Melbourne's Best Waterfront Restaurants, from Southbank to St Kilda

No matter the weather, Melbourne's a social butterfly, with the water views to match. Morning coffee-slash-martini at Middle Park beach? Sure! Long lunch overlooking the Yarra River? Why not? Seafood and pints watching the glittering water at Docklands? You’re on! How about a long, slow, delicious dinner as the sun sinks down over the bay from St Kilda? Now you’re talking...

Sure, summer says cool dips and cold pints, but spring sees bluebird skies and lengthening days, while autumn sets the scene with crisp air perfect for afternoon beachside strolls. Winter; well, it’s in a class of its own, with fleecy blankets and tables piled high with Melbourne's famed food to ward off the chill.

From Southbank’s restaurant-lined waterfront to floating bars in the centre of the city and iconic pubs with views out over Port Philip Bay, read on for 11 of the best waterfront restaurants in Melbourne.

Truth: you cannot get a bar any closer to the Yarra River than at Ponyfish Island. To find it, look out for the stairwell on the pedestrian-only bridge between Southbank and Flinders Street Station; that’s it, almost bobbing in the river. Slip down the stairs for easy-going pizza, charcuterie and cheese platters and robust sandwiches bursting with deli goods as you watch the boats pass. Feeling patriotic, go the Australus pizza, with kangaroo, beetroot and sun-dried tomatoes and match with an Australian craft beer or a summery spritzers.

Evan Walker Bridge, Southbank

For bright, fresh Thai food and river views, colourful Bangpop delivers. Set on the river's edge, in the front of the shopping outlet DFO South Wharf, celebrate your shopping finds with the smoked trout betel leaf and khanom gui chai (chive dumplings) before tucking into the cinnamon & turmeric quail salad or som tam (green papaya salad). There are plenty of options for vegans, and banquets for groups of four or more; pair with cocktail jugs and stay for sunset.

35 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf

This city loves a floating eatery – even more when it specialises in an all-Victorian line-up of food and drinks. Snack on port & kangaroo sausage rolls or Lakes Entrance calamari, order a cheese board or try their 90-hour sourdough pizzas, with vegan options and low-gluten bases available. Can’t choose, go the Feed Me menu for groups of 10 or more. Victorian gins and vodkas make a solid showing, including Patient Wolf, made just five minutes away, and the Davidson’s Plum mousse is the prettiest dessert on the river.

Southbank Promenade, Southbank

For upmarket Lebanese cuisine with views, stylish Byblos loves a hungry diner. The chef’s selection includes hefty platters of dips and tabbouleh salad, crowd-pleasing chicken wings, lamb kofta and garlicky chicken shish tawook. Finish with a shot of Lebanese coffee and a stroll along the river’s boardwalks. Cosy in winter, with outdoors seats for warm evenings, it’s also wheelchair accessible.

18-38 Siddeley St, Docklands

Top Australian seafood gets the Mediterranean treatment at this sun-filled restaurant, which juts out over the river; think scallops with prosciutto, snapper crudo or king prawns with nduja butter. The grill caters for all comers, with roasted cauli, barramundi or sturdy eye fillets, and the pasta dishes can be tweaked to suit gluten-free and vegan diners. With fabulous harbour views, put this one on the ‘special events’ list, or simply a decadent lunch; book ahead to see the New Year’s Eve fireworks from one of Docklands' best waterfront restaurants.

45 Newquay Promenade, Docklands

‘Beach luxe’ is the best way to describe one of Melbourne’s favourite beachfront restaurants. Head upstairs for fine dining and finer views with local, sustainably sourced seafood, while downstairs gets more laid-back, with an outdoor terrace, bar and fresh pasta that’ll make your heart sing. Pull up a seat, order the freshly shucked oysters or baked gnocchi, and wait for golden hour to work its magic at one of St Kilda’s iconic waterfront restaurants.

30 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda

"The Espy" to its friends, the grand dame was built in 1878, and her recent facelift leaves her glorious, with a cracker live-music line-up and equally good food including the Cantonese Mya Tiger restaurant and the Italian-American Louey’s Bar. The Espy Sunroom and Main Bar are the best choice for bay views to go with your pub classics menu of schnitzels, coal-grilled barramundi, steak, hot chook rolls and pizzas. Little rockers can choose from the kids menu.

11 The Esplanade, St Kilda

You’re waiting for a train on platform 13 of Flinders Street Station when suddenly... you hear good times and good music! That’s Arbory Bar, a former train line that's morphed into a buzzing strip overlooking the Yarra River. Don’t get on the train; jump into the long, slimline bar instead, for nibbly share plates and burgers, parmas and a three-cheese fondue. There are hot, spiced cocktails for winter and icy-cold mai tais for summer. Keep an ear out for their steak, oyster or wings nights, which kick off straight after work.

You know when summer’s about to hit town when Arbory’s flirty little sister, the Afloat pontoon, rocks the river. With a new theme each year, the floating restaurant and bar comes out of hibernation from late August, with themed party nights and good times in the sunshine.

1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne

If it’s not hidden, is it really worth finding? That’s the Melbourne motto, and Riverland is totally on board. Take the stairs from Federation Square to find the laidback, open-air beer garden by the river’s edge. While there are fried beer snacks galore, it also caters to the hungry, with parmas, cheeseburgers and plant-based burgers on the menu, catering for the afterwork crowds. Don’t be shy that you’re here for the hot jam doughnuts and Nutella pizza.

Federation Wharf Vaults 1-9, Melbourne

Beloved by dog walkers for their early-morning caffeine hit, by aficionados of the all-day big brekkies, and by poke bowl devotees, this chilled beach cafe caters for all comers. The menu serves up lean, sauteed greens with quinoa alongside calorific eggs benedict and hot chips with garlic mayo – no judgement. Dr Marty’s crumpets are a must for those who know their crumpets, and the coffee is reliably good. Set directly on the beach, stay past rush hour for sandy toes and passionfruit martinis.

175B Beaconsfield Pde, Middle Park

Jump the 109 tram from the centre of the city for wood-fired pizzas and water views, where Port Melbourne's main drag meets the bay. Brisk Sunday afternoons are best spent by the open fire of the whitewashed, historic hotel; drop into the bar for views of the palm-lined coastline or book a seat in the restaurant for Japanese-influenced seafood. Here’s the place to try Portarlington mussels from out in the bay, a wood-fired whole chicken with satay or the chef’s coastal tasting menu, which might see kingfish sashimi or a cold seafood platter on the menu.

1 Bay St, Port Melbourne