Romantic Restaurants in Melbourne for the Perfect 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, 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.

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. 

It has all the rustic charm of an old school trattoria and is a bit like stepping into a friend's candlelit home...for an incoming dinner party of Italian greats. 

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

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.

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 

Lagoon Dining

Contemporary Chinese fusion magic and a moody and cocooning space awaits at this highly lauded Lygon Street restaurant. Lagoon Dining surprises at every turn, with its striking modern interiors incongruent with the dose of Little Italy nostalgia that lives and breathes outside its unassuming frontage, to its expertly crafted dishes brimming with both powerful and surprising flavours. It makes a fun date spot, elevated but welcoming. 

263 Lygon Street, Carlton 

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. Even if you're simply wanting your very own Lady and the Tramp moment; simply replace spaghetti and meatballs with Rocco's famed (and extra saucy) meatball sub, and you get the picture.

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 bar offerings.

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.

Book into this romantic restaurant in Melbourne for a cool winter's eve - and be sure to add a little moment by the fireplace to your to-do list. 

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. 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.

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 – they’ve 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 lover’s company deep into the night.

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

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

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

Siglo

No bookings, no time limits. Siglo is a Melbourne institution built for late nights. Located above The Melbourne Supper Club, what better place to wrap up your night than on the rooftop at Siglo, soaking in city views and sipping on classic cocktails. It's a classy, intimate venue where you and the one you love can settle in at your white clothed table and mull over the tough decisions, such as whether you’ll opt for champagne, or spirits, or even a Cuban cigar if you so please.

2/161 Spring Street, Melbourne

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. Serving a degustation menu to only 25 guests a night has given chef-owner Julian Hills more space to flex his creative muscles, with the results speaking for themselves – 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

Lui Bar

Is it a restaurant? No. Is it breathtakingly romantic? Hell yes. Found on level 55 of the Rialto, Lui Bar is the gold standard of special occasion dates. Sure, you go for the view, but you stay for the out of this world cocktails that are some of the city's finest. For all the espresso martini lovers out there, proceed at your own risk with the Vodka Pour Over - it's that good you'll struggle to drink the basic version ever again. 

We know what you're thinking, why not choose the more appropriate sibling venue Vue De Monde? Don't get us wrong, Vue De Monde is one of the most romantic restaurants in Melbourne, but you probably already knew that. Upstairs boasts a more relaxed energy where you can cosy up to your beau without the formal dining setting. 

Rialto Tower, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne

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. Perfect for a mid-week rendezvous, 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.