New restaurants, bars and cafes in St Kilda and Southside

There's a slew of new restaurants, bars and cafes in St Kilda and Southside just waiting to be discovered. From chic rooftops and expertly crafted cocktails to cosy brunch joints, and a vibrant burst of Latin American flavors, break the routine and explore something new.

New restaurants and bars

D.O.C., St Kilda

Newly opened on St Kilda's Upper Esplanade, D.O.C. offers authentic Italian cuisine against a picturesque bay backdrop. The warm indoor space has cosy tables, banquet seating and bar to perch on, while outside there's iconic St Kilda views of palms, sea, and sunset. Their Neapolitan pizzas, widely loved by Melburnians, are a huge draw but the menu extends to much broader territority. Choose from favourites such as home-style lasagna and classic tiramisu to more contemporary options including bucatini neri alle vongole with pipis and seaweed or campanelle with duck and Montenegro ragu and truffle Reggiano foam. And save room for antipasto plates including Grilled Skull Island prawns, baby burrata with zuccini agrodolce, and truffled beef tartare.

Lucia, South Melbourne

The team behind suburban gems Riserva, Baia Di Vino and San Lorenzo, has just opened Lucia, a new Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar in South Melbourne. Located in the Eleven Building on Eastern Road, expect warm, old school hospitality, seasonal dishes and 400+ bottle wine list. The elegant dining space accommodates up to 80 people and there's also marble-clad bar, perfect for casual drop-ins. Headed by Jordan Clavaron, formerly of Cutler and Co, the kitchen presents a diverse menu, from snacks to share plates, from Fremantle octopus skewer with red pepper sauce, beetroot ravioli to a 1 kilgram dry-aged rib-eye steak with chimichurri.

Saint George, St Kilda

Saint George is latest venue from chef Karen Martini, the creative mind behind St Kilda venues Mr Wolf and legendary ‘90s bar Melbourne Wine Room. Freshly opened in the iconic Saint hotel site on Fitzroy Street, expect a summer clubhouse vibe and an Italian-inspired menu, with lovingly handmade pasta and playful renditions of Australian pub classics.

Brewmanity, South Melbourne

Brewmanity, a new artisan brewery and rooftop bar, has just opened in South Melbourne . Sip on a locally crafted ale while taking in panoramic views on the Next Level rooftop, which accommodates up to 400 guests. With a retractable roof, it is also completely weather proof. On the ground-floor, their industrial-style Beer Hall offering a closer glimpse of the brewing process. The drinks list includes 12 house-made brews and two blenders on tap, Australian wines and classic cocktails. The contempoary food menu caters to a wide range of dietaries with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. But it's not just about beer and views. Giving back is also an essential part of Brewmanity's mission. A portion of all beer sales goes towards Fight MND, while their 'Sip and Sizzle' initiative offers fundraising opportunities for local community groups. Cheers to that!

Pirate Life , South Melbourne

Acclaimed South Australian brewer, Pirate Life, has just unveiled its first Melbourne location, around the corner from South Melbourne Market. Housed in a revamped mechanics’ garage with exposed bricks, greenery and industrial finishes, it has room for up to 220 patrons. There's 14 house brews on tap to try, ranging from the popular South Coast Pale Ale to limited releases like Vanilla Malt Thickshake Nitro IPA. The menu highlights fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, offering market fish, prime meat cuts sold by weight, and bar snacks including wood-fired flatbread, fresh Pacific oysters, and pickled octopus carpaccio.

Mirror Mirror Rooftop Lounge, South Melbourne

A new rooftop bar, Mirror Mirror Rooftop Lounge, has just opened above the historic Clarendon Hotel. The ambiance is impeccable, offering stunning views of the city skyline. A selection of Snow White-themed gin and rum-based cocktails on the drinks list has high novelty value - they're also really good. Get started with the the Evil Witch Spritz (Creme de violette, Campari, lemon, gin, prosecco) or The Huntsman (Bacardi white rum, ginger liqueur, lime and apple). Pair your drink with Asian-inspired dishes such as soft-shell crab, pork dumplings, or the pan-grilled barramundi in Thai-style chili dressing for a perfect summer experience.

