Guidebook for Balaclava

Samantha
Guidebook for Balaclava

Food Scene

Don't miss that fact they have a sunny courtyard out the back. Good pricing for a café, simple, not as packed on the weekends as some of the other cafes. They have really good coffee.
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Follow The Leader Cafe
65 Glen Eira Rd
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Don't miss that fact they have a sunny courtyard out the back. Good pricing for a café, simple, not as packed on the weekends as some of the other cafes. They have really good coffee.
This is a great place to have a glass of wine and indulge in some excellent food - tapas style as well as mains. Even just popping in for dessert. Again, a really Melbourne Foodie scene - not the cheapest in the area, but a good Restaurant, café style Bar. Open until late, which in this strip is rare.
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Ripponlea Food and Wine
15 Glen Eira Rd
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This is a great place to have a glass of wine and indulge in some excellent food - tapas style as well as mains. Even just popping in for dessert. Again, a really Melbourne Foodie scene - not the cheapest in the area, but a good Restaurant, café style Bar. Open until late, which in this strip is rare.
If you love North Indian, then you should eat here. Really simple family run Indian Restaurant, with the décor to match. Great breads, tandoori and curries. Reasonably priced, night only from 5.00 - eat in or take away.
Bala Da Dhaba
63 Glen Eira Rd
If you love North Indian, then you should eat here. Really simple family run Indian Restaurant, with the décor to match. Great breads, tandoori and curries. Reasonably priced, night only from 5.00 - eat in or take away.
One of my favourite - reasonably priced - Middle Eastern influence - Brunch, Lunch or for a coffee. Their sandwiches are great value and tasty - great when you are on the run.
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Spout Cafe
48 Glen Eira Rd
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One of my favourite - reasonably priced - Middle Eastern influence - Brunch, Lunch or for a coffee. Their sandwiches are great value and tasty - great when you are on the run.
For those with even the most remote interest in organic food, The Staple Store is a source of grainy delight run by a passionate, food-loving naturopath. BYO containers and bags and load up on nuts, pulses, fermented veg, almond butter, quinoa cookie mix and meal kits-in-a-jar. Even if you just pop in to have a look at the wares. Again, this is a home grown Melbourne business. I love their breakfast muesli created on site. You can grab a tiny bit, as it's all in bulk & you just get want you need- good when travelling
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The Staple Store
19 Glen Eira Rd
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For those with even the most remote interest in organic food, The Staple Store is a source of grainy delight run by a passionate, food-loving naturopath. BYO containers and bags and load up on nuts, pulses, fermented veg, almond butter, quinoa cookie mix and meal kits-in-a-jar. Even if you just pop in to have a look at the wares. Again, this is a home grown Melbourne business. I love their breakfast muesli created on site. You can grab a tiny bit, as it's all in bulk & you just get want you need- good when travelling
Seafood, Fish Vendor. I love going here, their fish & chips are perfect! Great sustainably sourced & fresh fish. And of course then it's who runs - a Greek family business where Sophia & John and their son have been in business for 35 years+.
Ripponlea Fish Supply
49 Glen Eira Rd
Seafood, Fish Vendor. I love going here, their fish & chips are perfect! Great sustainably sourced & fresh fish. And of course then it's who runs - a Greek family business where Sophia & John and their son have been in business for 35 years+.
Part Jewish deli & take home salads/ foods for a quick meal. Their salads are a great healthy option. This is a good place to get a taste of Jewish options, in a nice seating. It can be a bit on the pricey side compared to other brunch options and there's limited seating, where you can have brunch. But is a creative menu & as they are open late, you can grab a quick healthy meal. Open Mon–Fri 7am–6pm, Sat–Sun 7am–4pm. There's raw vegan muesli, carrot-and-dill latke (potato fritters) with cured salmon and poached egg, and the brekkie "ruben" – lightly toasted bagel loaded with thick cuts of pastrami that's made on-site using Cape Grim beef, plus a fried egg and cos lettuce. Sandwiches, from $12 to $16, include smoked-whitefish salad, red onion, tomato and rocket on rye, and a 200-gram pastrami on rye, with red kraut and a pickle – also made on-site. Choose two ($14.50) or three ($21.50) salads from the great glass counter, such as tri-colour beetroot with sauteed leaves and candied walnuts, tabbouleh, or roasted cauliflower with pine nuts, chilli and date molasses yoghurt. In the fridges at the front of the shop are take-home bits and pieces, such as cured salmon, that pastrami, chicken soup, matzo balls, dips, and lasagne. Whole roast chooks and lamb shoulders ($40 each) are also available to take home. They also sell artisan bread.
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Aunt Maggie's Malvern
72 Glenferrie Rd
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Part Jewish deli & take home salads/ foods for a quick meal. Their salads are a great healthy option. This is a good place to get a taste of Jewish options, in a nice seating. It can be a bit on the pricey side compared to other brunch options and there's limited seating, where you can have brunch. But is a creative menu & as they are open late, you can grab a quick healthy meal. Open Mon–Fri 7am–6pm, Sat–Sun 7am–4pm. There's raw vegan muesli, carrot-and-dill latke (potato fritters) with cured salmon and poached egg, and the brekkie "ruben" – lightly toasted bagel loaded with thick cuts of pastrami that's made on-site using Cape Grim beef, plus a fried egg and cos lettuce. Sandwiches, from $12 to $16, include smoked-whitefish salad, red onion, tomato and rocket on rye, and a 200-gram pastrami on rye, with red kraut and a pickle – also made on-site. Choose two ($14.50) or three ($21.50) salads from the great glass counter, such as tri-colour beetroot with sauteed leaves and candied walnuts, tabbouleh, or roasted cauliflower with pine nuts, chilli and date molasses yoghurt. In the fridges at the front of the shop are take-home bits and pieces, such as cured salmon, that pastrami, chicken soup, matzo balls, dips, and lasagne. Whole roast chooks and lamb shoulders ($40 each) are also available to take home. They also sell artisan bread.
Balaclava has a load of food options, woolworths, coles, banks, main stores. Nestled in there is low gem for low cost Vietnamese options. Great noddle soup (pho) and simple options, family run, not a chain. Worth getting a bite to eat and exploring this stip.
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Saigon Street Eats - St Kilda East
249 Carlisle St
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Balaclava has a load of food options, woolworths, coles, banks, main stores. Nestled in there is low gem for low cost Vietnamese options. Great noddle soup (pho) and simple options, family run, not a chain. Worth getting a bite to eat and exploring this stip.
If your able to pop down here, this my favourite, organic café in the area. A super friendly menu, good value for money.
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Little Sunflower Café
15 Ormond Rd
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If your able to pop down here, this my favourite, organic café in the area. A super friendly menu, good value for money.
Love this strip of shops down in Elwood - only access is by walking or driving, not a lot of public transport routes. Organic produce, top end fruit, veg and artisan produce.
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The Leaf Store
111 Ormond Rd
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Love this strip of shops down in Elwood - only access is by walking or driving, not a lot of public transport routes. Organic produce, top end fruit, veg and artisan produce.
This has got to be one of the best places to eat. It’s a 1 🎩 restaurant- so you need to book online. If you have a small group you might be lucky. $250+ a head to eat the set menu - lots of Australian produce and it’s literally a stones throw away.
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Attica
74 Glen Eira Rd
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This has got to be one of the best places to eat. It’s a 1 🎩 restaurant- so you need to book online. If you have a small group you might be lucky. $250+ a head to eat the set menu - lots of Australian produce and it’s literally a stones throw away.

