Review Stokehouse - St Kilda

Rarely give 5 stars but I can’t really fault the meal. Setting is stunning and decor is simple, tasteful and perfect. Everything was considered and thoughtful. Wine list is lovely, some excellent affordable options (Pooley). Seafood was perfect and everything put together very well. The meal was staged well with everything following on well and building on the last dish. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and attentive without being intrusive. Very expensive, but worth every penny, $250pp all up with tip.

Had late lunch/early dinner for special occasion. Would definitely recommend if you haven't been before. Note. There are two restaurants in the building...the Stokehouse is on the top level so don't get confused. Great service, fantastic view & great food. Forgot to take a pic of the main course (steak & potatoes). 😪

A number of us went on recommendation. Of the eight of us, none were impressed. The service was good as was the wine but the food verged on the diabolical. No one finished their meal. Worst was probably the fish and chips. A local chippy would be out of business if it served what we were. For over a grand I expected better and will never be back even as a guest

Beautiful location, very friendly staff and delicious food. Seafood platter was really fresh, we especially couldn't get enough of the browned butter. The duck was cooked to perfection with lovely crispy skin. Will be excited to go back soon.

We celebrated a bday here and we loved every moment here. From the entrance, the design, the table’s stunning view looking at the beaches, nice candle arrangement on our dessert. We couldn’t thank the staff enough. Definitely coming back.

Melbourne has endured an awful 2 years under Covid restrictions. Yesterday was a day that proved how wonderful Melbourne can be with dining. We went to Stokehouse and our expectations were more than exceeded. The Menu: such finery and selections that leave a lasting impression The Table: just what you need but rarely get. Room The Service: exquisite, no pretentiousness or patronising. Just Perfect The Ambience: the venue has been worked so the acoustics are perfect with a full venue too. The view is just an added advantage. I was blown away. Thank you Stokehouse.

The view from Stokehouse is diiivine - on a sunny day this is one of my top picks for lunch in Melbourne. We had such an enjoyable visit, the service was top notch and the food we ordered was light, fresh and delicious. The snacks were probably my favourite on the menu, especially the spanner crab doughnut and the tuna belly nite which were both 💥 The special John Dory was also mouth watering. It was a weekend lunch and the place was pumping and the vibe was perfect. Stop by the bar for a drink on your way to lunch or enjoy a dessert drink there after perhaps! Will definitely come back before summer end!

🌊 relaxed fine dining st kilda 🦀 crab vol-au-vent 🦆 roast duck special 🦐 premium seafood platter 🐟 pan seared cod 🐠 hapuka fillet 🎃 heirloom pumpkin 🏠: @stokehouserestaurants 📍: St Kilda 📝: Relaxed fine dining with a view at Stokehouse St Kilda. Amazing unparalleled interior and view, perfect for any special occasion. Looking forward to be back again for their lunch service for a full experience of the stunning ocean view. ❤️: Impressed with the seafood and attentive service here. For small bites, I’d recommend the 🦀🥧 Spanner crab vol-au-vent, a delicious bite of flakey pastry topped with crab meat. Known for their renowned seafood, I got the Australian premium seafood platter that came with fresh 🐚 scallops, 🐟 cod belly, 🦐 prawns and more. The fish mains were insanely delicious, specifically the Pan seared Aquna Murray Cod and special fish of the day—Hapuka.

We had dinner here for the first time in years and it was absolutely sensational. Every dish that we had was excellent and tasty. The place looks super cool inside and the service was good as well. Only one small negative was that we were seated and then asked to move as someone else had requested the same table. <br/>But overall a great experience and great night out.

Wonderful food which we were easily able to share between two of us. Whilst seated we had a great view of the ocean. Staff were absolutely outstanding- so lovely and friendly. They also had some great food recommendations.

Great location and view but the bar downstairs is toooooo noisy! Very loud music. We booked and went at 6.30pm and was led to a spot got sunshine directly to my face with no blinds! There's decorating wall glasses which reflect the sunshine to my back too! Had to move my position to avoid the sun during the whole time! Foods were ok but not as good as priced. My lobster was good, but my friends complained about their steak being overcooked. We liked the raw oysters and triple cooked potatoes though. Four people spent $380+ which is a bit expensive given the overall experience.

One of our favourite places in Melbourne. We always come here for special occasions or simply to have a drink at the bar and watch the sunset over the bay.

Great position and easy to book an hour before. What a disappointment. We had an o/s business visitor with us and the service was embarrassing. 4 different waiters. Each interrupted our conversation each time. Even when they refilled our water glass. It was hard to follow the descriptions of the menu. The entrée was pleasant though pricey. The fish of the day at $44 turned out to be a slice. And the dry cauliflower $12, and carrot $11 were both burnt. So much for a pleasant Melbourne meal. Try an option....there are plenty.

We're not St Kilda experts and didn't know exactly where this place was. <br/><br/>The lack of ANY signage on the building didn't help. Three laps of the Esplanade in traffic and a call to reception ("oh it's the third building down from Donovans - the big black and grey one") and we were late and a bit pee'ved!<br/><br/>This isn't an oversight. It's deliberate and it probably keeps the riff raff out. We got that vibe inside too. It was like they knew we had ventured in from the suburbs. Bit of a shame.<br/><br/>Of course the food was tasty, but the prices were more reflective of the amount they paid to build such a cutting edge eco-friendly monolith after the original burnt down. <br/><br/>And you're right on the beach. We get it. But put a sign up.<br/><br/>"No time for dessert" we were told. So we headed to Acland St for cake and coffee. Night saved!

A fine surprise when your partner decides to spoil you with something that you have always been fascinated to go to dine.<br/><br/>Stokehouse has a tastefully done interiors, and a cellar that houses wines from everywhere around the globe. The bar section is quite a stunner, and worth to stop-by before grabbing your table.<br/><br/>Could it be possible for a fine diner to go wrong with the dishes? Probably not but it is definitely possible to excel in serving what guests deserve, and Stokehouse came quite close to doing that.<br/><br/>Ordered a Baby Calamari and a Chicken Mains from their 'Celebrating 30 years to Stokehouse' Special Menu together with a Fish Mains, Roche De Bellene Pinot Noir Wine and Poached Persimmon with Mandarin Meringue.<br/><br/>From the small bites to main course to dessert, it was impossible to find any fault. Well balanced flavors, perfectly cooked meats and hospitality that echoed grandeur was reason enough to make the Birthday celebration even more special. Where Poached Persimmon with Mandarin clearly deserves the Dessert of the Day, Fish and Chicken Mains respectively, deserve the Dish of the Day.<br/><br/>Not a great place for Vegans and Vegetarians to dine but glutenfree Customers will not be disappointed. Portions were quite tiny for the price you pay but quality can be easily rated as high as possible.<br/><br/>Reserving a table at this fine diner, a month in advance, is recommended to save you from the disappointment at the time of walk-in.<br/>

We came here just a few weeks after it reopened and were not very impressed. In it's old guise it had been a favourite and we finally decided to give it another go.I am pleasedto say we were much happier this time around. The fit out was finished and the food much improved. I am still not sold on the interior. It looks a bit like a log cabin has landed in the middle of a warehouse conversion which has then been furnished in the style of the Hamptons. It would be much improved if they white washed the log cabin IMHO.The food though was really good - still a fairly small menu but really everything goes with everything and we had no problem putting together dishes we liked. The Persimmon desert and the Octopus were the stand outs. The wine list is extensive and the wines recommended to us were sublime.All in all, this was getting back to the Stokehouse we knew before the shutdown.

