8 romantic restaurants in Melbourne for the best date night

Melbourne is often referred to as the cultural capital of Australia, and as a result, both domestic and international tourists flock to the city during their summer, which is from December to February. Melbourne highlights art and creative expression through its many museums, galleries, and music venues, so it's not really shocking that it has earned the cultural capital title.

If you and your partner are heading to the coastal capital of the state of Victoria for the culture, chances are, you might want to sneak in a fancy date night or two at one of the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne. And who could blame you? The city is known for its abundance of eateries at every price point, and it neighbors two of the best wine regions in the country, Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley. Are you getting the feeling that finding a romantic restaurant isn't going to be too difficult?

Seafood options abound here, as do Australian fare, French cuisine, Italian cuisine, and other international favorites. Your best bet is to plan ahead and make a reservation in advance and drop any unneeded bags off at a Bounce luggage storage in Melbourne before you head out for dinner. That way, you can focus entirely on your date and not worry about arriving at the romantic restaurant only to be turned away because it's completely full.

Here's our list of all the most romantic restaurants in Melbourne for your next date night:

Lûmé

When you really want to splurge on an international tasting menu, it's a good idea to make reservations at Lûmé. This spot definitely skews high-end, and here, your romantic dinner will definitely put a dent in your wallet. There is no ordering a la carte here as you might be used to. The most choice you get is between two or three options in each course on the four-course tasting menu. Luckily, if you have any dietary restrictions, they offer a plant-based tasting menu alongside the regular one.

The tasting menus rotate through the seasons since the focus here is on seasonal produce. Depending on when you go, you can see up to a 14-course menu option. Now that's extravagant.

Inside, Lûmé is full of warm tones and wood but maintains a contemporary feel that complements the modern cuisine perfectly.

Our recommendation

With only one broad option, definitely go with one of the tasting menus. Some standouts currently available off them are the pea and rhubarb tartlet and the dry-aged duck. To avoid sticker shock, don't be surprised when these menus set you back in the range of AU$200 to $335, depending on your selection.

Location

226 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205

Price level

$$$$

Bottega Restaurant

Black leather banquettes, wine from top Italian winemakers, and contemporary cuisine all await you at Melbourne's Bottega Restaurant. Here, they take their Italian cuisine seriously and only offer the freshest pasta, exported cooked meats, and desserts that are simply to die for.

When you arrive at the restaurant with your date and start perusing the menu, you'll see that you have the choice between ordering a la carte or opting for the four-course tasting menu that includes a glass of prosecco.

Our recommendation

At AU$125 for the four-course tasting menu, including the chance to sip on a glass of Astoria Butterfly extra dry prosecco, this option is really the best bang for your buck. If you're ordering a la carte, you can't go wrong with either the pan-roasted filet of barramundi or the flat iron steak with cacio e pepe butter. Reservations are all but required at this popular place, so make sure you reserve in advance.

Location

74 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Price level

$$$

Cutler & Co

If you've traveled all the way to Australia from North America or Europe, it would be a shame not to spend your date night at one of the most romantic restaurants in Melbourne that serves Australian cuisine. The restaurant itself is definitely a conversation starter with an open kitchen in an expertly refurbished old metalworks factory. This is another spot where you should expect to shell out some cash, so it's ideal for a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday.

The restaurant is located in Melbourne's first suburb, Fitzroy, and is the brainchild of chef Andrew McConnell. You're able to customize the chef's selection menu here and opt for either three or four courses, and the optional wine pairing for AU$80 is actually good value.

Our recommendation

If you can swing it, go for the four-course chef's selection menu and choose whatever sounds good from the ever-evolving menu. This will set you back AU $150, and within the menu, you can even make upgrades to impress your date further. And as with most restaurants in Melbourne, make a reservation.

Location

55/57 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065

Price level

$$$$

Chin Chin

If the first two romantic restaurants on our list have felt a little too fancy or fussy, this next gem might just be a perfect fit. Chin Chin provides a more relaxed atmosphere that caters more to a younger crowd. They serve amazing Chinese cuisine from their eatery in the East End across the Yarra River from Southbank.

Gaze at the contemporary art that graces the walls here, and if you time things right, you might even be treated to music curated by a DJ. This place is lively and fun and would definitely work if you're looking for a romantic restaurant for a first date. They generally encourage you to eat off one of their "Feed Me" menus, which are a range of tasting menus with a minimum of eight courses. The prices for these are from AU$88 to $150 per person, but they take the decision out which of the South Asian street food-inspired dishes to select.

