WA local Pia escaped to Melbourne’s seaside playground of St Kilda and reports back on the gourmet scene.
There’s something intoxicating about St Kilda. While it boasts a torrid past that could make Paris Hilton blush, having the Melbourne CBD on its doorstep has ensured the gradual gentrification of this port-side suburb. The result: A vivacious cultural hub bursting with funky shops, cafes and street art and drenched in indie-cool.
Where to stay
If you’re after somewhere close to all the action, Hotel Urban St Kilda is the perfect place for you. It adopts a fresh approach to accommodation, offering deluxe rooms while embracing St Kilda’s indie vibe. The deluxe offerings are obvious: you can have a relaxing spa, enjoy a top-notch bottle of red and fall into a blissful sleep in the world’s comfiest bed (you can even buy one of your own to take home with you!).
Sooo comfy!
The St Kilda vibe, however, is more subtle, evident in the little details: funny little messages on the toiletries; quirky names for amenities, and striking black and white photography of local landmarks which adorn the rooms and hallway walls of hotel.
Quirky shampoo
But where the two meet best is literally at its front door. Without taking a step outside, you can head to Suger Café Bar, a cosy wine bar and the perfect place to get your night started with nibbles and a few cheeky drinks, or enjoy a meal and a bottle of wine before bed. The next morning, you can watch the world go by with a great coffee (or MOA breakfast beer, if you’re feeling that way inclined) and a hearty breakfast at Hub Cafe.
Suger Café Bar
But if your keen to get out and explore what St Kilda has to offer, here are a couple of my favourite places to get the day started:
Las Chicas
203 Carlisle St, Balaclava
Las Chicas is the kind of place you could eat at every day and never get sick of it. They offer all day breakfast, brilliant coffee and The Breakfast Burrito. It’s so good, that the people sitting next to us (who were also visiting from interstate) were also there after catching wind of its awesomeness!
Banff
29/145 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Step off the streets of St Kilda and into this cosy little café straight out of the Canadian mountain ranges. It offers yummy food at a great price so, using WFL (Women’s Financial Logic), you’re actually saving money on that expensive pair of shoes you’re going to buy later! Get stuck into the bacon and egg focaccia next to the log wood fire for a brilliant hangover cure, though it would be a national crime to leave without trying the brioche french toast, in all its maple syrupy, bacon-y glory!
The St Kilda Galleon Café
9 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
While many of its competitors have come and gone, Galleon Café has remained a St Kilda favourite since it opened its doors in the 80’s.
The brilliance of Galleon Café is no secret – it’s not unusual to find yourself waiting in a rather hungry line of people, so it’s lucky they serve breakfast until 4pm.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll struggle with the impressive list of choices, though the sweet potato, basil and feta hash served with wilted spinach, poached egg, tomato and chili chutney came recommended to me and was divine. The coffee is fantastic, too.
For an insiders guide to St Kilda dining, here are top tips from the Hotel Urban team:
Laus Family Kitchen
4 Acland St, St Kilda
Offers great Chinese food
Miss Jackson
2/19 Grey Street, St Kilda 3182
Renowned for its brilliant brunches
Golden Fields
2/157 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
57 Fitzroy St. St.Kilda Melbourne
A very cool Asian inspired offering
Cicciolina Back Bar
130 Acland St, St Kilda
A St Kilda institution with modern food and season produce.
Circa
2 Acland St, St Kilda
Offers Pan Asian dining at The Prince.