We went with reasonably high expectations given the menu prices. Unfortunately it was very underwhelming. The food was nice but not great - we ordered the fish & chips and tried the $55 steak. Firstly the chips were excellent however the fish was over cooked and way too much batter.<br/>Moving to the steak it was perfectly cooked medium rare however the cut had so much fat half the steak was left on the plate.<br/>On a more positive note the waiters were brilliant it’s just a shame the food was not at the same standard.

Nice view and cozy environment. The seafood dishes really stood out. Got a variety of drinks to choose from. We ordered wines, cocktails and mocktails and they were quite nice. Definitely enjoyed the vibe.

We went to the Stokehouse for the first time last night since the rebuild and were a little underwhelmed. The space is wonderful, the wine list is good, the service was adequate but what in the name has happened to the portion size?<br/><br/>The value for money is the biggest issue here. Very very pricey for the “volume” of food. Dare I say it’s actually borderline unfair. The quality is fine .. but again not for the price or the amount.<br/><br/>Disappointed. Shame was one of my favourites for a long time.

Last minute booking on Monday night.. great ambience, food as always. More importantly the service was on point! Fairly priced for the quality served out. One of my fav spots in Melb!

We finally visited the new Stokehouse on Valentines day for lunch.  The staff were friendly, the coffee was great and the cocktails were original and delicious.  They describe it as 'relaxed formal' which I think is a great description for a fine dining restaurant overlooking St Kilda beach.<br/><br/>The restaurant had set menu for Valentines but we chose to order a la carte.  The staff were really helpful with menu suggestions and we ended up shared several starters and entrees and then had the lamb and the flaxseed gnocchi for mains.  Everything was perfectly cooked, beautifully presented and tasted amazing.<br/>We finished up with two perfect desserts and the moved to the bar for a final glass of champagne looking out over the sand and sea.<br/><br/>Stokehouse is on the pricey side, as you'd expect from a fine dining restaurant on the beach - however the food is fabulous and it's definitely worth considering for a special occasion.  They also have a more casual bar and a fish and chip kiosk downstairs if you're looking for great food with a more accessible price tag

The service is wonderful - professional and relaxed at the same time. The food is sublime, with two of us delighting in our different meal choices. And the vibe and view is wonderful. This is a great place to come for special occasions and truly lives up to its iconic status with a quality that matches the reputation. Pricey but worth it.

A disappointing experience last night at the Stokehouse. What was supposed to be a special dinner with friends was below par for what I expect from a Van Handel restaurant especially with the high end prices and the heritage of the Stokehouse.<br/><br/>When we arrived early we were well looked after with a spot on the balcony and offered drinks. However on the warm night it became clear that the team were understaffed and while we got our first drink, when the others in our party arrived we had to go seeking service at the bar because our drinks waiter was running around so busy we couldn’t catch his eye.<br/><br/>When our table was ready we were taken to the dining area. The table setting looked lovely, but from the moment we sat down it was clear that the acoustics of the dining room are shocking. It’s so incredibly loud we weren’t able to hear each other clearly. The service was glacially slow. The sommelier took a wine order for two of us and ignored the rest of the table. It took another 5 mins to order the rest of our drinks and this was a pattern that continued through the night. <br/><br/>The food was well presented and delicious but given the ambiance and the service we were left with a sour taste in our mouths. <br/><br/>Won’t be back.

My partner and I just had a near perfect experience at Stokehouse during what is clearly a busy time of year. Every single staff member we had an interaction with seemed friendly, knowledgeable and completely in control. We shared the fried chicken with caviar (delicious) and I had the special of the night (kingfish) which could not be faulted. My partner had the fish and chips which he thoroughly enjoyed, his only comment was that the chips weren’t quite crunchy enough. We tried six cocktails between us (4 normal, 2 dessert) and they were superb. Save your $$ and try this place for a special occasion and great experience!

I cannot understand how the Stokehouse has a rating of 3.8. Just came back from a Christmas party and thought it was sensational. The tuna tartar and seared tuna entre were exceptional and I even begged for the recipe.<br/><br/>The beef was cooked to perfection and all dishes were served with matching wine. The staff was attentive and switched on and memorized everyone’s order and seating order when serving food. <br/><br/>The desserts were good even though I was more hoping for a signature dessert rather than meringue, lemon tart etc. as I thought it lacked a bit in creativity.<br/><br/>I cannot wait to see what else Stokehouse has to offer and you will see me again soon!

Hello food lovers. Let me start by saying that Stokehouse is more of an institution than a restaurant in my mind. I can recall soo many great times there in the past. This was the first time that I have been to the new building. It was also the first time I’ve been there as a non-meat eater. <br/><br/>As a building it’s a great tribute to the history of Stokehouse and an amazing new building too. The staff l, as always l, are amazingly attentive and so knowledgeable. It’s very reassuring to be back there. So let’s get to the dining. I am currently eating vegan/vegetarian and I accept that not all restaurants cater for this. I ordered the goat cheese and pea entree which was just OK. We had a long wait till main which was the flax gnocchi (only non meat option in the mains!) it was bland and cool and on its own a very poor dish for this restaurant. My wife had the ink pasta which was very tasty along with the fish and chips which were also good apart from the ‘chips’ not being great. the asparagus and zucchini sides were fantastic. Very confusing! The staff were awesome in terms of attentiveness and recommendations for wine etc. Dessert was ice-cream which was amazing. My wife and I were talking after we left saying that the building and the staff were just as we had remember it. World Class!! The overall experience was sub-par for people that don’t want meat.

Such a shame that this once great place is sooo average. Even if it was half the price it would still be average. Can’t remember the last time I had a meal that bad.

Back when this place started, I could not stay away - the whiting was sensational (...but it was one of the waitresses there that really caught my eye - unfortunately I couldn’t catch hers...).<br/>We went there a month ago - first time I’d been in the new building - and it has definitely lost its magic. Though the venue might be part of the problem (it’s definitely lost the beach feel), the main issue I couldn’t get out of my head is that I felt like I was in a sausage machine. Ambience should mean a great deal when you fork out $$$$ for dinner - yet the whole experience left me a bit cold.<br/>The food was a comfortable 3⭐️, the service was 2⭐️ despite the contrived manner. I’d rather have sauce spilt all over me by a happy and polite idiot than be served by the perfect waiter who wants to keep reminding you how perfect they are.<br/>The Van Handels should send for the Dr.

Once upon a time, three weeks ago you could have fish and chips with your beer.<br/>Now fish and chips is next door and you can’t take your beer there even though it’s the same owners. <br/>Madness! You’ve lost me!

Visited Wednesday 25/10/18. Had booked table for 3 a week earlier. <br/><br/>There was some confusion over our table. While the waitress was trying to sort this out we looked around for possible tables. We were then approached by Andy the man in black. He told us sternly we could not have that one. A very unpleasant start. The waitress found us a nice table and all ok. <br/><br/>I needed to ask for menus after not being attended to within reasonable time. Waiter provided menus and all good again. <br/><br/>Ordered our meals and service was good until the meals came out. One of the meals was the wrong thing. As you would expect this destroyed the whole experience. By the time the correct meal could be provided two of us would either have finished our meals or they would be cold. So one of our party asked that her meal be cancelled, the others ate theirs after a attempting to convince her to get something else.<br/><br/>We were nicely offered 3 more free glasses of the champagne we were drinking . Then it got a bit silly. I requested a cheaper drink instead of one of the more expensive champagne and was told this was not possible. I just paid for my drink and after eating we just had further drinks in the bar area. Food was average and place very noisy but waiter was excellent. <br/><br/>We had no contact with Andy, the man in black who just seemed to walk around doing nothing, trying to look impressive.

