Republica St Kilda Beach

Republica sits right on the sand at the St Kilda Sea Baths, 10-18 Jacka Boulevard, with the beach on one side and Port Phillip Bay in front. It is one of Melbourne's most established beachfront dog tables: the big outdoor courtyard and front patio openly take dogs on leash, water bowls are provided, and the sand is steps away, which makes it the finish line for a St Kilda beach walk.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome across the outdoor courtyard and the beachfront seating out the front, kept on leash, while the indoor dining room stays people-only. The venue provides water bowls, and the outdoor area runs covered and umbrella-shaded tables for hot days, so there is room to settle a large dog out of the walkway. It is a regular hub for local dog walkers, and staff are used to sandy, tired dogs arriving between meals. Weekend afternoons bring live music and a crowd, so a dog still learning to settle does best at a quieter midweek lunch.

Worth knowing

The kitchen leans coastal: salmon tartare, pan-seared barramundi with clams, prawn pasta and fish and chips, plus wood-fired style pizzas including the Diavola with 'nduja and hot honey. Monday Pizza Night does $22 pizzas from 5pm, weekday lunch specials run from 12pm to 3pm and happy hour sits 5pm to 6pm Monday to Friday. Doors open noon on weekdays and 8:30am on weekends, when breakfast runs to 11:30am. Live music plays Saturday afternoons into the evening and Sunday afternoons, all served with bay views across the boardwalk.

Getting there and parking

The venue fronts Jacka Boulevard at the Sea Baths complex, at the city end of the St Kilda foreshore. Ticketed parking sits in front of the Sea Baths and behind on Pier Road, and trams 16 and 96 stop nearby on The Esplanade, so leaving the car at home is the easy option on summer weekends.

Close by with the dogs

The St Kilda Beach Dog Off Leash Area starts right at the doorstep for a proper run before lunch, and Peanut Farm Reserve Dog Off Leash Area sits a few minutes inland. For other tables, Dogs Bar on Acland Street takes its name as a promise, and the St Kilda breakwater walk is close by on-lead.

More options are in the dog-friendly restaurants across VIC list and the St Kilda dog-friendly guide.

Pepsi: patrolled the beachfront patio, collected three water-bowl refills, and now insists every meal comes with a bay view.