Nothing sets the scene for seduction like fine dining. Whether you’re early on in your dating relationship or dialling up the romance to impress your years-long lover, there is no better place to go than the best romantic restaurants Sydney has to offer. Think Intimate spaces with flickering candlelight, plush banquettes to cosy up in and grand interiors inside Sydney icons for added wow-factor.
From million-dollar water views at long-standing gems like Ormeggio and Sean’s to the illustrious French charm at Loulou to the dining rooms where lights are permanently dimmed à la 10 William Street, these are our favourite romantic Sydney restaurants for when the mood calls.
14 of the most romantic restaurants in Sydney
Sean’s
bondi beach
Like sitting down to a long lunch at a friend’s (or lover’s) overlooking Bondi Beach, only better. That’s what Sean’s is all about and why it remains one of Sydney’s best restaurants for date nights and romantic occasions. The home-style restaurant is ruled by a seasonal menu that changes daily and is gloriously unfussy.
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Ursula’s
paddington
Ursula’s is intimate and elegant in equal measure. The corner-terrace bistro serves up time-honoured classics dolled up for the now, from dreamy egg mayo sandwiches on brown-butter biscuits topped with salmon roe to a deconstructed lemon meringue pie. This private Paddington gem is for lovers looking to dial up the romance.
Ormeggio
the spit
Water views set the mood, while seafood is the star at Ormeggio. Among the moored boats and coastal-chic furnishings, Ormeggio’s menu includes lavish bowls of tagliolini with pipis and scampi topped with Oscietra caviar. Touches like this — also seen in the torching of the delizia al limone — cement that this is a restaurant for special occasions.
Bennelong
Bennelong point
Much like you and your partner in crime, special occasions and Bennelong are a match made in heaven. Set underneath the Opera House sails, the inviting dining room spotlights Indigenous art, brass-gold Tom Dixon lamps and lantern-lit tables with leather chairs. But Bennelong’s top romance card is undoubtedly its floor-to-ceiling harbour views. The show might open with mud crab and scallop dumplings or wild caught fish with Florence fennel and kai-lan, ensuring meals at Bennelong are just that little bit extra.
Jane
paddington
From cocktails and a snack to long lunches that blend into the evening, Jane hits all the hallmarks for an intimate dining experience for two. Come for the Australian-inspired dishes, which often use native ingredients, while house-made condiments add that subtle special touch.
Bar Vincent
darlinghurst
Retro charm is served at Bar Vincent, making it ideal for whiling away a few hours over luscious Italian dishes. From deep rust-hued banquettes to intimate bar seating, this Darlinghurst darling lays the ground for the perfect date night. Every plate that appears in the charming main dining room lives up to the European standard, from serotonin-inducing oysters to cured salmon and risotto with nettles and prawns. This is where romance sizzles.
Porcine
paddington
Porcine blends French precision with kitsch and whimsy, and has fast become one of the top dining spots in the country. Choose a glass of something old-school French or new-wave Australian for the finishing touch on a loved-up evening.
Ante
newtown
If setting the mood is the mission, then Ante understands the assignment. Slinky and inky with long counter stool seating and spot-lit high tables, the dining room has 2500-plus records that take cues from Japan’s jazz kissa listening bars, while the menu ranges from a katsu sando to prawn casarecce. If you’ve left Valentine’s Day or that significant anniversary to the last minute, no worries, Ante is walk-in only — ensuring everyone gets a seat at the table (even the forgetful ones).
10 William St
paddington
Two tiny-seater tables are the norm at 10 William St, which is known for its lover’s atmosphere, unmatched tiramisù and free-wheeling wine list (with many by the glass). Here, the menu changes often, but you’ll want to order the signature pretzel with whipped bottarga dip and a cocktail to kick things into gear.
Cafe Paci
newtown
Not only is Cafe Paci our current NSW winner for the best restaurants in the state, but it’s also one of the most romantic restaurants in Sydney. If there’s a love language at Cafe Paci, it’s dessert, and it’s this dessert: earthy-sweet carrot sorbet atop dense liquorice cake, enveloped in a tart yoghurt foam. And with this, the tone for love is set.
Ragazzi
cbd
When it comes to romantic dining, Ragazzi is one of Sydney’s best. Intimate and refined, the menu is lined with vino and amped-up pastas, from spaghetti cacio e pepe to mafaldine with spanner crab and lardo, to up the Italian romance factor. It sits well in third-date territory but is equally well-placed for anniversaries.
Loulou
milsons point
If dinner and a stroll is on the date night menu, then North Sydney’s French brasserie is the perfect pick. Classic French romance is captured by the menu – from steak tartare with potato crisps; leek and Gruyère tarte; and steak frites with café de Paris butter.
Attenzione
redfern
This vibey Redfern hot spot is where wine and pasta nights run the course. From the likes of cavatelli with zucchini crema to scallop tortelloni with yuzu butter sauce and Champagne risotto, Attenzione’s fun and flirty menu was made with sharing in mind. Order another bottle of wine, call for the pistachio tiramisù and settle into one of the newest romantic restaurants in Sydney.
Gildas
surry hills
While oysters may be the ultimate aphrodisiac, we think a Gilda is equally as seductive. This Basque-style restaurant brings sobremesa (the Spanish act of staying at the table after a meal, wine in hand) to Surry Hills, with a menu made with lovers in mind.