I booked Stokehouse for Father’s Day thinking that it would be the perfect gift and a great evening. Unfortunately this was not the case at all... <br/>Stokehouse had a set menu this Father’s Day which was $130 not including drinks. For that amount of money I expected the food to be perfection, it most certainly was not. I was so disappointed at the end of the night because it wasn’t just one dish that was unsatisfactory it was everything.<br/>The staff brought out some bread and curd to go with it I put it on thinking it would taste nice and it honestly tasted like petroleum on bread and I left all the other bread aside it was actually a shame because the bread itself was lovely, anyway I thought to myself maybe this is an acquired taste and was excited for the entree.<br/>I had the risotto it was bland nothing special at all and presentation was just terrible.<br/>Then for main I had the barramundi and it honestly was so bland and had no flavour I could of cooked something at home so much better and for $130 I just thought I would be blown away I had such high expectations and they were not met! <br/>I have had better meals at middle class restaurants that charge way less and actually put care into the food!<br/>My mum had the dumplings I wish I would have taken a photo because this main was SO small and i tasted one of the dumplings and they did not taste right.<br/>I’d also like to mention all of our mains ( we were a party of 3) were not heated they were cold like they’d been sitting out.<br/>Anyway then we got dessert and it was fine nothing special again just very basic not anything to rave about!<br/>By the end of the meal I was honestly so disappointed I had been looking forward to bringing my dad to this place all week and could not wait to taste the food I left with a bad taste in my mouth and was actually shocked.<br/>Also when they charged us for the bill they tried to charge us for the desserts ??? And I had to mention that and then they said oh sorry yes that is included in the set menu and then fixed the receipt the dinner still came to nearly $500 I would of rather spent that type of money at vu de mon and paid a little extra for 3 people which would cost around $600 - 650 and actually got what I paid for.<br/>The only positive was the people that greeted us at the start of our evening they were really nice and gave off a great vibe.<br/>I have been to so many amazing restaurants around Melbourne and wanted to add stokehouse to that list but after this experience I don’t think I’ll ever go back.<br/>I don’t mind spending money on dinner but if I’m paying $130 per person plus beverages I expect good quality and I did not receive not even the slightest good quality in our meals.<br/>

Disappointing, but 2 points for the view.Not very friendly service from the receptionist, who had an earpiece, possibly talking to boyfriend.No 'Wow' factor with the (overpriced) mains, but the sides were good.Dessert menu was disappointing, nothing appealed to any of us.

I had been meaning to visit for years and only recently made the trip, After driving past once accidentally, I managed to sneak my Mazda in between all the audi and Mercedes in the front car park.I had a little wander downstairs and I spoke to a friendly dude who directed me upstairs, If I wanted to eat in the more fancy part (tips fedora) I just wanted to eat nice food. But it might look like I am in the wrong place, and so I am offered to see the menu which really just means hey check these prices see if you can afford it. <br/>Shortly after I was seated looking out the window, in the distance I could see the giraffes before being asked the most confusing question for a poor person . Still or Sparking?Um,.... Normal, Tap?I could not resist the 2 course lunch offer, good value considering the finesse in the food and setting also adding another entree and side dish and a splash of wine which was very nice indeed. Portions are fairly small but perfection in the small details takes a lot of time in the kitchen, and it's nice to experience it from time to time.  I guess I'd come back to try more food, perhaps more so after I win the 80 Million powerball tomorrow,

The ambiance is beautiful, the view wonderful and the service professional. Unfortunately, it was the food that let the experience down. The fish and chips was just way to heavy and there was nothing on the plate to balance out oiliness of the meal. Everything was either deep fried or triple fried. The potion size was generous but just didn’t sit well even after finishing only half. The complementary bread and dip was nice.

We had dinner at Stokehouse on a rare Friday date night. We had a great table and were welcomed brightly by front of house. I enjoyed the wine list and listening to the sommelier’s suggestions however the main thing we were here for...the food...was a tad underwhelming! The raw bar dishes we had were pleasant but the mains were disappointing, we had the lamb and the steak plus the wagu fat potatoes and radicchio salad. I have to say the potatoes were hard and the salad bitter (a lack of balance), when I mentioned I couldn’t taste the goats cheese i found the response quite rude, plus the mains were ok but for the price we paid would have expected more. Unfortunately I don’t think we will be rushing back anytime soon as there are far too many restaurants on the Melbourne food scene where you can get a much tastier meal for far less cost.

One of our favourites in St.Kilda, and we were quiet excited to try once it re-opened. Visited 12th may (mother's day weekend), booked in advance and it was simple. Got a decent seat and kicked off with asahi (tap beer)*2, wine for ladies - we were 4. Entree's were good, we had Duck and foie gras terrine, potato chips King prawn taco, avocado, kale*2 and chips - all okay. However, had the mains Lamb prime and braised shoulder, smoked eggplant, sesame & Market fish, miso, fermented fennel, green tomato sauce, Rare breed pork fillet, horseradish, mustard chips, salted blackberry sauce and none of the dishes were even close to being okay. I was quite disappointed overall. would not recommend. considering the high price we paid i would never return.

Had a beautiful Mother’s Day luncheon. The atmosphere was so positive, and staff friendly and very quick with their service. The set menu offered was delicious, everyone around our table was happy with their choices! Definitely very generous with their portions. Perfect place for a special occasion.

Incredibly disappointing. Service was substandard it was all very adhoc and chaotic. The food was so average I was amazed considering the reputation and the price. The overall experience was extremely poor, I would never recommend this restaurant under any circumstances.

This was my first visit to the new Stokehouse, and I wasn't hugely impressed. <br/><br/>The dining room is NOISY, to the point where we couldn't hear ourselves talk by the end of the meal. I do wish the fashion for shiny, hard, noisy dining rooms would end. At least we weren't moved on after two hours, as threatened at the start of lunch.<br/><br/>The food was quite good overall, but not outstanding. The barramundi was excellent, the prawn tacos fine. The bombe alaska was sickly sweet and disappointing. The cheese we ordered never showed up. And on that point, I felt the staff were overworked - we hardly saw our waiter.<br/><br/>I agree with a previous reviewer that the champagne pours are mean, and look to me to be not what is advertised on the wine menu in terms of volume. They need to look into this.<br/><br/>Perhaps it's an unfair comparison, but the whole experience made me long for the comfort and generosity of Donovans, where you can take your time, enjoy hearty serves of more rustic food and sip drinks on the terrace as the sun sets after a long lunch.<br/><br/>I must be getting old!

Having visited the Stokehouse on numerous occasions before its untimely demise in 2014, I was eagerly awaiting my return visit.<br/><br/>I visited with a large group of 12, and as expected we were placed on a group menu, standard with large groups. The food was good, but far from great and certainly not even close to the level of quality it was 5+ years ago. <br/><br/>Steak pictured was relatively tasteless which was disappointing. The delicious desserts however provided us some comforting respite.

