Romantic Restaurants in Melbourne for the Perfect Date Night
Looking for a dinner spot where you can cosy up with a cute date? Feast your eyes on the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne.
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, before the dishes even begin to arrive.
Next time you’re planning a date night to remember, consider our picks for the most romantic restaurants in Melbourne – these amorous spots are guaranteed to get you in the mood.
Romantic Restaurants in Melbourne: Elevated-Casual
Di Stasio Carlton
There's no romantic restaurant in Melbourne quite like Di Stasio in Carlton. While there are also locations in St Kilda and the CBD, there's something so special about dining al fresco in the courtyard during lunch time or watching the sun go down at night.
Have your very own Lady and the Tramp moment by ordering the spaghettini pomodori or spaghettone vongole, or pick a few plates to share over enriching conversation.
224 Faraday Street, Carlton
Matilda 159
At Matilda 159, you'll find a perfect blend of rustic charm and contemporary elegance, helping set the scene for date night. Sit yourself under the dim lighting and order some cocktails and share plates to kick off the evening. The menu is designed to be shared, so you and your partner can bond over the dishes and get to know each other's palettes a little more.
Alternatively, if you're feeling like a brunch date, Matilda 159's brunch menu is equally as delicious.
159 Domain Road, South Yarra
Shadowboxer
Shadowboxer is an intimate bar that's perfect for a Friday or Saturday night date, sipping wine under dim lights and surrounded by the casual, cosy atmosphere. This bar specialises in Negronis, so make sure you order one (or two) as an aperitif before digging into the menu. Everything is so delicious-looking, it's impossible to choose from, so we suggest opting for the $70 per person Chef's selection menu so you can have a little taste of all the chef's top picks.
Sitchu tip: if it's in season, make sure you try the chinotto tart. The bitter citrus taste meets sweet meringue in a harmonious blend, sitting atop a delicious pistachio and biscuit base. It's the perfect way to end a sweet night!
302 Toorak Road, South Yarra
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; plus, it's so much sweeter when you get to share it.
Prepare to leave spellbound and already planning another date night at Kaprica. 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
Bar Tobala
Experience the allure of Pascoe Vale South's hidden gem, Bar Tobala. Nestled in this quaint suburb, it's a low-key cool setting for your next date night.
Step into its intimate ambiance, where dim lighting and a few cosy booths set the mood for an evening of flavour and fun.
Authentic Mexican cuisine is the order of the day, with winning share plates like stracciatella divorciados (served with a spicy salsa negra, tangy tomatillo salsa and poached tomato and served with totopos), kingfish tostaditas, pulled pork tamales, and even a retro prawn cocktail, made with clamato and served with michelada mayo and saltines.
Pair your meal with colourful and delightfully strong handcrafted cocktails or explore their selection of mezcal and tequila for a truly immersive experience.
237 Melville Road, Pascoe Vale South
Kirk's Wine Bar
Kirk's Wine Bar is Melbourne's closest thing to a Parisian wine bar - and it's beautiful all year round. With its charming, lived-in aesthetic and warm service, it's among the city's most romantic spots.
Inside, find a buzzing atmosphere that spills onto small round tables, perfect for intimate conversations. Sip on world wines as you peruse the European-accented menu, featuring imported cheeses, house-made charcuterie, and the freshest oysters. From share plates to larger dishes, every bite exudes old-world sophistication paired with more current casual flair.
Kirk's Wine Bar promises to set the stage for an unforgettable date night, which is why it's one of the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne.
Sitchu Tip: The cosy space fills quickly, so try and get there early. Fortunately, it really is best suited to duos.
46 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
Castlerose
Enter the enchanting realm of Castlerose, Melbourne's latest underground sensation tucked beneath a quiet South Melbourne street. This intimate supper club is a hidden gem, inviting guests to descend a spiral staircase into an elegantly lit haven - perfect for those rainy date nights or nighttime rendezvous.
Sophistication and intimacy define the ambiance, with plush leather banquettes and a den-like atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era. The menu mirrors this blend of comfort and sophistication, showcasing seasonal delights with a modern twist.
Sitchu Tip: For a truly romantic evening, indulge in their curated cheese trolley.
67 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne
Golden Fleece Hotel
Your holiday at home awaits at this super fun and romantic restaurant in Melbourne. Heritage pub turned Grecian-inspired paradise, Golden Fleece Hotel is bringing chic Santorini vibes to south of the river.
Make a beeline towards the paradisiacal rooftop for sunset cocktails with your beau, or settle within the equally charming levels of indoor dining for a sweet date night outing.
