Where Chefs Eat: 28 Kitchen Talents on the Best Date Spots in Sydney

Dating is good for your health, lovers. Never stop, whether you’re in a relationship or not. A first date calls for a nice drink and a moody bar. A longtime pair can keep it sparky with a good playlist and a water view.

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, which is as good a time as any to get a date in the diary. These 28 chefs – including Danielle Alvarez, Mimi Wong, Rick Stein and Andy Cooks – have the perfect recs. And one special space even gets chosen five times.

Rick Stein

Bathers’ Pavilion. It’s a beautiful view, right on Balmoral Beach and very romantic.

Trisha Greentree, Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William St

Not a biased opinion but 10 William St or Fratelli Paradiso. Considered lighting, comfortable seating for long conversations, good wine and service staff that will pick up on your cues and follow suit.

Sol Yoon, The International

Pellegrino 2000 – there’s dim lights, pasta, good wine and space to actually talk.

Andy Wirya, Island Radio

I don’t think you can beat Lana. It feels intimate plus has a good vibe. The food is easy to eat as a couple, as there are lots of snacks. And they have a great wine list.

Carly Scheiddeger, Corner 75

Fontana in Redfern. It’s the best spot for every occasion. There isn’t a time when I don’t feel like dining there. Get every snack – they change, and they are all great. Get the ricotta. The prawn and pistachio tonnarelli. The gelato is amazing – my favourite is the mango when summer hits.

Paul Farag, Aalia, Aalia Wine Room

10 Willy has always lent itself to a date – intimate with that old-world Italian charm and service, tucked away in the back streets of Paddington.

Ozge Kalvo, Olympus

I’ve been together with my husband for 13 years, so it’s been a while since I’ve been on a date. But we recently went to Bar Copains for our anniversary. I found it very intimate and romantic. I guess the small snacks are good options for a first date as well. The more snacks – the longer the chat. Comte custard is a must.

Peter Gilmore, Quay, Bennelong

I’m going to be biased and say Bennelong. Being in the magnificence of the Opera House and the grandeur of Bennelong is going to impress any date.

Oscar Solomon, Olympus, The Apollo, Cho Cho San

So many variables. What kind of date? I’ve been with my partner Sofia for 10 years, so we do dates a little differently to, say, people on a first date. So here’s a spread. For a dark and moody first date with engaging staff, I’d say Poly or Bessie’s for good snacks, excellent drinks and to be seen. For a date night experience, Clam Bar or Corner 75 for an all-round experience of space, food, atmosphere. The two are very different, but we recently went to Clam Bar before a performance at the Opera House. We sat in the booth, she drank a Martini, I drank a non-alc beer. Cold seafood tower, burger, pasta. In and out in an hour. Still felt special.

Isobel Whelan-Little, Ace Hotel Sydney

Cafe Paci : the staff are amazing, as is the food. The front-of-house really go out of their way to make you feel comfortable, and the service is considered without feeling overwhelming.

Neil Perry

Sean’s at Bondi Beach. Be sure to get a table by the window and watch Bondi go by. It’s even more beautiful when it’s raining, and you can settle in and enjoy Sean’s beautiful produce-driven cooking with great craft. The service is also warm and real, and the feeling is so comforting. It’s a great place to relax and get to know someone.

Stefano Marano, Avia

Ester is one of my absolute favourites. Matt [Lindsay] and the team have created an intimate and cosy dining room – not too big but not too squishy, the perfect size. The smell of the wood fire, the constantly evolving menu and a great wine list make it an ideal date spot – but the bar is the best seat in the house. Order all the snacks and entrees.

Andy Hearnden, Andy Cooks

I’m taking my partner to Bessie’s. The room is beautiful, the food is amazing and they have a great drinks list with some incredible wines for Katelyn. I had one of the best non-alc cocktails there. Morgy, Nathan and the entire team have created something pretty special.

Lily Davies, Pomme Table

Hard question – it depends on if it’s planned or whimsical. I always love Jane , and if my partner can clock off in time, maximising on the Australiano Hour is a total bonus ($10 wines and some native nibbles). We often head to Raw Bar in Bondi, it’s local to us and ideal for a quick bite – the eggplant with sweet-miso dressing is an absolute must.

Jack Alexander, Pomme Table

I went to Paradise in Potts Point recently, the newest addition to the guys behind Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William St, and absolutely loved it. They have a small, ever-changing blackboard menu supported by a great drinks list. The room has a wonderfully early-2000s nostalgic feel about it. Order the soup if it’s on. Also, the bread and butter slaps.

