While a reservation at a romantic restaurant on Valentine’s Day might seem cliché, it’s also one of the greatest excuses to book yourself and someone you love in to enjoy some of the country’s finest dining experiences. Because what’s better than sharing a delightful drop and a delectable menu with your significant other, best friend or your favourite family member? If you ask us, not much. We’ve rounded up a selection of the country’s most romantic restaurants to make a reservation at this Valentine’s Day. And to make it even more memorable, each of these dining hotspots have an accommodation offering too, so if you fancy, you can turn your special night into a special stay. And the fact that the international day of love falls on a Friday this year is the cherry on top. Lovers of love, here’s where to book.
Biota Dining, Bowral, NSW
Located in the heart of the beautiful Southern Highlands town of Bowral, Biota is an award-winning farm to table food offering that’s menu is as modern and sophisticated as its Scandinavian-inspired decor. If you’re a fan of fine dining, unexpected flavours and a wine-paired menu, you won’t regret a booking at Biota. This Valentine’s Day, Biota is offering a six-course tasting menu with a glass of sparkling on arrival for $120pp. https://www.biotadining.com
Rick Steins at Bannisters, Port Stephens, NSW
While we all know and love Rick Steins’s famed Bannisters by the Sea in Mollymook, it’s his new culinary offering on the north NSW coast that has everyone talking. Following the success of the south coast location, Rick Steins’ signature restaurant has now arrived in picturesque Port Stephens. Located within a 98,000-hectare marine park and inspired by the unique aquaculture of the region, it’s here you can feast on the finest locally sourced seafood that is simply prepared. It is the ideal location for true lovers of freshly caught seafood, exceptional service and breath-taking ocean views.
https://www.bannisters.com.au/rick-stein/port-stephens-menu/
Lindenderry Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula, VIC
While the accommodation at Lindenderry Red Hill is recognised as one of Australia’s best — and most romantic — regional hotels in the country, its culinary offering, The Dining Room, deserves matching praise. You can expect seasonal, paddock-to-plate produce in a classic European style paired with the hotel’s very own award-winning Lindenderry Wines from the vineyard. The recently refurbished restaurant — by renowned design studio Hecker Guthrie — features floor–to-ceiling windows that invite the outside in. Elegant, cosy and delicious — the perfect date spot.
Doot Doot Doot, Mornington Peninsula, VIC
If you’re not yet familiar with Doot Doot Doot, it’s likely you’re familiar with its home — the new-ish, yet already iconic Jackalope Hotel on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Doot Doot Doot is the hotel’s upscale dining offering and this culinary hotspot home to a seasonal, world-class menu and an interior that was designed to be as inspiring as the food — think black leather banquettes, herringbone floors, open fires, and a custom-made 10,000-globe chandelier by Melbourne-based artist, Jan Flook which is just impressive as it sounds. The menu is created with seasonal and locally sourced Victorian produce and offers either a four or eight course-dining option. Foodies and interior lovers alike, get yourselves to Doot Doot Doot.
Paper Daisy, Cabarita, NSW
It may be the in-house restaurant at one of Australia’s most celebrated boutique hotels (hello, Halycon House!), but thanks to its award-winning menu and Instagrammable, Anna Spiro-designed interior, Paper Daisy has become a hotspot in its own right. The dining experience at the hatted restaurant is a celebration of its unique location of Cabarita — a charming beach town situation just 40 minutes north of Byron Bay. With Jason Barratt leading the kitchen, the ethos that drives Paper Daisy is one of sophisticated simplicity and the desire to produce dishes that are satisfying, thoughtful and memorable.
The Source Restaurant, Hobart, TAS
Perched atop Mona — Hobart’s legendary modern art museum — The Source Restaurant is described as “a temple to seasonal Tasmanian dining”. It’s here you can relish in fresh and uncomplicated food, sweeping water views, impeccable service and a hearty wine list — read: everything you could ask for in a restaurant experience. Be sure to visit the contemporary (and sometimes controversial) museum — which is Australia's largest private museum — pre or post meal and we guarantee it will be one of your most memorable dates to date.
Lake House Restaurant, Daylesford, VIC
Described by Australian Gourmet Traveller as “the success story of regional dining that everyone looks to for inspiration", the Lake House Restaurant in Daylesford is sure-fire to be one unforgettable date. Under the direction of culinary director Alla Wolf-Tasker AM, the kitchen work from the ground up producing almost everything — from house baked breads to an extensive charcuterie range — on both the Lake House property and its 38-acre farm located 10 minutes down the road. The seasonal menu is as notable as it’s sun-drenched interior that boast pretty country and garden view through vast glass windows. One dreamy date coming right up.
