Wondering where to go for Valentine’s Day dinner in Sydney?
Hundreds of restaurants in Sydney are putting their best foot forward for Valentine’s Day. But we don’t want to give you choice anxiety by listing them all. There’s real value in curation, so we’ve gone through and selected this year’s special Valentine’s Day menus from some of our favourite restaurants in Sydney.
From boujie dining on a budget to Galentine’s Day brunch and fancy set menus for those looking to impress, here’s our pick of the 20 best Valentine’s Day dinners in Sydney.
The best Valentine’s Day dinners in Sydney
1. Palazzo Salato, CBD
Head Chef Matt Goddard and Executive Chef Alex Major have curated a stunning menu for guests at Roman-inspired trattoria, Palazzo Salato. Starting with silky Sydney rock oysters and vermouth jelly, raw scallop, nectarine and tomato water, and stracciatella with grilled artichoke. Next is a pair of indulgent pastas: ricotta gnocchi with black truffle and rotolo of duck leg with foie gras. Guests will then move on to a main of coral trout with corn and olive, served with a seasonal side, before finishing with a plum and frangipane tart with rose ice cream. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Where: 201/203 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: February 14.
Price: $138 per person.
2. Chiswick Restaurant, Woollahra
Chic, light-filled and stylish Modern Australian restaurant Chiswick is one of Woollahra’s dining gems. They’re known for growing their own vegetables, harvesting them fresh and bringing them straight to your plate. This Valentine’s Day, they’re offering up a relaxed and intimate dining experience, featuring a special four-course Valentine’s Day sharing menu (costing $150 per person) that’s all about seasonal produce and Chiswick’s signature flavours.
The indulgent dishes include zucchini flower, sweetcorn and ricotta; Lobster sandwich; Stracciatella, grilled peach, marjoram; grain-fed scotch fillet, bearnaise; and pumpkin and potato pomme anna, burnt butter, finishing off with a decadent vegan pistachio tiramisu. We’re sold.
Where: 65 Ocean St, Woollahra NSW 2025.
When: Available February 13-15.
Price: $150 per person.
3. Grana, Circular Quay
Bask in the romantic Italian restaurant that is Grana and feast on handmade pasta and seasonal plates. Start with scallop crudo with stracciatella, pomegranate, blood plum and sumac before moving onto chickpea panelle, caponata salsa and white anchovy as well as baked tomino cheese, figs, truffle honey, thyme and pane carasau.
Next is Grana’s iconic handmade pasta: think squid ink pasta with cuttlefish, sea urchin, pangrattato and a wagyu rib cap tagliata alla pizzaiola. Feast on eggplant parmigiana and butter lettuce before finishing with hazelnut and salted caramel gelato and davidson plum tart with mascarpone.
Where: Ground Floor/5-7 Young St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $155 per person.
4. CANESS, Paddington
CANESS is still fairly new to the game, but despite being on the same road as some absolute hospo legends on Oxford Street, it’s been absolutely smashing it. Try something new this V-day and head to CANESS for some of the mouthwatering Spanish-led dishes that form its set menu. Start with beef tartare, kubaneh bread and salt cod brandade. Move on to Spanish tortilla sphere and jamon croquette before enjoying seared tuna Andaluz and Clarence River prawns. For dessert, indulge in their OG Halva basque cheesecake.
Where: 348 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $109 per person.
5. North Bondi Fish, Bondi
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with fresh Sydney seafood? North Bondi Fish are marking Valentine’s Day with a seafood-led set menu designed for sharing. Available all day, the menu begins with a blue swimmer crab tart, before moving onto a cold seafood platter (think oysters, prawns and sashimi). Next is prawn tacos and house-smoked ocean trout, then a grilled whole pink snapper with chips and aioli. If you’ve got any room left, you’ll enjoy a basque cheesecake with figs for dessert.
Where: 120 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi NSW 2026.
When: February 12-15.
Price: $115 per person.
6. Chophouse, CBD
Nothing says romance like a glass of red wine and a succulent sirloin steak. Chophouse’s sommeliers will be accompanying guests through the wine lists to help you choose accordingly, or you could opt for a champagne upgrade if you’re really trying to impress that special someone. The four-course sharing menu features caviar, Pomme Dauphine, crème fraîche, grilled scallop, lonza with kiss peppers and watercress, and 800g Sher Wagyu Sirloin on the bone, accompanied by mash and summer greens. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a dark chocolate and macadamia cookie to finish, accompanied by rich espresso liquor.
Where: 25 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $175 per person.
7. RAFI, North Sydney
Funky contemporary restaurant RAFI is the perfect spot to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the North Shore. Their special Valentine’s Day set menu, perfected by Head Chef Keith Dsouza, costs $140 per person and includes a glass of Champagne on arrival.
