The Best Date Night Restaurants in Sydney

With a unique approach to seafood, Saint Peter offers an exceptional dining experience. The dishes are known to highlight the quality of the ingredients, with each bite revealing a new layer of flavor. The informal yet intimate counter dining setting adds a unique dimension to the overall experience, making it memorable.

Recommended by

Zennon Christain Wijlens

Chef – Auckland, New Zealand

Exceptional meal from start to finish, every course was delicious and eye opening,

Read more

This cozy bistro, Bar Vincent, offers a shared dining experience with a menu that frequently changes to reflect the seasons. The restaurant is known for its simple but beautifully prepared Italian dishes and its selection of natural and minimal wines. Whether you're looking for a place to dine in a small or large group, you can always expect a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Recommended by

Daniel Puskas

chef – Sydney, Australia

Simple but beautiful Italian neighbourhood restaurant. I love Bar Vincent it’s a no fuss simple Italian restaurant that always delivers the most delicious food! Always a great vibe, good for smaller or larger tables the friendliest restaurant in Sydney.

Read more

Immerse yourself in the diverse and vibrant flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine at AALIA. The dishes are crafted by Executive Chef Paul Farag, who has spent years exploring the culinary secrets of lesser-known regions and coastlines of the Middle East and North Africa. The dining experience transcends the ordinary, beautifully combining ingredients from different territories and times, contrasting tradition with modern techniques.

Recommended by

Alex Carlton

Food enthusiast – Sydney , Australia

There’s something deeply emotional about Paul Farag’s food. It’s nuanced and bewitching and simultaneously sibylline and entirely familiar. The smoked buffalo labne with beetroot molasses and sorrel leaves is at once deeply earthy and as fresh as springtime.

Read more

Alberto's Lounge is a unique Italian restaurant where good food, music, wine, and company are equally valued. The eatery's menu offers a variety of flavors from across Italy's regions, with daily made gelato and ricotta, and pasta sharing the spotlight with dishes from a robata grill. Their cellar boasts a selection of Barolo and Barbaresco wines, alongside offerings from artisan producers around Italy, Australia, and beyond.

Recommended by

Duncan Welgemoed

Chef – Adelaide, Australia

My favourite Italian restaurant in Australia. Smart menu and booze with quirky dishes like the braised and fried tripe cooked with a touch of madras curry. I go here on every Sydney trip.

Read more

Situated in a remarkable location, Bennelong offers a dining experience with an incredible view. The restaurant presents a diverse menu, focusing on Australian produce and wine, with options ranging from a three-course à la carte menu, a two-course menu, to cocktails and snacks. The Executive Chef, Peter Gilmore, is a key figure in Australia's vibrant food scene, bringing creative and original cuisine to the table.

Recommended by

Duncan Welgemoed

Chef – Adelaide, Australia

One of the most iconic sites in Australia, houses an incredible restaurant. Laser sharp service and food in a relaxed atmosphere with one of the best views in the world. A must for anyone visiting sydney for the first time.

Read more

With a unique charm, Bistrot 916 is a French-inspired bistro that offers a distinctive dining experience. The menu is a delightful mix of dishes, with highlights such as the crumbed brains with smoked eel pate, duck frites, and the unique snail pasta - snails in a garlicky herb sauce, served with snail-shaped pasta. The place also boasts a small bar at the back and outdoor seating, making it a great spot for a romantic dinner.

Recommended by

Jill Dupleix

Food writer – Sydney, Australia

Frenchy bistro, subversive but suave Have the crumbed brains with smoked eel pate. Have the duck frites, the lobster frites, the steak frites or just the frites frites. Talk wine with Andy. Order Dan Pepperell's snail pasta - that's snails, in garlicky herb sauce, with snail-shaped pasta. Sit out on the street in Potts Point, or discover the little bar at the back, about the size of a Negroni. Bistrot 916 is brought to you by one of our top crews, there for sheer enjoyment and satisfaction. Very, very romantic.

Read more

With a reputation for top-notch service and an extensive wine list, Fratelli Paradiso is known for its long lunches that seamlessly transition into dinner. The restaurant is located at 12 - 16 Challis Ave, Potts Point, NSW 2011 and another at 10 William St. They are open for service from midday until late, making it a great choice for any mealtime.

Recommended by

Randy Moon

Restaurant Owner – Los Angeles, USA

The owner of the long lunch that goes straight into dinner! Top notch service, untouchable wine list, and much, much more.

Read more

Lana offers a unique blend of modern Italian dining with Asian flavours, using the finest Australian produce. The restaurant is located in the historic Hinchcliff House near Circular Quay, providing an effortless and comfortable dining experience. The menu offers a range of options, including a 2 or 3 course set menu and an express lunch, with accommodations for common dietary requirements.

Recommended by

Beau Clugston

Chef – Copenhagen, Denmark

A house that has it all. A classy restaurant with fun at its core, Steve Seckold’s bringing his years of experience in creating a restaurant with care and commitment suitable for all types of occasions. Don’t forget to have a drink in the cocktail bar downstairs pre or post dinner.