Nice vibe here with beautiful sea view, food is good but overprice and portion is quite small, we understand it is due to the unique location. The only thing we are very disappointed was the service, the staff at the reception was not friendly, and there has been a long wait ( about 10mins) since we have been given the food menu. The service was ok during the dinner. However the waiter who came to us for payment was kind of rude, he didn't say anything not even a thanks after we paid, literally just gave us the receipt and walked away with silent, because we choose not to give the tips. Not feel very welcomed.

Food was just avarage , steak was good, average fish , desert was a complete disaster.<br/>....amazing views and I guess that's what your paying for.

We had dinner here for my birthday. I was super excited about dining at the stoke house with our small group of close friends. We all left feeling really underwhelmed by the overall service and also I guess value for money. The food was nice but arrived late after a long wait after which we were booted out because our two hour time slot was up. “You can eat desert on the balcony” didn’t really cut it especially because it was a dinner. <br/>If you are in Melbourne there are many amazing places to dine where the service is incredible, Stokehouse didn’t feel special...

Extremely disappointing experience at this restaurant. Terrible service by waiter(rushing us through courses, no service until 20min after we sat down, no coffee offered with desserts, no drinks offered during after desserts).<br/>Food was okay but expect similar quality from some suburban bistros. <br/>Wont be returning here again.

This was one of the most amazing restaurants I have been to - the view of the beach, the ambience and surroundings are stunning and the food was divine. My favourite dish was the lamb so much flavour and cooked perfectly. I would highly recommend and will be returning!

Old review from Feb 17. Our first time back since reopening, great food & wine, staff were friendly & knew their menu & enthusiastically offered recommendations with meals. We were there for a friends birthday and we all enjoyed our night ( sidenote- my highlight was meeting Heston Blumenthal & thanking him for my Fat Duck experience, he seemed to also have had a great time at Stokehouse)

Light, bright beach feel to the upstairs dining room, with the best views of the beach, that is forever packed. Seafood here is absolutely outstanding throughout their entire menu. The slightly raw bug tail would have to have my least favourite dish, purely from a texture point of view. The raw tuna dishes are a must with flavour explosions. As well as the barramundi being a massive hit. Service is spot on too.

Brilliant meal by this fine establishment owned by master restauranter Frank Van Haandel. We started the meal with a section of raw bar delights. I had the the raw salmon, my friend the kind fish sashimi and my wife had the Tuna. All were so delicious.<br/><br/>We then progressed to the fish and all of us had the market fish which was baramundi which was cooked to perfection. The birthday person had the calamari. We had salads and deserts and the fish food was sensational. <br/><br/>A real asset to the melbourne food scene.

Had a great evening at Stokehouse last night. We had an 8:30pm booking, but arrived a little early to grab a drink. I would absolutely recommend doing this, they have a fantastic bar area and balcony. We ordered oysters with finger limes, the ceviche and Parmesan sticks with horseradish. Brilliant way to start. We got moved to our table and had a steak and fish for mains. Great staff, lovely views and delicious food.

Great dining experience and impeccable service. I had the fish of the day and it was beautifully done. The gazpacho as a starter wasn't much but the bombe dessert was amazing. Will definitely be back.

Such a great view! Great food! Friendly waiter. Quick serve. Recommend as a nice dating or catch up place. Chess strip is delicious! Like to come back.

A special night turned to disaster! We had booked the Stokehouse for 8 people on the 18th of November for a 16th birthday dinner. Hoping for a repeat of our last experience in April, we were very disappointed with the quality of the food. Of the 8 dishes we ordered 3 were sent back including the birthday girl’s dish. The fish dish which was eaten by the birthday girl, was undercooked. We sent the dish back and to our surprise it came back reheated and shrunk in the process. The waitress confirmed that the chef had reheated the original fish and sent it back out! The meat dishes were to be of a high quality but it tasted like a cheap cut of meat - the waiters response, “......it was the end of the meat”. This I feel was totally unacceptable. We ended up leaving and going home for dessert. <br/><br/>In summary it will be a long time before I dine at the Stokehouse again.<br/>

DO: The Bar upstairs. Great venue, view and drinks. <br/><br/>DON’T: Just come here for drinks like us, they have an extensive food menu. Must come back to try. <br/><br/>TIP: Upstairs closes pretty early howeve it’s quieter up there which I enjoy. However if you’re beautiful, stay downstairs at beach level - heaps of gorgeous people hahah

It's hard to be angry at the stoke with the Amazing water views and sunshine.<br/>Had a drink in the bar to start service is very very slow indeed waiting at lest 20 mins per small round not cool wasent even busy at this time .<br/>All the waiters also seem a bit confused and unorganised.<br/>Any how moved threw to the main room for dinner <br/>All the food is pretty good great service in here <br/>But it's super hot and sticky the air conditioning needs ajusting !!<br/>Had steak and chicken and octopus and desserts <br/>All were quite nice super expensive $63 for 200 g of steak but it's the stoke the charge what they want.<br/>Nice wine list also <br/>Over all it's a very good restaurant with water view prices to boot .<br/>Also the prawn taco is really good

Went here last weekend and enjoyed it. Ordered the kingfish and seared tuna from the raw bar and they were both delicious. My husband and I both wanted the Cape Grim steak which was a special, however there was only one left, so one of us got the next steak on offer. It was quite surprising that this had already run out, as our reservation was at 6pm. The steak was $65 for 300g, and it basically came with a little onion on the side - but it was very delicious and cooked perfectly. We then had the Bombe for dessert to share. I was expecting a little cute Bombe Alaska to come out on fire but it was more of a slice of a bigger log of bombe and not on fire. Very, very tasty though! One thing that was a little annoying was that we got there at 6pm and it was reiterated that the table was needed back by 8pm, however it was about a 15 minute wait between when we got our drinks and our food order was taken - this resulted in us feeling a little rushed by the end. We also had a window seat which was beautiful being able to look out at the ocean, but it was blinding as it was very sunny day. So I strongly suggest if you get a window seat and the sun is out, bring your sunnies!! 😎<br/><br/>————————————————<br/><br/>I am amending my review, as I visited the Stokehouse again last month, and had a really disappointing experience. The service was completely unacceptable - the waiter spoke down to us and had a huge amount of attitude. It was the same waiter as the one which served us previously; I noticed a bit of unnecessary attitude on that outing, however I gave the benefit of the doubt that it might have been a one off bad night. After my second experience with the same waiter, I’m confident that it is not. Firstly, I asked the waiter to repeat what one of the specials was (since he raced through it so quickly at the start), and he rolled his eyes and let out a sigh as if I’d asked a completely ridiculous and inconvenient question. We were then given an extremely meagre glass of $27 champagne, which we addressed with the waiter, and were again met with a response which was rude and condescending. The glass we were poured was most certainly not 120ml, which is what I understand to be the standard serving size in a restaurant. Given the cost of a night out at the Stokehouse, I would expect the service to be exquisite. This was far from that, and I will not be returning in a hurry.

Dropped in with a reservation for lunch on a beautiful but windy Saturday afternoon. Not so busy due to the grandfinal being on which was perfect for us to have a good feed and some great service by the lovely waitress from Sweden who you wouldn't know was from there as she had as a pretty good Aussie accent on her after only having been here for 5 years. She was kind enough to even sing me a song, we'll the first line of happy birthday anyway 😂<br/><br/>We had ordered a few things from the menu to get food coverage. From the snacks through to dessert, we had most things covered and they were all pretty delicious. Wouldn't mind going back there again soon so that we can try some other dishes too, especially the snacks that range from $9.0 - $15.0. Couple of Hendricks G&T's also didn't go too badly and made for some nostalgic memories as we looked out at the views.<br/><br/>Oh and if you're wondering about parking, there's a small parking lot in front of Stokehouse which has about 5 or six spots which is free for patrons, otherwise across the road on the Luna Park side there's a larger public parking lot for about $10.0 - $12.0. So till next time, this is Our Foodie Find!