You’ll then tuck into sourdough wholemeal pita, hummus with crispy chickpea and green chill and Ōra king salmon with roasted onions, nori & yuzu. Move on to King prawns with coconut curry and kismur, Black Angus boneless rib-eye MB4+ with RAFI condiments, crispy potatoes with French onion dip and chives, as well as fresh heirloom tomatoes with almond, peach, pickled eschalot and basil. Finish with rich double chocolate with macadamia and cardamom.
Where: 99 Mount St, North Sydney NSW 2060.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $140 per person.
8. Sinclair’s, Penrith
Not only is Sinclair’s Penrith’s only hatted restaurant, but it also boasts sweeping Blue Mountain views, making it a standout destination for a romantic dinner. Their elegant set menu costs $120 per person and comes with a glass of Aix Rosé.
Sinclair’s is known for their commitment to fresh Australian produce, which is reflected in the farm-to-table vibe of their set menu. Guests will snack on Sonoma sourdough with Wagyu fat butter as well as Sydney rock oysters and Hawkesbury cucumber granita before moving onto Conchiglioni with Werombi peas, house-made ricotta and pangratatto. Next is a Londonderry chicken breast with black garlic and burnt leek, and a wood-fired salmon tail. Dessert is panna cotta with Camilleri farm strawberry coulis.
Where: Level 1/20 Memorial Ave, Penrith NSW 2750.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $120 per person.
9. Sails on Lavendar Bay
Sails on Lavendar Bay is another restaurant with incredible views, featuring all the icons (Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, yellow and gold ferries- you name it!) This Valentine’s Day, they’re serving up a four-course meal with uninterrupted harbour views, for $205 per person.
The first course is a raw Hokkaido scallop, accompanied by strawberry and shiso dressing, before the next offering, a smoked confit ocean trout, with zucchini and citrus. The third course is a tender Wagyu rump with celeriac and black garlic, with sides of charred broccolini, almond and lemon, as well as fresh leaves, pear and champagne vinaigrette. Dessert is a cherry tart with berry frangipane and basil.
Where: 2 Henry Lawson Ave, McMahons Point NSW 2060.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $205 per person.
10. The Squire’s Landing, The Rocks
Icon of the harbour, The Squire’s Landing, is doing an elevated $169 per person set menu in their Level One restaurant. On arrival, you’ll be treated to a goat cheese tartlet with meredith goat cheese, dried heirloom tomato and petit basil. For entrée, indulge in Southern rock lobster raviolo, before tucking into wood-grilled grass-fed tenderloin for main. Dessert is a dark chocolate tart with ganache and raspberry.
Where: Northern end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay W, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $169 per person.
Menus under $100 per person
11. Fratelli Fresh, available at all five locations
Relaxed yet refined, Fratelli Fresh is offering up an $85 per person four-course set menu this V-Day, across its five locations: Darling Harbour, Entertainment Quarter, Westfield Sydney, Westfield Miranda and Manly.
Enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival before diving into their fresh, seasonal dishes, including lobster mafalde for primi, a choice of grilled lamb Rrack or pan-fried barramundi for mains, and a cherry and chocolate tiramisu to share for dessert. Pair with a nice glass of wine or endless Aperol Spritzes.
Where: Darling Harbour, Entertainment Quarter, Westfield Sydney, Westfield Miranda and Manly.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $85 per person.
12. Taphouse, Darlinghurst
Just because it’s Valentine’s Day, it doesn’t mean you can’t opt for a good pub feed and save some dollars! Taphouse is known for its mouth-watering Cantonese-inspired cuisine, and at $75 per person with a glass of sparkling on arrival, you can’t go wrong. Start with prawn crackers and prawn toast with crispy soybean, toasted sesame seeds, shallot and chilli mayo. Then tuck into pork and chive dumplings before diving into a succulent wok-fried lobster paired with a zingy cucumber salad.
Where: 122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $75 per person.
13. The Botanist, Kirribilli
Want to be boujie on a budget? Head to The Botanist in Kirribilli for this under $100 set menu, which features organic sourdough with cultured butter, burrata with roasted capsicum and cacio e pepe arancini with sharp pecorino cream. Next is gigli pasta with spanner crab, fermented chilli butter and pangrattato, followed by barramundi sudado and heirloom tomatoes with Thai basil salsa. Wrap up the evening with a funky Yuzu meringue tart for the ultimate sweet finish.
Where: 17 Willoughby St, Kirribilli NSW 2061.
When: Available February 14 from 5pm.
Price: $89 per person.
14. The Butler, Potts Point
The Butler is offering two set menus this Valentine’s Day, with the Butler Banquet going for $79 per person and the Enhanced Banquet costing $98 per person.
