This Just In: Hawksburn Village Set to Land a New Neighbourhood Wine Bar and Bistro From the Owners of St Kilda's Timeless Donovans
The new space will be flexible and adaptable, designed for pop-ins and snacks, leisurely meals, grazing across shared plates, or simply perching for a glass of wine.
It's not every day that the owners of one of Melbourne's most enduring dining rooms announce plans for a new venture, so listen up. Nick Parkhouse and Andrew Renfrey, owners of St Kilda's iconic Donovans, which has held its spot on the sparkly foreshore for many decades, will bring their charm to Hawksburn Village in early 2027, with a new neighbourhood wine bar and bistro. Hawksburn 597 is slated to open in the leafy enclave surrounded by South Yarra, Toorak, Prahran and Malvern, in mid to late January.
"My wife, Pip, and I have always been very close to the community in Hawksburn. It's very much in our DNA. There are some wonderful restaurants in the area, and it will be amazing to be able to add to that with Hawksburn 597," says Parkhouse.
The new space will be flexible and adaptable, designed for pop-ins and snacks, leisurely meals, grazing across shared plates, or simply perching for a glass of wine. The menu, too, will be always-evolving, rather than siloed to culinary tradition. Seasonality and available produce will shape what's plated in the kitchen on the day.
"Our curated 200 to 250-strong wine selection has exposure to not only great Australian producers, but also some fantastic old-world producers as well. The food is going to be very eclectic, based around sharing, with a wonderful incorporation of different cuisines that people will enjoy drinking wine alongside," says Parkhouse.
The 90-seater venue, designed by Alkot Studio, will build its own identity, separate from Donovans, and hopes to welcome locals and visitors from further afield who can find their place as regulars, just like so many have at Donovans over the decades. Banquette seating, ambient lighting, and wine-lined walls will create an elegant, inviting neighbourhood dining room the village has been waiting for.
Reflecting on their journey to coming to own Donovans, Renfrey says, "I've been going to Donovans for over 20 years, nearly every second Sunday, and I'd often have a glass of champagne with Kevin. When the chance came to buy Donovans with Nick, I never wanted to change what the place was. People ask if I invested in a restaurant; I tell them I invested in Nick. His ability to build a vision and take food and service to the next level is what made this partnership make sense. Since we became friends in 2019, Nick and I have talked about doing hospitality properly, and Hawksburn 597 is that next chapter. The job is simple: someone walks through the door and walks out happier.
Images: Supplied.
Hawksburn 597 is slated to open at 597 Malvern Road, Toorak, in mid-to-late January 2027. Watch this space for further details.
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