Heard about this place from relatives before we left Los Angeles. Their reccomendation was spot on. It was worth the trip to the area. The food was excellent and the service was perfect. The servers took great care of us and were very knowledgeable about their menu. A great lunch experience@ read more

Delightful. This is a pretty high-end place, and not a beach bar. But it's great to find exfood and world class service right on the beach. That is a rare combination. read more

We had a wonderful dinner at Dinner at Donovans. We had eaten there several years earlier and just returned to Melbourne to watch the Australian Open, and had an opportunity to eat there again. The seafood was delicious and the service was excellent. We dined there at sunset and the view on the ocean was amazing. read more

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A friend of mine, who used to live in Melbourne suggested we go here. Food is good Fish portion tiny Pasta dish was ok Food prices?, on par for a beach front property Booze selection good and reasonably priced Cool interior Really nice staff I live 4 blocks from the Pacific Ocean in CA, so beach front not such a big deal but that's one of the two elements that are key; beach front sunset and their version of baked Alaska, sick. Eat it! read more

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Our 2nd time back to Melbourne and we'd heard about Donovan's from tripadvisor and decided to give it a try. What an absolutely cute place! It feels like you're in someone's house, especially in the "living room" area. The cocktails are strong (probably my favorite place to get a mojito in Melbourne) and the food is excellent. It was so good, in fact, that in the week we were back in Melbourne we dined there twice. I had a huge prawn main that didn't need to come with any side dishes; there was plenty of food with just four butterflied prawns. This place is at the top of my list of restaurants in Melbourne and I'll definitely dine there again. read more

Donovans - Now these are proper-sized prawns! - Mediterranean Near Me - St Kilda, VIC

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Fabulous location with big windows to drink in st Kilda beach views! Beautiful decor in the restaurant! Staff are very friendly and the food is a- mazing! If you don t want to eat fish, try the chicken pie! Love this place.. Have been coming back for years and it never disappoints! read more

Nice restaurant, pretty view, however the food was not super exciting. We did get this one appetizer that was delicious so that was a win. And the desert was delicious, but the meal was lackluster. read more

Donovans gets three stars for its location and ambience. You can't get better than right on the beach, sweeping views over the bay and a glorious alfresco dining area complete with massive comfy chairs, shading and heating. The inside is elegance and sophistication personified, with comfort of the customer first and foremost in the minds of Gail and Kevin, the proprietors. The interior is accentuated by natural timbers, rich fabrics and sandstone fireplaces. Donovans caters for a variety of functions and includes an outside terrace and enclosed verandah, dining room, library and private dining room. But my fave inside space at Donovans has to be the lounge and bar area. Massive, plush red couches, and plenty of them, topped off by a beautiful central timber bar. The best way to describe it is that it feels as if you're in some beautiful alpine resort or chalet - it's delicious and comfy and gives you the feeling that you never wanna leave!! As nice as it is and as great as the scenery is, I'm never gonna be the sort of person who spends up to $100 on one meal, and that is seriously how expensive some of the mains are. I mean, they charge $10 for some cos tossed with a vinaigrette and parmasan - puleeze!! Great place to enjoy a balmy afternoon drink and relax the day away by the beach, but I don't think the food is worth the prices. read more

Donovans - Mediterranean Near Me - St Kilda, VIC

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What a perfectly situated restaurant for both locals and tourists alike, with panoramic views of both sea and sand. Despite the very mixed reviews, we had a lovely experience at Donovans. The staff were welcoming and attentive without being over the top; the dining room was welcoming and cool (perfect for a summers lunch); and the food was fresh and tasty. I won't lie...I was shocked at how small the oysters we ordered were...but the size of the salmon I ordered more than made up for the initial disappointment. For those that like a wine, the list is extensive, catering to most budgets. The only downside are the food prices - expensive, even by Melbourne standards. I wouldn't describe Donovans as fine dining, but it is a perfect casual environment for family and friends to while away a hot summers day. read more

