Melbourne Bars and Restaurants That Are Undeniably, Unabashedly Romantic
Low lighting, jazz playlists, opulent cocktails — these top Melbourne date spots will help you to start planning the perfect Valentine's Day.
Alright, alright. So we've sat here all day grumbling about Valentine's Day, manufactured romance, disingenuous, 'love'-related holidays and the atrociously high price of roses. Words like 'phoney' have been bandied about. Pay no attention to the phones under our desk, messaging that special someone, planning a little get-together later on.
If we run into you at these undeniably romantic Melbourne restaurants and bars, don't be too harsh on us. We love love.
Recommended Reads:
The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne
The Best Bars in Melbourne
The Best Restaurants in Melbourne
The Best Restaurants in the Melbourne CBD
Image: The Moon.
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RestaurantSteer Dining Room Restaurant
15 Claremont Street, South Yarra
A palace for red meat lovers.
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RestaurantGimlet at Cavendish House
33 Russell Street, Melbourne
Andrew McConnell's elegant cocktail bar and European bistro serves up caviar, champagne and truffles aplenty.
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RestaurantAru Restaurant
268 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
This considered offering heroes cooking techniques from eras past and a surprising fusion of flavours.
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RestaurantNavi
83b Gamon Street, Yarraville
An innovative 25-seat fine diner from an acclaimed chef, nestled in the heart of Yarraville.
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RestaurantReine & La Rue
380 Collins Street, Melbourne
The NOMAD team has taken French fine-dining to the next level in Melbourne.
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BarAmatrice Rooftop Restaurant
16 Stephenson Street, Cremorne
They had us at mini lasagne snacks, and then took it to the next level with uninterrupted views across the city.
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BarAster Cocktail & Wine
31 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne
Aster is Ferdydurke's replacement, swapping out live music for more grown-up date-night vibes.
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BarBianchetto
26-28 Cotham Road, Kew
Joe Vargetto is blending old-school Italian sensibilities with contemporary cool at this trendy Kew spot.
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BarBeneath Driver Lane
Shop 3, Driver Lane, Melbourne
Blues and bourbon in a moody underground space.
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BarStokehouse
30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
After a devastating fire, St Kilda's Stokehouse has made its comeback — and it's here to stay.
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RestaurantFreyja
477 Collins Street, Melbourne
A sophisticated exploration of 'new Nordic' cuisine boasting Michelin cred, where traditional techniques are cleverly fused with modern Scandi flair.
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BarPoodle Bar & Bistro
81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
A two-storey bar and bistro in Fitzroy with a sunny courtyard and crafty, Euro-accented menu.
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RestaurantVue de Monde
525 Collins Street, Melbourne
One of the most celebrated fine diners in Australia — with world-class views, too.
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BarNaught Cocktail Bar
32 Peel Street, Eltham
This cocktail den by award-winning distillery Naught will entice you out of the city with its elegant sense of drama and menu of crafty gin sips.
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BarMusic Room
270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Melbourne's first dedicated 'listening bar' boasts a 3000-strong vinyl collection and DJ Jnett in the role of Music Director.
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RestaurantYugen Dining
605 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Chapel Street's sumptuous subterranean Japanese diner and bar has a flair for the dramatic.
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BarPearl Chablis & Oyster Bar
200 Bourke Street, Melbourne
This sophisticated speakeasy has two great loves, pairing primo Aussie oysters with a dizzying collection of chablis.
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BarThe Everleigh
Upstairs, 150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Experience the hedonistic pleasures of the 1920s in Fitzroy's hidden cocktail den.
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BarAbove Board
306 Smith Street, Collingwood
Nab one of just 12 seats at this hidden, minimalist cocktail haunt — and prepare for some world-class drinking.
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BarBodega Underground
55 Lt Bourke Street, Melbourne
This CBD taqueria is completely gluten-free, very vegan and open till 3am every night.
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RestaurantFrance-Soir
11 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Melbourne's quintessential French bistro with over three decades under its belt.
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BarNick & Nora's
80 Collins Street, Melbourne
This opulent CBD bar boasts over 400 bottles of champagne, three balconies and a roaring 30s vibe.
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BarMaha North
86 Smith Street, Collingwood
Head to Smith Street for Shane Delia's elegant meze and cocktail bar.
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BarPepe's Italian & Liquor
275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
You'll find cheesy bowls of gnocchi, meatball pizza and giant sundaes at this 1930s New York-Inspired Italo-American joint on Exhibition Street.
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BarBar Margaux
111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
A CBD basement bar serving up French bistro food and cocktails until 5am.
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PubMarquis of Lorne
411 George Street, Fitzroy
Drink down on the street, dine at the second floor restaurant or soak up some rays on the rooftop.
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Restaurant1800 Lasagne
653 High Street, Thornbury
A bricks-and-mortar bar and eatery from an inner north lasagne delivery service.
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BarBar Romantica
54 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
A Lygon Street institution has been transformed into a sleek late-night Italian bar and eatery.
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BarGrossi Florentino
80 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Littered with Italian murals and quintessentially traditional food, this Italian institution has been pumping since '28.
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BarHeartattack and Vine
329 Lygon Street, Carlton
The new Italian kid on the Carlton block is cool, comfy and serves chicchetti all night.
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RestaurantLagoon Dining
263 Lygon Street, Carlton
You'll find popcorn chicken and umeshu spritzes at this sleek Lygon Street spot.
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BarBad Frankie
141 Greeves Street, Fitzroy
Australian cocktails, lamington jaffles and some of the best service you'll find off Smith Street.
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BarState of Grace
27 King Street, Melbourne
The CBD venue has reopened in a new and improved location complete with a hidden drinking den.
Top image: Aster.