- came recommended by one of my tour guides - its a lot more spacious I the back you might not know it exists upon first glance - one waitress in the front - service is kinda slow in the front - fabulous sangrias - huge portions sizes - claypots are good, and hot (temperature-wise) as hell - king prawn is delicious to can be greasy once to cools down - the crab platter is to die for, its some of the best rice iv ever tasted it could feed three read more

I liked the atmosphere here. Our waitress noted the Moroccan and Singapore Claypots were the most popular stews, so we tried the Moroccan Claypot and grilled Kingfish main dishes. I think it's worth a visit when you want a hearty seafood meal. read more

Claypots Seafood Bar - Grilled Kingfish - Seafood Near Me - St Kilda, VIC

Lunch time. Taste good. Very casual. A little Expensive. Very Slow. There were only 5 tables had customers. We were the first or second table there, But We waited for an hour for our mains after other tables already enjoy their food. Grilled Octopus leg is good. U better have more time If u want to come here. Not on the way to someplace like us make the trip left In a hush. read more

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I have spent a number of cold nights here being warmed up by both the mulled wine and unique atmosphere of Claypots. I never thought that I would live to see the day where I could go out late at night for a drink, order halva whilst I enjoy the smoky sounds of a local pianist as a toy train travels above. I don't know why I haven't been next door yet for dinner because I have heard so many good things about it. It is defiantly on my list of places to eat next. read more

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There is something very charming about Claypots. The place has a soul and is such a cosy place it has that feel as though you've walked into your Grandmothers cottage and she's cooked you a fresh meal. Yes, the meals are fresh, which is the most important thing when it comes to seafood. The Paella there is a hit and the Marinara looked amazing and will definitely be my next choice. The outdoor setting amongst the lights and murmur of voices makes the place feel very alive. You might have to expect to open the wallet a little wider than you had hoped but it's worth it, and also book as it can get over populated. If you are going out for good night you have to spend a little, live a little and just enjoy the food, the wine and the ambiance. Some people I know have complained that it's too busy but I think that adds to the experience and gives the place that extra buzz. After the meal it's totally open to have an extra wine or two after where I leave satisfied even though I had spent a little more than I thought I would. read more

Claypots Seafood Bar - Seafood Near Me - St Kilda, VIC

Love love love!! Claypots is one of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne! Although prices have gone up a little bit since my first visit, the seafood is still so fresh, tasty and cooked perfectly. My favourite dishes are: King prawns, shellfish stir fry, crabs and grilled octopus. The bowl of mussels were amazing too but they don't have that on the menu separately anymore. It's normally apart of another dish. Claypots is always busy and sometimes run out of seafood early. So make sure you go there earlier for dinner! read more

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The fact that I love seafood and I have never been to Claypots before baffles me. But after last night's dinner, I no longer have to stay ignorant because this charming no reservation seafood place is beyond good. It's really amazing. We got to the already crowded restaurant in St Kilda at about 6.30 and were so thankful to get a table immediately. About 10 minutes after we were seated, the queue began and snaked around outside the main entrance. Instead of having the seafood platter, we went with individual orders. We had a garlic prawn each as an entrée and we shared the Chill sting ray (which was massive) and a grilled octopus plus an extra order of bok choy in garlic sauce. The massive garlic prawns were done just right (sometimes larger prawns can become overly chewy when over cooked) and I loved the sauce it came in so much, we ordered extra bread so we could lap it up. The sting ray was delicious as well but just a tad bit overcooked as it was a huge slab and the hotplate meant it kept cooking even after it was taken off the fire. But even that small issue wouldn't have spoilt our evening at Claypots. By the end of the sting ray, the three of us were quite full but we waited in anticipation for the octopus which was the icing on the cake for us. Deliciously marinated and grilled to perfection such that the flavours burst in your mouth as you chewed your way through the delightful dish. Drinks wise, I felt like a coke but they only had organic cola which is now officially my favourite beverage and I'm eager to hunt it down to get some for the chiller at home. Claypots is more than just a seafood place to me. The vintage style train seats give it an unmistakable charm while the large octopus hanging from above adds a finishing touch. There is also a heated outdoor area where dozens of ships hang from above, adding to the old-world charm and flavour of the awesome experience. 10 out of 10 I say! read more