Drinks & Nightlife

Worth looking to see whom is playing - Jazz and modern music. A little local gem.
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The Flying Saucer Club
979-985 Nepean Hwy
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Worth looking to see whom is playing - Jazz and modern music. A little local gem.

Parks & Nature

You need to pay to get in - it's a National Trust Property; I love the gardens and wandering around, relaxing, enjoying some peace and quiet, which can be must needed when your on holiday. A good place to take kids, as they tend to like the gardens - it's a bit like a secret garden. They have a small café, including coffee, tea and snacks.
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Rippon Lea Estate
192 Hotham St
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You need to pay to get in - it's a National Trust Property; I love the gardens and wandering around, relaxing, enjoying some peace and quiet, which can be must needed when your on holiday. A good place to take kids, as they tend to like the gardens - it's a bit like a secret garden. They have a small café, including coffee, tea and snacks.
This is where you can meet the locals. A crowd of Ferry Penguins 🐧. Best to go once it is dark to avoid the crowds and actually see them. They come in at dusk.., It’s free. The St Kida pier and board walkbis nice for a stroll. Lots of restaurants to stop and eat at.
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Colonia de pingüinos en el muelle de St. Kilda
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This is where you can meet the locals. A crowd of Ferry Penguins 🐧. Best to go once it is dark to avoid the crowds and actually see them. They come in at dusk.., It’s free. The St Kida pier and board walkbis nice for a stroll. Lots of restaurants to stop and eat at.
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St Kilda Botanical Gardens
11 Herbert St
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Getting Around