Donovans - Mediterranean Near Me - St Kilda, VIC

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Another glorious Melbourne winter's day so I headed down to Donovans for a leisurely lunch. Lovely spot right on St Kilda beach with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the bay. Lovely inside as well with a large stone fireplace surrounded by comfy lounges being the focal point, so I started from there with a very nice martini. Asked to be shown to my table before I devoured all the moorish breadsticks and ruined my appetite. Staying with the drink theme I ordered a Gingerbread Martini - honey liqueur, Frangelico, Appleton rum and ginger syrup - and a shot of carrot and ginger soup that came with a prawn balanced on the rim of the glass. Spicy and very tasty. And the martini was sensational - also spicy, rich and full bodied but beautifully balance For starter I ordered the chicken liver parfait which was served with pear and ginger compote, candied walnuts and toasted sourdough bread. This looked so good on the plate it was almost a shame to eat it. But I did anyway. Great - really creamy and flavoursome. The compote was sprinkled with pepitos and was good enough to eat on its own. For main I had the seafood linguini. Five mussels in the shell, half a Moreton Bay bug, prawns and scallops on a bed of perfectly cooked pasta tossed in oil and parsley. Delicious. Great location, great service and great food. read more

I came to Donovans for the first time last week and am so pleased I did as the food, service and atmosphere was impeccable! The pepper crusted salmon, Moreton bay bugs and raspberry and lemon curd shortcake made for an enjoyable dining experience and food that will definitely be remembered for a long time! The staff are so cute with their little bows and looking amongst the other diners it definitely seems to be a popular spot for engagements, anniversaries or romantic dinners. I will definitely be returning! read more

Meh. Over priced and mis matched interior that doesn't work. One can go for the whole bohemian lounge room look, but it doesn't meld or go together here. I suppose they were going for that whole tactile yet removed experience. The way of being at Donovans seems super conservative, for people that thing opera is "being cultured"- very upper middle class. Very much the values at Donovan's are service quality sytlings from long ago. Daggy old 80's style restaurant, with much of the menu reflecting the same. Sounds like some one is trying to say Jonathan but has a broken jaw. While there is attention to detail, the wine mark ups aren't worth it, and it's too pricey. Average location; port Phillip bay happens to be quite dull. Old school service and presentation. It's good for people who like conservative dining. it should be in the book "stuff white people like" read more

The wicker chairs in this place are not the most comfortable. However the seafood is fantastic and worth the price. read more

Donovans - Oyster assortment. (Left to right): Baked oyster w/ jalapeno,manchego, capsicum; South Austrailian; Sydney rock; and Tasmanian. - Mediterranean Near Me - St Kilda, VIC

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You have to know I'm an engineer at heart, so my star count is dollar adjusted. This is a place to take your parents to, or your prospective parents or even older business colleagues. It's a landmark of sorts. The service was really good I thought. The wine we had was incredible. I didn't mind the furnishings at all, like some others. It was a business meeting with about 10 people so there was plenty going on without noticing the decor. Having said that, the fire in the fireplace looked awfully inviting on a cold, rainy, winter night. The food was okay. I had the QLD prawns. I probably wouldn't get it again. Come to think of it, I probably wouldn't take my wife here but we'd prefer some smaller, in town thing. It's pricey. Don't kid yourself. read more

If you're traveling in casual clothing or with children, don't bother with this restaurant. Even if it is empty, they will not seat you. Overpriced menu to boot. read more

Its got a good location on the beach going for it, but I can't get too excited. The fit out is relaxed modern beach house, and I thought it worked, but as you can tell from other reviews it doesn't please everyone. Strangely for the venue they had a television in the corner tuned to channel 9 throughout the evening. Was this a pub or fine dining restaurant? I found that inexcusable. Service when I ate there was less than stellar - a busy night, but slips and delays in serving drinks that got better as the night went on. But friendly staff who tried hard. Food is uninspiring but well done. Grilled prawns. Moreton bug pasta. Ice cream sundaes. If you want modern interesting flavours look elsewhere. A banana tart-tartin was well done. Prices made my eyes water. $50 for 4 grilled prawns? Most mains $40-50. You are paying for the location more than food. Suits 50-70 year old Brighton residents who want to eat somewhere 'exciting' in St Kilda. Suits an occasion restaurant for out of town visitors. Doesn't suit younger crowd looking for value or novel/interesting cooking techniques read more