The Walrus, St Kilda

Breathing new life into the old Mr Wolf site on Inkerman Street, new wine and oyster bar The Walrus is a neighbourhood favourite in the making. With an intimate atmosphere and friendly service, it’s perfect for after-work drop ins and close-to-home weekend catch ups. Visit for premium European and Australian wines, including around 20 by the glass, daily pinxtos and a rotating menu of fresh oysters from around Australia. Jazz-inspired favourites on the in-house turntable adds to the ambiance.

Bayroute, Port Melbourne

Newly opened bayside bar and grill, Bayroute offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a modern Australian flair. With an idyllic location overlooking Port Melbourne Beach, it's perfect for sunset views, with both outdoor and indoor dining options. Sip on handcrafted cocktails paired with freshly caught mussels, fish tartar and salt and pepper calamari. Dive into mouth-watering mains like Moroccan chicken with homemade spice rub and pear couscous, blue swimmer crab linguini and aged blue cheese risotto. Or explore the grill menu, with tempting choices such as Riverine grain-fed sirloin or the New Zealand Lamb Rack. Port Melbourne brewer CBCo and local distillery Stalward Whiskey both feature on the drinks list, alongside a selection of Victorian wines.

Loud Mouth, St Kilda

After laying closed for three years, the old Big Mouth site on Acland St has reopened with a bang. Loud Mouth keeps the party vibe of its predecessor with DJ and dance events upstairs, and alfresco seating and a lively bar downstairs. The drinks list sticks to the classics, offering selection of spritz flavours, classic and spicey margaritas and four martini varieties. The menu has unfussy and wallet-friendly pub fare like sliders, garlic prawns, bangers and mash, and a lineup of tempting pizzas. Make a date to try their weekday happy hour (4 to 7 pm), with $8 pints, wine and spirits and $12 espresso martinis and spritzes.

Rosie's Bar, Elwood

A new secret watering hole, Rosie's Bar, has opened behind Johnny's Coffee Roasters in Elwood. Venture through an unmarked door on Ormond Road to discover a leafy beer garden with a relaxed, summery vibe. Expect vinyl tunes, laid-back drinks, and friendly staff. With no website, and barely any social media, it's the new local you'll want to keep to yourself. Doors swing open Fridays and Saturdays from 3 pm. Hunt them down at the back of 159 Ormond Road.

Chicha Cevicheria and Bar, St Kilda

Pescetarian cevicheria and bar, Chicha, has reopened in Fitzroy Street after an extensive break for winter. Don't miss their must-try Pisco Sours at the distinctive pink marble bar, perfect with freshly shucked oysters. In addition to cocktails, there's wines from Spain, France, and Chile and Estrella lager and Brick Lane beer on tap. The refreshed menu, inspired by Lima, Peru's capital, has dishes like Hiramasa Kingfish from the Hibachi grill and three types of ceviche. With a view overlooking Fitzroy Street, it's an ideal spot for a post-dinner stroll around Albert Park or catching the St Kilda sunset.

Rufio, St Kilda

Latin American restaurant Rufio, is a triple threat with on-trend cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, and a charming rooftop. Its menu is entirely gluten free, offering up flame-grilled fare such as smoky eggplant arepa with miso tofu, glazed pork belly with pineapple, assorted tostadas, salmon ceviche, and chorizo tamale. A wide range of plant-based options are also available. Save room for the chocolate avocaod mousse or sticky agave pudding, served with dulce de leche and coconut icecream. The extensive cocktail list steals the spotlight, featuring a dedicated margarita menu with classic, spicy, Italian, coconut, and frozen variations.

Mondo di Pasta, Balaclava

New Balaclava pasta and wine bar Mondo di Pasta just opened its doors in February on Carlisle Street. Their menu offers a myriad of choose-your-own pasta and sauce combinations with most dishes priced at around $20. The value continues with $8 beer and wine options on the drinks list, alongside a selection of Aperol Spritz. It's the perfect stop for a working lunch, takeaway or quick after work dinner.