Our recommendation

Menu highlights here include any dishes with spanner crab and other seafood delights. The char-grilled pork ribeye is another favorite here, and they also have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Chin Chin is perpetually busy, so definitely book online in advance.

Location

125 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000

Price level

$$

The Victor Food & Wine

Some of the best and most romantic date nights are spent sharing a bottle and a few plates at a charming wine bar, and The Victor Food & Wine in Albert Park is ideal for this type of evening. The dining room has a fireplace, dark wood floors, and chairs and tables you're likely to see in a French brasserie.

As you might expect, since this is a wine bar, the list of Australian wines available here is extensive. If you happen to fall in love with a particular bottle, you can purchase one to take home from the in-house cellar. Then, when you drink it later, you'll be brought right back to your memorable date night.

The Victor also has plenty of vegetarian options to suit meat-free diners. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, so if you want to take advantage of the Australian climate, dine al fresco. In the busy season, make a reservation, especially if you want to eat outside.

Our recommendation

To start, share an order of the burrata with fermented peach and a delightful honey vinaigrette. For your main, it will be hard to decide between two of our favorites: the charcoal flounder and the rigatoni with confit tomatoes. Save room for a sweet treat to finish off, and split the decadent chocolate mousse.

Location

67 Cardigan Pl, Albert Park VIC 3206

Price level

$$

Chancery Lane Bistro

For European cuisine and decor to match, head to Chancery Lane Bistro in the historic Normanby Chambers building on Little Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD (Central Business District). Chancery Lane manages to be both modern and traditional at the same time. The cuisine is heavily influenced by classic French flavors paired in a contemporary way with seasonal produce, and the interior is a nod to days gone by.

Scott Pickett is the restaurant's creator, and the overall feeling here is welcoming, cozy, and reminiscent of a wine bar with an edge. The food is relatively affordable if you stay away from the caviar and seafood, so this option can suit most budgets. Because of the cozy vibe and the lower price point, this is another good option for a first date as well.

Our recommendation

Go French with your menu choice here and opt for the bouillabaisse with rocking (a fish in the cod family), mussels, and calamari.

Location

430 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Price level

$$ to $$$

Bar Margaux

For the perfect combination of cocktail bar and French food, this next of the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne is a home run. The ambiance here is fabulous in a somewhat old-fashioned but certainly not outdated setting. Don't let the fact that it's technically in a basement throw you off because that only adds to the coziness.

The drink menu full of wine, beer, and innovative cocktails is a huge draw here. Because there is almost too much choice, look to your server for a recommendation, and they'll be happy to recommend something that will pair well with your meal.

Depending on budgetary restrictions, you can always just pop in here for cocktails instead of the full dining experience. But that's not to say that the food isn't good. The escargot and duck frites are always good and are in keeping with the French theme of the restaurant.

Our recommendation

Any of the creative cocktails, but especially the fresh-flavored liberty bell with gin as a base topped with pastis and Amontillado sherry for an extra punch, plus lemon and elderflower. Bet you've never had a drink like that before.

Location

Basement/111 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Price level

$$

Florentino

White tablecloths, candles on the table, and warm wood paneling complete the romantic vibe at this Italian restaurant. Located in the East End, this a great spot to finish up our favorite date night spots. The Italian cuisine at Florentino is raised to another level with top cuts of meat and a focus on raw produce. The menu is ever-changing, and you'll need to select options from the tasting menu for three courses, but you can also add courses for an additional $50 each.

While it's hard to say exactly what will be available when you dine here, you can expect menu items like lobster risotto, suckling pig, veal and mortadella tortellini, and lamb cutlet. While tasting menus are generally not full of choices, this one is quite varied, but if you or your date are vegetarian or vegan, you should probably give this restaurant a pass.

Our recommendation

When you make a reservation (as is recommended), ask for a table by the large front windows. That way, you can have a view of the lively street while you dine.

Location

80 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Price level

$$$

Conclusion

Now that we've taken you through the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne, it's likely that your mouth is watering and you can't wait to impress that special someone. Luckily, there is something for everyone on the Melbourne food scene, and to save room in your budget for this indulgence, hit up the local street food vendors for some of your other meals to save some money.

Your date night doesn't have to end once you leave one of these romantic restaurants. You can continue the magic by walking around the city, sitting by the water, or heading to one of the amazing rooftop bars in the city.