People enjoying a drink and dinner at Busby's
Photograph: Supplied/Busby's
Photograph: Supplied/Busby's

The best Valentine's Day dinners in Sydney 2024

Whether you're marking the occasion with a Valentine or your Pal'entine, here are the best spots to get loved up

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Valentine's Day – love it or hate it, it's here to stay. Regardless of where you stand, getting all dolled up and going out for a fancy meal is pretty much a universal pleasure, especially when restaurants go all out on the special occasion with bells and whistles. These are the best restaurants in Sydney going the extra mile on February 14 this year, so if you're looking to impress your date, or simply down for an epic feed with a mate (or two), here's where to head. 

RECOMMENDED:

Keen for more? Check out our guide to the most romantic date night restaurants and bars in Sydney here.

Prefer to dine out on any other night of the year? Here are Sydney's best restaurants to work your way through.

Valentine's Day dinners in Sydney

  • Tapas bars
  • Potts Point

With its cosy nooks, glittering chandeliers, and elegant Madrid-inspired architecture, Potts Point’s wine bar and restaurant Bar Lucia was made for Valentine’s Day. Get in the mood with Champagne on arrival and Sydney rock oysters, followed by lobster paella, jamón Ibérico croquettes and more. The V Day menu is $115 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Italian
  • Woollahra
  • price 2 of 4

Neighbourhood pasta spot I Maccheroni will be slinging a three-course Valentine’s Day dinner worthy of a swipe right. Choose your dishes from the whole menu, with hits including burrata topped with figs, prosciutto and walnuts; cacio e pepe spaghettoni served tableside in the cheese wheel; and a limoncello cheesecake for dessert. Bellissimo. $79 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • British
  • Sydney

It's called 'The Kiss'. Think: raspberry-rippled poached Italian meringue served with Italian hot chocolate and finished with beetroot dust. And it's available this Valentine's Day at Gowings by QT. Top chef Sean Connolly's romance menu also includes aphrodisiac Sydney rock oysters; roasted figs with gorgonzola and prosciutto; and eastern rock lobster with lemon salsa and salmon roe. Sounds pretty good to us. So good you could kiss it. $130 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Bondi Beach
  • price 3 of 4

Love is in the air and so is the aroma of classic Italian food and sea spray. Chef Alex Prichard has curated a four-course set menu that looks just as good as the views. Be prepared for Sydney rock oysters with a lemon myrtle and pink peppercorn mignonette; Jerusalem artichoke, spanner crab and artichoke spaghetti; and “Floating Icebergs” for dessert: rose meringue with poached plums and cinnamon myrtle custard. $250 per person. Book here.

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  • Wine bars
  • Paddington

Natural wine and record bar Busby's will be spinning tunes and stealing hearts on Valentine’s Day with their three-course meal curated by head chef Clayton Wells. Snuggle up with your hot date and enjoy the likes of tuna with tarragon, buttermilk and roasted chilli oil; rigatoni alla vodka with marinated peppers and wild oregano; and passionfruit pav. $99 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney

Sick of all the V Day talk and lovey dovey couples? We hear you. On February 14, Merivale is giving away a free bottle of Moët and Chandon Champagne to any booking of four and more at 24 of their venues, so you can grab three friends and head out together instead. All your favourites are in on the fun, including Totti’s, Mimi’s, Felix, Queen Chow and The Paddington. And if you're keen to double date this V Day to score a free bottle of bubbles (yes pls), you can do that too. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Glebe

Sit back and enjoy a gorgeous Euro-inspired feast with your better half this Valentine's Day. The Wedge in Glebe is slinging delicious numbers like octopus with potatoes, sherry aioli and  guanciale; and coral trout with sauce vierge. And for dessert? There's a millefoglie with white chocolate and almond mousse and apricots. $99 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Wine bars
  • Darlinghurst

If you’re keen on some tasty eats and funky drops this V Day then head to Odd Culture Newtown. Head chef Jesse Warkentin’s banquet menu includes summer hits like ceviche, a roast chook, fresh salad and more. Add on a glass of Champagne on arrival and a chocolate semifreddo for dessert and you’ve got yourself an evening fit for romance. $120 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Cocktail bars
  • Darlinghurst

New Darlinghurst boozer The Waratah is putting on a V Day spread for one-day-only. Snack on things like potato scallops, with crème fraiche, Yarra Valley salmon roe and geraldton waxleaf; and albacore tuna with native finger lime, black lime and heirloom radish. The main event, a vanilla flan with an orange caramel in the shape of a heart, is sure to win your heart. $119 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Castlecrag

Let ‘Big Sam Young’ and his partner and chef Grace take care of you and your date on Feb 14. S’more’s menu of love features Champagne on arrival, a lobster roll, beef tartare, Wagyu, and more lobster. If you can’t go all out on Valentines’ Day, when the hell can you? $198 per person. Email bookings only (Bookings@smoresydney.com.au).

