Donovans

4.7

1353 Reviews

$101 and over

Modern Australian

Top Tags:

Welcome to Donovans - our ‘house on the beach’ and home we love to share. Donovans is located on the St.Kilda beach front offering guests a memorable dining experience in Melbourne. With a bay side view, beautiful Mediterranean inspired food and the special relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant, Donovans is where you will feel at home.

Donovans’ exciting menu has been developed with Gail and Kevin’s knowledge of modern Mediterranean cooking. The menu is extensive with a modern mix of favourite dishes emphasising the best local produce. Donovans also offers an extensive wine list of Australian and imported wines and an eclectic mix of cocktails.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 8, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 36 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$101 and over
Cuisines
Modern Australian, Mediterranean
Hours of operation
Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–2:45 pm Dinner Wed–Sun 6:00 pm–11:45 pm
Phone number
(03) 9534 8221
Website
http://www.donovans.com.au/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Private party facilities
For all Private Dining Room enquiries and availability please contact our Function Coordinators at Donovans on (03) 9534 8221 or send an email to privatedining@donovans.com.au
Private party contact
privatedining@donovans.com.au: (03) 9534 8221

Location
40 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda, AU-VIC 3182
Neighborhood
St Kilda
Cross street
Shakespeare Grove
Parking details
Paid metered parking available opposite Donovans on Jacka Boulevard, adjacent to the Palais Theatre
Public transit
Tram No.16 and 96 Stop 138 (outside Luna Park)
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Top 50 restaurants in Australia

Popular dishes

What 1,353 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Melbourne
Great for scenic views
Melbourne
Modern Australian
City Centre
Great for fine wines
City Centre
Great for scenic views
City Centre
Good for special occasions