Annita Potter, Viand

Can I be cheeky and say Viand ? It seems to transport guests when they enter through the heavy crimson velvet curtains. Large tables where you can sit side by side on our banquettes and where we take you on a journey – the thought process is done for you, so you can sit back, relax and stay as long as you want. We have had several wedding proposals happen at Viand … must say something, I guess.

Declan Cleary, Masterchef

Bar Copains in Surry Hills. Intimate and relaxed with a banging wine list. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, share plates and have great conversation.

Toby Wilson, Ricos Tacos

I’d have to say Chaco Ramen – that’s where I had my first date with my fiancé (she still contests it was a date). Yuzu scallop ramen with John Dory wontons? Who wouldn’t fall in love.

Brendan Pang

Ito on Crown Street is my favourite restaurant in Sydney. The vibe is perfect for a date – great atmosphere, beautiful space and the food is incredible, it’s a mix of Japanese and Italian. Always order the prawn and scallop ravioli, and I love their take on lasagne with eggplant and whipped tofu.

Juan Taborda, Quay

Bennelong – there’s nothing more romantic than having great food and cocktails in the Opera House.

Josh Niland, Saint Peter

Sean’s Panaroma. Obviously for its position alongside Bondi Beach, but mainly due to its gracious, warm, personalised service and hospitality.

Elizabeth Hewson, Saturday Night Pasta

I haven’t been on a first date in a very long time! I’ve been married for nine years, and with my partner for 18. But if I had to choose, I imagine it would be somewhere like Gildas. It’s vibey, casual and offers delicious snacks – perfect for a relaxed atmosphere. The staff are excellent, which I think is crucial for a first date – they can really help break the ice. I also like that while its sister restaurant Firedoor is very well known (for good reason), Gildas has a slightly under-the-radar edge to it, which could be impressive when you’re taking someone out.

Sam Rozsnyoi, Chiswick

One hundred per cent Club Fontana. If you Googled couple goals, Dan and Ivy would be on there. I don’t want to say it’s underrated, cos that would take away from the fact that it’s so good, but yeah, it’s so good. I had the best vitello tonnato of my life. Incredible. I still remember it to this day. And I love his little giardiniera salad with the olives and the pickled capsicum. And the pistachio and prawn tonnarelli. He does a scotch bonnet, which is something I’ve tried to cook once, and I failed miserably. It’s almost like a steamed pudding with amaretti chocolate. It’s quite hard to pull off, but he just nails all the techniques. The simplicity of what he’s doing is super hard to do, and he’s just nailing it. And that’s what I love about it.

But is Ante the perfect Sydney date spot?

“I am a Newtown girly, so I love Ante. I went on a date at Continental Deli – specifically the al fresco seats in front, where you stare across into Westwood. And for a very, very romantic date, the loveseat at Fontana. The two seats on that bar island – when you get the receipt, it says “loveseat”. That’s just a really lovely touch.”
– Mimi Wong

“Look, they don’t take bookings but I love, love, love Ante [a sake bar] in Newtown. It’s not fancy in the way that people might think a special occasion place should be, but the service is amazing, the food is incredible. And it’s always a bit different every time I go. We always feel really well looked after – it’s just fun and delicious. [My favourite’s the] one thing that never leaves the menu: the noodles with fermented shiitake mushrooms. Oh my god, I could have like two bowls of that to myself, please.”
– Danielle Alvarez, Sydney Opera House

“What makes a great date? The company and the food. If you’re lucky enough to have one half of that sorted out, Ante takes the care of the other half. And it’s not only the delicious food, but the fun factor of trying different sakés and learning about them, plus the space is beautiful. Big fan.”
– Joe Valero, Lottie

“I would go to Ante and sit at the bar. It’s dim and moody, good music and excellent booze. Also, they are so knowledgeable about sake that if it’s a dud date, you can just make sure they keep explaining all the drinks to you [instead of making conversation].”
– O Tama Carey, Lankan Filling Station

“ Ante in Newtown. It really strips back the pressure of that first date. With no reservations, there’s no pressure to book ahead. Like, there’s a wait for your table? Just nip over to one of the pubs and have a couple of drinks and they’ll text you when it’s ready. Don’t know what to order? The staff there are very good at taking the thinking out of your hands curating the food experience and pairing it with exceptional sakes and cocktails. I believe the pacing of the food is also the unsung hero of this venue. It’s casual, friendly and gives you time between each course to catch up and soak in the surroundings – and your company.”
–Cam Votano, The Bat & Ball