One of the best ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a significant other — or even just a guy or gal pal – is to go out to a romantic (or entertaining) dinner. A meal out not only allows you to spend quality time together, maybe even trying somewhere new, but also lets you create beautiful, lasting memories.
So, if that’s what you fancy doing this Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Monday this year, by the way, and you’re Sydney-based, or planning on being in the Harbour City for the occasion, we’ve rounded up our picks of the best venues to visit on the day. From a lavish Italian restaurant at Woolloomoolloo Wharf, to a laidback cocktail and sandwich bar in the city and a north-side venue with a comedy line-up, here’s where we suggest celebrating Valentine’s Day in Sydney this year.
Il Pontile, Woolloomooloo
Woolloomoolloo Wharf is known for being one of the best spots in the city for a ritzy meal experience, and new kid on the block Il Pontile delivers. Here you’ll find beautifully-presented Italian pasta and seafood dishes — think octopus salad, watermelon topped with goat’s cheese and spaghetti with zucchini emulsion.
Tiny’s, CBD
For somewhere laidback and fun on Valentine’s Day, book at Tiny’s. The restaurant and bar on Clarence Street serves share plates the likes of Sydney Rock Oysters, beef carpaccio and burrata drizzled in aged balsamic, as well as salads and, what it’s most known for: loaded sandwiches. The highlight, however, would have to be its quirky cocktails — think popcorn espresso martinis — which come in a bottle and you pour yourself.
Tequila Daisy, Barangaroo
Normally closed on Mondays, Tequila Daisy will be open for Valentine’s Day. Tuck into a la carte Mexican-style meal in its ’60s-style terrace space with your partner (or pal), as you watch the foot traffic and departing and arriving ferries. For your own Lady and the Tramp moment (complete with bibs), pre-order the chilli spanner crab a la diabla to share.
SoCal Sydney, Neutral Bay
If you and your dining partner are fans of comedy, consider SoCal. The venue has partnered with LaughMob to put on a line-up of stand-up comedians, including Ian McCarthy, Suraj Kolarkar and Marty Bright, this Valentine’s Day. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $40 for snacks and a show. Doors open at 5pm and the comedy starts at 7:30pm.
Nour, Surry Hills
Get ready to feast if you’re heading to Nour this Valentine’s Day. The restaurant is putting on a $129pp banquet dinner featuring an eight-course feast of all its favourite dishes like chicken bits shawarma and carob glazed lamb shoulder, as well as new dishes like Queensland King prawns and sujuk-filled bastilla. Also, if your plans do happen to change and you’re having to spend Valentine’s Day at home, consider Nour’s Valentine’s banquet, available for order on Providoor, which comes with a dozen oysters and a bottle of Champagne to elevate the mood.
Insitu, Manly
Manly venue Insitu is celebrating Galentine’s Day on February 14, with a game of Gender Bender Bingo taking over on the night. Expect loads of laughs, prizes and a drag show. Tickets, which go for $75 a pop include bottomless Aperol Spritzes, a three-course shared feast, and, of course, bingo. Sittings start at 7pm with bingo kicking off at 7:30pm.
The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Aman
While the regular cinema is always an option for Valentine’s Day, for something more romantic, head to The Australian Botanic Garden in southwest Sydney area Mount Annan. The garden will play host to Valentine’s Day event Lovers by Lakeside, which will see a 10m screen set up, showing classic rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You. Packages include bean bags, popcorn and chocolate-covered strawberries.
LILYMU, Paramatta
Prepare to feast if you’ve decided on LILYMU this Valentine’s Day. The western Sydney venue will be serving up a banquet, $110pp, on the day, with its signature dishes Tom Yum prawn dumplings, delicate kingfish ceviche and caviar featuring. Dinner service is from 5:30pm.
Loulou, Lavender Bay
French are known for being experts in romance so if you’re keen to tap into their expertise, spend your Valentine’s Day at one of the city’s newest French restaurants Loulou. The venue will be offering a three-course set menu, $95pp, on the night, including the likes of roasted scallops with sauce, whole-roasted Aylesbury duck with plums and licorice and soufflé Rothschild with cherries and kirsch.
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