The Best Date Night Spots in Melbourne, According to 15 Top Chefs

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. We asked 15 top Melbourne chefs where in town they’d recommend for date night, whether you’re looking for a casual spot for a drink and snacks, or somewhere you can go all-out.

Nat Thaipun, Masterchef winner

If it’s early days of dating, Bar Liberty. If it’s casual, I’d probably start with Mesob Ethiopian in Northcote or even Los Hermanos in Brunswick because it’s fun eating with your hands and getting a little messy. Then hit The Keys for bowling. Finish the night at Franklin’s Bar or Cafe Gummo. Or maybe catch a gig at Cactus Room.

Jett Alexander, Osteria Ilaria

Left-field, but I would have to say The Keys in Preston. There’s 10-pin [bowling], Big Buck Hunter, pool, and a great bar and kitchen. Also, it’s a stone’s throw from a few High Street bars if you want to kick on to a cosy corner.

Robbie Noble, Residence

I recently went to Zareh with a friend and although the company was great, I did spend a lot of time thinking about how good a date spot it would be. It’s intimate, fun, noisy and requires just enough adventurousness to figure each other out a bit more or to create a talking point if it’s not a first, second or third date. There’s flame, brass, good music and Tom [Sarafian]’s as fun to talk to as he is to watch cook. Such a great spot for anything really.

Audrey Allard, Holy Sugar

If you’ve just started dating, go to Al Dente Enoteca. It’s a quality experience at an affordable price so it doesn't feel like too much pressure. Get the tortellini cacio e pepe.

Nornie Bero, Native Ingredients Every Day author

Poodle in Fitzroy. The service is always spot-on, the food’s fantastic and the atmosphere just feels right for a date night. It’s elegant but relaxed; you can have a great meal and still feel comfortable.

Kate Reid, Lune

Bar Olo is just so sexy, with its low-lit Milan vibes. Sit up at the bar side-by-side, your knees touching, leaning into your date. The plin pasta is one of the greatest dishes in Melbourne, and it’s a nice little sharer (unless you’re on a date with me – I’ll want the whole bowl to myself, thank you very much). Exceptional drinks list, too.

Charlie Duffy, Daybaker

Brico in Carlton North. Great relaxed atmosphere, top wines and food that’s delicious without stealing the show.

Junda Khoo, Ho Jiak

Go to Marmelo for the pullet and cheesecake. Or Pepe’s for pasta, pizza and the eye fillet.

Andy Allen, Masterchef judge

Napier Quarter. Whether you sit inside or outside, you get this feeling where you just slow down, block everything out that’s going on with life.

Hyoju Park, Madeline de Proust

I am a meat lover, so we love to go to Mansae for Korean barbeque. They serve top quality meat. Nothing beats a proper barbeque night out.

Frankie Cox, Crop

Brico. My partner and I love to sit at the bar and drink lots of different wines by the glass. The team introduced us to Scarlet menta amaro and it’s now our favourite way to finish a meal. I’m looking forward to having a glass on ice soon.

Cam Tay-Yap, Pebble

Kirbie in South Melbourne is fun, lively, personable, cosy, romantic, warm and delicious. The food is tasty and unpretentious and with a dim candle-lit room, it’s got personality as well as character for romance and good times.

Eun Hee An, Moon Mart

Bar Bellamy is the perfect date spot. It’s so cute, the staff are super lovely and the drinks are amazing.

Andreas Papadakis, Tipo 00

Embla is the ultimate date spot. But I don’t want to pigeonhole it. It’s so much more, a truly one-of-a-kind venue that we’re lucky to have in the CBD.

Helly Raichura, Enter Via Laundry

I would start with some beautiful wine at Avani in Red Hill and head to Polperro for some more wine before settling in for hoppers at Many Little. I find it quite sexy to eat hoppers and curry with your hands on a date.