The Most Romantic Restaurants in Melbourne for Date Night

When it comes to wining and dining your significant other, Melbourne presents no shortage of options for the lovestruck. Beautiful spaces, mood-setting ambience and breathtaking views get things off to a perfect start, all before the first dish even hits the table.

Next time you’re planning a date night out to remember, these are the city’s most swoon-worthy dining spots — seductive, delicious, and guaranteed to set the tone.

Cutler & Co.

Cutler & Co. is a Fitzroy classic — Andrew McConnell’s crown jewel where refined minimalism meets culinary brilliance. Whether it’s a third date or a ten-year anniversary, it feels like a special occasion. Start with anchovy and sage fritters, share oysters and seasonal seafood on ice, and marvel at the tuna toast (it’s that good). Add a wine list curated with care, soft lighting, and just the right hum of conversation — and you’ve got the makings of a memorable night.

55/57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Isme

Step into the golden glow of Isme, where old Beirut soul meets Melbourne charm. This Lebanese beauty is all warm bricks, flickering candles, and the scent of spice drifting from the hearth. Dishes feel made with love — think handmade flatbreads, smoky grilled prawns, and velvet-smooth labneh. The atmosphere invites lingering, laughing, and sharing one more glass before heading home.

752 High Street, Thornbury

Winston’s

Winston’s is Bayside’s answer to the perfect date night—where old-world European charm meets quiet elegance. Step into its romantic, bistro-inspired setting and share oysters in mignonette, crab crumpets, or a beignet filled with jamon cream over candlelight and a crisp gin martini. With dishes like pink snapper in smoked consommé or steak frites with béarnaise, every bite feels indulgent. End on a dreamy lemon tart or even a Brandy Alexander. Slow, sensual, and effortlessly chic—Winston’s is made for two.

Unit 1/300-302 Beach Road, Black Rock 

Hopper Joint

For a date night that’s equal parts sultry and soul-stirring, Hopper Joint in Prahran is the move. Step inside and be transported—candlelight flickers across rattan chairs and amber glassware, while the scent of spice and coconut drifts from the open kitchen. Share crisp-edged hoppers with rich curries and punchy sambols, all made before your eyes. With its warm colonial bungalow charm and vibrant Sri Lankan flavours, this place sets the scene for a night full of heat, heart, and conversation.

157 Greville Street, Prahran

Windsor Wine Room

Windsor Wine Room is the perfect spot for a relaxed, intimate date night. With its cosy ambiance and expertly selected wine list, the atmosphere sets the tone for a memorable evening. Enjoy delicious plates designed to share, like creamy burrata, baked rigatoni with stracciatella, or succulent steaks, complemented by a curated wine selection that elevates each bite. It’s understated, welcoming, and effortlessly romantic—a place where good food, great wine, and quiet conversation take centre stage.

60 Chapel Street, Windsor

Di Stasio Carlton

There’s no place in Melbourne quite like Di Stasio in Carlton for a romantic escape. While you can find its charm in St Kilda and the CBD, nothing compares to dining al fresco in the sunlit courtyard or watching the sky transform as the day turns to night. Create your own Lady and the Tramp moment with the delicate spaghettini pomodori or indulge in the rich, briny spaghettone vongole. Or, for a truly intimate experience, order a few plates to share and let the conversation flow as freely as the wine.

224 Faraday Street, Carlton

Kaprica 

We’re obsessed with Kaprica. This lively, snug pizzeria is intimate but convivial in equal measure, with whitewashed walls and an old-school feel, plus plenty of outdoor seats that beckon for a cute little lunch date come summertime. 

As always, the pizza here is some of the best in the city. But don’t rush past the array of delicious appetisers and hearty pastas either, best paired with plentiful wine and a Negroni to start. Tiramisu for dessert is of course, essential. It’s also so much sweeter when you get to share it.

Prepare to leave spellbound and already planning another date night there. It’ll have you crooning ‘That’s Amore,’ to the moon (and your squeeze) out on the nostalgic streets of Carlton. 

50 Grattan Street, Carlton

Kirk’s Wine Bar

This cosy laneway favourite blends Parisian romance with Melbourne cool. Kirk’s is a love letter to old-world wine bars, where the tables are small, the service personal, and the menu full of shareable delights. Linger over cheese, charcuterie, fresh oysters, and a bottle (or two) of something excellent. Just get there early — this one’s no secret.

46 Hardware Lane, Melbourne 

Castlerose 

Enter the enchanting realm of Castlerose, Melbourne’s hidden underground restaurant in South Melbourne. This intimate supper club invites guests to descend a spiral staircase into a sophisticated den-like space, perfect for rainy date nights. Plush leather banquettes and elegant lighting set the mood for an unforgettable experience. The menu blends comfort and sophistication, offering seasonal dishes with a modern twist.

Sitchu Tip: For a truly romantic touch, indulge in their curated cheese trolley for a memorable evening.

67 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne 

Poodle Bar & Bistro

All vintage glamour and Art Deco elegance, Poodle feels like stepping into another era. Inside, leather banquettes and warm wood tones offer a dreamy setting for dinner à deux; outside, a leafy courtyard twinkles in the warmer months. The Euro-leaning menu is generous and fun — think scallops, steak tartare, and duck frites with a side of flirtation.

81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 

Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca 

There’s zero chance of a date landing in the regretti-spaghetti pile at Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca, bringing a new-school romance to Fitzroy every Wednesday with its Date Night offering. Forget stiff white tablecloths and schmaltzy string quartets, Rocco’s is one of the most romantic restaurants in Melbourne that caters to all, from first dates to long-term lovers to purely platonic friendships.