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What a gorgeous, funky establishment! Seafood was fresh and scrumptious - at our server's recommendation, my cousin and I ordered the flounder and the Singapore claypot. This was more than enough food for two. I do wish there was some chili and spice in the claypot but the flavour of the seafood shone through very well in the coconut curry and rice. I thought the flounder was the best - served whole (head and tail included) lightly crumbed, salted and fried and served with bok choy and potato - it was a generous serve for two people. My one regret was that their chili crab was sold out when we got there. I had serious food envy watching other patrons dig into the crab and mussel dish. Will have to come back! Service was good - it was busy and food took about half an hour to arrive. But we had a good view of the kitchen and the chefs were churning food out like machines. No inefficiencies there. Dinner was followed by an excellent jazz ensemble - what a way to wrap up a Sunday night! read more

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Very cool, funky experience. The food is amazing. A simplistic blackboard menu that changes very regularly. 3 of us shared the crispy skin John Dory and the Cajun flathead. More than enough for 3 blokes. read more

Claypots Seafood Bar - Seafood Near Me - St Kilda, VIC

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This is, without a doubt, the best seafood restaurant I've ever had the pleasure to experience. We enjoyed the King prawns to start. Certainly meaty, but the best part about them is the absolute drenching that you can do with the butter/garlic/chili/herb bath sitting at the bottom of the bowl. It's mind-blowing and I probably dipped fourteen pieces of bread in it because I just couldn't get enough. I'm not a huge prawn/shrimp person, but it was also pretty cool to see a prawn this friggin' big in person. Even though it was dead. The crab was, as usual, just a pain in the ass. Crab just takes too much work for it to be worth it. That said, the taste was great. The potatoes and veggies that came with it were simply yummy. Now, the calamari. I was BLESSED to be able to enjoy this. Cooked and seasoned to PERFECTION. Tender, in fact, the calamari was just unbelievable. It was the best thing we ate all night. We were all blown away. I could have had that, the butter bath from the king prawns, and bread, for the whole night. Get it. Lastly, we ended the meal with a whole cooked flat fish. Again, well seasoned, the bok choy that came with it was also cooked well, and the meat succulent. All of this, with an excellent wine list, without white tablecloths, and a very engaging host/server. Don't miss this place. read more

Claypots used to be a regular for me but I hadn't been there for years until I met up with a couple of friends here for lunch yesterday. The menu was reassuringly much as I remembered it and the old, distressed railway carriage seats held together by red gaffer tape were still in the back section where we parked ourselves. We started with a selection of meze plates to share; baked capsicum, eggplant, julienned carrot with sultanas, babaganouge, and of course the legendary grilled stingray. This was followed by the seafood platter - a pile of grilled king prawns, mussels and crab, all if which was absolutely delicious. The bill came to $230 which included the two bottles of Heresy red we polished off. One of my friends described it as the "best seafood in Melbourne". And you know what? He's probably right. read more

How have I not been here before? It's always busy, people talk about it as one of "the" places to go in St Kilda, and the idea of eating whole fish makes me feel all happy inside... so why was this my first visit? Some mysteries are best left unsolved. A fantastic experience - the service was exceptional, with lots of love and attention given to us "newbies" who had no idea what was going on. It's actually pretty simple - the daily fish are written up on a blackboard. You either pick something based on what they are accompanied with, or go and eyeball them in the big cabinet in the kitchen We ordered a giant prawn each (and by giant I mean the kind of giant that if you came face to face with that critter under the water you'd be freaking out, thinking it was going to attack). We also got a whole flathead, cooked with Cajun spices and served with potatoes and bokchoy. It was a protein frenzy and we may have been able to defeat it all had we not been mesmerized by the small plates of mezze that were landing on the tables next to us and then insisting that we needed those also. Highlights: the kidney bean and zucchini mezze; the sweet, sticky, and slightly charred skin on the flathead; the big wedges of bread that came with the prawns to soak up all the spicy prawn juice out of the pan. Next time, I'm taking on a claypot. read more

Claypots is a great find tucked away in lower St. Kilda. The seafood is fresh, always cooked well, and varied. The claypot dishes are also good, although the best value is usually whatever jowls and belly they are offering. Ask the servers. It may sound weird, but you will get the tastiest part of the fish at a great price. It is easy to spend quite a bit here, but I never walk out feeling dissatisfied. If you are in the mood for seafood that is all about the fish, this is your place. read more