Beautiful view and food that compliments it. Lamb tartare was my favourite. A nice Aussie twist on food too. Good wine recommendations by our wine waiter aswell.

Packed on a Wednesday night. It was my first trip back to the Stokehouse after they reopened on the old site.<br/><br/>The mussels snacks came with this light, slightly spicy sauce that is full of flavour that I can eat a whole bowl of them.<br/><br/>The grilled octopus starter paired with pickled green tomato, spring onion dressing and romesco was cooked to perfection and oh so tasty.<br/><br/>The pancetta wrapped chicken main was so tender and juicy (breast meat can be real tough if not cooked right) as with the pork belly (crackling was yum) main with sweet potato, harissa.<br/><br/>Never thought of Jerusalem artichoke as a dessert but the brilliant combo of chocolate crisp with artichoke cream ended the night on a high.<br/><br/>Whilst I do miss the old Stokehouse's character and rustic feel, I highly recommend the new Stokehouse in its modern setting and exceptional food quality.

We had made a reservation at the new Stokehouse upstairs for dinner for a special occasion. <br/><br/>I was excited to try the new restaurant since it has been rebuilt. On first arrival the entrance looks unfinished and the entrance is confusing. There's a lift but no signage. Then you walk around the corner and go up some stairs that look like they are in the middle of being built. <br/><br/>Once arriving upstairs the room is pretty but it just doesn't have the same feeling as the old one does. The balcony is gone and the views out the windows seems to be less powerful. <br/><br/>I commend the owners for making it a green building but somewhere along the way it's lost its warmth.<br/><br/>Now the food.<br/><br/>The food overall was very nice. <br/><br/>We started with some oysters.<br/><br/>Then we had individual main courses. Some guests had the chicken wrapped in pancetta which was beautiful and moist. We also had the fish and chips was was beautifully battered and succulent. The other diners had the pork belly with excellent crackling and beautiful accompaniments. <br/><br/>After spending several of hundreds of dollars on the total bill, and contacting the restaurant the following day to voice some of my concerns. I was not happy with the outcome or the measures offered to compensate for our less than memorable experience.<br/><br/>Not sure if i will be rushing back.

Came here without a reservation midweek.. staff were excellent. Our waitress, Sarah, was particularly good. <br/><br/>The wine by the glass was nice and cocktails were fine. Nothing exceptional. <br/><br/>The food was tasty - small portions, which is to be expected in a place like Stokehouse.. and I'm generally on board with this... however I must admit I left feeling underwhelmed.<br/>Certainly the food was good, but for the price.. you can definitely get better at 100 other restaurants around. <br/>You are also paying for the view, but as the beach isn't lit at night.. I could've been in a back alley off Barkly st for all I could tell. <br/><br/>I would probably return for a lunch, just to experience the view, but otherwise wouldn't bother.

Great position on St Kilda's foreshore. The menu is inviting yet super simple. You feel as though your options are limited. Food is fresh and tasty - but menu is limited. Staff are lovely albeit a little pushy when it comes to drinks!!

The revamped Stokehouse in a word? Exceptional. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't the best food I've ever had - but when you pair quite delicious food with a warm and welcoming ambiance, elegant architecture, reasonable prices, and service fit for a queen, you are bound to have an exceptional experience.

Seriously for the money and the pure nature of the place I expected so much more and was let down.<br/>In reality, and to put it simply, real food lovers wouldn't eat here, let alone enjoy it. The food is just a form of decoration.

Came here for dinner with friends. Instead of ordering individual starters we ordered adequate for sharing and then ordered individual mains. This worked out well. Staff attentive friendly service. Can be feel a little cold when you first come in.

Great architecture , delicious food and and amazing staff . Value for money and you won't go home hungry . Would recommend and will defiantly be back . Staff were very attentive. The ambiance was perfect and very warm .

Exquisite long lunch at stokehouse today. Beautiful views, professional service and exceptional menu. For entree i ordered the octopus win tamarillo and romesco and for main i went with the fish of the day which was barramundi. We also shared the broccoli as a side. The octopus was expertly cooked however I felt the romesco was slightly overpowering due to the very strong capsicum flavour. I couldn't fault the fish and the broccoli was delicious. Definitely be sure to have a few cocktails at the bar next door too.

Went here for a girls catch up and it was delightful. We had all different tastes and requirements (so many bottles of wine opened as ordered different glasses) and they were handled with ease. Excellent food quality using premium produce. Looking forward to coming back and bringing my other half

The most disappointing experience in a long time. <br/><br/>We were there for a corporate Friday lunch and had booked through the open table app only to be told on arrival we had an hour and half to leave and we had better get our orders in. A couple of the staff argued that we were told during the booking process that we could only have 2 hours at which time we used the app in front of them to prove that was crap and at no time were we advised. <br/><br/>The service was rushed and rude.<br/><br/>As soon as we put knives and forks down we had the staff wanting to take plates away. One of the guys went to the toilet and we had no less than 5 staff coming across to remove his plate which was clearly not finished.<br/><br/>It cost $1,100 for four people for a 2 hour lunch and we were still pushed out the door.<br/><br/>Was expecting more based on previous visits and won't be back again <br/><br/>

After the rather disastrous demise of the original Stokehouse and three years later the restaurant has re-emerged, after a total rebuild, on the same site. Taking advantage of the bay views, the new Stokehouse is now a very smart and modern 5-star green star building located on the St. Kilda foreshore.

Was really excited to dine at stokehouse for a friend's 30th Birthday a week or so back but was really let down by the service. The waiter we had in particular was incredibly short with us the entire time, he seemed like he hated his job and was burdened to wait on us. Food was mediocre- looked pretty, tasted, okay. Highlight being the bowls of chips. Wouldn't rush back.

I've been looking forward to Friday night drinks and dinner at the new Stokehouse and it did not disappoint! We were downstairs at Pontoon for a few drinks before the big feast upstairs... I personally recommend elsewhere (maybe the Sea baths down the road) for pre-dinner drinks.<br/><br/>So let's talk about the new Stokehouse! I've been to the old one a few times before it burnt down and always thought it was just 'alright'. I guess it was Somewhere to go for a decent view on a special occasion, but the new Stokehouse has really delivered! The menu is modern Australian and the wine list is superb. I had Oysters al natural to start with (it came with a vinaigrette but fresh oysters should always be enjoyed without any condiments) - I can taste how freshly shucked they were! The main was an easy choice for me - I'm a steaks girl so I chose the eye fillet on the specials board (medium rare, of course) which was cooked to perfection! The tenderness of the cut and the subtle jus just melted in my mouth! We ordered two sides to share: Dutch spuds and cous cous with yoghurt which went really well with all our mains. The girls ordered prosciutto wrapped chicken with honey figs and I got to eat a fillet (yes I'm a greedy pig) off P's plate and the chicken breast was sous vided very nicely, however I found the dish to be unimaginative, abide it's tastiness. Don't bother with the dutchies, it was underwhelming. And needed lots of S&P. We finished the night off with stokehouse's version of bomb Alaska - it was the BOMB. I am definitely not a dessert girl but boy was I pleased the girls 'forced' me into sharing dessert. Overall everything was cooked well, presented beautifully and matched with immaculate service. I think they should try to play around with some flavours a bit more. It's Australian but not so modern. Good start to a new era!

