The Best of St Kilda: Where to Eat, Drink, and Explore

This intimate, no-reservations Italian joint has been serving some of the best pasta in Melbourne since the nineties. Nab a table in the back room for a long, slow lunch of house-made gnocchi paired with a robust Victorian Shiraz.

An absolute St Kilda institution, Cicciolina has been serving exceptional, unpretentious Italian food since 1993. The vibe is intimate and slightly bohemian, with dark timber and brilliant service. If there's a wait, slide into their back bar for a classic Negroni and some olives.

Start your morning at this airy, high-ceilinged spot overlooking Albert Park. The kitchen champions Victorian produce with dishes like wild mushroom bruschetta, paired with exceptional coffee roasted locally. It’s busy but never rushed, capturing the neighborhood's easygoing sophistication.

Skip the tourist traps and head straight to this retro St Kilda icon. With its mismatched Formica tables and vinyl booths, it is the coziest spot in town for a serious flat white and a plate of potato cakes while the autumn morning chill lingers outside.

End your night at 'The Espy,' a sprawling, historic seaside hotel that has anchored St Kilda's music and social scene for decades. Head upstairs to the Ghost of Alfred Felton, a cocktail bar styled like an eccentric art collector's apartment. It’s the perfect, moody spot for a nightcap overlooking the bay.

Housed in a grand mid-Victorian mansion, this public gallery showcases brave, contemporary art from mid-career artists. The contrast between the ornate period architecture and the cutting-edge installations inside is thrilling. Don't skip the beautiful, peaceful courtyard garden before you leave.

End your day out of the wind at this dedicated cheese bar, where they match artisan cheeses with boutique wines, beers, and sakes. It is the perfect place to linger over a fondue pot as the coastal evening settles in.

There is nothing better on a cool day than ducking into a great independent bookstore. Readings is a Melbourne institution, staffed by people who actually read and love to recommend their favorite local fiction.

While tourists head to the beach, locals know the botanical gardens are at their peak in autumn. Walk beneath the giant, heritage-listed trees as their leaves turn brilliant shades of amber and gold, and seek out the quiet glass conservatory.

Established in the 1800s, these gardens are a lush, quiet escape from the beachside hum. Wander past the heritage glasshouse and the ornamental pond, keeping an eye out for local giant roseringed parakeets. It's the perfect place to slow down and watch locals reading on the lawns.

Warm up in the heated, indoor saltwater pool that has drawn bathers to the foreshore since the 19th century. Watching the grey autumn clouds roll over the bay from the comfort of 31-degree water is pure therapy.

Rebuilt as a spectacular, sustainable design feat right on the foreshore, Stokehouse offers unmatched views of Port Phillip Bay. Order the local snapper or a plate of oysters, accompanied by a crisp Australian Chardonnay. The atmosphere is breezy, elegant, and unmistakably Melbourne.