Read more

With an emphasis on fresh ingredients, Mimi's offers a menu that is driven by produce. The restaurant's interior is characterized by a luxurious design, complemented by a comprehensive wine list. Chef Jordan Toft is known for his delicate handling of food, enhancing the dining experience.

Recommended by

James Hird

Sommelier – Sydney, Australia

Mimi’s is a great new addition to the Sydney dining scene. Luxe interiors, great wine list and a produce driven menu. Chef Jordan Toft handles food with a lightness of touch. Book now, enjoy the view.

Read more

Oncore by Clare Smyth offers a fine dining experience with a focus on sustainable ingredients. The menu features a mix of classic dishes from Core, Clare Smyth's London restaurant, and new creations inspired by local flavours. The restaurant also boasts a well-stocked cellar with a wide selection of wines, and a bar serving custom cocktails and a curated selection of small plates.

Recommended by

Dan Fahy

Travelling Foodie – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

World-class fine dining in one of the most beautiful restaurants in Australia I dined as one-top in June 2022 at this three hatted restaurant overlooking the Opera House and was utterly blown away by the level of food coming out of Clare Smyth's sister restaurant to Core in London. Firstly, kudos to the designers because the restaurant is absolutely stunning. No expense has been spared and you're just transported into palatial luxury as soon as you enter. The food is very similar to the London venue and is dish after dish of texture, flavour, technique, love and passion. The whole team is well oiled, they have a fantastic somm and just everything was perfect from start to finish. Completely faultless and I came away feeling honoured to have eaten here. Both the potato dish and the cheese and onion will be dishes I remember for the rest of my life.

Read more

This restaurant, Petermen, is a creation of Josh & Julie Niland, who are also known for their work at Saint Peter, Fish Butchery & Charcoal Fish. They champion growers and producers who aim to elevate the standard and change the culture of how we consume food. With a focus on the finest Australian seafood and vegetables, Petermen ensures a memorable dining experience that will have you planning your next visit.

Recommended by

Gilberto Briceño Gómez

Cook – Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Petermen Restaurant: A Sydney must-visit, showcasing Josh Niland's culinary brilliance Petermen stands out among Josh Niland's array of dining venues in Sydney. While the bill came to around $300 for a solo dinner and portions felt slightly modest, the impeccable quality and tantalizing flavors made every cent worth it. A memorable dining experience that beckons a return visit.

Read more

This modest-sized spot boasts big flavors, with the staff being well-informed and capable. The drinks list is comprehensive, offering a wide range of options for every taste. Known for its exceptional pasta, it is currently considered one of the best in Australia.

Recommended by

Duncan Welgemoed

Chef – Adelaide, Australia

Small place, massive flavours. The front of house is smooth and knowledgeable, excellent drinks list. The food is fucking insanely good. Seriously. Best pasta in Australia right now, hands down, see ya later.

Read more

This cozy, family-run Korean spot, Sang by Mabasa, is all about authenticity, flavor, and technique. The dining room is small and homely, setting the stage for a meal that's delicate, refined, and deeply nourishing. The team, led by Kenny Yong Soo Son and his partner Youmee Jeon, with his parents Jin Sun Son and Seung Kee Son in the kitchen, focuses on presenting authentic Korean flavors in a contemporary style.

Recommended by

Colin Wood

Chef – Sydney, Australia

A small and homely, family run Korean spot where authenticity, flavour and technique are the driving force. From the moment you arrive the anticipation and excitement builds as you may wait or are taken straight to your table in the small considered and homely dining room. A thoughtful and considered non-alcohol drink lists sets the tone - acidic, sweet, sharp and balanced with creative touches. Then the food arrives, it’s delicate, refined, artful and just so nourishing, flavourful and comforting that you can’t stop eating it. Your eyes widen with excitement as every dish is dropped on the table and your palate expands with such depth from the food. With Kenny Yong Soo Son and his partner Youmee Jeon working the floor and his parents Jin Sun Son and Seung Kee Son cooking, Sáng by Mabasa is a place that has you planning your next visit as you’re walking out the door.

Read more

With a focus on simplicity and taste, Sixpenny offers dishes that leave a lasting impression. One such dish is the mid-course cacio e pepe, cooked by Chef Daniel Puskas, which is not typically part of the menu but is a delightful surprise. The aim here is to provide an impressive meal that goes beyond the ordinary.

Recommended by

Nathaniel French

Chef – Copenhagen, Denmark

Was surprised with a midcourse of cacio e pepe. Chef Daniel Puskas admitted that it had nothing to do with the menu we were in the middle of. Rather, he wanted to cook something delicious and simple for us. It left a lasting impression on an already impressive meal.

Read more

With a focus on ingredient-driven cuisine, Ester Restaurant offers a unique dining experience featuring wood-fired dishes. The menu highlights include the salt-baked crab and the potato bread, which are both popular among visitors. The restaurant also has a curated selection of natural wines to complement their modern Australian food.

Recommended by

Tristin Farmer

Chef – Singapore , SG

Sunday lunch Cracking meal, Matt and team cooking delicious wood fired, ingredient focused. Casual service with personality.

Read more