There are a host of reasons we love to go out to eat. In a relative sense, there are not many restaurants that create more than the experience itself. Every now and then though, something more comes out of a visit. For Catherine and I, our first date at Stokehouse continued through to marriage!<br/><br/>I remember our lunch far better than I normally would. It was an incredibly hot November day. So hot that I brought a backpack with a towel so I could have a swim afterwards. St Kilda was pumping, and my taxi took at least 20 minutes just to get down Fitzroy Street. Catherine looked beautiful and had gone to a heap of effort.<br/><br/>We started off with oysters and I had no idea it was the first time for my guest. The things you do on first dates! The restaurant had a celebratory feel the day after Stakes Day at Flemington. Every aspect was wonderful and it goes without saying that it was the best first date (and the last) I’ll ever have.<br/><br/>When we found it had been razed by fire there was a sudden sadness. We knew with such an iconic place, rebuilding was likely, and that is why we are here tonight, a few months after the reopening. It is modern. These days, recreating the original would probably be as difficult and expensive, as making a new statement on the beach at St Kilda. The design is stylish, making great use of the view, with enough detail inside to keep interest in both.

Bring back the original Stokehouse :(<br/>Beautiful setting, fresh food and lovely delicate flavours. Service was at times slow.<br/>They wouldn't allow us to cut the birthday cake we brought in.<br/>A little harsh don't you think Stokehouse?<br/>Apparently they have a strict rule that all cakes have to be ordered and bought from them. You're a restaurant, not a patisserie.<br/>Won't be rushing back.<br/>I prefer the old Stokehouse. It had more soul.

Expectations were high, but not met.<br/>Luckily I have been to the "old" Stokehouse, which I found amazing.  That is why we came with high expectations.  Unfortunately it did not deliver.  One of the main reasons, was poor and unfriendly service (for me this can kill a restaurant experience, no matter how good the food is).  The food was good, but still not overwhelming, which it should be considering the pricing.<br/>Best part of our night was the company and the views for pre drinks on the balcony!

The food was quite good without being outstanding or memorable.  It seems to be a place to be seen or a special occasion place.  The service was excellent and the waiters well informed.  A couple in our group tried the Wallaby on the specials board, but found it to be too blue and under-cooked.  The cost of the main meals was on the high side, but didn't come with any side dishes, which had to be ordered as extras.  This added $10-$15 to each meal.  I ordered green tea at the end to refresh my palate, and I am not sure what it was, but it wasn't green tea, and it was very bitter.  The biggest surprise was when we went to pay the bill.  All credit cards are charged a 2.5% surcharge.  With the high prices, it is unlikely that anyone would carry that much cash.  We are unlikely to return or recommend the place to anyone else

My husband managed to snag a reservation here for our 1 year wedding anniversary, and I certainly had high expectations of our night. They were met, and then some! On arrival we were brought over to our amazing table looking over the water. Husband surprised me with a bottle of Bollinger that went down a treat. We decided to go crazy and order everything we wanted to order. Started with the oysters natural (with lemon) which my husband also had for dessert...they were that good! Next up was seared tuna and the ceviche dish. Both were absolutely moreish. We had the grilled calamari and marron salads for entree...oh my gosh YUM! The marron salad for me was the standout of the night. For mains we went with rump cap for husband, and I had the eye fillet. Both cooked to perfection, and the charred flavour was incredible. Matched perfectly with the wagyu fat potatoes (hello) and the broccollini. Unfortunately we were too full for dessert...hopefully next time. Do yourself a favour and make a booking - absolutely incredible!

Took some foodie Sydney friends to the new Stoke House this evening, selected for the occasion to showcase an iconic Melbourne location.<br/>I'd read the reviews and understood that there would be some teething problems, but have to say we were completely underwhelmed by the food and overpriced wine list.<br/>The service was fantastic but decor and echostics disappointingly average considering the time and effort that has gone into the place. Food ......must have been the cook's night off. Unbelievably average.<br/>Maybe needs another year to iron out the bugs!!!!!<br/><br/><br/>

Potentially one of the best restaurants Melbourne has to offer. The food is divine and utilises only the best Australian grown produce. The wait staff are provide exceptional service and bar serves delicious drinks. The atmosphere and views are also incredible.

Fantastic experience. Wonderful staff that are incredibly attentive. The food was absolutely delicious and showcased local produce. The bar had a variety of drinks and the views were to die for. Would definitely recommend dining there!

Great service, the waitstaff are extremely attentive and accommodating. The atmosphere and views are sensational. The food is of the finest quality and local produce is celebrated.

The view from the lower bar Pontoon is amazing, particularly at sunset in St Kilda. My wife and I ate outside and shared both a plate of seared tuna and a whole flathead. Both were well prepared and went well with our Chenin Blanc.<br/><br/>It's an interesting place, full of people who want a fun evening out. It's still taking shape but it's a welcome place to enjoy beachside.

THE MOST AMAZING steak. 15 year old vintage wagyu. Absolute blown away.<br/><br/>Service spot on, every dish a winner. Will definitely be back.

We went to the Stokehouse on its 2nd night in great anticipation, as we have loved it in the past. <br/>Immediately we were aware of the 'look'. Unfinished. We were seated and were hit by the noise level and the lack of view. <br/>Menus were presented and we were shocked to see only 5 choices for each course. The prices were as we expected. The staff seemed nervous and apprehensive.<br/>We made different choices overall and collectively expressed disappointment. <br/>A visit to the bathroom meant a wait to see who came out of which entrance, as there were no signs. <br/>By all means, open your restaurant before it is ready. The loyalty of clients prepared to make a reservation at 0705 on the day bookings opened, should have been recognized and rewarded with at least a 10-15% discount from the bill. <br/>A very disappointing experience for our daughter's 22nd birthday

The bar downstairs is amazing great aspect, with a DJ area, and casual food. The place to be again on a hot day and night. Upstairs I thought was really cool and a huge improvement over the old 'tired' building that burnt done. In summary the venue is vastly improved. I always thought the food at Stokehouse was a little over-rated, the food in the upstairs restaurant is very good, the Oysters super fresh, the sword fish was nice although it is not hard to cook a nice piece if sword fish with a cucumber salad. The steak was a rump cap  and wow it was spectacular, tender full of flavour and beautifully cooked. There are some interesting entrees and the usual sides. the view from upstairs is not really present once it gets dark due to the heavy windows however during the day is is amazing. I will be returning and you always the who's who's and the usual eccentrics will be there as well. Dress code upstairs is not as strict as it used to be in the old building.