It was a last minute dinner choice but no regrets. Best seafood in St Kilda. Started with grilled king prawns and mopped up the prawn steeped garlic oil with flat breads. The grilled calamari was perfect and big enough to feed our party of 4. Lastly, ordered the grilled snapper. That came slathered in a char crust of pesto/garlic/curry and the meat milky smooth and fresh. Claypots is a bit hard to notice on the street as they don't have a big sign out front but let the smell of grilled seafood guide you. (Look for the colored windows. It's beside Quan 88) . Has a nice little outdoor area out back. read more

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I have been meaning to come to this place for years! I had heard so much about it from friends and it lived up to my expectations in every way. I sat at the wine bar and had the seafood pie that was very traditional and homely. The service was spot on and I felt like it was a place that will become a new regular hangout! read more

Claypots Seafood Bar - Seafood Near Me - St Kilda, VIC

My girlfriend and I visited Claypots last night as one of our 'New Year's resolution: adventurous eating' dates. The restaurant is surprisingly large with the working kitchen right in the middle and an outdoor seating area. They don't take reservations and though they were bustling for a Monday evening we were quickly seated. As we walked in we were greeted with an array of fresh fish and prawns the size of King Kong's finger. ** Hot tip: Remember to bring your glasses if you can't see long distances as the menu is only written on the chalk boards positioned on the walls. ** There are a variety of sizes and prices of whole fish (head and all!) to decide on, depending on your appetite and budget. I strongly recommend you order a clay pot to share between 2 (Singapore was very tasty.) Overall, a great spot for a date or a catch up with friends. The service isn't especially attentive (we had to reorder our wine as it hadn't arrived before the food came out). The dishes are designed to be shared and we struggled to fit the fish, clay pot, wine glasses, and our own plates on a single table. But the food is fresh, flavoursome, and top quality--we will certainly be visiting here again. read more

Absolutely amazing! My husband and I ordered the chili crabs and it was SO MUCH FOOD! There were about six legs left at the end, and we couldn't finish it despite our best efforts. Not only did this $55 delight come with four decent-sized crabs and a big pile of rice, but there were a dozen or so large mussels tossed in for good measure! The seafood was all cooked perfectly. The chili sauce had just the right amount of kick to it, balanced nicely with cilantro, ginger, and lemongrass, and didn't overpower the crab or mussels. Great service- polite, prompt, and friendly. The atmosphere is charming and comfortable. Sitting in the courtyard felt a bit like being in the Caribbean; lovely! Overall, one of the best meals of my life, and I have had some pretty outstanding meals! A perfect end to our Australia adventure! Check this place out!! read more

We had an amazing dinner here this weekend. Really chill place, friendly staff and kitsch-ish decor. Sat outside back on a warm evening, ordered two cocktails while browsing the menu. Simple menu: main fish orders, and claypots, and a couple of starters like mezzes, prawns or oysters. We ordered wine, a small flathead, singapore claypot, one prawn each and the mezzes, and it was all really good. Light food, cooked with good spices. It is on the pricier side so get your wallets, but a great experience. Also a really cool bar in the front to finish of drinks afterwards. read more

I ate here in my last night in Melbourne and the food was delicious. My friend and I torn into the food. The only con is menu on chalkboard and as a nearsighted person, I couldn't read anything. My friend thankfully ordered for us. Overall great food. read more

The food here is amazing. Every dish is huge. Between two of us, we shared Flounder w/Spicy Salt, & Whole Grilled Calamari. it was probably more than we should have eaten but it was so good, we couldnt possibly leave any. Highly recommended read more

OH MY. I used to be a pescatarian, and having Claypots around the corner could do a lot to convert me back. It reminds me a bit of 'La Boqueria' in Barcelona; their main food market. Or even of some of the seafood stalls here at the Queen Vic. They have the freshest, widest range of seafood on display in Claypots. Wow! Now, this means it will smell of the seafood, a bit, but fresh smell is far different from not-fresh. Oddly enough, I've not had one of their signature 'claypots'... I've never been tempted when faced with fresh fish, in dishes up on the chalkboard saying 'we just got this fish in, and we just thought up this recipe because it's right for the season'. I had a HUGE piece of flathead, I believe, blackened Cajun style. Wow. It makes you wonder how so many other places in town miss the mark with fish, or simply just fry it with chips... With summer fast approaching, it's a great spot with a relaxed vibe to get some really good, really FRESH eats. read more

