Some places are made for romance. They hum with the soft glow of candlelight, the hush of whispered conversations, the lingering promise of a night to remember. Angelo’s Cabarita (12) is one of those places - a waterfront sanctuary where time slows, the wine flows and love is served by the plateful.
Nestled in Prince Edward Park, perched on the edge of the Parramatta River, Angelo’s is a restaurant that feels like a secret - tucked away from the city’s restless energy, kissed by the breeze that drifts across the water. If ever there was a setting that could turn a simple dinner into a love story, this is it.
Under the expert touch of acclaimed restaurateur and hospitality visionary, Deep Gujral, this iconic Cabarita restaurant has undergone a breathtaking transformation, now embracing a Hamptons-inspired aesthetic that flows effortlessly from the sparkling waters outside to the fresh, breezy interiors.
"Here, every detail is carefully crafted to evoke a sense of tranquillity and beauty - ideal for those seeking a backdrop to life’s most intimate moments," Deep says.
It’s no surprise that couples now flock to this newly reimagined space, some in quiet anticipation, others in a whirlwind of excitement, preparing to take the next step in their journeys together.
"For those with hearts full of love - and a future to ask about - the menu at Angelo’s sets the perfect stage."
You can tell a lot about a place by the way it begins a meal. At Angelo’s, the exclusive Valentine’s Day menu starts with house-baked bread rolls - a small but telling detail. Warm, golden, served with a generous slather of cultured Pepe Saya butter, it’s a quiet promise: tonight is going to be special.
The first course is a choice between Coffin Bay oysters - plump, briny, dressed in ponzu and Tasmanian salmon roe - or beef tartare, rich and silky, layered with bone marrow, confit egg yolk and crisp brioche fingers. It’s indulgence without pretence, the kind of food that invites you to slow down and savour.
Then, the centrepiece of the evening:
The Mayura Station Wagyu eye fillet arrives, seared to perfection, plated with rosemary-scented Hasselback potatoes and fire-roasted tomatoes. It’s the kind of dish that commands your attention - each bite tender, rich, impossibly full of flavour.
Or maybe it’s a night for seafood. The half Eastern rock lobster, draped in garlic sauce and twirled into angel hair pasta, is a dish made for sharing - a forkful passed across the table, a knowing smile exchanged in return.
For those who prefer something plant-based, the roasted cauliflower steak is a stunner, nestled into a bed of housemade hummus, with grilled asparagus and a whisper of herb oil. Proof that vegetarian dishes can be just as seductive.
Finally, dessert. The Belgian triple chocolate praline tart is everything a chocolate dessert should be - decadent, dark, utterly irresistible - while Angelo’s Summer mango coconut pebble is light and refreshing, a sweet echo of balmy Sydney nights.
Angelo’s isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s about the way the evening unfolds - the way the sky blushes pink as the sun slips behind the river, the way the lights from passing boats flicker like fireflies on the water, the way the air hums with quiet conversation, with the occasional burst of laughter from another table.
It’s the kind of place where gestures feel more meaningful. Where hands find each other across the table, where wine glasses are raised in silent toasts and dessert forks collide in a playful battle for the last bite.
It’s not just dinner. It’s a moment - one that lingers long after the plates are cleared and the last sip of wine is savoured.
Valentine’s Day can feel predictable - roses, chocolates, another dinner at another restaurant. Angelo’s offers something different. Something intimate, elegant, effortlessly romantic. A place where love doesn’t have to be loud to be heard.
So this year, forget the clichés. Find a place where romance happens naturally, where the food is exquisite, the setting is breathtaking and the evening unfolds like a story you’ll want to tell again and again.
