An interior shot at St Ali showing the main room full of people
Photograph: Graham Denholm

South Melbourne area guide

The best restaurants, bars, shops and events in South Melbourne
Advertising

Lest you only make the trek occasionally to visit South Melbourne Market, let us tell you, there's a whole lot more to South Melbourne, from St Ali and Chez Dre for coffee, to Lûmé for dinner and Bibelot for dessert.

South Melbourne highlights

St Ali
Restaurants

St Ali

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

The best restaurants in South Melbourne

Lucia
Restaurants

Lucia

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Where haute cuisine meets honest comfort, Lucia strips away pretence while preserving excellence
Aegli
Restaurants

Aegli

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Classic Greek flavours get a makeover at this elegant South Melbourne diner
Moon Mart
Restaurants

Moon Mart

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This South Melbourne café is famous for its finessed blend of Korean and Japanese comfort fare and sleek, sunny aesthetics
Bibelot
Restaurants

Bibelot

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
Bibelot dishes up cakes and confectionary so couture, you’ll want to walk out wearing them
Bellota Wine Bar
Bars

Bellota Wine Bar

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
South Melbourne: much handier than Rome, Paris, Athens or San Sebastian
Chez Dre
Restaurants

Chez Dre

  • 4 out of 5 stars
Give in to the devil on your shoulder for just one afternoon to indulge at this hidden South Melbourne café/patisserie
James
Restaurants

James

  • 5 out of 5 stars
From a Covid-19 pivot to one of South Melbourne's quiet overachievers – James presents a near-faultless menu
The Kettle Black
Restaurants

The Kettle Black

  • 3 out of 5 stars
The goal-kicking team behind Top Paddock has flung open the doors to a fresh new café in South Melbourne. It’ll look fab in your Instagram feed
St Ali
Restaurants

St Ali

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
A new chef is yet another reason to spend all your time and money at St Ali South
Lûmé
Restaurants

Lûmé

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
OK, adventure-hounds. You want something out of the box? Lûmé is just the ticket

The best bars in South Melbourne

Woodsyard
Bars

Woodsyard

  • 4 out of 5 stars
This neighbourhood wine bar is where you’ll find drops of natural wine and some serious sourdough pizzas
Bellota Wine Bar
Bars

Bellota Wine Bar

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
South Melbourne: much handier than Rome, Paris, Athens or San Sebastian

More great venues in South Melbourne

South Melbourne Market
Shopping

South Melbourne Market

Pick up fresh produce, locally designed goods and gourmet treats at one of Melbourne's biggest markets
EQ
Health and beauty

EQ

A first-of-its-kind bathing and meditation experience for those looking to escape the chaos and stresses of daily life
Bohemia Cabaret Club
Clubs

Bohemia Cabaret Club

Bohemia Cabaret Club will fill you up with delicious food before placing you in front of a show of music, dance, cabaret, burlesque, circus or art