Best seafood place in Melbourne! The Caveat is that you need to be a person who does not mind flavors such as: chili, lemon grass, soy etc. Don't go past the Seafood Chili Stir Fry. Start there and work your way down the menu. I have not been dissapointed yet and we have eaten there over 50 times. Seafood is seasonal and extremely fresh. The menu changes depending on both of these factors. Mixed with the flavors the combination is high in awesomeness. Mind = Blown. read more

Clay pots knows who they are and what they do. Our first visit and we weren't disappointed. We started with the king prawns and warm flat bread which came with a yogurt sauce - the chilli oil was delicious. For our mains we shared the grilled calamari which was awesome. Think roast chicken dinner but swap out the chook for the squid. So much to try here with loads of different combos to share - we will be back! read more

Claypots Seafood Bar - Octy on the wall! - Seafood Near Me - St Kilda, VIC

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Great value seafood in a lovely chilled out setting. Don't expect crystal and silver table settings, but the seafood is so fresh and I love the Asian inspiration. They do a lot of whole fish dishes and the spinner crabs are to die for. The St Kilda restaurant is so much better than the Fitzroy one. read more

Awesome seafood! Got the crispy Dory and garlic prawn and they were both excellent. Great house Sauvignon Blanc. The claypots are pretty good, mostly rice but still good. I recommend their fresh seafood catches of the day. read more

Grilled calamari was overrated. Singapore clay pot not bad, needed more chilli! Otherwise pretty reasonable seafood experience, nice venue

Seafood was delicious. Prawns, Snapper, Flounder and the Singapore Claypot. Friendly service. A bit cramped and loud but no complaints, would go again. The fish was all perfect and very fresh. read more

Try the garlic chilli king prawns, they're a game-changer! Also, I recently found out it's BYO so you can bring some white wine to have with your seafood and they'll chill it for you - something I'll definitely be doing this summer! read more

Claypots is so ordinary: the staff are incompetent and the food is STRICTLY 2.5 star. And expensive- don't bother.

It is such a lovely place. We had to wait or a table because the place was packed, but this gave us time to sit in the cosy bar and have a glass of wine. We didn't have to wait too long for a table, were served quickly and our food came quickly. The food was amazing. We chose the claypots. They were cheap, delicious and massive. And then back to the bar to listen to a gypsy band. Such great atmosphere. I will definitely be back. read more

Let me start by saying 2 things....I hate no reservation restaurants and the food was AMAZING.........The garlic prawns mentioned by others, grilled calamari and the salted whole flounder. All exquisite. BUT....... When we arrived 6.30 ish on a Sunday we were told it would be 20 minutes for a table. An hour was closer to the mark . We also found it odd that some groups (also 4s) only waited for 10 minutes or so before being seated. Perhaps they came earlier, put their name on the list, left for a while and came back. If so then the place should take reservations....but then they probably wouldn't fill the bar. The lady taking names for tables was less than friendly but the staff in the bar and restaurant were most efficient. Most annoying was that it was a winters night and most diners were still wearing jackets as it was SOOO cold. It took ages to get the air con turned off. We were seated at the back of the building and still froze due to the kitchen canopy drawing freezing cold air from the back door through the building. We also didn't appreciate the rubbish bins being dragged from the kitchen up the aisle to the back door right past our table and others. If you don't mind the wait in a cramped bar rest assured the food and service will not disappoint. read more

Started with the entrees and then moved onto Moroccan claypot and fresh flounder .Did not enjoy any of the flavours here and not much of it either . Not impressed by Claypots . Had better and cheaper seafood at home or at other locals in the burbs . Don't really know what all the fuss is about . read more

Over priced !!!!! condescending service !!!! the seafood is rubbery !!! over cooked !!! and outrageously priced !!!!!! returned my main , the fish was disgracefully cooked !![inedibley) !!! they still charged the account !!!!! a so called seafood restaurant ??? I doubt it !!!! those who know there seafood !! give it a WIDE BERTH !!! they do not deserve the time of day !!!!! read more