Flattering, soft lighting, cosy nooks, decadent dishes designed to share and splurge-worthy wine offerings are the hallmarks of a starry-eyed dining experience – setting you up for a successfully romantic evening. Whether you’re keeping that flame burning bright, hoping to woo a new beau, or celebrating a long-running friendship, these are the restaurants to visit throughout the River City for your loved-up celebrations. And if these don’t do the trick, we’re afraid that’s on you.
Opulent furnishings, artfully presented dishes and a choice of private dining options – for those seeking a secluded spot away from fellow lovebirds – makes Donna Chang an ideal choice for romantic dinners. Fresh, contemporary Chinese flavours and aromatic, wood-fired dishes are all part of the romantic dining experience. 171 George Street, Brisbane; donnachang.com.au.
Long and narrow, this faintly lit, split-level restaurant, allows guests multiple dining experiences, from cosy banquettes tucked at the front and rear to bar seating and a full chef’s table affair, perched at the kitchen counter a spaghetti twirl from the action. Chef/co-owner Phil Marchant presents contemporary cuisine understated in description leaving plenty of room for surprises in the constantly changing, seasonal menu. Take for example wood-fired grey mackerel with burnt capsicum romesco, or cucumber with a sauce made from bones and port. It all pairs easily with wines from the versatile and balanced list of predominantly Australian, French and Italian bottles, while a clutch of house cocktails offers a bit of fun. 181 Robertson St, Fortitude Valley; essa.restaurant.
Having flung opened its doors in 2020 along Fish Lane in South Brisbane’s growing Cultural Precinct, this venue will allow your Valentine to believe you’re ahead of the curve when it comes to selecting dining destinations. Book a table outside among the inviting greenery and select from a refined menu of East-Asian cuisine, followed by a drink at the adjoining Kiki bar (should things go to plan.) Open Sundays. Fish Lane Town Square, South Brisbane; southside-restaurant.com.au.
Ben Williamson’s wood-fired dishes will delight even the most discerning date – and, if not, you might need to reconsider your choice (of date, not dining spot). This moody restaurant offers innovative, smoky dishes – cooked on and served by an open fire – eliciting a cosy atmosphere, ideal for wine swilling and deep conversation. Agnes Street, Fortitude Valley;agnesrestaurant.com.au.
Breezy riverside locale? Check. Sparkling lights dancing on the water? Check. Delicious spritzy cocktails to lighten the mood? Check. Fabulous Italian dishes? You’d better believe it. You really cannot fail at this Howard Smiths Wharves darling where well-heeled diners while an evening away over pasta, Aperol and the ebb and flow of the river below. Lady and the Tramp moment, anyone? Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane City; ciaopapi.com.au.
A stalwart favourite of locals and visitors alike, Gerard’s epitomises chic dining in the heart of James Street. And, with Adam Wolfers on the pans as executive chef these days, you know the Middle-Eastern-inspired dishes will be anything but dull. Go for the ever-evolving seasonal menu selections and stay for the inimitable cocktails with a Middle Eastern twist (try the za’atar martini or the sweet pepper and sumac boulevardier). James Street, Fortitude Valley; gerardsbistro.com.au.
One for the south-siders, this Woolloongabba institution is as dimly lit and about as romantic as restaurants come – think burgundy velvet-swathed booth seats, rustic Italian décor, mood-enhancing music and chandeliers. Showcasing its classic Roman fare, 1889 Enoteca’s summer menu is the next best thing to an Italian escapade. Work your way through the menu from antipasti to dolci and prepare to fall in love (with the food, but maybe also your companion). And, they’re open Sundays. The Moreton Rubber Building, Woolloongabba; 1889enoteca.com.au.