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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Ripples Chowder Bay’s Valentine’s Day menu is a ripper. Get around halloumi with filo pastry, dry gin salt, honey and oregano; crisp pork belly with cauliflower purée and honey jus; and lemon meringue with lemon curd, mascarpone and raspberry powder. And did we mention the water views? $149 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Bistros
  • Circular Quay

If you’re after a classy affair this V Day, the swish new Bistro George could be for you. Head chef Steven Sinclair’s menu is set to be a showstopper. Think: Spencer Gulf king prawns with radicchio and romesco; tagliolini with southern rock lobster, bisque and cherry tomatoes; and dark chocolate mousse with vanilla and rose. $180 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Chinese
  • Parramatta

Parramatta’s modern Asian diner is putting on the works for this special day. Executive chef Brendan Fong is preparing a pan-Asian feast, featuring kingfish and coconut ceviche, ‘tom yum’ prawn dumplings and a coconut sorbet to finish. $118 per person. Book here.

  • Italian
  • Double Bay
  • price 2 of 4

Enjoy a taste of the Amalfi Coast with a side of pizza and a Spritz this Valentine's Day at Matteo Double Bay and Matteo Downtown. Both venues have created delicious Italian dishes for you to share. Pasta, wine and your date? Now that's amore. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Mediterranean
  • Cronulla

The ocean views are an obvious reason to visit new Cronulla restaurant Bobbys, but the Valentine's Day menu may get you over the line. The dinner includes a cocktail on arrival, followed by shared starters, your choice of main course and Bobbys' pavlova to finish. With a stellar views, fresh food and a hot date, what's not to love? $115 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Spanish
  • Elizabeth Bay

Intimate, stylish and sexy, Catalonian fine-diner Parlar is what date-night dreams are made of. This Valentine’s Day, enjoy things like kingfish with caviar and orange; a prawn and saffron tart; and pan-fried gnocchi with mushrooms, goat’s cheese and sage. $175 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Australian
  • North Sydney

North's Sydney's colourful spot Rafi is putting on a gorgeous dinner for you and your lover. Head chef Matias Cilloniz's menu includes seared kingfish with tomato ponzu; cabbage roll stuffed with toothfish, abalone rice and pipis; Wagyu flat iron steak; and a double chocolate dessert with macadamia and tonka bean. Throw in a glass of Champagne on arrival and you've got yourself a hot date. $155 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Sydney

Want your Valentine's Day to be reallllllly spesh? Infinity, the fine diner at Sydney Tower, is one of Sydney's top locations for proposals, averaging one proposal every week. Inifinity general manager, Alex Kerner, says: "We're lucky enough to witness beautiful moments nearly every week here at Infinity. We also receive many requests for 'Will you marry me?' dessert plates and (luckily) so far, all proposals have been successful!" If you're keen for a 'successful' night, they're offering up a V-Day special, including all the aphrodisiacs: a glass of G.H Mumm Champagne on arrival, oysters and a three-course meal featuring your choice of dishes. Each couple will also receive a box of homemade truffles and a single rose to take home. For $250 per person. Book here.

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  • Italian
  • Sydney
  • price 1 of 4

This cheerful Italian joint is serving a Valentine's Day menu that won't make your eyes water when you see the bill (but will make you salivate when you read the menu). Get stuck into the Italian classics: burrata and focaccia, prosciutto and melon; lobster mafaldine with chilli and cherry tomatoes; pan-fried barramundi; and raspberry and pistachio tiramisu. $79 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • French
  • Lavender Bay

Tucked away near the base of the Harbour Bridge in Milsons Point is Loulou, a French bistro with a few timely twists. For Valentine's Day, the team is offering a glass of Moët & Chandon on arrival and a three-course meal: Dauphine potatoes and beef carpaccio to start, followed by a whole roasted rainbow trout with sauce vierge, and finished with chocolate mousse. $125 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Fusion
  • Circular Quay

This up-market osteria that heroes seasonal seafood is putting on a special Valentine's Day feast. It will be a seafood extravaganza with fresh bites like WA scampi ssam with mascarpone and dashi; angel hair pasta with mud crab, black pepper butter and shio kombu; and steamed murray cod with ginger, shallot and desert lime. End on a beautiful note with a Eton mess with watermelon, rose, strawberry. You can book here to enjoy 12 dishes for $169 per person.

