170 artisans and creators weekly.
Accentuating the city’s remarkably well cultivated arts and cultural scene, the crafters’ fair is celebrated for housing a diverse range of vendors, from artisanal jewellery and gifts, to vintage homeware and fashion staples, along with other art collectables. The ever-expanding market is a must-visit for those on the hunt for avant-garde creations and quality products made locally.
Insider’s Tip: While browsing the fair’s range of arts and crafts products, visitors can also enjoy delicious food from local favourite F&B vendors.
Address: Upper Esplanade, St Kilda, VIC
Open From: Sun 10am-5pm
Saint Hotel
The newly renovated Saint Hotel is an iconic location on Fitzroy Street with over a century of history in St. Kilda. Dubbed “The Saint” by locals, this is a one-stop destination in the neighbourhood for casual get-togethers, celebrations, and meetings at the hotel’s various eateries and bars.
Insider’s Tip: If you are looking for a more unique evening experience, in addition to the Saint Bar located on its ground floor, the hotel has two upstairs bars – Bar 54 and Stellas for guests to enjoy.
Address: 54 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Open From: 12pm-12am
St. Kilda Pier and Breakwater
Take in beautiful scenic views of the Melbourne skyline at St. Kilda Pier and Breakwater, a popular destination for promenading and even fishing. The pier is dotted with local vendors and heritage kiosks for visitors to enjoy while on a walk.
The St Kilda Breakwater is also home to a colony of Little Penguins, and just before dusk, you can spot them coming ashore from a viewing platform at the head of the pier. Visiting during weeknights is recommended to reduce foot traffic and preserve the penguins’ environment.
Insider’s Tip: The St Kilda Ferry departs from the pier offering access to Gem Pier in Williamstown, and Station Pier in Port Melbourne.
Address: Pier Rd, St Kilda VIC 3182
Open From: 24hrs
Albert Park
Just Northeast of the Hive Milton House is Albert Park, home of the renowned Australian Grand Prix held in March every year.
Albert Park Lake offers a picturesque route to jog, walk your dog, or take a bike ride – just 2km from Melbourne’s CBD. For outdoor sports enthusiasts, there are sailing and rowing races on the lake as well as other indoor facilities at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
Insider’s Tip: Pack a basket of treats to enjoy a scenic picnic next to Albert Park Lake for a relaxing mid-walk break.
Address: Albert Park VIC 3206
Open From: 24hrs
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