Best Bites in Elsternwick: 11 eateries you have to explore
Elsternwick. Located between Caulfield and Elwood, and only 9km from Melbourne’s CBD, this spirited suburb is where coastal living meets city slicking.
Featuring fashion-forward boutiques, an avant-garde Classic Cinema and lush green gardens, it’s no surprise this south-east gem is one of Melbourne’s most in-demand neighbourhoods.
But it’s the diverse dishes of Elsternwick’s eateries that are really putting this place on the map.
Wondering which foodery to feast at first? Read on to discover where the team at Gary Peer like to frequent when it’s time to dine.
1. Copycat Bar & Restaurant
With a focus on reinventing your dining experience (not the wheel!) Copycat is same same – but different.
As a kitchen showcasing modern Australian flavours with a Middle Eastern twist, it’s the first of its kind in Elsternwick.
It’s also where the Gary Peer & Associates team flocks to when our social nights roll around. So feel free to copy us, and head to Copycat for your next evening out!
What to order?
With a seasonal menu using only the highest quality local ingredients, the food at Copycat speaks for itself – all year ‘round.
So for your best dining experience, we suggest leaving it up to the champion chefs to let you know what’s good. (Hint: everything!)
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2. Glovers Station
Let’s face it – most coffee lovers don’t love petrol-station coffee.
Fortunately, although popular Elsternwick café Glovers Station is a former petrol station, its coffee is anything but.
In fact, Glovers Station’s coffee is so good, you’ll want to stop there every day to fill up on your morning brew (if not your car).
With a large indoor dining space and shady outdoor seating under the trees, Glovers Station is a picture-perfect place to brunch.
What to order?
Do you savour the sweet stuff? The ricotta hotcakes are a must.
Served with earl grey mascarpone, fresh fig and a decadent orange blossom syrup, this is a breakfast sure to put your morning in bloom.
Visit Glovers Station’s website.
3. Penta Elsternwick
All aboard!
Right around the corner from the train station – and across the road from the railway-themed playground – sits Penta Elsternwick.
Specialising in colourful, healthy food, this well-loved café will provide you and your family all the sustenance you need after a morning of travel – real or imagined!
What to order?
You know what they say: a Brazilian Acai Bowl a day keeps the doctor away!
Packed with buckwheat clusters, coconut yoghurt and a variety of seasonal fruits, Penta’s big, brilliant, Brazilian bowl of goodness will have you dancing the samba.
Visit Penta Elsternwick’s website.
4. Goat House
A bite at the Goat House isn’t just a feast for your tastebuds. But for your eyes, too.
Filled with stylish accents, natural light and a spacious outdoor patio, this restaurant is more than a meal – it’s a meal with a view.
With service from 11am ‘til late, this excellent Elsternwick eatery offers delicious food and drink options – for whatever floats your goat.
What to order?
Elsternwick has a firm community focus, and the Goat House is no different – it’s all for one and one for all!
So get into the spirit by building your own share platter for you and your family. With over 30 options to choose from, you can be sure to put together the perfect plate.
5. Hanoi Hannah Vol. II
Located in the heart of Elsternwick, Hanoi Hannah Vol. II is where authentic Vietnamese cooking meets modern fusion.
With an attention to atmosphere and affordability, there’s something for all the senses.
Feast your eyes on the polished décor around you, and your ears on the hip-hop music on the stereo. And your stomach? On the yummy meal in front of you!
What to order?
While we could recommend the entire menu, there is one dish that is particularly un-pho-gettable.
With the option of five different pho-rieties – and a myriad of add-ons available to pimp your pho – grab yourself a big bowl for your next meal.
Visit Hanoi Hannah Vol. II’s website.
6. 48H Pizza e Gnocchi Bar
Treat yourself to a slice of Sicily with this authentic Italian pizza and pasta bar – right here in Elsternwick.
Perched right across the road from the cinema, embrace the romance of Rome with dinner and a show for your next date night.
Bellissima!
What to order?
Well… pizza or gnocchi, of course!
True to its namesake, the 48H Pizza e Gnocchi Bar leavens its dough for at least 48 hours prior to service, ensuring you get the fluffiest – and most aromatic – meal possible.
But if you’re after a more specific recommendation, your tastebuds will thank you for the Gnocchi Agusti – trust us.
Visit 48H Pizza e Gnocchi Bar’s website.
7. Budapest Schnitzel and Eating House
We hope you’re Hungary.
Serving up traditional Hungarian dishes with a smile, head to the Budapest Schnitzel and Eating House for an evening filled with delicious homestyle food – large portions, packed with flavour.
What to order?
Picture this. A schnitzel, stuffed with bacon, cheese and Hungarian smoked sausage – then topped with veal Bolognese and cheese. Need we say more?
Visit Budapest Schnitzel and Eating House’s website.
8. Burger Shurger
With an innovative menu spinning an Indian take on the Western burger, Burger Shurger is on a roll.
With a colourful-yet-calming interior, this unique restaurant is easy to love. But be warned – the burgers are addictive!
What to order?
With a menu evenly split between vegetarian and non-vegetarian, you’re spoiled for choice.
But if you’re looking for a reliable first meal, we recommend the Aloo Tikki Burger.
A street style potato patty served with chutney. Who wouldn’t love it?
Visit Burger Shurger’s website.
9. Bang Bang at the Rifle Club
If you’re interested in sampling some sensational Southeast Asian cuisine, pull the trigger on this rustic-chic restaurant.
Set in an historic building in the heart of Elsternwick Village, Bang Bang at the Rifle Club is the perfect example of Elsternwick’s signature mix of old-world charm and modern luxury.
What to order?
Who said you had to choose?
With the crowd-favourite bang-quet, you can sit back and relax as the perfect meal is put together for you. Talk about bang for your buck!
Visit Bang Bang at the Rifle Club’s website.
10. Tommy Ruff Fish Bar
Just eight minutes away from Elwood beach, Tommy Ruff is the perfect place to stock up before hitting the sand.
We could tell you all about how fresh and flavoursome the food is at this locally renowned fish ‘n’ chips restaurant. But we’d rather let the queue of happy customers lining the pavement every night do the talking!
What to order?
To best enjoy Tommy Ruff’s fish and chips, we suggest grabbing a school – sorry, group – of your closest friends, ordering a platter for takeaway, and eating it down on the beach.
Make sure to save a chip for the seagulls!
11. Antique Bar
With the décor to match the name, imagine yourself conducting secret business deals over a tumbler of whiskey in this late-night bar’s warm atmosphere.
From the ambience to the drinks to the food – what’s not to love about this hidden Elsternwick gem?
What to order?
Well, what mood are you in?
If you’re feeling particularly peckish, the lamb pizza is the way to go.
If you just need a nibble, grab the meatball appetiser.
And if it’s a drink you desire, do yourself a favour and grab the mulled wine. (It’s particularly delicious in winter!)
Have we made you hungry yet? Well, you know exactly where to go! Come down to Elsternwick and explore its smorgasbord of scrumptious spots.