  • Wine bars
  • Surry Hills

Bring your beau, lover, or mate to chic Surry Hills restaurant Beau this Valentine’s Day, and the rest will be history. The polished spot by the Nomad crew will be serving a shared menu featuring spatchcock with preserved lemon and roasted grapes; and a strawberry and rose pavlova for dessert, with Champagne on arrival. $150 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Chinese
  • Sydney

Every day is a good day for Cantonese food in our opinion, and Circular Quay’s eatery Pearl is putting on an extra-special spread for the day of love. The eight-course menu includes dishes like Appellation oysters, Hokkaido scallops, lobster dumplings, and salt and pepper Wagyu with black truffle sauce. $168 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Middle Eastern
  • Sydney
  • price 2 of 4

Spice it up in every regard with Babylon for Valentine's Day. Not only is this rooftoop bar one of the better looking ones we've come across in the city, but the Levantine-inspired ten-course set menu will trick your tongue into thinking you're sampling the local luxuries of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean markets. Think  pan-fried halloumi with local honey, fig jam and wild flowers; spice-fried cauliflower with lemon, black tahini and almonds; and wood-fired half lobster with harissa, raki and soft herbs. $120 per person. Book here.

  • French
  • Sydney

Go all out this day of love with dinner at European grand brasserie, The Charles. On the line-up is a nori crisp with marinated ocean trout and finger lime; yellowfin tuna with heirloom tomatoes and whipped roe; spatchcock with a creamy mushroom sauce; and an Eton mess with red berries and vanilla. Grand, indeed. $165 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Sydney
  • price 2 of 4

This one's for all the (meat) lovers out there. Begin head chef Scott Kim's four-course set menu with a burrata salad with heirloom tomatos, peach and basil; and a Chophouse steak tartare and waffle chips. Ready for the star of the spread? Share an extravagant 700g rib on the bone with a marble score of two. In case that's not enough to satisfy you, end with a Valrhona raspberry and pistachio chocolate block for dessert. $175 per person. Book here.

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Caitlyn Todoroski
Contributor
  • Cocktail bars
  • Sydney
  • price 2 of 4

Appellation oysters with finger lime and citrus vinegrette; Yamba prawns with ginger and a yuzu lemon balm; and Wagyu beef tenderloin with green peppercorns and pomme puree are some of the plates you can expect from Kittyhawk's Valentine's Day menu. Fun add-ons, like lobster and caviar bumps, are available if you feel like splashing. The set menu is $100 per person, and there's an vego option for $90 per person, with the option to add a wine pairing for $65. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Mexican
  • Circular Quay

If a Mexican fiesta sounds like a fun time to you and your lover, head to Circular Quay's Bar Patrón on Feb 14. Kick off the night with a signature Patrón Margarita, followed by a classic guac, crisp prawn tacos, scallop ceviche and loads more. $89 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Sydney
  • price 3 of 4

Want jaw-dropping views to pair with your jaw-dropping date? Aria's views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will set you back a pretty penny, but this is undeniably one of Sydney's finest dining experiences – worth it if you're really trying to impress someone. Their six-course menu includes Champagne on arrival and costs $350 per person. Book here.

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Caitlyn Todoroski
Contributor
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  • Woollahra
  • price 2 of 4

Head chef Daniel Cooper has prepared a romantic plant-to-plate sharing menu to be enjoyed in Chiswick's enchanting garden setting. Settle in for the evening with some creamy stracciatella with fire-roasted peaches, hazelnut and oregano; and a sirloin with mushroom mustard, watercress and pickled shallot. For dessert, there's a summer berry pudding with strawberries and buttermilk gelato. $175 per person. Book here.

  • Pubs
  • Woolloomooloo
  • price 2 of 4

Rustic and charming with a lick of red, the Old Fitz's bistro is made for romantic meals with a lover. Come for a Valentine’s banquet menu, lemon posset dessert with raspberries and a glass of French sparkling on arrival for $100 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Barangaroo

Celebrate Feb 14 with your lover and a delicious Turkish spread at waterfront spot Anason. The menu includes dishes like lentil kofte with cos lettuce, pickles and radish; beetroot falafel with smoked hummus, cucumber and coriander; and Murray Cod with pippies, green olives and raisins. $125 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Eastern European
  • Glebe

Keen for a night out that does good at the same time? Plate it Forward’s Ukrainian restaurant Kyiv Social has a Valentine's Day menu available – and for each person who dines there, the team will be donating two meals to those in need in Australia, and two in the Ukraine. So not only is the six-course set menu delicious, it's food that counts. $99 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Hotels
  • Luxury hotels
  • The Rocks

If you're looking for views to wow your date, consider Altitude on level 36 at the Shangri-La. Expect expansive views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House while you revel in the likes of Sydney rock lobster with macadamia and sea herbs; dry-aged duck with red cabbage and Shangri-La Sydney beehive honey; and a Valentine teddy bear dessert. Five courses will set you back $199 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Breweries
  • The Rocks
  • price 1 of 4

The view of this flagship James Squire brewhouse brings you a luxury dining experience at a fraction of the cost. Take your pick from an array of entrees, mains and sides, ranging from pappardelle ragu with slow-cooked beef and fresh herbs to a wood-fired lamb rump with harissa, cucumber, mint and pomegranate. Add dessert if you wish. $85 per person. Book here.