Start with a medley of dips, saganaki and fried whitebait, before feasting on lamb or halloumi souvlaki, chargrilled king prawns, or whole baked fish. Don't forget the crispy lemon patatas.
Sitchu Tip: Martini fan? They've got an incredible Greek salad inspired one on the drinks menu.
120 Montague Street, South Melbourne
Poodle Bar & Bistro
This handsome art deco venue is a place that’s sure to impress. Dark wood and cosy leather banquettes will have you sidling up to each other for your tête-à-tête supper, unless you choose to park out in the vibey courtyard on a balmy evening.
Poodle’s fresh take on Euro bistro food and perennial good times atmosphere will have you both not wanting to leave.
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 new-school romance to Fitzroy every Wednesday with its Date Night offering.
Forget stiff white tablecloths and schmaltzy string quartets, Rocco's is a romantic restaurant in Melbourne that is suited 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, 5.00pm til late
15 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
WAYGOOD
A cosy neighbourhood wine bar at its core, WAYGOOD has date night written all over it. Buy a bottle (one of over 3500 options available) and slip beneath the archway into an intimate space, where a distinctly European sensibility awaits you and your beau.
The menu changes regularly, but the focus is always on nourishing, approachable and seasonal plates that will send your foodie hearts aflutter.
Standout dishes on the current menu include grilled ocean trout skewers with kohlrabi remoulade and orange chermoula, roasted carrots with whipped feta and mojo verde, crispy falafels with hummus and quinoa tabouli, and burnt cheesecake with baklava nuts.
213 Swan Street, Richmond
Neighbourhood Wine
Nowhere does a romantic lunch or dinner date vibe better than Neighbourhood Wine, one of Fitzroy North's most warm, polished and charming wine bars.
Beyond their celebrated drinks list, this upmarket local's winning menu regularly changes according to availability and the seasons. Think an approachable array of share plates and an atmosphere made entirely for your next romantic moment.
Hello rustic floorboards, dimly lit lounge rooms and humming ceiling fans, cosy wooden tables, a long candle-lit bar, and rows of '50s to '70s jazz and blues records played out on high rotation. Plus, in the warmer months, the alfresco dining area out the front of the restaurant is the perfect way to soak up the sun and stare into your date's eyes.
1 Reid Street, Fitzroy North
Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar
An intimate bar and dining space in Melbourne's bustling CBD, Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar is dedicated to nature’s perfect (and most romantic) pairing. Head on in to this gorgeous spot and enjoy the finest varieties of Chablis, paired with Australia’s freshest oysters - they're an aphrodisiac, so it's perfect for date night.
It's a wine connoisseur’s dream, where you can peruse the largest collection of Chablis in Australia, with over 500 wines from all over Chablis and Burgundy. This is without a doubt one of the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne.
108/200 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Firebird
Firebird is an evocative yet approachable romantic restaurant in Melbourne, made for getting to know one another over grilled oysters with nuoc mam, a lush roasted duck with orange jus and a burnt ginger and orange relish...and the best scotch quail eggs ever. Refreshing cocktails and captivating interiors help to set the scene.
The warm and inviting atmosphere will lead you and your date into ordering more from the refined and often wood-grilled Neo-Vietnamese menu than you would have necessarily planned to. Linger awhile.
223 High Street, Prahran
Copycat
This intimate Elsternwick cocktail bar was made for late nights and date nights. Conveniently situated right next door to the much loved arthouse theatre, Classic Cinemas, Copycat is the perfect place for a post movie-date nightcap and debrief.
Beautiful banquette seating, textured concrete walls and a stunning sunken cocktail lounge are the perfect setting for a romantic night of cocktails and conversation. The dimly lit interior is perfect to set the mood while you and your beau indulge in seasonal plates like grilled king prawns with green chermoula or spiced lamb shoulder, eggplant, rose harissa. With an extensive drinks list, including plenty of non-alcoholic options, it’s about time you add Copycat to the date night rotation.
9b Gordon Street, Elsternwick
Marion
When it comes to date night, Marion is a triple threat; mouth-wateringly good food, an unparalleled wine list, and an intimate atmosphere that is perfect for two. While there is no mistaking that this northside institution is a wine bar (and a great one at that), the food certainly doesn't take a back seat.
Stop in for a glass of wine before dinner or make it the main event with unfussy yet surprisingly elevated dishes that hero 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
Bar Romantica
Romantic by name, romantic by nature. Deep red leather booths, heart-shaped tables, low lights and natural wines set the scene – Bar Romantica has got the formula for date night down pat.
Better yet, they serve Napoli-style pizzas and snacks until 12am on Fridays and Saturdays, so you can keep your date rolling deep into the night at one of the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne.
