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Restaurant

La Bodega Restaurant/Bar

12 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

Recommended by 56 people

Updated

Find La Bodega Restaurant/Bar

12 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9525 3875
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Thursday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Friday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About La Bodega Restaurant/Bar

Rare Dominican cooking on Fitzroy Street where the entire kitchen runs strictly gluten-free without cutting corners. Locals drop in for crisp tostones alongside La Bandera chicken braised until tender, while owner Peter checks in on tables stacked with domino sets and island trivia. Between sips of dedicated gluten-free craft beer, diners can catch an impromptu salsa or bachata lesson before wrapping up with a slice of house tres leches cake.

  • 100% Gluten-Free Kitchen: Every single dish, beer, and dessert across the menu is safely prepared without gluten.
  • Dominoes & Dance Classes: Tables feature sets of dominoes and cultural trivia cards, paired with on-site bachata and salsa lessons.
RestaurantRestaurant

What's On at La Bodega Restaurant/Bar

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose La Bodega Restaurant/Bar

Authentic Dominican flavors, complete coeliac safety, and lively cultural entertainment in St Kilda.

  • 100% Coeliac-Safe Menu & Dedicated Gluten-Free Beer

    The entire kitchen operates without gluten, offering coeliac-safe versions of Latin specialties, dedicated gluten-free beers, and homemade desserts.

    He's also a coeliac so all food is reliably coeliac safe. Try the gluten free beer!

    Lincoln Ferrie

  • Stress-Free Dining Without Modification Anxiety

    Every dish on the menu is gluten-free, eliminating the need to interrogate servers or modify Caribbean dishes.

    The menu being gluten free meant our Mum didn’t need to think about what she could have and could enjoy everything.

    Slade Gray

  • Warm Hospitality That Makes You Feel Like Family

    Owner and chef Peter personally spends time at each table explaining dish preparations, sharing his story, and making visitors feel like part of the family.

    We felt like family and it was one of the most hospitable restaurant I have been to.

    Luke M

  • Personal Attention That Centers Every Guest

    Guests receive genuine care from an owner dedicated to ensuring every guest feels celebrated and thoroughly looked after.

    he makes you feel like you are the most important person in the restaurant and he is like that with everyone.

    Sandra_C Nieto

  • Authentic Dominican & Caribbean Culinary Atmosphere

    La Bodega brings rare Dominican dishes like tostones, La Bandera, and sancocho to Melbourne with traditional preparations and tropical energy.

    Ambience and music makes you forget that you are in Melbourne and it brought me and my partner back to our vacation in the Caribbean many years ago.

    michelle loh

  • Tabletop Dominoes, Cultural Quizzes & Dance Classes

    Tables feature cultural trivia and domino sets to play during your meal, alongside on-site salsa and bachata dance classes.

    Tables have quiz questions about the Dominican Republic and sets of domino's which we played whilst waiting for our food. They also hold dance classes.

    Rebecca Rennie

Signature Dominican and Latin dishes prepared 100% gluten-free

  • Tostones

    The tostones were perfectly cooked and packed with flavour, honestly recommend getting a plate each they were that good!

    Dougy_1

  • Quesadilla

    As a Mexican, I am notoriously picky about tortillas. I was genuinely surprised and impressed by the taste; these were real corn tortillas. Combined with the rich, savory adobo filling, it was easily one of the best I’ve had in the city.

    José Manuel Arredondo

  • La Bandera

    The La Bandera chicken was another highlight. Super juicy, full of flavour, and just really satisfying.

    Mary Ann Liu

  • Paella

    But it got even better with the paella. It was perfection. Tender, delicious, well seasoned. Perfect temperature and generous portions.

    Daniel

Other favorites

Desserts, specialty craft drinks, and interactive dance classes

  • Tres Leches

    Also, an honourable mention goes towards the tres leches cake. It’s rare enough to find it in Melbourne, but the fact that it’s gluten free as well was such a win.

    Mary Ann Liu

  • Gluten Free Beer

    Try the gluten free beer!

    Lincoln Ferrie

  • Bachata and Salsa Lessons

    Even better is that there are Dominican bachata and salsa lessons there!

    EESam

  • Sangria

    We tried the tacos, chips and sangria on Monday night (only 5$ each, 10$ the sangria). They were absolutely amazing!

    Maria Varvara

Beyond the menu

Delightful cultural touches and thoughtful hospitality that elevate your Dominican dining experience

  • Personal Storytelling from Chef Peter

    Owner and chef Peter takes time to visit tables, share the restaurant's background, and explain how each authentic Dominican recipe is prepared.

  • Tabletop Dominoes and Cultural Trivia

    Dining tables are stocked with Dominican Republic trivia quiz questions and domino sets for guests to play while waiting for their food.

  • Coeliac-Safe Kitchen & Craft GF Beer

    The kitchen operates entirely gluten-free and coeliac-safe under the owner's personal coeliac experience, complemented by dedicated gluten-free beers like dark lager.

  • In-House Bachata & Salsa Classes

    An on-site dance studio at the back hosts salsa and bachata lessons and transforms into a lively social dance floor for evening events.

Before you head over

Practical tips for dining, booking, and activities at La Bodega

  • Reserve Ahead

    Book a table in advance rather than walking in, as the dining room is intimate with limited seating.

  • Coeliac-Safe Dining

    Dine with confidence if you have coeliac disease or gluten intolerance; the entire kitchen and menu are completely gluten-free, including desserts and dedicated beers.

  • Enjoy Dance & Dominoes

    Pair your dinner with bachata and salsa classes hosted on-site, or play tabletop dominoes while waiting for your order.

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