Melbourne’s most romantic date-night restaurants

Looking for an intimate hideaway for dinner à deux? Treat your valentine to good food, wine and romance in these softly lit retreats.

Maison Bâtard

Dine at the romantic and fitting new addition to the Paris End of Collins Street. Maison Bâtard is a luxe, four-storey French bistro from famed restaurateur Chris Lucas. Start with a basket of house-baked baguettes and try the pear and hazelnut cheese souffle. For a main, order the eye fillet steak tartare with mustard and potato crisps. Then complete the evening with a cocktail at the newly unveiled Le Club downstairs.

Heartling

Make a reservation at Melbourne's most exclusive dumpling restaurant. With space for just eight diners, you'll feel very special when you nab a seat at Heartling. The focus here is on 'slow' dining - a meditative food experience that allows you to savour every flavour. Choose the seafood or plant-based menu, then indulge in a series of hand-crafted, heart-shaped dumplings. Splurge on dessert, you won't be disappointed.

Reine & La Rue

The stunning 138-year-old Gothic Bank building is home to one of Melbourne's most luxe dining experiences. Find Reine & La Rue in the former stock exchange and dine under the grand arches. The French-inspired menu is brimming with fine-dining favourites. Think caviar service, freshly shucked oysters and Wagyu by the kilo.

No35

Take your date to dizzying heights on the 35th floor of the Sofitel. At No35, you can enjoy sweeping city views at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it's particularly beautiful at night. Indulge in dishes designed for two, from Moroccan spiced lamb shoulder to Port Phillip Bay snapper. Then share a decadent Parisian-style dessert.

The Terrace

Planning a brunch outing? Treat your date to Melbourne's version of Monet's Garden and soak up glorious views at The Terrace. Located in the lush Royal Botanic Gardens, this picturesque spot serves refined breakfast dishes, cult-status hotcakes, cocktails and top-tier coffee. Keep the romance going and book a boat cruise around Ornamental Lake.

Victoria

Love the Gippsland-themed fare at Farmer's Daughters? Get a taste of the whole state at the team’s other popular venue, Victoria. The menu is a love letter to local farmers and producers, with dishes cooked over woodfire in the open kitchen. Flit across the countryside with smoked duck served with onion gravy, 600 gram rib-eye, rosti with Bass Strait scallop and more. Stake out a spot on the all-weather terrace to take in romantic riverside views.

Society

Whether it’s your first date or 10th anniversary, Society promises a night to remember. Statement crystal chandeliers twinkle above as lamplight glows on curvaceous booth seating. Sip classic martinis in the lounge, before enjoying an extraordinary dining experience. Start with the kingfish or hand-cut tagliatelle for entree. Then share rock lobster with spinach and hollandaise sauce.

The European

At the old-world European, wines are French or Italian and the menu is an elegantly Euro melting pot. Start as you wish to continue, with caviar, oysters and champagne. Share a plate of gnocchi or spaghetti marinara with mussels, then lean back in your bentwood chairs to make room for dessert. Think rhubarb and blackberry creme brulee or chocolate delice with mandarin sorbet.

Ototo

Enter the world of Ototo. Dark and moody, lit by a rosy ribbon of light overhead, it’s tailor-made for clandestine catch-ups. Take your seat by the bar and watch as expert mixologists shake up custom cocktails. Indulge in seasonal set menus, Hokkaido squid, deluxe sashimi and fiery dishes fresh from the grill. Or stay upstairs at sister restaurant Akaiito and dine on omakase prepared at your table.

Eureka 89

Eureka! We've found Melbourne's most glorious views. Eureka 89 soars 300 metres above sea level. Time your visit to watch the sun set over the glittering city skyline as you enjoy up to eight curated courses. With a seasonal modern Australian menu, you'll always be served art on a plate. Try delicate dishes like scallop crudo, short rib with soy glazed mushroom and heirloom beetroot paired with local wines.

Tipo 00

Take the pressure off date night, and settle in for an evening of pasta and wine at cosy Tipo 00. Feed your appetite for the good things in life by starting with fresh sourdough and chef-selected salumi. Move on to sophisticated but hearty house-made pastas. Try the braised duck pappardelle or squid ink tagliolini. Then finish with the famous mascarpone tipomisu for a sweet treat with bite.

Vue de Monde

With those bewitching 55th-floor views to distract you, your eyes might wander from your partner at Vue de Monde. But don’t worry, they’ll be busy admiring the menu at this fine dining icon. Australian ingredients star in dishes like mud crab with saffron and chocolate soufflé with billy tea ice cream.

Aru

The wood-fired hearth sets the tone at Aru, from the pan-Asian cuisine to the room’s sensual warmth. Intimacy is on tap too, with fellow diners draped in shadows cast by clever spotlights. Fire-tempered dishes emerging from the open kitchen include small plates of cured yellowtail. Share salmon with oyster mushrooms, and scorched mango pavlova for dessert.

Matilda

Flames from the open kitchen heat body and soul at Matilda, a meat-lover’s celebration of Australian cuisine. Beguiling mood lighting softens the decor of timber and leather, fuelling appetites for big flavours. Wood fire, charcoal and smoke create magic to enhance rib-eye, barramundi and duck. For dessert go for the tarte tatin.