52/54 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Neptune Food and Wine
Whether you choose to sink into a booth, cosy up at the bar or settle by the fireplace, Neptune is full of mood-setting vibes. From the warm lights and dark woods to the lush pan-Euro eats: think charred octopus amatriciana and twirls of spanner crab spaghetti, plus Negronis on tap to really get the conversation flowing.
212 High Street, Windsor
Romantic Restaurants in Melbourne: Special Occasion
Yugen
Yugen Tea Bar's subterranean sister venue, Yugen, is an opulent two-level restaurant that enraptures from the moment you descend down the elevator. Elemental materials pair with plush seating and warm, glowy lighting to create a space that feels rich, grand and utterly romantic.
On the à la carte menu, expect show-stopping modern Asian dishes including a smoked eel chawanmushi finished with brown butter and crispy chicken skin, prawn toast, a sashimi platter and a shio-koji-marinated Wagyu Shio Koji dressed in tarragon, ponzu and lime.
Want to take your date night to new heights? Book the Golden Orb, which is suspended high in the air above the restaurant.
605 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Reine & La Rue
One of Melbourne's most highly anticipated openings in the past year also happens to be one of the most romantic restaurants in the city. Reine & La Rue is a French-inspired restaurant and bar, sitting ornately within the transformed 1890's neo-gothic Melbourne Stock Exchange.
Once you've been swept away by the grandiosity of the interiors, you'll enjoy delving into a menu inspired by French classics. Try to procure a cosy booth for two to indulge in a three-course meal. A selection of cheese for dessert is also served up tableside.
It's chic and sophisticated, candlelit and majestic - and guaranteed to win you brownie points with your partner.
380 Collins Street, Melbourne
Yakikami
If you really want to impress your date with one of the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne, treat them to the premium Niku Kappo Wagyu Omakase experience (the only one of its kind in Melbourne) at South Yarra's Yakikami.
This 70-seat restaurant presents two offerings; a casual yakitori-style eatery and the fine dining and moodily-lit Josper room, where you can settle in for some of the finest wagyu dishes in the world in an intimate setting.
Seating up to 10 guests, watch on in awe as true masters of the game, Koji and Soichi, prepare a 12-course degustation menu that you and your loved one won't soon forget.
Experience, education and quality are at the helm of this offering, whereby each dish is prepared, cooked and explained to guests at the counter-set dining table.
150 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Smith St Bistrot
Is there anything more romantic than a classic French bistro? Scott Pickett's newest fine dining restaurant Smith St Bistrot puts the award-winning chef's signature spin on traditional French cooking in an elegant space which has been reimagined to transport diners to Paris. The opulent interior serves as a beautiful backdrop to an anniversary, engagement, or very flashy first date, and there's the option to choose between casual dining at the bar or more formal dining around marble tables on cosy red leather couches.
300 Smith Street, Collingwood
Gimlet
Enter a world of glamour and Chicago-style elegance at Gimlet At Cavendish House. Complete with glimmering chandeliers and intimate booths located in a stunning 1920s building, this is one of the most romantic restaurants in Melbourne. Whether you’re celebrating a special milestone, or impressing a food loving first date, Gimlet is a foolproof option.
With a menu that heroes Australian produce, yet reflects refined European flavours and an extensive cocktail list to match, you’ll settle in for an evening of pure luxury. Start your night with the caviar service, and end it with baked Valrhona chocolate and crème fraîche, a cheese platter or a desert cocktail or two.
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
Cutler & Co
Serving an artful blend of inventive Japanese and European cuisine, this Fitzroy fine-diner is an institution in its own right. Come date night – come to think of it, any night – this revered restaurant has couples queuing out the door. Not least for its seductively chic, industrial-style setting, but for its impressive food selection. If you’re looking to impress, Cutler & Co never disappoints.
Settle into the restaurant to work your way through sumptuous plates of yellowfin tuna crudo; Aylesbury duck breast glazed with smoke maple syrup; Chocolate délice.
55–57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
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 kicks off with a ceremonial Champagne trolley, you know you’re in for a good night. And in the opulent setting of Grossi Florentino, they really pull out all the stops. Crystal chandeliers hang elegantly from the ornate ceiling and ancient murals decoratively line the walls. This has Italian romance written all over it. The food is exquisite, and though it’s on the pricier side, we guarantee it’s more than worth it. This is a dining experience like no other.
80 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Loved our edit of the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne and looking for more date inspo? We've got plenty to keep you and your loved one entertained besides just romantic restaurants in Melbourne. From underground cocktail haunts and cosy Melbourne pubs, to quirky date ideas and boozy brunches, we've whittled down the coolest things to do in Melbourne to make sure your next date is a complete success.
