Classic Restaurants to Dine with Your Significant Other

by OpenTable Team

Updated 07 August 2023

Hungry for a dining experience that's tailor-made for you? We’ve got you covered. Here are our top restaurant picks for your next outing. Bon appétit!

Credit: Kitchens on Kent at The Langham Sydney

Cecconi's Flinders Lane

4.7

4.7 (1029)

$100 and over

Italian

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

"Everything you want from a sophisticated city Italian restaurant is right here: atmosphere, admirable service, a menu long enough to allow for real choice, an expansive drinks list, flattering lighting, carpets and tablecloths to ensure that sound levels are low enough for a proper conversation."
Enjoy signature dishes - Seafood linguine, Veal Cotoletta and signature steaks from the Josper

One Hat – THE AGE GOOD FOOD GUIDE
2006 - 2023

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

We went expecting something nice and got far more. Wonderful ambience, delicious food, and a cheerful hostess, Julia. Everyone was nice. We ordered cured kingfish, seafood linguine, gnocchi, fish of the day, sorbeto and gelato. Every bite has kept me reeling even now. And without a doubt the beat bread and chips on the side Exquisite Exquisite Exquisite!!!

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Experience

3 Course Fixed Price Menu

Donovans

4.7

4.7 (1353)

$100 and over

Modern Australian

St Kilda

About the restaurant

Welcome to Donovans - our ‘house on the beach’ and home we love to share. Donovans is located on the St.Kilda beach front offering guests a memorable dining experience in Melbourne. With a bay side view, beautiful Mediterranean inspired food and the special relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant, Donovans is where you will feel at home.

Donovans’ exciting menu has been developed with Gail and Kevin’s knowledge of modern Mediterranean cooking. The menu is extensive with a modern mix of favourite dishes emphasising the best local produce. Donovans also offers an extensive wine list of Australian and imported wines and an eclectic mix of cocktails.

Top review

yummyfoodreviewing

Dined on 1 Jan 2023

Very nice food, lovely setting. Only thing I would say is they the service is a little slow… we waited almost one hour for our food. But otherwise lovely place.

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Popular dish

Bombe Alaska for two

Popular dish

Old-fashioned chicken pie

Popular dish

Linguine with seafood

Meatmaiden

4.6

4.6 (1130)

$100 and over

Steakhouse

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

Meatmaiden is one hell of a steakhouse. Bringing you the best barbecue and grill in Melbourne, our large and energetic basement restaurant and bar and down-to-earth staff make us the perfect CBD venue for intimate dinners, work lunches, special occasions or functions.

We're part steakhouse, part smokehouse - with a unique and eclectic mix of premium steaks and smoked meats. We've been fine-tuning that approach for the last nine years to bring you the best meat around - dry-ageing select local cuts like O'Connor rib eye, tending the fire to smoke Wagyu brisket over ironbark for 20 hours and pairing with signature dishes like our lobster mac cheese.

Our carefully-curated wine list focuses on some great Australian winemakers, with six taps of craft beer and quirky cocktails completing the line up.

You will find Meatmaiden on Little Collins St - walking distance from Flinders St Station and Parliament Station, the MCG and Rod Laver Arena and entertainment venues s

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Super tasty, great vibe might be a bit too loud if you want a more intimate setting. Portions were massive on the tasting menu, was begging for no more food by the end of it.

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Experience

Festive Mood $95pp

JAMES

4.8

4.8 (308)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

South Melbourne

About the restaurant

JAMES

Chef, Kim Sangsoo and owner and front of house manager, Kirbie Tate have designed a sharing menu and chefs tasting menu that is a cultural embrace. Taking Kim's South Korean heritage and sourcing Australian native produce - the JAMES menu blends traditional technique, a play with the freedom of contemporary fusion and both their instinctive understanding of balance and restraint.

Sharing menu and Chefs tasting menu available for dinner from 5pm TUES to SATURDAY //
Snacks menu, sharing set lunch and express ramen bowls are on offer between midday _ 3pm WED to SATURDAY //

Hidden in plain sight on Clarendon St - Book in to experience fine dining, casually.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Always great service and great food although, as a regular, the food was slightly off compared to last time. Still great though.

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4.5

4.5 (351)

$41 to $100

Italian

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

Located on Spring St, opposite the Treasury Gardens, between Collins St and Flinders Lane, there emerges a truly unique space – imagined, created, curated – that lies at the nexus of all the Di Stasio energies that have come before it. Cittá is a culmination of sorts, a vibrant dynamic next step along a continuum of a challenge and of notions Rinaldo has been grappling with all his life. This is not only a commercial venture – though of course, he has never retreated from this aspect – but is also a vehicle to express and bring together all the aspects of Italo-Australian history, culture, place and heritage. It is an opportunity too to bring a long-standing dream to further fruition, celebrating Rinaldo’s influence on the Australian hospitality, cultural and artistic landscape, through a renewed celebration of Melbourne and the CBD where it all began and of his beloved spiritual and familial home, Italy.

