Sydney Bars and Restaurants That Are Undeniably, Unabashedly Romantic
Low lighting, jazz playlists, opulent cocktails — these date spots will help you to start planning the perfect Valentine's Day.

Sydney Bars and Restaurants That Are Undeniably, Unabashedly Romantic
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' and 'consumerist scam' have been bandied about. Pay no attention to the phones under our desk, messaging that special someone, planning a little get-together later on.
Sometimes you just have to lean into the gooiness of an occasion and if you're on the hunt for a dimly lit restaurant or bar to spend the night, Sydney's got plenty to offer. If we run into you at these undeniably romantic, unashamedly snuggly venues, don't be too harsh on us. We love love. These are the most romantic bars and restaurants you can book this Valentine's Day.
Image: Nikki To
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Food & Drink
Bouillon L'Entrecôte
Hidden away above Quay Quarter Lanes, this decadent French restaurant specialises in steak frites with its secret sauce and ultra-cheesy soufflé.
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Food & Drink
Toko Restaurant
A go-to for great Japanese food in Sydney is now in a sleek new subterranean home on George Street with much to love.
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Food & Drink
Apollonia
This underground cocktail bar is serving up romantic cocktails and plenty of negronis in the basement of Hinchcliff House.
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Food & Drink
Pino's Vino e Cucina
Dig into rustic dishes and divine cocktails set amongst dark timber and candlelight in the style of an Italian farmhouse.
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Food & Drink
Paski Vineria Popolare
This two-storey wine bar in the former digs of This Must Be The Place hosts weekly wine tastings and boasts food from a former Ragazzi and 10 William Street chef.
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Food & Drink
Bistrot 916
The Challis Street restaurant is serving up boudin noir spring rolls, fried lamb's brains and snail pasta.
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Food & Drink
Bar Suze
Surry Hills' new late-night bar is serving Swedish snacks and house-made apple wine.
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Food & Drink
Continental Deli Bar Bistro
Where drinking cocktails gets that much better because they're served in cans.
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Food & Drink
Golden Age Cinema and Bar
This revamped screening room and small bar brings a little old-school charm to 'going to the movies'.
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Food & Drink
Esteban
The Tequila Mockingbird team's two-storey Mexican restaurant is home to Australia's biggest collection of premium tequila and mezcal.
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Food & Drink
Bar 83 at Sydney Tower
You'll find this retrofuturistic cocktail bar on the 83rd floor of Sydney Tower.
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Food & Drink
Mimi's
This restaurant at Coogee Pavilion serves bumps of caviar and hand-rolled pipi pasta — and has its own cocktail bar.
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Food & Drink
Nick & Nora's Parramatta
Enjoy incredible views, a luxe 30s-inspired fit-out and a covetable Champagne collection.
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Food & Drink
Dear Sainte Éloise
Snack on mussels on toast and choose from over 350 wines at this Potts Point bar.
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Food & Drink
The Cumberland
This Manly cocktail bar is hidden behind a fridge — with 250 different whiskies, creative cocktails and plenty of snacks.
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Food & Drink
Love, Tilly Devine
One of Sydney's first small bars, this Darlinghurst wine bar never gets old.
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Food & Drink
Restaurant Hubert
High-class French food in a subterranean space on Bligh Street, where the steak is the stuff of legend.
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Food & Drink
Charlie Parker's
The cosy basement bar at Fred's with exposed sandstone, seasonal cocktails and killer bar snacks.
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Food & Drink
Cho Cho San
In a minimalist, well-designed setting, you’ll enjoy Japanese cuisine in a reimagined izakaya style.
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Food & Drink
10 William St
This lively Paddington stalwart is a portal into some of the best wine, pasta and snacks this city has to offer.