Post-swim snacks: 15 top spots near St Kilda, Fitzroy pool and beyond

There’s a particular kind of hunger that hits when you’re fresh out of the ocean or pool – hair damp, skin salted, towel half-tied. You don’t need anything elaborate; the perfect post-swim snack is about temperature contrast, crunch, cold fruit and carby comfort.

The items here tick all those boxes, plus they’re takeaway-friendly and within a 15-minute walk of some of Melbourne’s most popular swim spots.

St Kilda Beach

Ellie’s Kiosk at Stokehouse (1-minute walk)

Grilled squid and merguez sausage with zhoug: Charcoal-grilled squid meets a smoky, gently spiced sausage, all brought to life with bright zhoug, the coriander-rich Yemeni condiment. It’s a North African take on surf and turf by chef Ellie Bouhadana (ex-Hope St Radio) that makes perfect sense when you want something with flavour and fire.

30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda, instagram.com/ellies.table / instagram.com/stokehouserestaurant

Jerry’s Milk Bar (13-minute walk)

Scamorza toastie: A golden, indulgent sourdough toasted sanger stuffed with smoky cheese, ham and a lick of Dijon, this delivers the kind of comfort you crave when you’re drying off, and the breeze starts to pick up.

345 Barkly Street, Elwood, jerrysmilkbar.com

The Banff (15-minute walk)

Seafood pizza: Baked at high heat in an electric oven so the base stays light and crisp, this pizza brings together tender prawns and squid, a whisper of smoke, and a bright squeeze of lemon. A slightly heartier option, but one that feels well-earned after a long walk.

29/145 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, banffcafe.com.au

Fitzroy Swimming Pool

Little Hop (11-minute walk)

Fresh guacamole and tortilla chips: Smooth and cooling, the guacamole at this slender Mexican eatery has a citrusy lift and comes with warm tortilla chips with deep, satisfying crunch. If dining in, the Frozen Paloma adds extra refreshment.

277 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, instagram.com/littlehop_fitzroy

Lankan Tucker (15-minute walk)

Faluda: Pastel pink and a sharp contrast to the blue of the pool you’ve just stepped out of, this South Asian dessert is bubble tea-adjacent but extra cooling. Rose sherbet syrup is folded through vanilla bean cream, with basil seeds and jelly pieces adding texture.

570 Lygon Street, Carlton, lankantucker.com

Calle Bakery (15-minute walk)

Smoked salmon sandwich: Smoked salmon is laid on a fresh, lightly buttered baguette along with the classic accompaniments of cream cheese, capers and onion, plus crisp mixed leaves. A satisfying option when you want something filling but not heavy.

649 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North, calle.com.au

Queens Park Swimming Pool

Convoy (3-minute walk)

Prawn roll: This sanger is built on a grilled potato bun that clutches steamed prawns mixed with dill, chives and a zesty Japanese-style mayo. Pickled onions, iceberg lettuce, a lick of Tabasco and a scatter of potato crisps add lift and crunch.

109 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds, convoymooneeponds.com.au

Il Caminetto (4-minute walk)

Insalata quinoa: A bright, summery salad of quinoa dotted with cooling diced vegetables, sweet pops of melon and soft goat’s cheese – the sort of lunch that feels right when you’re still warm from the pool deck.

114 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds, ilcaminetto.com.au

Brother Hen (4-minute walk)

Vietnamese salad: A lively tangle of noodles, crisp greens, herbs and roasted peanuts, with the option to bulk it up with chicken, tofu, halloumi or calamari if you need something a little sturdier post-swim.

154 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds, brotherhen.com.au

Brighton Beach

Beach House Brighton (3-minute walk)

Deluxe loaded chips and vanilla soft-serve: Fries layered with bacon, American cheese sauce and chipotle mayo are a salty and satisfying snack to share with a crew (or not) as you sprawl on your towel. Follow it up with a cooling swirl of vanilla soft-serve, made even better with toppings including granola, crushed peanuts or rainbow sprinkles.

133 Esplanade, Brighton, beachhousebrighton.com.au

Mazi Brighton Cafe (15-minute walk)

Superfood salad: Roasted veg folded through nutty grains equals a gentle reset after a salty ocean swim. Finished with a tangy yoghurt dressing, it’s refreshing without being slight but add grilled chicken or poached eggs for extra staying power.

15 St Andrews Street, Brighton, mazibrighton.com.au

White Rabbit (15-minute walk)

Fried lemon pepper calamari: Step off the sand and into the embrace of crisp, golden calamari with a zesty lift, joined by caper aioli and rocket. It’s wonderfully easy to nibble on in the sun.

118 Church Street, Brighton, whiterabbitbrighton.com.au

Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre

Akimbo Bread (2-minute walk)

Fougasse: Simple, aromatic and exactly the kind of heft you crave after exertion, this French bread comes with blistered, crisp edges brushed with aromatic garlic oil.

205a Victoria Road, Northcote, akimbobread.com

Red Door Corner Store (15-minute walk)

Acai bowl: Skip the fried food and go for something cooling and restorative like velvety acai crowned with fresh fruit and a sprinkle of crunchy granola.

70 Mitchell Street, Northcote, reddoorcornerstore.com.au

Rat The Cafe (15-minute walk)

Breakfast sandwich: A juicy stack of cheese, tangy sauerkraut, “special sauce”, pickles and fried egg rests on toasted sourdough. The truly famished may want the optional pastrami; those dining in should add a light and bright Pomegranate Spritz.

72 Wales Street, Thornbury, ratthecafe.com.au

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