Nothing special except the setting. The house is facing the beach which makes it uniquely positioned to capture the sunset. Other than this and the friendly service we were not impressed with the food standard. We had ordered the duck dish for two ($125) which came a few minutes before the sauce and the side dishes arrived. We were each served two pieces on our plate, then the waiter just left the other pieces uncovered on the side to get cold. The meat was tender but it totally lacked flavor even after adding the sauce. Quite a disappointment considering the high price they charge on this one dish. The side dishes (salad, beans and croquettes) were just ordinary. The only thing I really enjoyed was the glass of red (Stone Craft). read more

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My favourite restaurant in Melbourne. The atmosphere on the beach is special. The decor cosy. Donovan himself can be seen from time to time working tables in this usually booked out busy institution. The food is Australian and international with amazing steaks, seafood and starters. The drinks super. I had the chicken pie which is my favourite and to die for. The T Bone is incredible always. The oysters and chicken liver parfait also always amazing. Just awesome and service is great and friendly. Book ahead... read more

Yesterday was a beautiful day at St Kilda beach. All the beachfront bars and restaurants were full of people enjoying themselves. My friend and I were craving a relaxed coffee. I get overwhelmed by that many people so my friend and I stop at Donovan's which has barely anyone using the outside tables and looks a bit depressing to be honest. My friend and I (who have not been to the beach and are wearing jeans and jumpers) were greeted by a really nice male waiter. I asked if we could order coffees and if we could sit outside. He politely excused himself and went to check with the owner just at the other end of the bar. The owner gets right up to his face and aggressively tells him that he should already know the answer and "this isn't a cafe, you have to order a meal and wine and everything here. Tell them to go away". (Very aggressively). The waiter looks put down and comes back to politely tell us and I tell him not to bother because we heard everything. I aim my voice at the owner and exclaim "very professional thanks". He apologises hurriedly, embarrassed. I'm already out the door. (As a former waitress in the city, this seems like a terrible place to work.). This place seems to think it is "better" or "too good" for some people. I've never seen a half empty restaurant turn away people for a coffee. I think the attitude of the owner is disgusting and that he is creating an exclusionary and pretentious vibe in a restaurant which is actually a lot less enticing and gorgeous as all the others on the beach. This place is "only for people of money and class" I think, yet the atmosphere is dull, old and boring. It disgusts me. read more

Loved the ambiance, the food and the service. A great place for sharing good time and good food with good friends.

Amazing! Food is top notch. I was very apprehensive when I saw the prices. But that being said the food was superb and the desserts were even better. Highly recommend if you are looking for a great place to eat. The service is even better. Waiters take you're jacket and place it In the cloak room, waiters are also very knowledgeable with the menu and the wine list and will recommend wine to go with you're meal. Ambiance is beautiful right on the the St Kilda foreshore. Overall it was a 10/10. read more

Great restaurant, good views, nice food and awesome service.

On vacation (holiday) from US...like others have said this is quite the place to drain the wallet....but, you only live once! The food is great, the service is great (our napkin was re-folded every time we got up), and, as stated by the others...the view is great. We very much enjoyed our meal. Good stuff. read more

Beautiful restaurant and view. Being so close to the beach, the menu is very seafood-orientated so not a good choice for diners like myself who don't eat seafood. It's expensive, but good for a special occasion; we saw a couple get engaged while we had our dinner! read more

Location location, nice view of the beach and also enjoy the cocktail . Food is a little be pricy but the beach view is what we go there for! read more

Went here for a wine dinner with @eldridgeestate. Great place for a special occasion. Food matched the wines perfectly..the duck with @eldridgeestate clonal pinot noirs 2012 was a match made in Heaven! Look forward to the going back again in the near future read more

I ordered the T-bone. Under cooker, over priced, worst cut of steak I've ever had. Service was very good.