Eight Date Spots in Brisbane Perfect for Celebrating a Landmark Anniversary

Even long-term relationships can benefit from a little shake up every so often, and in recent months, the team at E’cco Bistro have found this to ring true. After 22 years in its previous location, the Brisbane stalwart moved to some impressive new digs at the ultra-luxe Haven development in Newstead. And with new head chef Tom Swapp now at the reins, this one-hatted venue is sure to impress your beloved.

The Brazilian charcoal grill has been shipped across from South America to allow for more coal-roasted dishes on the mains menu, while the iconic DIY ice cream sandwich remains a favourite pick for those who like getting a little hands-on with their dessert.

You don’t need to recreate the pasta scene from Lady and the Tramp to know that Italian food is just sexy. And if your most recent romantic dinners have been takeaway pizza a la couch, this might be a good excuse to step it up a little.

Tartufo serves up Neapolitan-inspired classics in an elegant, monochromatic dining room. The soft-centred chocolate fondant is enough to make your Nonna weep. Pro tip: don’t even attempt to share this dessert (order one each, we insist), unless you want to endure a rather frosty Uber ride home.  

If your significant other is a shameless Instagram fiend, then you will earn some serious brownie points for booking a table at Stokehouse Q. The Scandi-ish interiors, coupled with glittering views across the river, will only prove to complement your ravishing tablemate.

Executive chef Richard Ousby has an unrivalled passion for hunting down Australia’s best produce, with local favourites Falls Farm beetroot and Schultz Family pork, often name-checked on the menu. Head down early for a round of sundowners on the deck, while those pink dappled clouds put on an afternoon light show. Our forecast? A high chance of oysters and champagne.  

If the thought of planning an overtly romantic anniversary dinner makes you feel a bit panicked, then consider nabbing a spot at French-Vietnamese fusion venue, Libertine. The interior features a punchy mix of fringed lampshades, hanging plants and fairy lights, while the dining menu is similarly approachable (think shared banquets and grazing platters).

The outdoor terrace features some quiet timber nooks, perfect for sharing a jug of rosé sangria and some barbecue duck crepes before snapping up tickets for a film at the nearby Palace Barracks Cinema. We are also big fans of the cognac-glazed crackling pork belly, and the coconut crab sandwiches, both liberally decorated with beautiful edible flowers.

If you and your partner fancy yourselves as wannabe art critics, then an afternoon spent wandering around GOMA is the ultimate couple’s activity (while also costing you exactly zero clams). And, if an anniversary is beckoning, however, why not dial up the romance factor just a little?

The GOMA Restaurant is nestled on the western side of the gallery, with sweeping views across Kurilpa Park. With a clean, minimalist aesthetic, this is the ultimate spot to decompress after soaking up some of Australia’s finest exhibitions. The best part? Sales from the restaurant help support the gallery, which should invoke some shared good karma for your romantic union.       

As the months tick by, these cooler mornings have us shooting longing glances at our passports, wistfully imagining a romantic getaway to a sun-drenched European city. While a week along the Amalfi Coast would ideal, an evening spent dining at Otto Ristorante might just help ease those travel pangs.

Whisk your lover up to the fourth-level rooftop, where you can enjoy Rangers Valley beef carpaccio splashed with truffle dressing, or Hervey Bay scallops with Jerusalem artichokes and crispy pancetta. Brisbane may not have the Colosseum, but hey — those uninterrupted views of the Story Bridge are enough to make any Queenslander’s heart flutter.     

If your beau is a bit of a sports addict, you’ve probably spied this restaurant on your way to a Broncos game. Bathed in the lights of The Gabba, Detour is the kind of restaurant that manages to hit the sweet spot between elegant and approachable. 

The open-plan kitchen means you can get a ringside view of the chefs in action — expect a flurry of activity when a table orders the Nitro Meringue. Detour prides itself on having an authentic focus on sustainability, which is evident from the biodynamic wine list to the locally-sourced honey on the dessert menu.

Don’t be intimidated by the fact that this beloved Brisbane venue only does degustation menus. While there are some truly decadent dining options available (with matching wine to boot), the five-course herbivore menu is still a very worthy introduction to the culinary wizardry of executive chef Andrew Gunn.

Urbane seems to sit at the top of many Brisbanite’s foodie bucket list, so why not use that upcoming anniversary as the ultimate excuse to finally mark it off? We love the fact that the wine list includes half-bottles of Louis Roederer champagne, for the couples that can’t resist toasting with only the finest bubbles.