Donovan's diners flee as blaze erupts at iconic St Kilda restaurant

Diners had to evacuate a popular Melbourne seaside restaurant after a fire erupted last night.

Firefighters were called to Donovan's, in St Kilda, just after 7pm after one of the wait staff spotted smoke coming out the restaurant's roof and raised the alarm, News Corp reports.

Chef Andrew Craig said at the scene that kitchen staff turned off the gas and started evacuating patrons within minutes.

There were up to 80 diners were in the restaurant at the time.

It is believed the fire began in the barbecue section and entered the ceiling through the chimney, where it was fanned by strong sea winds.

Firefighters used an aerial appliance to tackle the blaze from above and managed to contain the flames to the roof and the kitchen.

The restaurant remains structurally sound.

Gail Donovan, co-owner of the restaurant she purchased with her husband in 1995, vowed to rebuild.

"Thank God, thank goodness, everyone is safe," she was quoted as saying. "No one was hurt and everyone got out in time."