Plant-powered couples can dine among their people at Za Za Ta. Dressed to impress for a romantic rendezvous, this restaurant is a winner, winner falafel dinner. Chef Roy Ner’s flavoursome, dishes are a sight to behold (and a taste to delight), telling the story of his Tel Aviv upbringing. For that specials night out share the shish barak pumpkin dumplings with burnt butter, pine nut and buffalo milk yoghurt or tuck into the BBQ cauliflower shawarma with labneh mornay and green mango. Ovolo The Valley, 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley; ovolohotels.com/ovolo/thevalley.
Don your glad rags and whisk your beloved away to La Lune Wine Co. For the true romantic experience share the seasonally focused tasting menu complemented by perfectly matched wines, naturally. Take your pick of local drops, or travel around the world’s finest wine regions with your one true. Shop 3, 109 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane; lalunewineco.com.au.
Known for its low lighting, stripped-back décor and imaginative repasts, Malt Dining is a couple’s go-to. Might we suggest the six-course tasting menu (with a vegetarian option on offer) with matched wines? You’re in no hurry. Or, polish off your choice of mains with the now-renowned Malt Brownie, forever impressing diners with its smitten coupling of pistachio and mandarin. 28 Market Street, Brisbane; maltdining.com.au.
A beautifully moody space paired with an enticing, modern Asian banquet creates an experience made to be shared with a loved ones. Add lanterns and view of the Story Bridge and you’re all set. And, if the company isn’t quite right? The Madame Wu dessert tasting plate and a Bruce Lee cocktail to share is a sure-fire way to end the evening on a high. This year’s special Valentine’s Banquet is $120pp. 71 Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane; madamewu.com.au.
Traditional Cantonese cuisine with a twist. Book a table inside to hide away among the intensely dark interiors, with bamboo fretwork and hand-painted murals glossing the walls, or soak in those coveted water views under the retractable roof on the plant-lined front deck. Working with local farmers, fishers and suppliers, top chef Louis Tikaram brings the best of Australian produce to even the simplest of dishes, such as sweet, plump Moreton Bay bug meat that comes packed inside spring rolls, or battered and fried salt and pepper-style. Dim sum arrives as a mixed signature platter of steamed bites, while the Peking duck is a favourite among regulars for its lustrous crisp skin and moist meat. 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City; stanleyrestaurant.com.au.
With its red upholstered seating and brass fittings you could be on the Boulevard St Germain rather than adjacent to the Exhibition Grounds in King St, but the attention to detail, quality of cooking, level of service and French-accented wine list are noteworthy. Choose from an an a la carte menu of classics for dinner Tuesday to Thursday (with a choice of five options for entrees and mains for $85pp for two courses and $100 for three), or a five-course chef’s menu of some of these classics for $135. Lovers of French onion soup, the peerless double-baked souffle with crabmeat and gruyere, steak frites, bouillabaisse, or perhaps a lovely rum baba to finish, look no further. But on Friday and Saturday nights there’s just a six-course, $165 tasting menu that moves into new territory with dishes such as tartare of champagne lobster; rabbit loin wrapped in smoked pork cheek, as well as slow-roasted Black Angus fillet. Shop 1/30 King St, Bowen Hills; montrachet.com.au.
Upstairs at Craft’d Grounds, the former timber mill turned hospitality hub, Herve’s menu begins with puffed potato topped with caviar, cheesy choux pastry balls, baked Flinders Island scallops or duck and foie gras pate. The main course line-up boasts a cold seafood platter and options such as Moreton Bay bug or Murray cod; succulent pork with native spices, roast pumpkin, lentil and pomegranate jus; perhaps a perfectly cooked Black Angus tenderloin or a 1kg wagyu T-bone. A standout is the ravioli of western rock lobster, with caviar an optional extra. The wine list is global, offering a broad array of price points, and unusually, a page of Corsican varieties. Desserts are terrific, with a starry chocolate confection topped with hazelnut nougatine and roasted vanilla ice cream encircled by Pedro Ximenez-soaked sultanas. Level 1, Craft’d Grounds, 31-37 Collingwood St, Albion; hervesrestaurantbar.com.au.
