There’s something undeniably romantic about sharing an intimate, candlelit meal. Luckily for Sydney romantics, there is a wealth of restaurants in the city that offer delicate dishes and the perfect mood for a cosy date. Romance is not just about a moody candle-lit setting so we’ve picked the spots that go above and beyond. From elegant fine dining to more affordable spots, here’s our curated list of Sydney’s most romantic restaurants for when you’re in the mood for love.
1. Restaurant Hubert
At Restaurant Hubert, you’ll be spoiled with live jazz, classic French cuisine, an extensive wine list and soft, dim lighting — everything you need for a truly romantic dining experience. Popular for its moody, romantic ambience, it’s arguably one of the most romantic restaurants in the CBD. If you want to experience an authentic Parisian dining experience in Sydney, this is the place to go. The dishes also vie for attention here with menu offerings like indulgent caviar, oysters, Australian rock lobsters and other French delicacies. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with Hubert’s Gâteau au Chocolat and Crème Caramel. Check out everything that’s on offer here.
📍 15 Bligh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
2. Bennelong
Bennelong is a longstanding favourite and a bucket list dining experience in Sydney. One of the city’s most romantic restaurants, you’ll have to be prepared for a hefty price tag here but the experience is worth every penny, with impeccable presentation, beautiful views of the harbour and an intimate setting. If you’re looking to impress, this is the spot. If you’re looking to impress, it’s a tres romantic fine dining spot in Sydney.
📍 Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
3. Alberto’s Lounge
The Italian counterpart to Restaurant Hubert, Alberto’s Lounge excels in a few key areas — authentic Italian food, a lively atmosphere and a stacked wine list are amongst them. Located in an inconspicuous corner of Surry Hills, Alberto’s makes for an intimate dinner setting, just for two. Snuggle into an elegant booth and enjoy classics like rigatoni amatriciana, polpette and Bucatini all’aragosta. Check out the full list here.
📍 17-19 Alberta Street, Sydney NSW 2000
4. Mimi’s
When it comes to romantic restaurants, Mimi’s will transport you to the coast. Offering some of the best seafood in Sydney, it pairs breezy, elegant décor with stunning views of the water. For a romantic night out, Mimi’s delivers in every department. On the food front, diners can expect dishes like the coral trout tartare, yuzu kosho, finger lime and sorrel, or grilled octopus with skordalia, salter Meyer lemon and silver skin cucumber. Check out their full menu here.
📍 130a Beach Street, Coogee NSW 2034
5. Altitude Restaurant
Float in the sky as you eat at Altitude Restaurant, located on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel. The award-winning restaurant offers sweeping views of the city along with a carefully curated menu and exceptional service. Whether you opt for an à la carte lunch, an elegant high tea on weekdays and weekends, or dinner and brunch, the restaurant will deliver. Get the details here.
📍 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
6. Aria
Aria delivers an unparalleled dining experience, blending exceptional Australian cuisine from the creative mind of Matt Moran and excellent service with views to die for. Set against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and a stacked wine selection, Aria is a permanent fixture in the best fine dining restaurants in the city. It’s on the pricier side, but the experience is worth it.
📍 1 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
7. Quay
Quay is synonymous with fine dining in Sydney (regular watchers of Masterchef Australia should be pretty familiar with head honcho Peter Gilmore and his lovingly crafted dishes). The restaurant offers an exceptional six-course tasting menu, featuring standout dishes like oyster caviar, Mud crab with fresh bamboo and golden umami broth, and bone marrow noodles. Plus, you can enjoy stunning views of the Opera House on one side and the Harbour Bridge on the other.
📍 Upper Level Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks NSW 2000
8. Icebergs Dining Room & Bar
Dining at Icebergs is a Sydney staple, but it pulls double duty as one of the city’s best romantic restaurants. The Italian restaurant features classics with a contemporary twist and promises a good time with beautiful Bondi Beach views for days. Get your hands on their agnolotti, pecorino custard and Tasmanian black truffle and round it off with a scrumptious dessert of whipped stracciatella, lemon myrtle granita and alpine strawberry. Find their full menu here.
📍 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
9. Bar 83 at Sydney Tower
Perched on the 83rd floor of the Sydney Tower, Bar 83 stands tall above the rest of the city’s romantic restaurants. The cocktail bar offers a vibrant, retro atmosphere with brilliant cocktails and a selection of whiskies. Enjoy live music, stunning views of the city and a classic menu with a modern twist. Get your hands on the classic lobster roll or dig into the shaved coral trout. You can also share a premium cheese platter because what’s more romantic than sharing great food together?
📍 Westfield Sydney, Level 4/108 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000
10. A Tavola
There’s something about a crisp white tablecloth and candles that just screams ‘date night’. A Darlinghurst staple since 2007, A Tavola offers this, plus a menu of handmade pasta and small plates that delight the palate. Get the focaccia if it’s available, and for bigger gatherings, the restaurant’s communal marble table evokes the feeling of dining with the extended family at Nonna’s house.
📍 348 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
11. L’Heritage
Commanding views across Sydney Harbour from its perch on Chowder Bay, L’Heritage is a ravishingly rustic spot with a mouthwatering menu of French dishes. Chef Julien Audibert takes inspiration from the bistros of Paris, which makes mains like whole lobster with garlic parsley butter and hand-cut French fries, and duck leg confit with orange just a must order. Don’t forget to peruse the restaurant’s excellent wine list, and if you can snag a window seat looking out across the water, you have the ideal date night ahead of you.
📍 7b Chowder Bay Road, Mosman NSW 2088
12. St Siandra
If you’re hoping to keep your date nights to, say, under $100 per head, St Siandra stands out as an excellent romantic restaurant at the more affordable end of the date night spectrum. The sunny, Mediterranean vibes will conjure images of a holiday on the Amalfi coast, and dishes like spaghetti with garlic, chilli oil, and king prawns, or lamb shoulder with broccoli gremolata, pomegranate, and za’atar offer luxurious food on a sensible budget.
📍 75 Lower Parriwi Road, The Spit, Mosman, NSW 2088