Top review

GordonO

Dined on 1 Jan 2023

Di Stasio has becpome our 'go to' for birthday celebrations for the past few years. The staff are very good. Prompt, efficient and knowledeable. The food is magnificent. Just love it. I love the person in the water on the wall, but I reckon we could get an update on the bearded guy on the other wall. Perhaps a couple walking and chatting?

Di Stasio Carlton

4.4

4.4 (248)

$40 and under

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

A lockdown obsession for Rinaldo Di Stasio and Mallory Wall, Di Stasio Pizzeria is poised to open in Carlton in mid-November. The third venue for the high-profile restaurateur couple sits behind the King and Godfree complex on the corner of Lygon and Faraday streets and has glamorous echoes of their Di Stasio Citta pleasure palace in the city. Designed by architect Di Ritter of Hassell, also responsible for Citta, the pizzeria has three separate spaces inside, adorned with Reko Rennie artwork and Shaun Gladwell sculptures, and a courtyard bar centred around a fountain imported from the Roman countryside. Chef Federico Congiu, who has worked with Di Stasio for five years, is making his own jersey milk mozzarella fiore di latte for the pizzas. Congiu has sourced five growers around the Yarra Valley to grow and preserve San Marzano tomatoes for pizza toppings and is having special durum wheat flour milled in Tamworth.

Top review

Joannea

Dined on 1 Jan 2023

Great food in the traditions of all of the De Stasio group. Lovely wait staff and beautiful food.

Kokumai - Barangaroo

4.7

4.7 (6)

$41 to $100

Sushi

Barangaroo

About the restaurant

Kokumai means “black rice” in Japanese and is a premium sushi bar operated as a new concept of Japanese restaurant operated with an omakase function.

Seating appx. 60 people and serving up premium roll, nigiri, and sashimi with a great selection of wine, sake, and beer.

*Omakase: Authentic Japanese omakase menu is implemented. Menus made with fresh seasonal ingredients are prepared by the head chef in Kokumai.
**Premium sushi bar: We are operating as a premium sushi bar by using seasonal and superior ingredients.

Top review

MicheleC

Dined 7 days ago

Amazing delicious fresh food! I went back the next day.

The Atlantic Restaurant

4.2

4.2 (1387)

$41 to $100

Seafood

Southbank

About the restaurant

When you sit down for a meal at The Atlantic, you can expect nothing short of an impeccable culinary experience from beginning to end. As a waterfront seafood restaurant in Southbank, Crown Casino, we offer an indulgent menu of fresh, wild and sustainably-sourced seafood, unique oyster varieties and pristine shellfish. Reeled in from local waters, our team celebrates the full array of seafood that Australia has to offer.

Whether you choose to pair your culinary experience with the stylish atmosphere of our elegantly modern dining area, or the laidback ambience of our open-air, riverside terrace, you will soon discover why many customers refer to us as the best seafood restaurant in Melbourne CBD.

Top review

StuartD

Dined 1 day ago

The food was excellent but portion sizes were poor and had to be supplemented with “sides” that were, as always, grossly overpriced. My friend and I were both anxious to enjoy some fresh Tasmanian crayfish, but at $150 for a 500 gm serving we soon opted for something less expensive. The Coral Trout was beautiful, but again, so overpriced. I do not mind paying for quality food and service but the prices being charged for local seafood cannot be justified and it irks me that the justification always seems to be that Asian tourists will pay whatever is asked to enjoy quality Australian seafood which in turn makes it cost prohibitive for Australian residents. I also found it most unusual that there was no bread of any description on the table, no rolls, no bread, nothing. As with the exorbitantly priced food, drinks were equally expensive. I enjoyed the experience, the food lovely, but the prices were well and truly over the top and I’d have to say, I wouldn’t return, the are many seafood restaurants in Melbourne that are far cheaper and offer food that is equally as good.

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Experience

À La Carte and Extensive Beverage Range

Pretty Little

4.9

4.9 (79)

$41 to $100

Australian

Balaclava

About the restaurant

Google Review
*****
This place is an absolute gem. A very intimate experience, the owner Mike and Chefs Mikey and Laurent are gifted people who make you feel at home. Food is absolutely incredible, so much flavour with seasonal ingredients. Amazing local wine pairings. Cannot speak highly enough of this place!

features include:
Open plan kitchen with food prepared directly in front of our guests.
Warm and cozy lounge with fireplace for winter.
Secluded, rear private courtyard.
Engaging and vibrant dinner party setting.
Seasonal set menu.
Wine and beverage pairings.
Private dinners available.

