A Breezy Beachside Escape Above the Baths

Upstairs at the St Kilda Sea Baths, Captain Baxter feels like a ship’s captain’s perch — with floor-to-ceiling windows gazing out across Port Phillip Bay. Following a 2018 refresh, the venue now fully leans into its seaside charm with a seafood-focused menu and relaxed, summery fit-out.

A “Bahamas Bungalow” by the Bay

The redesign, led by Aleksandra Savic Rakocevic of Star Architecture, channels a “Bahamas, bungalow, beachside” mood. Think sweeping white walls, cane details, balconies without balustrades, and a retractable roof for extra sunlight. Co-owners Matt Dawson and Amanda Dawson, with Tom and Amara Doolan, also run Republica, Encore, and Mr McCracken. Their team has created a space that’s casual yet polished, with a loosened dress code that welcomes beachgoers. A new patio bar adds the perfect spot for sun-soaked cocktails.

Seafood and Flame-Grilled Favourites

The kitchen is led by executive chef Matt Dawson and sous chef Timothy Martin (The European, Taxi Dining Room), with a menu built around seafood and subtle Asian twists.

Highlights include:

• Raw tuna carpaccio with wasabi and smoked ponzu

• Golden potato cakes with yuzu mayo

• Steamed John Dory, bone-in, with garlic shoots and fermented black beans

A charcoal oven handles grilled offerings:

• 300g O’Connor rump cap with green peppercorn sauce

• 1kg Cape Grim rib eye with miso mustard, made for sharing

• Kingfish baked on rock salt, finished with sake brown butter

Local Wines and Tropical Cocktails

The concise wine list leans local, with crisp whites from King Valley and Mornington Peninsula.

Cocktails are bright and refreshing:

• Monsoon Spritzer: ginseng- and lemongrass-infused gin, ginger, yuzu

• Kasubi Martini: cucumber gin with a sharp wasabi finish

Whether you're dressed for a date or just off the sand, Captain Baxter makes beachside dining feel both stylish and effortless.