New cafes and brunch spots

Northern Soul Caravan Club, St Kilda

New hole-in-the-wall Northern Soul Caravan Club has just opened in a hidden laneway off Barkly St, slinging stacked UK and Irish-inspired butties, and coffee from a vintage caravan. Dive into the Coronation Chicken butty (aka ‘the Roy Cropper’), with Masala spiced chicken and curry mayo, or the Kinky Afro, with juicy prawns, creamy cheese mayo and hot sauce. Don't miss their house-made crisps, in three flavours: prawn cocktail, chicken salt and salt and vinegar. There's also a rotating array of freshly baked sweet treats, UK and Irish chips, and some of the friendliest staff this side of Inkerman. Open Friday to Sunday, find them behind cult chippery (and sister venue) Northern Soul Chip Shop, at 98 Barkly Street, St Kilda.

Au Naturale, St Kilda

Located at 6 Acland Street, just a couple of doors up from The Prince, Al Naturale offers a fresh take on natural, healthy cuisine, using ingredients from sustainable and ethical Victorian suppliers. From house-made granola to freshly baked almond croissants, many dishes are crafted in-house. The coffee hails from Coburg roaster St Remio. Before they were a cafe, the business got their start selling a range of Melbourne-made almond milk at South Melbourne Market. Renowned for its highest almond percentage in Australia (20 percent), nuts are sourced from Victorian farmers without pesticides. The Al Naturale milk range, which also includes hazelnut and walnut variations, and a signature chai mix, is also available for purchase on-site.

Arlo, Elwood

Visitors might miss Arlo's narrow shopfront on Ormond Road, but for locals, the word is already out. For over month they've been smashing out coffee, breakfast and lunches to enthusiastic crowds. Step into the inviting wooden interior, bathed in natural light from the plant-covered outside feature wall. The Canadian maple toasted granola, bursting with seasonal fruits, acai, and goji berries, is a flavour-packed brunch option. Or try the bacon benny with toasted thick-cut brioche and sriracha hollandaise. But you can't go past the smashed avo. Made with a generous serving of avocado, feta, red chilli and pomegranites on sourdough, it's breakfast perfection. The menu caters to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, with adaptability for some dishes.

Ugo Burrata Bar, South Melbourne

Newly opened at South Melbourne Market, Ugo Burrata Bar is a must-visit for foodies craving the classic Italian delight from Puglia – burrata, a creamy blend of mozzarella and cream. Options include burrata with toast (served with avocado, bacon jam, chilli), a bagel (heirloom tomato, chili), or focaccia (eggplant caponata or porchetta). If you prefer burrata as the star, standalone combos like Finnochia (fennel salami, rockmelon, capers, parsley salsa) and Peperonata (braised peppers, basil, breadcrumbs) are also available.

Hello Sparrow, Balaclava

Recently opened at the former Garage site on Chapel Street, Hello Sparrow is quickly becoming a local favorite for coffee and brunch. Crafted by Chef T, whose culinary journey spans Auckland and Queenstown, the menu features freshly baked pastries and hearty brunch options, all made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Almond milk smoothies and fresh juices are on offer in addition to coffee. For a unique twist, try the peanut butter choc or strawberries and cream protein shakes.

Coming soon

Cafe Di Stasio comeback

Big things are on the way for iconic St Kilda restaurant Cafe di Stasio, which is set to relaunch soon.

A new gallery space, Spazio Di Stasio, devoted to a new art work from renowned Australian artist Shaun Gladwell will open above the restaurant. The reopening of Cafe Di Stasio and Bar Di Stasio, semi-dormant since the pandemic, will coincide with the gallery's launch. Bar Di Stasio will undergo a Neapolitan transformation, offering street food like palle di riso and hand-held folded pizza, while Cafe Di Stasio will revive classics and introduce new dishes.