A trip to the beach always makes you hungry, right? Here are my favourite Melbourne beachside restaurants, cafes, kiosks and takeaway stands, all of which are particularly good for families and kids.
Melbourne Beach Restaurants – West
1. Sebastian, Williamstown
The old bathing pavilion at Williamstown Beach has undergone a glamorous transformation to become a San Sebastian inspired eatery, Sebastian. Enjoy pintxos and drinks by the deck and watch one of the best sunset views in Melbourne. Full review.
Sebastian, 26 The Esplanade Williamstown (03) 9088 8989
2. Kiosk d’Asporto, Williamstown
On the other end of the curve of Williamstown Beach from Sebastian you’ll find the Italian-inspired Kiosk d’Asporto. Run by the folks behind popular pizzerias Pizza d’Asporto (Yarraville and Williamstown), at the kiosk you’ll find Italian snacks, panini and authentic gelato. Full review.
Kiosk d’Asporto, 94-98 Esplanade, Williamstown (03) 9397 683
3. Norfolk, Altona
Norfolk has a simple and bargain-priced all-day menu with a few seats and umbrellas in a courtyard. It’s right across the road from Altona Beach, making for a handy pit stop.
Norfolk, 139 Esplanade, Altona
4. Rockabye Candy, Altona
While Rockabye Candy is not *right* on the beach it is only a quick walk up Pier Street Altona and it is consistently the best cafe in Altona in my view. The meals are delicious and generously proportioned plus there are high chairs and kids menus available. Make sure to save some room for gelato from next door’s ice cream shop Eye Candy.
Beachside Restaurants Melbourne – South
5. Pier Port, Port Melbourne
Across the road from Port Melbourne Beach is the glossy Pier restaurant and bar. The menu spans pizza, burgers, tacos, pasta, risotto with occasional Asian flourishes, while the kids menu contains the usual suspects for $13.90 each.
Pier Port, 1 Bay Street, Port Melbourne
6. D’Lish Fish, Port Melbourne
Laid-back fish and chip shop cooking seafood and burgers, with a glass-enclosed outdoor area and water views. Better still, take away your food in a cardboard box and head down to the sand at Port Melbourne beach.
D’Lish Fish 3/105 Beach St, Port Melbourne
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7. Third Wave Cafe, Albert Park
This popular Port Melbourne cafe has now relocated to Albert Park, but still offering the same cafe-by-day-American-BBQ-by-night deal near the beach. It’s handy if you’re visiting Plum Garland playground.
The menu is what I’d term ‘dude food’ – think burgers, loaded fries, souvlakis and quesadillas.
Third Wave Cafe, 181 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park
8. Bleakhouse Hotel, Albert Park
Bleakhouse Hotel in Albert Park is certainly not bleak! The pub and restaurant is located across from the road from the beach and on the menu you’ll find classic pub grub, salads, steaks on the grill and a small kids menu. The weekend roast is a bargain for $25. If you can find a spot hang out with the kids in the beer garden so you can enjoy the bayside views over a drink or a meal
Bleakhouse Hotel, 97 Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park
9. Sandbar Beach Cafe, Middle Park
A light and spacious spot with a beach house vibe, just metres from the water at Middle Park which means you can sit and enjoy your drink or meal while watching the kids play. There is a small kids menu available.
Sandbar Beach Cafe 175B Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park
10. West Beach Bathers Pavilion, St Kilda West
West Beach Bathers Pavilion is a restored 1920s bathers’ pavilion serving burgers, pizza and hearty breakfasts. You can even pre-book a beach picnic basket, or spend the day with a private day-bed, beach chairs and umbrella set up on the beach.
West Beach Bathers Pavilion 330A Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda West
11. Paper Fish, St Kilda
You’ll find some of the best fish and chips in Melbourne smack bang in the middle of St Kilda Beach. At Paper Fish go for a calamari fritto in a cone and hang out with the beautiful people.
Paper Fish is part of the same complex as Pontoon and Stokehouse if you’re wanting more of a sit-down affair. Pontoon is a good option for older kids who might better appreciate the buckets of prawns, grilled skewers and ‘crispy’ menu items. Stokehouse is more upmarket, more refined and might be a bit harder to manage with loud, boisterous kids!
Paper Fish, 30 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda
12. Donovans, St Kilda
Donovans is an iconic Melbourne restaurant located on the St Kilda beachfront. While it’s predominantly known for its upscale food (and matching prices) they do have a cheapish kids menu and kids can run around on the boardwalk.
Donovans 40 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda
13. Republica, St Kilda
Republica at the St Kilda Sea Baths spills out onto sandy St Kilda Beach. Enjoy their Italian-inspired menu in the a large beer garden, courtyard or beachside tables. The kids set menu is $25 with a choice of mains, dessert and bottomless soft drinks.
Republica, St Kilda Sea Baths, 10–18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
14. Elwood Bathers, Elwood
The old Sails on the Bay has been transformed into a stylish all-day hangout. The kitchen focuses on locally-sourced, sustainable produce with meat, seafood, pasta, burgers and salads on offer.
Elwood Bathers 15 Elwood Foreshore, Elwood
15. Middle Brighton Baths, Brighton
Middle Brighton Baths overlook the (icy cold) sea baths of Brighton and the menu is classic with a twist. You can enjoy lunch or dinner, weekend brunch or just drinks on the deck. Full review.
Middle Brighton Baths 251 Esplanade, Brighton (03) 9539 7000
16. North Point Cafe, Brighton
North Point Cafe is the perfect pitstop after a play at the North Road Foreshore Playground. The kiosk is open for takeaway snacks and ice creams, while the main dining area serves hearty cafe fare that’s not overly challenging (which may be a good or not good thing, depending on your palate).
North Point Cafe, 2B North Road, Brighton
17. Rickett’s Point Beachside Cafe, Beaumaris
Rickett’s Point Beachside Cafe has recently had a major refurbishment. A visit to the cafe combined with a rock ramble or a snorkel in the rockpools of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary makes for a winning day out.
Rickett’s Point Beachside Cafe, 243 Beach Road, Beaumaris
18. Cerberus Beach House, Black Rock
Admittedly I’ve only visited the downstairs kiosk of Cerberus Beach House, but only because I was told I had to try the best fish and chips in Melbourne. Those fish and chips are hard to beat, though the upstairs fine dining restaurant provides stunning views of Half Moon Bay.
Cerberus Beach House, Boat Shed 212 Half Moon Bay, Black Rock
19. True South, Black Rock
True South is an auto repair shop turned gastropub with Argentinian influences. Almost everything is made for sharing and there is a kids menu served with chips or salad, ice cream and a soft drink.
True South, 298 Beach Road, Black Rock
20. Sunnyboy Beach Club, Mordialloc
Sunnyboy Beach Club is a stunning beachfront venue with an extensive menu of sharing plates of interesting ingredients and flavours. Think paella, mussels, lamb ribs and tostadas as an example!
Sunnyboy Beach Club 212 Bay Trail Bay, Mordialloc
21. Crackerjack, Seaford
Crackerjack is a bowls club bistro with a difference – it has amazing views of the water on one side and the lush bowling green on the other side. All servings are generous and the food is decent, but not amazing – sort of standard cafe fare circa 1990.
Crackerjack, 4/1 Nepean Highway, Seaford
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