Clockwise from above:
Arbory Afloat overlooks
the Yarra; whole
flounder, sweet-and-
sour tomatoes and
chickpea chips at
Captain Moonlite;
the dining room
at Donovans.Arbory Afloat
An Amalfi Coast-style beach club on
the wide brown Yarra may seem like
a contradiction but Arbory Afloat gets
it right. Striped umbrellas, canopied
daybeds, citrus trees and a party
soundtrack play backdrop to an Italian-
leaning menu (good pizza, zeppole,
seafood pasta) that also includes excellent
fish and chips. The booze list – cocktails,
Spritzes and plenty of rosé – completes
the smoke-and-mirrors transformation.
2 Flinders Walk, Melbourne, (03) 9629 1547,
arboryafloat.com.auDonovans
Absolute beachfront is Donovans’
drawcard, and there are few better places
to watch the sun set over St Kilda while
knocking back oysters and Champagne.
The laid-back luxury beach-house vibe
makes it the ideal setting for a menu
of greatest hits, from fish and chips
(enormous – consider sharing) to crab
risotto, grilled prawns and pavlova, served
with charm and humour. 40 Jacka Blvd,
St Kilda, (03) 9534 8221, donovans.com.au PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON GRIFFITHS (DONOVANS) & JULIAN KINGMA (ARBORY AFLOAT).68 GOURMET TRAVELLER
VICTORIA