A major disappointment! I have eaten at probably over 400 places in Melbourne and I have never felt more unhappy, hungry or feeling like I was ripped of than after I left this place. One of the biggest issues is with the child-like (actually more like toddler-like) sizes across the dishes that you finish in 1, 2 or 3 small bites. Lets imagine a raw bar item that was size of my finger, a prawn taco that was embarrassingly half the size of my finger, and entrée that was so sparse around the side of the plate it looked like the left overs after someone else had eaten the middle, and the ‘main’ that was 3 tiny slices of lamb that were 4cm by 0.4cm on that plate – and that was it! There was nothing else on the plate besides a dob of red paste and half a tiny native fruit you can buy at VIC market for 20 cents – and it made me so angry! This lamb dish cost $48 or $50 and there was nothing on it! What was presented was less in size than you would expect for an entrée. What Stokehouse has to understand is regardless if you run a restaurant serving cheap food or one that serves the most expensive food on the planet is that people have the same size stomach, they want to feel value for what they are buying, and particularly if you are paying more you do expect to get more – of everything – and do not expect after spending over $350 for 2 people to come out feeling like you have only eaten a celery stick, your stomach is rumbling and you now have to go have dinner somewhere else - like I had too. The dish sizes would be ok if they were part of a 10 or 15 course degustation (like Attica or Vue De Monde) but they are not – and you starve with a total of 2 dishes of entry, main and the snacks that are single bite size. <br/><br/>The value proposition is just not there – it is a bad business deal – the food is an absolute rip off for the child like portions you get. For the same price I spent here I could have gone to Dinner by Heston, The Press Club, Vue De Monde and come back satisfied. Stokehouse at the moment is not thinking about their customers. To be honest every food item could have had it’s size increased and price reduced by 40-50%. Also, you are never offered any free bites to eat with the meal or additional bread – let alone their bread being poor quality. If you can’t make good bread just buy it – for example Tivoli in South Yarra make a sour dough that is a million times better than what is served here. <br/><br/>The value is also not present in the awful place you have to sit and eat – it’s like you grandparents cheap wooden veranda or back room – but it’s worse, and it’s not finished and has wires, open air conditioning intakes, and pieces of metal shooting out – not where you expect to be spending high amount of money and have an awful experience trying to eat there. The wooden panelling looks cheap, nasty, and low quality – let alone the awful cheap choice of timber that has a lot of knots in it. The few things they have coming down from the ceiling look incomplete because there is only a few blocks of them and then it’s a bare roof – compared to something like Gazi or the Press Club. I was surprised the restaurant feels cheaper than the downstairs bar pontoon – even though you are paying more. Architecturally some poor decisions where made with concrete pillars blocking the view in many cases. I would also say don’t come here for the view because it is boring – all you see is some flat water and then look back inside for the rest of the night – there is nothing to see out there.<br/><br/>One last major warning I would like to give people thinking of visiting Stokehouse is I came here a few weeks earlier just before Christmas to find the restaurant and go to the downstairs fish and chip place called Paper Fish and there was hundreds of Sudanese in the area - and when I was driving back to the city up the boulevard they tried to carjack me and take my BMW but I was lucky to get out of there with my life. One these Sudanese teenagers (that I was later told by police is APEX here now in major numbers in St Kilda) ran in front of my car was yelling and screaming ferociously at me to get out of the car while 20 of his other gang members were surrounding the car and bashing hard on it for me to get out. The guy who was yelling was also pointing something at me but I couldn’t see completely because it was after 9pm and hard to see. As soon as the carjacking leader came to the side of the car to try and get in the car door I turned the wheel and accelerated and got out of there as quick as I could – potentially saving my life. I later reported this to police and he said this area around the St Kilda foreshore and directly where Stokehouse is has become a heaven for Sudanese APEX gang members because they are loitering to steal peoples wallets and bags when they go in the water, or steal their car in hijacking like I experienced. Be extremely careful coming to this area – an expensive restaurant in a poor area, surrounded by APEX gang members on warm days attracted to what they can steal – with nothing to loose and will do anything to get it - something will likely happen like it did to me. It is a risk coming to this place and area now.<br/><br/>Finally, after Stokehouse and coming back into the CBD the positive for the night was getting a N2 Salted Caramal Gelato (called Bonjour Paris) that was 100 times cheaper than Stokehouse and tasted 200 times better than anything I had there. Save the money and go there! Simple things done well are better than lots of things done poorly.

I thought the Stokehouse was fabulous. Wonderful room. Great outlook to the beach. Good bar area.<br/><br/>Friendly, efficient and helpful waiters. The knowledgeable Sommelier helped us explore some delightful French wines from an extensive and interesting wine list – range of prices available.<br/><br/>The food was great from start to finish. Tasty tacos, succulent fresh oysters, wonderful marron salad and the Bombe was a show stopper. And the curds and creams and sauces beautiful quiet achievers. Ooohs and aahhhs abounded.<br/><br/>They haven’t quite finished the place .. but that didn’t detract from our enjoyment.<br/><br/>Can get a bit noisy at the height of lunch / dinner – as you would expect from a restaurant full of people having fun.<br/><br/>Yes, it is expensive. But no more than any other restaurant of similar quality and ambience – in fact, I thought it was great value.<br/><br/>Luckily it’s my local. I’ll be back.

We couldn't wait to try the new Stokehouse as we enjoyed the old one and obviously love the location and view. After reading some of the reviews, we were prepared to be disappointed, but what a pleasant surprise!! I am honestly struggling to understand the harshness of some of the previous reviews. It may be because people are comparing it too much to the old one...man is a creature of habit after all! It is very different to what it was and therefore the ex-regulars may need time to adapt. The new Stokehouse will without a doubt build itself a whole new kind of clientele. <br/><br/>The first point I want to make is that the architect has done an amazing job if you are into contemporary architecture which, in my opinion, works really well by the ocean. In relation to a couple of previous reviews, I completely disagree with comments that the building hasn't made the most of its location and view. In fact it is quite the opposite! There are massive windows and the ocean and beach can be seen from every table in the restaurant! (See a few photos I took that honestly don't even do the place enough justice). The ingenious "pillars" that are all around the building actually open and close acting like outdoor shutters and playing around with the beautiful view (see photos). In the restaurant, some were down, others up, giving the view more perspective and dimension and the decor a very contemporary feel. I personally thought this play with perspective made the ocean look more majestic! I do however agree that it is a shame that there is no longer a balcony/terrace upstairs. They have however created an (unfinished) bar area (see photos) with seating facing the massive windows that open so wide that it almost feels like a balcony. The overall decor is very contemporary and pure, although the lighting and wooden floors add a lot of warmth. I personally love it. <br/><br/>The service was amazing - our waitress (Lola) was super friendly, attentive, and efficient, and always made sure we were happy. She even paid special attention to our kids, which isn't always the case in the types of places. A couple of other waiters took care of us too and all were lovely. The drinks and food came out fast and we were really well looked after. <br/><br/>The food was delicious. Sure, it's expensive (similar prices to donovans next door), but when you come to a restaurant with this kind of decor/view, service, and high quality food, what do you expect? There were also options for the kids which came from downstairs and were reasonably priced. Kids had fish & chips and steak & chips and both loved their food - I tried their chips and they were really nice & crispy. Mum & I had a basil cocktail to start and we both loved it. I then had the market fish (barramundi) and it was cooked to perfection with a crispy skin and really tasty & sophisticated. I had a tomato salad on the side and shared the "couscous" side with my mum too and both were incredibly tasty and fresh. I highly recommend the couscous side order. Mum & I then shared the cheesecake which was beautiful - fresh, original, with a light texture. <br/><br/>After lunch, we had a look around and a wonder downstairs to see the more casual cafe/bar (see photos) - great atmosphere and funky outdoor seating - will try the food there soon. They also have a cute fish & chips kiosk on the side. Many options in the one establishment! <br/><br/>Overall, we had a great experience at the new Stokehouse and will definitely be back upstairs on special occasions and downstairs whenever we feel like hanging out by the beach! Will be back soon to properly experience the downstairs cafe/bar. The new Stokehouse definitely has a younger, more modern feel compared to the old one which I think is a good thing even though I also liked the old one. Donovans next door has a more traditional, classic feel if that's what you are after and I love both places - it just depends on what you are after! <br/><br/>See you again soon Stokehouse! Good job and all the best!<br/><br/>UPDATE: Went back for dinner with my husband and we both absolutely loved it. Delicious food and lovely service.