Top review

JudyH

Dined on 23 Nov 2023

How can you keep it short when you experience the absolute culinary delight at this restaurant . Chef Mike creates dishes that have exquisite flavours that all seem to flow onto each dish. Nothing overpowers the palate. Presentation is an art in itself and appreciated by the 4 of us who dined on the 23rd November. Ambience and friendly staff just add a bonus to the evening. Nothing was a trouble . Thank you.

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Experience

Pretty Little Dining

Osteria Renata

4.7

4.7 (271)

$41 to $100

Italian

Prahran

About the restaurant

Osteria Renata is a neighbourhood diner inspired by Italy. Hosting friends, family and colleagues at the dinner table. Headed up by duo Chef / Owner Angus Cadden and Restaurateur / Owner Alex Ghaddab, our menu features inventive and classic pasta dishes, created in our designated pasta lab, as well as a seasonal selection of antipasti, larger plates, side dishes and desserts. Some of our classics include our gnocco fritto with 36 month aged Jamon Iberico, our spaghetti with Live Southern Rock Lobster and brodetto and our Mushroom filled Quadratti with parmagianno Reggiano. The old world bar, fashioned by hand from fine American oak, offers a full selection of artisanal spirits, amari, craft Italian beer, a dialled in cocktail program and a pan euro-Italian slanting wine list, appeasing any discerning palette. Wether it be in our main dining room, a perch at the bar, or an alfresco seat on High St, we look forward to welcoming you!

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined 6 days ago

We had a lovely lunch.. the staff were wonderful and the food was fantastic.. we are regulars now

Elwood Bathers

4.6

4.6 (1400)

$41 to $100

Bistro

Elwood

About the restaurant

Bayside restaurant and event venue open daily from 9:00am for takeaway coffees & pastries, and from 11:30am onwards for dine in. Passionate about friends, family and community.

Top review

StellaS

Dined on 1 Jan 2023

The atmosphere was amazing, the food was quick and yummy! Our waitress was beyond amazing, she was so lovely and personable. Made us feel so welcome! She had short bleached hair, she was awesome! Overall such a nice place to have an event

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The Dining Room by James Viles

4.3

4.3 (839)

$100 and over

Modern Australian

Sydney CBD

About the restaurant

Located right on the edge of Sydney Harbour with the Opera House just beyond your fingertips…it doesn’t get any more Sydney than The Dining Room.

Our produce-driven menu is paired back, sustainable and unmistakably Australian, and shares center stage with unrivalled harbour views. Relaxed and elegant, enjoy the freshest of
seafood, seasonal Australian ingredients, and a selection of fine wines and locally crafted beers and spirits.

Lunch and dinner reservations are highly recommended. Our popular window tables are available at a surcharge when booking and subject to availability. Dress code is smart casual.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Welcoming staff. Good food (breakfast). Great view.

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Experience

A La Carte Experience

Experience

The Semi Private Dining Room

Longshore

4.6

4.6 (58)

$100 and over

Australian

Chippendale

About the restaurant

Longshore is about celebrating the quality of Australian coastal ingredients and Asian cooking techniques. We offer a five-course tasting menu highlighting seasonal signature dishes, alongside an extensive à la carte menu plus an experimental 10-course snack-flight for you to choose from. On top of that, our 100+ wine list is selected by our team of sommeliers and it consists some of the best wines around the world for your enjoyment.

Top review

Socialcapital

Dined 5 days ago

Not a dud dish. Lovely night and great service. Interesting wine list.

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Experience

A la carte

Experience

Longshore Snacks Flight

Experience

Longshore Standard Tasting Menu

OTTO Sydney

4.1

4.1 (309)

$100 and over

Italian

Woolloomooloo

About the restaurant

OTTO celebrates people, place and la dolce vita. Situated in the spectacular surrounds of the Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, OTTO has an undeniable reputation as one of Sydney’s most respected dining institutions. At the heart of the restaurant is old world hospitality and long-standing relationships held with a fiercely loyal clientele. Approachable yet refined service greets modern Italian cuisine, alfresco dining and trademark waterside views. OTTO is the quintessential Sydney dining experience and has remained a local favourite for over 17 years.

Top review

iann

Dined on 24 Nov 2023

An excellent Friday Lunch. With great service and good quality food. A little expensive but worth it. Would recommend to anyone wanting to a high level dining experience.

Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea

4.5

4.5 (91)

$41 to $100

Sicilian

Paddington

About the restaurant

Here at Zafferano, we like to keep things a little old school, from sourcing to serving, our key values remain.
Simone, the Head Chef and co-owner of Zafferano grew up inside the kitchen of his family's restaurant in Porticello, Sicily and brings that passion and authenticity to his food.
We combine local, fresh, seasonal ingredients with passion and tradition, to create a menu that is endlessly devoted to flavour and quality. We have a love for food, for the whole experience. We believe in celebrating just how powerful food can be, from the seed to the plate. Because connection through food is our mission.
Our space is intimate with only 38 seats and the overall vibe of the restaurant really transports you to Sicily with an outdoor courtyard that feels like a traditional Italian piazza.
We have a few signature dishes however the Risotto Marinara & Spaghetti Marinara are definitely at the for front of our menu.

Top review

FernC

Dined 4 days ago

My family and I are regulars at Zafferano. The food of a typical Sicilian fare is excellent. All ingredients are fresh and the pastas are to die for. I am of Sicilian background at it better than Nonna’s. Simone and Bella are beautiful hosts and happy to chat or advise the daily specials and wine to food blends. Highly recommend.

Zushi Surry Hills - Omakase

4.9

4.9 (21)

$100 and over

Japanese Speciality

Surry Hills

About the restaurant

Omakase means, “leave it up to the Chef” so let Chef Han take you on a tantalising journey of 20 courses, using the finest local Australian and Japanese produce.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER MENU
Freshly shucked oyster
Toro Taku, Tuna belly, sea urchin, potato, nori, truffle
Chef’s Sashimi, Coral trout sashimi, monkfish liver sauce, daikon oroshi, chive
Tempura Special, Toothfish tatsuta-age
JPN A5 Wagyu steak, grilled medium rare, JPN A5 Wagyu Steak, foie gras, asparagus, leek, wasabi
Sorbet
Omakase Nigiri 11 courses
Cuttlefish (Coffs Harbour)
Konbujime snapper (NZ)
Bluefin tuna chu-toro (SA)
Scallop (JPN)
Akami zuke (SA)
Paradise prawn (New Caledonia)
Salmon belly (TAS)
Swordfish belly (Ulladulla)
Bluefin tuna o-toro (SA)
Sea eel (JPN)
Tamago
Chef’s Signature hand roll
Aka-dashi miso soup
Hojicha Mochi

*This is a Sample Menu subject to change. We are unable to cater for allergies or dietary restrictions.

Top review

ChristineW

Dined on 9 Nov 2023

Nice food and friendly staffs. Thanks chef Han for make nice omakase for us at that night.

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Experience

Copy of 20 Course Omakase Dinner - January 24 Menu

Kitchens on Kent at The Langham Sydney

4.1

4.1 (658)

$100 and over

Breakfast

Sydney CBD

About the restaurant

Dear valued guests,

Kitchens on Kent will be taking some time to reimagine its future offering, and in the interim will no longer be offering buffet lunch or dinner together with afternoon tea. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause for any plans you had to dine with us.

From Monday 6th November 2023, our offering will change, serving daily breakfast for hotel guests only.
A La Carte lunch will be available on a request basis in our Harbour Room (Monday to Friday) whilst our Observatory Bar will offer A La Carte dinner seven nights per week as well as lunch on weekends.

All bookings that are affected will be fully refundable and our team are in the process of contacting all guests with more details. For any specific issues or requests, please email tlsyd.kitchensonkent@langhamhotels.com

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 1 Jan 2023

Can here for NYD with my mum as a treat to her and we very much enjoyed ourselves and the food. We are looking forward to coming back and eating once again at your lunch buffet. So much on offer and such a good variety of cuisines and drinks included within the price 10/10

Perspective Dining

5.0

5 (19)

$100 and over

Farm-to-table

Fortitude Valley

About the restaurant

Perspective dining is a modern gastronomic tasting menu experience, a closed-door 12-seat chef table dining space, our chefs will take you on a unique culinary journey. Perspective Dining will offer cutting-edge tasting menus seasonally from 3 courses to 9 courses, a plant-based menu as well as a protein-based menu. Perspective Dining will be collaborating with local farmers and suppliers to ensure that our vision of uncompromised, no holds barred excellence and sustainability is showcased in our food.
Perspective | Lunch
Seating one at 11:30 am
Seating two 1:30 pm
Food and wine pairing 140
Just the food 85
Perspective Dinner 9 courses
6:30 pm
Food and Wine pairing 300
Just the food 195

Top review

MatthewB

Dined on 25 Nov 2023

A must try experience Chef and staff curated a magical night to remember

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Experience

Dinner seating Degustation - choose menu in Add On

Experience

Perspective bites- Choose menu in Add On

Essa Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (562)

$41 to $100

Wine Bar

Fortitude Valley

About the restaurant

ESSA provides a destination to escape the expected.

