7 Romantic Restaurants for Your Next Date Night

Love is definitely in the air and romantic dinner dates on the menu this weekend! 

Those looking for the perfect restaurant to wow their sweetheart have plenty of choice as venues around the country put their best foot forward as the ideal romantic destination. Here are seven we think you should try for your next date night:

For the very best in seafood, take your special someone for a date night at Petermen on Chandos Street in St Leonards. The latest offering from power culinary couple Josh and Julie Niland, Petermen delivers a Scandinavian feel with natural wood tables, art deco elements and an abundance of natural light.

 

Expect innovative and creative dishes such as BBQ Coorong pipis in abalone XO with a white pepper donut, along with the signature short spine sea urchin crumpet; for the main, delve into charcoal King George whiting with globe artichokes, spigarello and bone sauce, or line-caught hapuka chop with saltbush, hazelnuts and desert lime curry. To finish, indulge in Valrhona chocolate sponge, raw quince ice cream, brown sugar and bull kelp cream.

Great food should be shared – that's the philosophy at Henrys on Grosvenor Street in Neutral Bay. This stylish restaurant is the North Shore's go-to spot for cool, contemporary dining, set on the leafy back streets of the suburb; with a laid-back atmosphere of natural, modern interiors accented with elegant tones of black, white and gold.

 

Each visit to Henrys will see you eating, drinking, laughing and sharing date night plates of seared scallops, parsnip cream, caviar, crispy prosciutto, red wine reduction and herb oil; then take your relationship to the next level with crispy duck breast, potato galette, caramelised carrot purée, sour cherry, olive and Japanese jus. Romantic desserts like smashed pavlova, passionfruit, roasted coconut and baby coriander seal the deal.

Find a little European slice of culinary heaven at Café Rafaele on Havelock Avenue in Coogee. On warm Sydney days, take to the alfresco area and people watch with a brew of choice, or head indoors to discover a rustic vibe of recycled timber, an eclectic mix of artwork and cosy table settings.

 

Evening diners can kickstart a romantic meal with beef cheek cigars and salsa verde, or freshly shucked oysters and raspberry mignonette; before slicing a knife into perfectly cooked steak with frites, confit garlic aioli, rocket and pecorino salad, finish sweetly with churros con chocolate or flan with plum purée and pine nuts.

Perched within the Dandenong Ranges, SkyHigh Mount Dandenong offers a dining experience nothing short of breathtaking. Unparalleled views from the Mornington Peninsula across Port Philip Bay to You Yangs National Park, provide an ever-changing backdrop to this stylish venue.

Grab a seat on one of the spectacular outdoor terraces for a romantic sunset, or cosy up inside by an open fireplace during the cooler months, before enjoying an array of innovative Modern Australian fare. Changing seasonally to reflect the best available produce, dishes may include grilled flank steak, roasted kipfler potatoes, steamed greens and creamy mushroom sauce.

Soak up a rustic vibe at Mod Oz venue Salt Café and Restaurant on Liebig Street in Warrnambool. Exposed brick, blond wood, wine barrels and an eclectic mix of artwork make this casually chic eatery the place to be seen; on balmy days, take to the laneway or alfresco dining out front and while away time with a drink of choice.

 

Spend the evening with your special someone over a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and tasty entrées such as seared scallops, verte mayonnaise, fried sage and cucumber; follow on with memorable mains like pan-fried, oven-roasted chicken breast on a bed of soft cauliflower in a white wine cream French sauce, garnished with blended walnut and parsley. For a sweet ending, don’t go past chocolate cream, marshmallow, strawberries and tuile.

For a little slice of France in the heart of Daylesford, locals rendezvous at Bistro Terroir on Howe Street. This sophisticated neighbourhood bistro is the place to savour fine fare, paired with a carefully selected drinks menu, whether stopping by for a quick catch-up, an extended liaison or private indulgence.

 

Dark wooden floors and exposed brick create a warm, date night vibe as diners relax at white-clothed tables and ponder starters such as Sher Wagyu steak tartare, confit yolk and pomme Gaufrettes, or French onion soup with a Gruyère crouton; plats principal like pan-seared Parisienne gnocchi, spinach cream, goats’ cheese and braised beef never disappoint, along with chocolate mousse and hazelnuts to finish.

Discover an award-winning restaurant celebrating the rich harvest of local seafood at Beach Almond on Williams Esplanade in Palm Cove. Nestled in an iconic beachfront location, a rustic ambience awaits with a beach shack vibe of recycled timber, white table seatings and softly glowing pendent lights ideal for date nights; or dine on the deck as tropical breezes rustle nearby trees.

 

It’s all about the seafood so dive right in with a starter of char-grilled scallops and sweet port-infused Asian herb salad, on betel leaves; live chilli mud crab with Singaporean-style spicy sauce sets the standard for the main course, or delve into caramelised slow-cooked sticky pork ribs, twice cooked with chilli vinegar, served with Asian salad and jasmine rice.