From the arrogant "we're doing you a favour letting you dine here" attitude <br/><br/>at booking to the failure of the restaurant air conditioning in 30 degree plus temperatures,<br/><br/>this was a lunch to forget.<br/><br/>The service was either overly attentive or non existent - in the the latter case something<br/><br/>of a plus as waiting diners were able to cool down by fanning themselves with the menus!<br/><br/>I ordered King George Whiting which arrived at the table with a small stack of flacid and<br/><br/>flavourless chips. The whiting itself was overcooked and dry and could have been frozen in the days of King George.<br/><br/>Dining at the Stokehouse is not an inexpensive exercise and I would caution all potential diners<br/><br/>until the their act is together.

February 2019. We returned after a long, long break. Stokehouse has regained its Mojo. A beautiful appetiser of seared tuna followed by a novel take on spaghetti vongole. Service impeccable. Strangely the place only 50% full on a cool, sunny Melbourne lunchtime. We’ll be back more often as a delightful location and now hitting its straps. <br/><br/>January 2017. A family favourite until it's demise a couple of years back. Now reincarnated in a massive foreshore building. It has a view of the bay ( though nowhere as impressive as the old place) and a previous reputation for very good unpretentious food. The waitstaff had a reputation as top class. Knowledgable, effective and friendly. <br/><br/>Some things are unchanged. The view ( albeit blocked by huge pillars, and the loved balcony no longer) and the very good staff. But the restaurant has been opened in haste and in parts are either unfinished ( the stairs from the ground floor) or decidedly in need of fine tuning ( the table seemed to be rocking and rolling all evening). The internal design is confronting. Less a beach house and more a warehouse. <br/><br/>The food is fine. Not exceptional and maybe suffering from the reopening process. A nice marron salad followed by fish and chips. Some lovely whiting, a great crispy exterior, but somewhat over-cooked. The family had a mix of beef tartare, scallops, steak and more fish and chips. Nice wine list at the usual 300% of retail. <br/><br/>I'd like to think that Stokehouse will re-establish itself as a premier place to dine. But it's got some legwork ahead of it. And hopefully the 'easy' stuff of finishing the construction is now complete.

Had to try the new stokehouse out as Melbourne has been waiting for years to see what we will be served at this iconic establishment. We dined with a party of 7 and decided to get most of the starters. The highlights were the crudo and the prawn taco. You simply must go for the taco!! Tatare was stunning. Had the fish of the day for main but it was unfortunately just a little over cooked. The staff were as attentive as I remembered and were great to deal with. The decor was still unfinished but I suppose they desperately needed to get open for the summer. Disappointed that the iconic balcony is no longer there. It's hard to not think of the 'old' stokey but it's time to make new memories! Get there!

Went to Stoke House twice this week, once upstairs as a guest, once downstairs as a host. What should be one of Melbournes' best restaurants is now close to one of the worst.<br/>Upstairs. <br/>Obscene prices even for this great location. Wine prices in particular made my eyes bleed. Mark ups are acceptable, absolute theft is not. Not a bottle without a 400% mark up from my calculations. Certainly one $65 bottle costs $19 at the Botanical wine shop, one of Melbournes' most expensive.Then there's the food, at best ordinary, nothing more to say. Then there's the waiters, all straight from Central Casting with arrogance and unfriendliness to match their impeccable outfits.  Then there's the decor, or lack of it . Then there's the view, or lack of it.The Architect should be stood up against one of his/ her concrete walls and be pelted with the ordinary food. Both deserve nothing better. Then there's the noise which is the only thing that scores highly, incredibly highly, so high we all left deaf and hoarse. Literally.  You couldn't make it up, and you couldn't find a worse restaurant with the help of Sherlock Holmes. If your idea of a good night out is to be unable to hear your companions, to pay hundreds to eat bad food and drink ridiculously overpriced wine, all "served" by surly show ponies, and not be able to see the Bay properly courtesy of the Architect, then this is your place. The seven in our Party vowed never, ever to return.<br/>But I did, today. <br/>Downstairs.<br/>To Pontoon, the more "approachable", affordable downstairs venue. Wife and I were looking for a simple lunch that would not force me to increase my mortgage, and to enjoy the beautiful sunny day that Melbourne served up. Happened to be right opposite Stoke House and thought lightning couldn't strike twice.<br/>We came in and this time the waiters ignored us. There is no service here at all, you have to do it yourself, but the prices are still full service prices. We scoured the menu for 5 minutes, saw nothing simple, nothing we wanted, just a load of poncey, on trend food that had no appeal whatever. The music was pounding away, or rather the Bass was, making talk hopeless. So we left.<br/>Can't review the food, don't want too, just hate this whole"concept".<br/>Went to Di Stasios, a proper, civilised restaurant. <br/>Stoke House is a striking building from the outside, in the best spot in Melbourne and should be ashamed they are doing nothing but denigrating Melbournes' Restaurant reputation .

Dined at the new Stokehouse in St Kilda last night. My husband and I shared several dishes from the Starter and Entree menus and then each had a fish main. Food and a bottle of NZ sav came to a wopping $500 so be warned. This place is seriously $$$$. Food was good without being great. The swordfish was bland and some of the starters lacked the intricate flavours you would expect. The service was at times rude and there was a fairly obvious snub when I chose not to add a service tip when making payment. The decor is relatively uninteresting and the tables so closely arranged it was tricky maneuvering around them but the most disappointing aspect was the blocked view of the water by thick wooden struts covering the plate glass windows. Why would the architect not make the very most of this outstanding view? The new design has also done away with the bar verandah which is a shame. <br/>Overall an expensive disappointment. <br/>

Stokehouse has been one of our "go to" restaurants for about 10 years. Loved the original at St Kilda, had some good nights (and one bad one) in the city, so keen to see what happened on the return to St Kilda.<br/><br/>The decor is awful. Looks like me and a couple of mates had a crack at a beach house. Not worth getting dressed up for. And as observed by others, no balcony and limited view.<br/><br/>Wine list is solid, but very expensive. We had a pretty average Sancerre. I guess the locals must have cash to splash.<br/><br/>The food was pedestrian and hideously expensive. Great oysters, kingfish too thick, tacos too chewy. Mains were "nice" fish, slightly over cooked, great chips, passable tomato salad and some hideous cucumber salad (watery, tasteless, endless strings of cucumber). Dessert was passable lemon tart, with an overpriced Sauternes.<br/><br/>At that price, we will not be back in a rush.

Unbeatable location too heavily relied upon. Love the new decor and the view. We were greeted by friendly servers, however the bartender and the food was a huge let down. The bartender on Thursday afternoon gave me attitude for asking if I can order food at the bar and then starting the list with our drinks first. The sausage pizza was a soggy greasy mess with no sausage. If you are going to advertise a sausage pizza, please realise that spreadable salami doesn't count