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Caitlyn Todoroski
Contributor
  • Bondi North
  • price 2 of 4

Is there anything more romantic than a beachside rendezvous while the sun sets? We don't think so. North Bondi Fish will be slinging a delicious set menu this Valentine's Day with Champagne on arrival. We're talking cured kingfish with apple, celery and horseradish; scallop and swimmer crab tortellini with dashi butter; and dark chocolate parfait with strawberry sorbet and rose poached berries. $140 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Potts Point
  • price 2 of 4

If you’re after a light and bright meal in a grown-up dining room this Valentine’s Day, make a booking at Potts Point institution, Yellow. On the line-up includes a sugarloaf cabbage skewer with whipped potato and pickled mustard seeds; and roasted summer squash with chickpeas and a sweet and sour capsicum sauce. And yes, everything is vegan, but after a visit you’ll be asking, meat who? $150 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Barangaroo

Hugging the Barangaroo waterfront, Woodcut is a modern Australian dining experience with a focus on spectacle. Alongside their usual a la carte offering, this fine diner is putting on a Valentine's Day favourites menu. Book here.

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  • Sydney

Celebrate 'Dia del Amor y la Amistad' with four dishes of regional Mexican eats. Begin with the Lovers in Tepotzlán cocktail made with Patròn silver tequila, Falernum, lime, blackberry, Davidson plum and orange bitters. Then, enjoy plates like lamb tacos with salsa verde, spiced cucumber and Tajín; and market steak with black garlic and chipotle butter. This special menu comes at $165 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Middle Eastern
  • Surry Hills
  • price 3 of 4

At this Middle Eastern fine diner, executive chef Paul Farag is putting on a specially curated set menu for dinner featuring some of Nour's signature dishes in a sharing style. Splash out on some duck shawarma; kingfish kibbeh nayyeh; and eggplant mes’a’aha with house pita. $129 per person. Book here.

  • Italian
  • Darling Harbour

This modern Italian restaurant is ready to cook for you this Valentine's Day. Set up with a pozzie on the water and take your pick from their set menu. Kick off with antipasti before your choice of mains and dessert. You'll have a hard time deciding whether to go with the busiate pasta, grilled swordfish steak, White Pyrenees lamb cutlets or eastern rock lobster. $165 per person. Book here

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • Barangaroo

A night at A’Mare, meaning 'at sea' in Italian, means simple dishes in a decidedly extravagant venue. Cozy up with your date for one of A'mare's specials for Valentine's Day. Choose between the signature menu ($160 pp) for some rustic burrata caprese, vitello tonnato and a tiramisu served tableside, or opt for the chef's menu ($215 pp) of specially selected fish and shellfish and a gorgeous paccheri pasta with charcoal grilled eastern rock lobster. Book here.

  • Surry Hills
  • price 2 of 4

This Surry Hills favourite is putting on a special menu with romance in mind. Think oysters, a spanner crab and Yarra Valley caviar tart and a glass of Champagne to start, followed by your choice of a wood-fired rainbow trout with persian grains; or spatchcock with harissa, toum and guindilla peppers. Finish with a cherry and fig leaf bombe Alaska. $185 per person. Book here.

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  • Italian
  • Barangaroo

If you feel like being by the harbour this Valentine’s Day, Italian restaurant Bottega Coco is putting on a spread. The shared menu features numbers like Hiramasa kingfish with pickled radish, heirloom tomato, cucumber and mint; and beetroot risotto with goat cheese, sour butter and roasted paradise prawns. $150 per person. Book here.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • South American
  • Paddington

Be swept away this Valentine's Day with a specially curated Latin American sharing menu at Tequila Mockingbird. Enjoy a Just Mai Type cocktail on arrival before getting romantic over a four-course banquet. The menu includes salmon ceviche taco with avo, coriander and smoked salmon roe; Wagyu with Peruvian chilli oil and lemon; and strawberry curd with fresh strawberries and Italian meringue. $155 per person. Book here.

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  • Seafood
  • Barangaroo
  • price 3 of 4

Hit peak Sydney with seaside seafood from Cirrus, Barangaroo’s upscale fish joint from a couple of the city’s culinary kingpins. The exclusive Valentine’s menu features king prawn with fermented chilli and tarragon; and poached southern calamari with fennel, radicchio and seaweed. There are optional matching wines, naturally. $240 per person. Book here.

  • Bars
  • Sydney
  • price 2 of 4

The CBD's all-grunge izakaya is getting romantic this year with a multi-course set menu experience, designed to share in the true spirit of romance. The four-course meal includes Kid Kyoto hits plus special V Day dishes, and comes with a cocktail on arrival. $99 per person. Book here.

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