“St Kilda is the only place that makes sense for us.” Superstar chef Ellie Bouhadana, formerly of Hope St Radio, will open her first restaurant in a Barkly Street site that comes with 28 years of memories.

After a successful summer seafood pop-up at Stokehouse’s beachfront kiosk in St Kilda, and recent months cooking and eating her way around Morocco, Italy and the Netherlands, ex-Hope St Radio chef Ellie Bouhadana is launching her own restaurant.

Dafina Seaside Grill will open in the storied Claypots site in St Kilda in early 2027, adding extra verve to an exciting time for the suburb, with Andrew McConnell’s Trader House taking over Stokehouse in spring and new developments happening on down-at-heel Fitzroy Street.

Dani Valent

A St Kilda dining icon will soon get a fresh start from a rising restaurant star