The local idyllic station. This will take you either direction - towards the City to (Finders Station) or you can go down to the beach (Sandringham). Going in the beach direction, you can also hop off at local stations like Gardenvale, Elsternwick, East Brighton if you want to see another local area to wander. Trains run every 25 minutes or every 7 in peak hour.
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Ripponlea Station
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The local idyllic station. This will take you either direction - towards the City to (Finders Station) or you can go down to the beach (Sandringham). Going in the beach direction, you can also hop off at local stations like Gardenvale, Elsternwick, East Brighton if you want to see another local area to wander. Trains run every 25 minutes or every 7 in peak hour.
Balaclava station is the next train stop from Ripponlea Station - towards the city. You can either walk here ( along the back streets) - or jump on the train. From here there are tram links that can take you up to St Kilda Beach: The esplanade - Get on the 16 or 38 ( NOT a 3 or 3a - This runs along St Kilda Road into the city). It's only about 4 stops or so on. You'll see St Kilda Junction - they are big SUPER Tram stops to get off.
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Balaclava Train Station
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Balaclava station is the next train stop from Ripponlea Station - towards the city. You can either walk here ( along the back streets) - or jump on the train. From here there are tram links that can take you up to St Kilda Beach: The esplanade - Get on the 16 or 38 ( NOT a 3 or 3a - This runs along St Kilda Road into the city). It's only about 4 stops or so on. You'll see St Kilda Junction - they are big SUPER Tram stops to get off.

Essentials

Yumi's is a Jewish influenced vendor which is know for their famous dips. From our local neighbourhood, it's a fish vendor as well. Kosher friendly, it's worth a look, especially on Friday with their hunks of crumbed and fried fillets, marinated herring, gefilte fish. Dips are lush gluten and dairy-free dips - Humus, Tuna, Salmon and other vegetable dips.
Yumis
29 Glen Eira Rd
Yumi's is a Jewish influenced vendor which is know for their famous dips. From our local neighbourhood, it's a fish vendor as well. Kosher friendly, it's worth a look, especially on Friday with their hunks of crumbed and fried fillets, marinated herring, gefilte fish. Dips are lush gluten and dairy-free dips - Humus, Tuna, Salmon and other vegetable dips.
You'll find the 2 main grocery stores here, Woolworths & Coles
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Woolworths Balaclava
220 Carlisle St
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You'll find the 2 main grocery stores here, Woolworths & Coles
Small goods - Russian style - He smokes his product on site. Amazing ham and cured meats! A must if you like this type of product, mixed with the local bakery, it makes a great meal!
Bukuria Continental Butchers
35 Glen Eira Rd
Small goods - Russian style - He smokes his product on site. Amazing ham and cured meats! A must if you like this type of product, mixed with the local bakery, it makes a great meal!
Wake up and walk down to get your fresh bread, and treats. Amazing. Opens 8.00 am ( closed Sunday and Wednesday) and most of January.
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Firebrand Sourdough Bakery
69 Glen Eira Rd
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Wake up and walk down to get your fresh bread, and treats. Amazing. Opens 8.00 am ( closed Sunday and Wednesday) and most of January.

Sightseeing

Ok - so this is in the heart of St Kilda - right by the beach. A great place to hang our and watch the crowds, wind surfers and crazy people in the water if it's winter! St Kilda Baths have a swimming pool, sauna and a really warm pool to rest and relax in. You can pay for a single entrance and it's mostly salt water, which leaves your skin feeling great. Excellent views at sunset. Open until 10 p.m.
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St Kilda Sea Baths
18 Jacka Blvd
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Ok - so this is in the heart of St Kilda - right by the beach. A great place to hang our and watch the crowds, wind surfers and crazy people in the water if it's winter! St Kilda Baths have a swimming pool, sauna and a really warm pool to rest and relax in. You can pay for a single entrance and it's mostly salt water, which leaves your skin feeling great. Excellent views at sunset. Open until 10 p.m.
I love being here at sunset when the fairy penguins come in. Make sure if it's crowed, you head the end of the peer. There's a board walk that tends to get crowded, but it thins out if you walk up further. It's a free experience, depending on the evening, the penguins get very talkative and can put on a show! They are tiny, but loud and your right next to them. A great local wildlife attraction.
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St Kilda Pier Kiosk
Pier Road
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I love being here at sunset when the fairy penguins come in. Make sure if it's crowed, you head the end of the peer. There's a board walk that tends to get crowded, but it thins out if you walk up further. It's a free experience, depending on the evening, the penguins get very talkative and can put on a show! They are tiny, but loud and your right next to them. A great local wildlife attraction.

Shopping

On Sunday morning, there's a local market that runs along The Esplande. Good chance to stretch your legs and get out for a walk with an amazing view, and do a little shopping.
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St Kilda Esplanade Market
The Esplanade
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On Sunday morning, there's a local market that runs along The Esplande. Good chance to stretch your legs and get out for a walk with an amazing view, and do a little shopping.
Acland Street is famous for it's cake stores. If your in the area, have a look around. Cafes, restaurants, bars - it has it all. Can access by the tram to St Kilda Beach.
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Acland St station
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Acland Street is famous for it's cake stores. If your in the area, have a look around. Cafes, restaurants, bars - it has it all. Can access by the tram to St Kilda Beach.
A small store with interesting products, some of which will be Australian designed.
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The Dining Haul
86-88 Ormond Rd
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A small store with interesting products, some of which will be Australian designed.