The Butler’s Banquet features A.P. sourdough with Mãnuka seaweed butter and tuna tartare with avocado, smoked ponzu, watermelon and bubu arare. Next is heirloom tomatoes, homemade green chorizo and empanada, as well as lamb barbacoa, cucumbers with tahini & smoked guajillo oil and shoestring fries.
The Enhanced Banquet begins with snapper crudo, rock oysters and house-fried tortilla chips with pepita chile macha, before moving on to sautéed cuttlefish, king prawns and heirloom tomatoes. Tuck into a dry aged sirlooin with adobo, koji and fresh salsa verde, paired with cucumbers with tahini & smoked guajillo oil and shoestring fries before finishing off with a special Chef’s selection for dessert.
Where: 123 Victoria St, Potts Point NSW 2011.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $79 per person for Butler’s Banquet, $98 per person for Enhanced Banquet.
15. Three Blue Ducks, Roseberry
The Three Blue Ducks in Roseberry is giving you a set menu with lots of choices this Valentine’s Day, plus an arrival drink of bubbles or beer. You’ll start with whipped ricotta and vodka-spiked cherry tomato tartlet before moving on to raw beef hash brown with smoked cured yolk. For the next course, choose between lamb belly skewer, asaparagus with garlic cashew cream or king prawns and aleppo pepper butter.
For your main course, the options are between coal-roasted snapper, roast gnocchi or a 300g pasture raised rump cap. Share crispy potatoes and leaf salad on the side and finish with crème brûlée or chocolate tart.
Where: 1/85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery NSW 2018.
When: Available February 14.
Price: $95 per person.
16. Bridgeview Hotel, Willoughby
Bridgeview Hotel in Willoughby is the perfect option for a relaxed Valentine’s Day dinner. You’ll get a glass of bubbles on arrival, before moving on to bountiful shared plates of scallops with miso butter, chilled tiger prawns and tuna crostini. There’s a choice of mains that you can select from; however, we’d recommend the prawn linguine, the salmon fillet with peas, horseradish and garden vegetables or the 300g Scotch Fillet. Finish with a romantic shared dessert: warm chocolate and cherry pudding with vanilla bean gelato and coconut.
Where: 580 Willoughby Rd, Willoughby NSW 2068.
When: Available February 13-15.
Price: $80 per person.
The best menus for Galentines
17. Chin Chin, Surry Hills
Chin Chin is shouting you a glass of bubbles on arrival for their Valentine’s Day Weekend Session, which features a table full of bottomless bevs and Chin Chin classics. Snack n kingfish sashimi, prawn and scallop bao toast, pork belly drunken noodles, lemongrass chicken salad and green beans with cashew sambal. Enjoy their variety of free-flowing sips, including their Jasmine Dream cocktail (think peach, jasmine, passionfruit and yuzu) and their refreshing mimosas. There’s also the option of lager, red, white and rosé wine or prosecco.
Where: 69 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
When: Available February 14.
Price: From $88 per person.
18. Woollahra Hotel, Woollahra
A Pan-Asian banquet on the Wo-Ho’s sunny terrace? Count us in. Feast on dumplings, salt and pepper squid, crispy pork belly and chocolate salted caramel slices for just $55 per person, or upgrade to free-flowing Piper Heidsieck Champagne for $95pp. For the perfect finish to Galentines, dance to the DJs, who will be kicking on post-banquet from 7:30pm.
Where: 116 Queen St, Woollahra NSW 2025.
When: Available February 14, 12pm-6pm.
Price: From $55 per person.
19. Bungalow 8, Darling Harbour
If you’d rather belt out the lyrics to No Scrubs and Say My Name than have an intimate, soppy Valentine’s Day dinner, head to Bungalow 8 in Darling Harbour for their Galentine’s Day brunch. Expect share-style snack platters and two hours of bottomless beer, wine and spritzes, served with all your favourite R&B tunes. Grab your gal pals and get ready for your boozy, snack-heavy brunch.
Where: 3 Lime St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Bottomless brunch from 1pm-3pm, February 14.
Price: $99 per person.
20. The Bank Hotel, Newtown
If you’ve already locked in Valentine’s Day plans on the 14th but still want to celebrate Galentine’s, gather the girls and head to Newtown’s The Bank Hotel on Friday the 13th for a long, boozy lunch. For a starter, choose three of four options from their $55 set menu: house flat bread, burrata, smoked taramasalatata or zucchini flowers. For your main course, you’ll enjoy Bannockburn chicken with stuffed roasted pepper and sides of charred greens, roasted potatoes and cucumber and radish. Save the best ’til last with an indulgent pavlova complete with cream, berries and lemon curd.
The best part? You’ll begin your lunch or dinner at The Bank with a complimentary tap cocktail on arrival.
Where: 324 King St, Newtown NSW 2042.
When: Available February 13, from 3pm.
Price: $55 per person.