1,353 Reviews

F
Foodloves
Melbourne
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience5
Donovan’s is such a wonderful dining destination Ambience , location are wonderful. Importantly their food is always delicious. Highly recommend.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Having driven past for many years we decided to see what the experience was like. Absolutely loved up to expectations from the moment we walked in the door. We look forward to coming back again absolute value for money. Thankyou
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AR
AlisonR
Melbourne
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall4food4service4ambience4
The buttermilk mousse was very bland. Quite disappointed. Otherwise all was good..
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful setting great staff Plus it was my mothers bday and they went out of their way to bring her a birthday desert
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SU
SUNNY
Melbourne
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall4food3service5ambience4
Asparagus is not tender for chewing. Lobster in seafood linguine is not fresh enough. Comparing the quality of the food the price is high than expected.
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H
Holeinone
Melbourne
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
We come here every year as a special treat for our anniversary. This year was our 22nd and once again Donovans and their team did not disappoint. A special thanks to Oscar who was so attentive and also Fabio. We loved it! Thanks Richard
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall4food3service3ambience4
We ordered a gin & Tonic each and some olives and a bottle of wine to have with our meal. The Gin & Tonics arrived with olives then 5 minutes later our meal arrived! We didn’t get a chance to finish the olives . It was very rushed and unfortunate as the staff were very good apart from this ! We did say we were not in a hurry .
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
My family loves this restaurant We have been coming here for a long time Now that it has a new owner we were wondering if it would be as good The food was the same high standard Staff were lovely Love the ambience and surroundings and my thoughts were with dear Gail ❤️
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 29, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Good food,excellent friendly service and abeautiful environment
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Victoria
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on November 29, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience4
Early meal service 6.00 Staff not very organised The protein was very well presented and cooked well The potato chips tasted dry and floury ? Reheated from lunch service This adversely affected the whole meal For simple fare at high end prices this was disappointing
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AM
AssuntaM
Victoria
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 26, 2023
overall3food4service2ambience2
I have been coming to Donavans for over 20 years. Every time I ask for a window seat and although I always book far in advance, my requests have never been actioned. I will always call before occasion and verbally request this but it’s always on deaf ears. My husband and I were very disappointed on Sunday as again our request was away from window. I can accept this to happen every now and again, but it is so frustrating when it is never actioned. How hard is it to ask for a request fo 2 loyal customers?
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ST
SuleyT
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Blown away by the food and service. One of the best restaurants in Melbourne! I would highly recommend for a date night. Scenery is beautiful
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JC
JaneC
Melbourne
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service was amazing, friendly, experienced and knowledgeable. The food as expected was unbelievable and very well balanced. The venue is well set up however more room between tables would have been nice as we were very close the other table beside us.
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JE
JasmineE
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We recently celebrated our wedding anniversary at Donovans and had a lovely time. There is a lovely, relaxed ambience, the service professional and friendly, and the food was fantastic. We look forward to our next visit.
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RV
RonVatnick
Melbourne
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 24, 2023
overall3food4service2ambience3
Food was enjoyable, but service was tardy. Restaurant was about 75% full.
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TM
TaliaM
Melbourne
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience3
My husband and I had a lovely dinner at Donovans. The eye fillet was cooked beautifully! Loved the beach views also!
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T
Trufflina123
Melbourne
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food and ambience are surreal . Such a treat, on a warm Spring night with delightful company.
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CM
CarlaM
Melbourne
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
stunning views over the beach, excellent innovative food and very professional service.
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JR
JacquieR
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A beautiful place to dine by the sea in St Kilda. A phenomenal food experience catering for all palates. Wine selection was also excellent. The service was excellent and they catered well for GF diners - had the best GF bread rolls ever. Do not miss the Bombe Alaska.
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DR
DaveR
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We are from Newcastle NSW and this was our second visit to Donovan’s. Donovan’s never disappoints. Donovan’s will be a must do on our next visit to Melbourne.
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SD
SusanD
Melbourne
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always, Donovan's is an outstanding experience. We had beautiful food, with a wonderful view. Everything was perfect. A great way to celebrate my birthday. So good, I have booked it for two weeks ahead, to celebrate our 53rd wedding anniversary.
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MF
MichelleF
Exclusive
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a wonderful place, great location and comfortable surrounds. Food was beautiful and cocktails were even better.
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CB
ChrisB
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Thankyou- magnificent evening! Loved the ambience, location and the waiting staff were 1st class. The best were the meals - they were just incredible! The Bombalasca for dessert just capped off a beautiful dinner! Loved it and can’t wait to come back in the future.
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MS
MollyS
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I love the services. Staffs are very nice especially when he hold my dessert with happy birthday written on the plate. I can see a kindness eye and sincere singing happy birthday towards me. It’s impressive.
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SW
SimoneW
Melbourne
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on November 17, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience3
A restaurant considered "iconic" fell well below even the most amateur restaurant. Food was absolutely shocking, one pasta dish almost impossible to eat, the pasta was extremely dry, seemed far from fresh. The snapper was also very dry and small for the $62 price tag. The value for money was embarrassing. Next to the substandard quality of the meals, service to our table was disappointing. There was zero hospitality from the team member who served us, they appeared to despise the job and it was clearly evident to our table. The restaurant is a beautiful setting capable of an unforgettable experience, but the majority of the staff appeared stressed, rushed, disorganised and without the warmth of even the most basic approach to customer service.
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l
lizard
San Antonio
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Donovan's is a favourite of mine. The price for a 2 course ( one entree was 4 oysters) meal for 2 was more than expected, however excellent quality and ambience. I will return but wary of the cost.
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MW
MeredithW
Melbourne
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Have been wanting to go to Donovans for a while now, had the perfect opportunity when we had wonderful friends here from QLD. visit. We were not disappointed. Excellent in every way, location, food, service, ambiance, wine, basically everything. Thank you, if I could I would Lunch here every Sunday x
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JA
JulieA
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 11, 2023
overall4food2service3ambience3
Service was good, until one main meal arrived 10 minutes before the others, then the same persons salad and the other meals still no show. The waiter was blamed, however that still means the kitchen did not prepare all the meals to come out together. At this level of restaurant you would expect better
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CC
CristobalC
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on November 11, 2023
overall1food1service2ambience1
Food was so bad, waiting time, 45 minutes, and so loudly.
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PK
PeterK
Melbourne
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had high expectations and they were exceeded Food was great and the service was efficient friendly and effective Wine prices a bit high but to be expected in such a top establishment Would recommend this restaurant to anyone
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R
Rusty
Victoria
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, and Mr Parkhouse is the greatest host ever!
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J
Julia
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 10, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience4
Chicken pie and bombe Alaska excellent. Barramundi was very good but the size of an entree. Staff excellent.
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S
Shamu
Victoria
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
Very slick service, lovely ambiance on the beachside of the space. Food as always delicious, the bread and fava bean paste to nibble delicious. Staff very attentive and Service excellent.
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LT
LianaT
Melbourne
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Donovans never disappoints. My friend and I had a wonderful, longish, lunch with fabulous cocktails in a beautiful environment. The service is spectacular - warm, friendly, knowledgeable and professional.
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JM
JennieM
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 5, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Wonderful and engaging staff that made our special celebrate all that more memorable!
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PH
PaulH
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on November 5, 2023
overall2food5service1ambience2
The booking was 2:30 and arrive at 2:00 to ensure we were not late. Although ordering promptly we had to wait till 4:20 for our mains. Then at 4:45 while still eating our mains we were asked to order our last drinks as they had to prepare for the dinner setting. Our desert had to be eaten on the foyer lounges. For $250 a head for 6 people we would expect to be able to at least finish our lunch at the table. We understand a restaurant can be busy, however, over the last 5 years of going to Donavons this was the worst experience.
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SB
SusB
Melbourne
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2023
overall5food3service5ambience5
The pasta marinara had a lot of mussels and little other seafood. The King fish entre could have been seasoned with a bit more flavour. The waiter from Wales was outstanding and had a great sense of humour.
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PV
PVIJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely fresh seafood cooked to perfection. Professional staff and comfy ambiance.
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MH
MarcH
Austin
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had an outstanding meal! The service was awesome and the sunset was spectacular! We made a special trip to Melbourne to eat at Donovan's and they didn't disappoint!
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CB
CharlieB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service for the evening, food was sensational (especially the lamb) and would definitely come again.
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FAQs

Donovans is rated 4.7 stars by 1353 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 8, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 36 times today

40 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda, AU-VIC 3182

Additional information

Cross street
Shakespeare Grove
Neighborhood
St Kilda
Hours of operation
Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–2:45 pm Dinner Wed–Sun 6:00 pm–11:45 pm
Price
$101 and over
Cuisines
Modern Australian, Mediterranean
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Paid metered parking available opposite Donovans on Jacka Boulevard, adjacent to the Palais Theatre
Public transit
Tram No.16 and 96 Stop 138 (outside Luna Park)
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.donovans.com.au/
Phone number
(03) 9534 8221
Private party facilities
For all Private Dining Room enquiries and availability please contact our Function Coordinators at Donovans on (03) 9534 8221 or send an email to privatedining@donovans.com.au
Private party contact
privatedining@donovans.com.au: (03) 9534 8221

Featured in

Top 50 restaurants in Australia

Donovans

Make a reservation

Additional information

Featured in

Top 50 restaurants in Australia

Popular dishes

Bombe Alaska for two

Old-fashioned chicken pie

Linguine with seafood

Menu

What 1,353 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

How is Donovans restaurant rated?

Is Donovans currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information

Featured in

Top 50 restaurants in Australia