Just like the raw interiors in which we reside, our work is simple but considered.

The ethos in the kitchen embraces collaboration with local farmers, hunters and providores, promoting an environmentally conscious approach to the menu. Harvest driven dishes provide the creative parameters for our ever evolving dining experience.

ESSA is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm till late and Friday, Saturday and Sunday lunch from 12pm.

Top review

RossT

Dined 1 day ago

Five chefs and five plates included wonderful food. Excellent add on options and wine advice/selection was top notch. $66 per head for the base selection was excellent value. Will definitely be back.

Vintaged Bar and Grill

4.2

4.2 (268)

$41 to $100

Steakhouse

Brisbane CBD

About the restaurant

Executive Chef Dario Fiorino brings you a premium range of Australian beef featuring wagyu, in-house dry-aged steaks, and sustainably sourced seafood – all cooked on our open grill and balanced with Mediterranean aromas. A native Milanese, Chef Dario’s menu features Italian, Spanish and French influences, exquisitely complimenting the grill’s naturally infused char, scent and flavour.

Top review

AmeliaB

Dined on 24 Nov 2023

Our entire experience from booking to being late (I called ahead) was perfect. Then we arrived and were greeted so warmly. I’m autistic and super sound sensitive and it was so easy to be there. I was so grateful for the incredible and attentive service and the genuine nature of the staff. We weren’t rushed, we were given time, the wine was perfect, the food was divine - beef tartare, beef carpaccio, rocket and pear salad, the 400g prime rib, the truffle fries. It was all divine. We genuinely had such a wonderful time and that beef tartare and the prime rib was an absolute stand out. I would 100% recommend Vintaged to everyone I know for a truly special experience with kind and attentive staff. Thank you for our perfect date night. It was divine.

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Experience

Christmas Lunch at Hilton Brisbane

Experience

Christmas Dinner at Hilton Brisbane

Experience

Christmas Eve at Hilton Brisbane

E'cco Bistro

4.8

4.8 (916)

$41 to $100

Modern European

Newstead

About the restaurant

Nationally acclaimed and award winning E'cco Bistro was founded in Brisbane in 1995 by one of Australia's most celebrated chefs, Philip Johnson. For the past 25 years, Philip and his team at his landmark bistro have taken a sure yet simple approach by serving unpretentious food to the delight of all diners alike, this has cemented E'cco's reputation in the culinary landscape.
Having relocated from its original location in Brisbane CBD to the fast growing inner-city residential mecca, Newstead, E'cco has been positioned to prosper for the next 25 years and beyond.
As Philip says "We do as little as possible with the best ingredients available."

Top review

LionelM

Dined on 28 Oct 2023

Fabulous service the steak was outstanding as was all the food. Very hard to find anything that could be improved on.

Black Hide By Gambaro At Treasury Brisbane

4.6

4.6 (1306)

$41 to $100

Steakhouse

Brisbane CBD

About the restaurant

Black Hide by Gambaro at Treasury Brisbane will enchant and entertain guests by offering world-class Queensland steak as the hero cuisine, and a selection of mouth-watering seafood dishes.

Experience and savour exceptional personalised guest service and a divinely rich atmosphere that can only be delivered by blending intricate and cutting-edge design with worldly charm and sophistication.

Overlooking the Brisbane River and within an easy stroll of the city’s arts and cultural South Bank precinct, this stunning restaurant will be perfectly positioned in the space previously occupied by The Kitty cocktail bar, which has since closed to enable the beautiful refurbishment.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

We had dinner there last night - Everything was totally superb - food ( steak ) , service, ambience, everything - probably the best restaurant in Brisbane - from Duncan.

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4.7

4.7 (183)

$100 and over

Modern Australian

Surfers Paradise

About the restaurant

A unique fine dining experience with a fully curated wine list and locally sourced ingredients. Situated in the stunning HOTA Gallery, Palette offers a unique blend of art and food on the Gold Coast. Dayan and his team in the kitchen will extend your art experience, taking inspiration from artworks on display and major exhibitions to show just how naturally art and food blends.

Top review

Chris

Dined 1 day ago

Delicious food, great wine, fantastic service, beautiful location!

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Experience

High Tea

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