Melbourne restaurant targeted by arsonists second time in a month

A popular Melbourne restaurant has become the target of arson for the second time in about a month.

Fire crews were called to Republica at the St Kilda Sea Baths about 4am today.

The blaze was contained to the ground floor of the two-storey St Kilda restaurant but the building was smoke-logged with a damage bill of about $40,000.

The fire is believed to be suspicious.

It comes just four weeks after three people were spotted throwing molotov cocktails at the restaurant, starting a fire which caused about $50,000 damage.

Detectives are investigating whether the two fires are linked.