Date night restaurants

Rosetta
Neil Perry’s new marble shrine to pasta is ludicrously opulent, and that's what Valentine’s Day is all about. NB: Expect to drop a bomb on your crab pasta.

Vue de Monde
There are still a few tables left in the restaurant at the top of the Rialto, but if you can't drop that much cash on dinner, you should at least hit up Lui Bar next door for a sky high cocktail at sundown. It’s disgustingly romantic up there.

Moon Under Water
Hidden out the back of the Builder's Arms pub is Andrew McConnell's white wonderland. It's a sharp operation from start to finish.

Attica
On one night, we've seen a 20-something couple and (we swear to god) an 80-something couple both getting misty-eyed over Ben Shewry's potato. That says it all. 

The Point
It's a restaurant overlooking a motherlovin' lake friends. And we all know that wagyu, wine, and actual love is nothing if not enjoyed beside a large body of water. 

Tempura Hajime
Tiny, hidden, intimate; this 13-seater tempura bar in a side street of South Melbourne is our pick for dining without a circus around you.

The Commoner
Wild flowers, candles, sheep skulls and mod-Brit cuisine matched to incredible local booze like Bress cider. Try and claim the courtyard if you can.

Epocha
So pretty it hurts. This restaurant has the sort of effortless vintage-charm that makes singles proclaim through gritted teeth, "I'M SO HAPPY I'M FREE" and then cry into their soup. 

The Estelle
Mod-Oz in an Art Deco diner. This is the hottest piece of eating action north of Fitzroy if you like all things molecular.

Lupino
Classic food, modern venue. The place to go if you want to do the Italian restaurant thing without feeling like a cheesy twat.

Ombra
Salume and natural wine. Sit on the street and hit Gelateria Primavera afterwards.

Bar Di Stasio
Order a lamb chop, have a Prosecco, listen to Andrea Bocelli.

Hihou
Drink totes sophisticated Japanese booze and snacks while overlooking the Treasury Gardens.

Brooks
Hit up the subterranean lair for cocktails and chicken liver parfait pillows. Boom.

Aylesbury Rooftop
The city has a golden glow from the deck here, and the Spanish snacks are the business.