St Kilda Street Surprises with Food Scene

Once a quiet side street, Blessington Street in St Kilda has transformed into a culinary hotspot, buzzing with a variety of independent eateries that share a unique, collaborative spirit. The transformation includes a former car park, now a communal outdoor dining space where patrons can enjoy meals from different kitchens at long tables, fostering a vibrant, shared experience. This small strip punches above its weight with a diverse and authentic food scene. Anchoring the offerings is Yang Thai, a charcoal chicken shop that has quickly gained a following for its flavorful, slow-cooked chicken, a recipe perfected by a chef with a long history in top Melbourne Asian restaurants. The chicken is brined for up to twelve hours and marinated for days in a blend of Southern Thai spices like black pepper and turmeric before being grilled over charcoal. Adding to the international flavor is Corean Chooks & Chips, serving up crispy Korean fried chicken that has earned praise for its authentic taste, with some Korean customers claiming it's more Korean than in Korea. Their menu also features classics like kimchi dumplings and tteokbokki. Rounding out the culinary cluster are Dish-licious, offering Vietnamese staples like banh mi and rice paper rolls, and Surabaya Johnny's, a cozy, old-school jazz and blues bar known for its live music and intimate atmosphere. This collection of venues has created a unique, energetic pocket of St Kilda that champions independent operators and a shared love of good food.