The $45 set menu includes spaghetti ajo ojo peperoncino and the aforementioned sub, plus a soft serve del giorno to share for dessert. The half litre of vino rosso will also keep the good vibes flowing. 

Every Wednesday, 5pm til late

15 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 

WAYGOOD

WAYGOOD is a cosy hideaway made for lingering over wine and conversation. Tucked beneath a softly lit archway, its warm, European-inspired interiors offer the kind of charm that invites long, relaxed evenings. With more than 3500 bottles to choose from and a seasonal menu that’s both comforting and clever, you’re in good hands. Share sweetcorn churros with smoked raclette, twirl handmade pasta, or carve into bavette steak with black garlic – it’s a date night worth savouring.

213 Swan Street, Richmond

Neighbourhood Wine

Neighbourhood Wine nails the romantic date night vibe with its polished charm and intimate setting in Fitzroy North. The menu, ever-evolving with the seasons, features a tempting mix of share plates designed for romance. Think rustic floorboards, candlelit wooden tables, and laid-back jazz and blues on high rotation. When the sun’s out, the alfresco area is perfect for a cosy, sun-soaked date.

1 Reid Street, Fitzroy North

Firebird 

Sultry lighting, flickering video clips on the walls, and wood-smoked Vietnamese flavours — Firebird does date night with a bold twist. Share grilled oysters laced with nuoc mam, roasted duck with orange jus, and heavenly quail scotch eggs. The menu is rich, the cocktails refreshing, and the vibe lingers long after the last bite.

223 High Street, Prahran

Copycat

Moody, stylish, and low-lit in the best way, Copycat nails the modern date-night formula. This sultry Elsternwick local turns up the charm with Mediterranean-inspired dishes like kingfish crudo and harissa lamb, and an extensive wine and cocktail menu to match. Whether you’re sitting inside surrounded by velvet and gold or out in the courtyard with a Negroni, the vibe is seriously seductive.

9b Gordon Street, Elsternwick

Marion

When it comes to date night, Marion is a triple threat: mouth-watering food, an exceptional wine list, and an intimate atmosphere perfect for two. While it’s undeniably a top-tier wine bar, the food doesn’t take a back seat.

Stop by for a glass of wine before dinner, or make it the main event with unfussy yet elevated dishes showcasing seasonal produce. With oysters, chocolate, and, of course, red wine on the menu, ramping up the romance has never been easier.

53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Yugen 

Yugen is what happens when luxury, architecture, and exceptional modern Asian cooking collide. Take the lift into the moodily lit, multi-level space, and you’ll find plush seating and high-drama design. Small plates shine — from smoked eel chawanmushi to crisp prawn toast and shio-koji wagyu. For something wildly romantic? Book the Golden Orb, suspended above the restaurant like a secret.

605 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Reine & La Rue 

Set inside the breathtaking 1890s Melbourne Stock Exchange, Reine & La Rue is as striking as it is seductive. Soaring neo-gothic arches, stained glass, and sultry lighting set the scene for an unforgettable dinner. The menu leans French, the wine list is decadent, and the tableside cheese trolley? Irresistible. A rare mix of opulence and intimacy.

380 Collins Street, Melbourne

Smith St Bistrot

Is there anything more romantic than a classic French bistro? Scott Pickett’s Smith St Bistrot reimagines traditional French cuisine with the chef’s signature flair, set in an elegant space that transports diners straight to Paris. The opulent interior, with its cosy red leather couches and marble tables, creates the perfect backdrop for anniversaries, engagements, or a truly memorable first date. 

300 Smith Street, Collingwood

Gimlet

Romance lives at Gimlet. Housed in a restored 1920s building, it’s all glimmering chandeliers, plush booths, and golden-hour lighting. The food is polished but not fussy — start with oysters or caviar, then settle into European-accented mains and Valrhona chocolate for dessert. With a cocktail list that reads like poetry, it’s a timeless date-night destination.

33 Russell Street, Melbourne

Navi

Located in the trendy suburb of Yarraville is one of the most innovative and romantic restaurants in Melbourne, Navi. Serving a degustation menu to only 25 guests a night, weekends are usually booked out months in advance. The perfect hideaway for special occasions, adventurous diners are bound to love the genre-bouncing playlist, exciting menu, and novel drinks list (think saltbush Negroni).

83b Gamon Street, Yarraville

Flower Drum

For a fancy dinner-date for two, book a table at Flower Drum. With a focus on high-quality food and wine with top service, this intimate and elegant Chinese restaurant serves authentic Cantonese cuisine that will impress your significant other. To end the date on a sweet note, we recommend ordering the banana fritters.

17 Market Lane, Melbourne 

Grossi Florentino

When a dining experience begins with a ceremonial Champagne trolley, you know the night is destined to be special. At Grossi Florentino, every detail exudes old-world Italian romance. Crystal chandeliers shimmer above, while ancient murals whisper stories of the past. The exquisite food, though on the pricier side, is an indulgence worth every penny. It’s where elegance, intimacy, and unforgettable flavours come together, making it the perfect romantic restaurant in Melbourne for a truly memorable date.

80 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Loved our edit of the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne and looking for more date inspo? From underground cocktail haunts and cosy Melbourne pubs, to quirky date ideas and boozy brunches, we’ve whittled it all down to make sure your next date is a complete success.