The big day of romance is almost here, and if you haven’t made plans yet, don’t worry! There’s still plenty of wonderful places to eat and drink this Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re looking for a fancy banquet at a dreamy castle, or a tipple or two at your neighbourhood wine bar, we’ve got you covered. Check out this list for some awesome places around Melbourne to eat and drink this Valentine’s Day.
1. State Library Victoria
Experience a romantic evening among the majestic surrounds of State Library Victoria. Start with pre-dinner drinks in the Hanson Room, then indulge in a five-course meal in the Queen’s Hall. Feel serenaded by an acoustic musician while you dine. This Valentine’s Day dinner is $200 per person plus booking fee, and will run from 6pm to 10pm. Learn more here.
đź“Ť328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Akaiito
Wander into the beautiful fine-dining Japanese restaurant, Akaiito, for Valentine’s Day. Dine underneath the ‘red thread of destiny’ and take part in their ‘Omakase at Your Table’ experience. Embark on an culinary journey, carefully prepared and explained by the chefs. There’s a five-course degustation for $178 per person or a seven-course option for $228 per person. With a maximum of 30 patrons per evening, it’s sure to be an intimate experience. See more here.
đź“Ť349-351 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
3. Reine & La Rue
Find plenty to eat and drink this Valentine’s Day among the decadent surrounds of Reine & La Rue. Receive a glass of champagne on arrival, and indulge in oysters, caviar, wagyu 9+ sirloin and more. Finish your meal with tarte au framboise with milk chocolate and hibiscus. This feast costs $280 per person. See more here.
đź“Ť380 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. NOMAD Melbourne
Treat yourself to a set menu for Valentine’s Day at NOMAD Melbourne. Receive a glass of champagne on arrival, and tuck into items like Sydney rock oysters, Skull Island tiger prawns, Altair wagyu cube roll and more. For dessert, enjoy a refreshing wood-roasted summer stone fruit with raspberry ripple mascarpone. This meal is $185 per person.
đź“Ť187 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
5. Transport Hotel
There’s two Valentine’s events happening at Transport Hotel. Pop into Taxi Kitchen for a tasty 2-course menu, featuring a complimentary cocktail, petits fours and more. This meal costs $90 per person. Or, head upstairs to Transit Rooftop Bar and celebrated the day with a dozen oysters and two cocktails for $80.
Fed Square, Flinders Street & Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
6. Henry and the Fox
Head over to Henry and the Fox and celebrate with their Very Vegan Valentine’s menu. Receive a glass of Victorian sparkling on arrival, followed by a six-course feast stacked with plant-based dishes. Look forward to delectable bites like sweet corn and almond ravioli, king oyster mushroom ‘scallops’ and vegan duck san choy bow. For dessert, enjoy some romantic strawberries coated in vegan chocolate, along with mango sorbet and passionfruit coulis. This meal costs $80 per person, and there’s additional cocktails and drinks available at the bar. Bookings are available from 6pm. Find out more.
đź“Ť525 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
7. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Feel swept away with a romantic three-course dinner at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. Visit the aquarium after-hours and embark on a self-guided tour, accompanied by canapes. Then, choose to dine in cool spaces like the ‘Coral Atoll’, the ‘Rainforest Room’ and more. Your three-course meal will be paired with Penfolds wines. Tickets start from $285.82, and the night kicks off at 6pm. More info here.
đź“ŤKing St, Melbourne VIC 3000
8. Ronnie’s
Spice things up this Valentine’s Day at Ronnie’s. They’ve teamed up with chilli brand Bippi to create a Red Hot Week of Amore. Put your taste buds to the test with hot specials from Saturday February 10 to Saturday February 17. Item on the menu include chilli mussels, fried mac and cheese bites with siracha mayo and more. Keep your heart pumping with the Inferno cocktail, made with tequila, dry cassis, raspberry and Bippi Italian chilli syrup. More info here.
Rialto Piazza, 525 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
9. Botswana Butchery
Spend Valentine’s Day with your loved one and an indulgent four-course meal at this New Zealand restaurant. The menu showcases some of the restaurant’s favourite dishes, like Glazed King Salmon, Aylesbury Duck and O’Connor Sirloin. The meal at Botswana Butchery costs $170 per person, and you can add upgrades like oysters, lobster and champagne. See more here.
đź“Ť66 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
10. Luci
Treat your loved one to a romantic four-course dinner at Luci. In this modern Australian restaurant, you’ll enjoy treats like scallop crudo, braised duck agnolotti and mango mousse, while being serenaded by live jazz. This meal costs $150 per person. Learn more here.
đź“Ť472 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
11. Mr Miyagi
Eat and drink your way through a seven-course FEED ME menu at Mr Miyagi this Valentine’s Day. Receive a frosĂ© on arrival, and dine on Salmon Nori Taco, Sticky Caramel Pork Belly, Mega Dumplings and more. End the night with Mr M’s Valentine’s Dessert, a rich Valrhona chocolate mousse with caramel quinoa and vanilla bean sablĂ©s. This meal is $110 per person. Learn more here.
đź“Ť99 Chapel St, Windsor VIC 3181
12. Firebird
Fire up a bit of romance this Valentine’s Day with plenty of delicious things to eat and drink at Firebird. Try experimental wines and choose between two set menus, starting at $75 per person, or upgrade to the premium set menu at $95 per person. Items on the menu include fresh oysters, grilled squid, smoked beef short-rib and tiramisu for dessert. A vegan menu is available upon request. Learn more here.
223 High St, Prahran VIC 3181
13. Estelle
Catch up with your beloved over an enchanting feast at Estelle. Start with a trio of snacks featuring crumpets and oysters, followed by a four-couse meal. Highlights include Humpty Doo barramundi and Loddon Estate duck. Finish with some summer berries, chocolate cremaeux and cocoa nibs. Pair it with prosecco for $140 per person, or upgrade to champagne for $160 per person. Learn more here.
243-245 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
14. Overnewton Castle
Ever thought about dining in a castle? Enjoy a fairy tale dinner in Overnewton Castle. This location, which is literally a wedding venue, has created a special Valentine’s Day menu. Enjoy a glass of beer, white, red or sparkling on arrival, then journey through a delicious three-course meal. This event costs $90 per person, and a bunch of roses are available for an extra $40. Find more info here.
đź“Ť51 Overnewton Rd, Keilor VIC 3036
15. 400 Gradi
Looking for comfort and romance? Look no further than 400 Gradi. Select venues will be serving up a three-course menu of the most romantic Italian dishes. Share tasty starters like burrata paired with proscuitto, followed by a choice of pasta and pizzas. Top if all off with strawberries & cream or a tiramisu tart. This costs $60 per person, or $85 at Crown. More info here.
Find it in Brunswick, Crown, Essendon, Eastland and Mornington.
16. Neighbourhood Wine
This dreamy wine bar is serving up seasonal share plates and fine wines for Valentine’s Day. Head to the intimate dining room and feast on a four-course menu, filled with sourdough, sirloin, marinated eggplant and more. Check out the 750-bottle wine list for the ultimate pairing. You can also add-on to the evening with oysters, spelt tart and wagyu. This meal at Neighbourhood Wine starts at $95 per person.
đź“Ť1 Reid St, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
17. Pipis Kiosk
Dine by the seaside at Pipis Kiosk on Valentine’s Day. This idyllic venue will sweep you away with a four-course menu by chef Jordan Clay. Look forward to a welcome treat on arrival, a seafood-focused menu and something sweet to finish. This meal costs $165 per person.
đź“Ť129a Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park VIC 3206F