In this bustling city, where sun-kissed shores meet cosmopolitan charm, romantic allure takes shape in bars and restaurants that could grace the pages of Architectural Digest. These dining establishments extend their appeal beyond gastronomic experiences, offering spaces adorned with pastel hues and sustainable materials, booths and dining rooms that encourage connection and intimacy.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, seeking a quiet escape with your significant other, or simply indulging in a romantic evening, here are Sydney’s most romantic restaurants.
Rafi, North Sydney
Rafi’s playful spirit and maximalist blend of materials and colour combination is the perfect backdrop for a first date when you want to keep it casual and fun. There’s no pressure here. The menu is packed with Mediterranean flavours and dishes designed to share, including crispy eggplant and king prawns with chilli miso butter. However, if we may suggest one dish, it’s the South Coast tuna with tomato, tahini, and fragrant chilli oil. You won’t regret it.
Gildas, Surry Hills
Looking for somewhere moody with good wine and shareable plates? Head to Gildas. This moody Basque-inspired wine bar has a feminine touch with warm interiors. Whether you’re snuggled in a banquet seat or stooped at the bar, you’re guaranteed romance here, complete with slices of Jamon Iberico and Spanish wines.
Le Foote, The Rocks
This Mediterranean-style wine bar and restaurant is Sydney’s favourite place to dine at the moment, and there are pockets inside for a more intimate experience, including nabbing a stool seat at the wine bar or scoring a dining nook hidden in the corner. There is often live music or a romantic waltz here and there, especially on weekends. The menu is a smorgasbord of Italian, French, and Spanish dishes, from pork cotoletta to beef tartare, shaved calamari, and a gooey, delicious cheese pie served with native berries. There’s a reason Le Foote is the most sought-after reservation in Sydney: the food and 300-strong wine list is just one of them. Book as early in advance as you can, spots fill quickly.
Beau, Surry Hills
Tucked away in an inner-city laneway is Beau, a small, narrow wine bar. With most tables set for two, this venue is primed for a romantic rendezvous after work. The menu is rich with small share plates, such as a mafaldine pasta with shiitake XO and a seared beef tartare served on a crispy golden hash brown. The cocktail list is long; the wine list is longer.
Kiln, CBD
Less moody and more ‘wow factor,’ Kiln will impress your date with its uniquely Australian colour palette and hyperlocal menu, highlighting seasonal produce. Pull up a funky chair at the bar or settle into a comfy banquet seat with skyline views. Ideal for day or night, Kiln is the ideal first date and date night destination.
The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar, CBD
If you need to impress, slink away for Euro-glam at The Charles. The building’s heritage is perfect for channelling France’s grand brasseries, though the decor has a contemporary touch. There are several seating options, including a private banquet seat for two and longer tables and booths for double dates. Either way, the dining room is chic, whether you’re meeting someone for brunch or a steak dinner. There’s a roving dessert trolley, too, because nothing screams romance more than sharing a sweet dessert.
Charlotte Bar and Bistro, McMahons Point
If you’re looking for romance, you can bet on finding it at a French restaurant. They are, after all, the romancers of the world. Charlotte Bar and Bistro is no exception. With dark wood, velvety chairs, corduroy bench seats, and gold accents, it’s the ideal spot for a long lunch with a loved one. The menu is designed to be shared and skews toward a nostalgic and avant-garde approach to French cuisine. The signature dish, ‘Boeuf En Croûte Royal,’ blends tradition and innovation and requires at least 24 hours advanced notice. The à la carte menu is filled with French classics like a ratatouille-inspired vegetable tart and an indulgent, rich lobster ravioli topped with tempura zucchini flowers for crunch.
Bar Morris, Haymarket
Italians are romance experts, even more so than the French. At Bar Morris, love is in the air. Nestle into a booth for some privacy, or pull out an armchair and peruse the menu of Italian classics. Sip on Negronis or go straight to a bottle from Piedmont. Don’t worry too much about it being a hotel lobby bar. It looks nothing like one, and let’s face it, hotel bars are the original dating destination.
Hubert, CBD
Hubert is as iconic as it gets. Nestled in the heart of the city, slink downstairs and be transported to 1930s Paris with its charming ambience and legendary French cuisine. The dim lighting, live music, and underground setting are primed for intimate dining moments. Indulge in their classic French dishes like escargots de Bourgogne, coq au vin, and perfectly prepared steak frites.
Loulou, Milsons Point
Another French restaurant serving a romantic setting is Loulou in Milsons Point. At night, the lights are dimmed, the music is soft, and the couples are cosy in banquet seats. Head chef Ned Parker, with experience at Michelin-starred establishments, crafts a menu brimming with unapologetically French dishes. The John Dory is a must-try dish. It comes bathed in a champagne sauce.
Poetica, North Sydney
Poetica is a sophisticated, relaxed bar and grill in North Sydney from the team behind Loulou. Natural light floods the dining room with four intimate outdoor terraces, making it an ideal destination for a romantic summer evening. On the menu, expect Sydney rock oysters with melted beef fat dripped from a red-hot cast-iron cone, resulting in a delightful combination of nduja and guindilla pepper. To start your culinary journey, pair the oysters with crispy focaccia di recco while perusing the rest of the menu.
Ora, Waterloo
Need a fancy dinner? Ora in Waterloo is a moody, dim-lit industrial-style restaurant serving Japanese cuisine from a sushi counter or cosy lounge. ORA’s restaurant blends a sushi menu with dishes drawn from across the Japanese spectrum using only the ingredients. The menu includes the freshest sushi and raw bar, braised and steamed dishes from the kitchen, as well as seafood, meat and vegetables cooked on the charcoal grill.
Cardea, Barangaroo
Opulent, elegant and exuding the old-world charm of a clandestine speakeasy, red velvet booths, chandeliers and vintage furniture offer an enchanting ambience. Cardea sets the stage for romantic moments where laughter fills the air, secrets are whispered, and memories are forged. The bar menu is the focus and is filled with everything from wine to signature cocktails. The bar snacks are well worth your time. The half-moon dumplings, tuna carpaccio, and potato mille-feuille topped with caviar and Wagyu are crowd-favourites.
Related: The Best Set Menus In Sydney You Can Get For Under $100
Related: 13 of the Cosiest Wine Bars in Sydney to Duck into on a Chilly Night
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