melbourne seafood
Albert Park Hotel
ALBERT PARK
It may have 19th-century bones, but this four-storey boozer has plenty of modern flourishes, too. Its sophisticated restaurant serves contemporary spins on Chinese cuisine, and the calibre of drinks at the lounge upstairs will fool you into thinking you’re at a CBD cocktail bar rather than a pub.
Rockpool Bar & Grill
SOUTHBANK
An elegant Australian steak restaurant championing sustainable, grass-fed beef sourced from the likes of Blackmore Wagyu and Cape Grim. Various cuts are dry-aged in house, enhanced by a selection of classic sides, raw seafood and pasta. There's also a tome-like wine list to rival any in the country.
The Atlantic Restaurant and Oyster Bar
SOUTHBANK
A vast temple to seafood, located inside Crown Casino.
Claypots
ST KILDA
Since 1998, this south-side restaurant has become a seafood institution. The unassuming bayside restaurant offers mussels, oysters, garlic king prawns, grilled snapper, chilli crabs and, of course, it's own steaming namesake.
The Dining Haul
ELWOOD
A bustling seafood restaurant.
Tommy Ruff
WINDSOR
Fish and chips, but not like the old days.
Neptune
WINDSOR
This two-storey joint is warmly lit and moody, with long timber tables and cosy booths. Order Mediterranean-style share plates, choose a bottle (or three) from the wall, and tuck in with your favourite people. Neptune seats up to 105 people.
Mount Erica Hotel
PRAHRAN
This classic corner hotel, revamped by the Marquis of Lorne team, has a little Wes Anderson energy. If you look past the lofty menu and exceptional wine list, you’ll find it’s a rowdy Melbourne footy pub at heart.
Sardine Eatery & Bar
PAYNESVILLE
An ex-Vue de Monde chef championing local seafood at this lakeside bistro.
Metung Hotel
METUNG
Drink with the pelicans at this historic pub at the “bend in the lake”.
Captain Baxter
ST KILDA
Upstairs at the St Kilda Sea Baths, Captain Baxter sits as a ship’s captain would, staring out over the open waters of Port Phillip Bay. It’s set within a space that feels like a 1920s bungalow in the Bahamas – with a fun drinks list and a seafood-centric menu to match.
Secret Kitchen CBD
MELBOURNE
You can’t walk past the live seafood tank – one of the largest in the city – without doing a double-take. This Cantonese joint specialises in fresh seafood and seats up to 150 people. Aside from the seafood, the rest of the menu has the usual dim sum favourites. You might eat Peking duck pancakes, fried rice in an omelette pouch, and steamed buns decorated like piglets.
The Fishmonger's Son
CARLTON NORTH
This neighbourhood fishmonger sells top-quality seafood, deli items, pantry staples and a range of fish-focused takeaway meals – from salmon bagels to sashimi and nigiri lunch boxes.
Pearl Diver Oyster Bar and Bistro
MELBOURNE
The name says it all. Come to this swish, nautical-themed cocktail bar for oysters served at least eight ways, and Martinis with spherified olives in tiny oyster shells, among other creative cocktails.
Pacific House Restaurant
RICHMOND
You might have seen the crimson Peking ducks hanging in the window. This affordable, bustling Cantonese barbeque and seafood restaurant is a Victoria Street institution. Rotating specials are handwritten on the wall, but don’t go past the Peking duck pancakes and char siew (barbeque pork).
Lillian Brasserie
MELBOURNE
Set inside Chris Lucas’s fine diner, Society, this European-inspired brasserie retains the strong seafood focus of its sibling, but offers it in a more casual space primed for long lunches and late-night cocktails. Pull up at the bar for signature drinks and exceptional drops from Society’s peerless wine cellar.
Stokehouse Pasta & Bar
ST KILDA
This downstairs iteration of the St Kilda institution serves European-inspired dishes in a laid-back setting. Go for family-sized bowls of pasta and tiramisu masquerading as bombe alaska, all next to a seaside view.
Pa Tong Thai
MELBOURNE
At this homely restaurant, find popular Thai dishes alongside lesser-known Phuket delicacies. Bring a group and order comforting dishes like pad thai and tom yum as well as specialties including snail coconut southern curry.
Beverly
SOUTH YARRA
At 24 storeys high, this bar and diner boasts some of the finest views of Melbourne, extending from the CBD as far as the Dandenong Ranges. The retractable glass rooftop ensures you can enjoy its Cali-cool style and al fresco dining all year round.
Muli
CARLTON
Seafood comes first at this family-run 12-seat restaurant. Its fishmonger owners once ran a popular seafood stall at Footscray Market. Come for buttery lobster rolls with salmon roe, and blue swimmer crab marinated in gochujang.
Bacash
SOUTH YARRA
Practice has made perfect at this Melbourne institution. It’s been serving exquisite fish since the year 2000, paired with attentive old-school service and a wide-ranging wine list filled with interesting bottles.
The Walrus
ST KILDA
A local couple worked at some of Melbourne’s top wine bars before opening this this laid-back, homey spot. Come for freshly shucked oysters, rotating pintxos, lesser-known wines and its eclectic record collection.
Token
SOUTH YARRA
The izakaya vibes are high at this south-side diner. Watch the chefs working away at the raw bar or charcoal grill as you enjoy citrusy kingfish, twice-cooked chashu pork belly and a house Martini.
Muli Express
MELBOURNE
One of Melbourne’s top fishmonger families is behind this crustacean haven. It’s about as close as you’ll get to an oyster bar in the city, and it’s also got congee, lobster rolls and more.
Pipis Kiosk
ALBERT PARK
Swing past Pipis’ takeaway window for fish’n’chips and potato cakes, or hit the elegant restaurant for a reimagined spaghetti vongole and beachy, pét-nat-spiked cocktails.
Elka Sushi
FOOTSCRAY
Elka knows its seafood – its owner is in the family behind longstanding fishmonger D&K Seafood. Come for spicy salmon maki and tuna belly nigiri. Plus, house-made soy sauce that changes to complement the season's fish.