Cutler & Co

55-57 Gertrude Street

Fitzroy 3065

http://www.cutlerandco.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

10/10

Flamboyant fine dining is a special way to spruce up a date. With its open plan kitchen at the heart of the restaurant, Cutler and Co offer more than just an impressive menu. If you and your date can talk until the cows come home, then treat them to the degustation and settle in for one heck of a food experience. Expertly presented in a comfortable setting that will combine to make the hours slip away, it’s an exquisite option for birthdays, anniversaries and deal-clinchers. From the in house ingredients to the impossible-to-slip-up skilled staff, you’ll find it hard to fault Cutler & Co for a memorable Melbourne date.

Good place to meet for a first date:

8/10

It’s all about first impressions. So enter Cutler & Co with your date and cue instant intimacy from the soft glow that warms the otherwise art deco interior. Offering cutting edge, modern fine dining, it’s certainly a venue for showing off your swagger. Star treatment from the knowledgeable staff will ensure a smooth experience from start to finish.  Whilst this all sounds very tempting, we’re not 100% convinced on the eligibility of Cutler & Co for Melbourne first dates. After all, a three to four hour sitting of the degustation menu might be a risky choice if conversation runs dry, although with matching wines you can be sure that the drink won’t. Meanwhile it’s an expensive gamble for a first date and one that you’d be better off keeping up your sleeve for later if things go successfully.

Cutler & Co

Average age:

The chic urban outlay combined with experimental flavours ensures that Cutler & Co has a relatively youthful take on fine dining. Nevertheless, you’ll find families, business partners, couples and friends all schmoozing over sharing dishes and degustations that give it a welcoming vibe despite its high end pricing. As a top choice for special occasions, you might want to make an effort for an evening of wining and dining here when it comes to dress code.

Time of review:

Open for dinner Tuesdays to Sundays and lunch during weekends, you’ll find a pleasant surprise for a Sunday lunch as an alternative date in Melbourne. Reservations are recommended, especially if you don’t want to drag your partner around the city looking for a back up plan.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

At $130 per person, the degustation menu doesn’t come cheap. But using the finest ingredients and bringing you combinations that you might never have imagined working, it’s a great treat for foodies. At half the price, the Sunday lunch is a more reasonable option for a regular sitting, whilst a la carte mains will set you back about $45. If you want wine with that, double your budget.

Type of cuisine:

Our mothers always said a good restaurant serves the kind of things you couldn’t make at home. Well Cutler & Co undoubtedly ticks that box. With premium sourced ingredients and show-stopping sharing dishes such as roast suckling pig and 1.1kg rib eye, it certainly has the wow factor. You’re likely to be ignorant of at least one ingredient in each dish on the menu, but the staff will be happy to enlighten you. They know their stuff.

Final word:

If you have high standards or simply love exploring new flavours and foodie experiences, you’ll be suitable humbled by the brilliance of Cutler & Co. But don’t show your best trick first, save this one for someone who you know will appreciate this restaurant as much as you, and can share the memory with for months to come!

The Hardware Societe

120 Hardware Street
Melbourne

(No website)

Good place to take a date:

9/10

A way to a person’s heart is through their belly. There are plenty of great restaurants for fine dining and evening meals in Melbourne, but what about for breakfast? Hardware Societe has hit the spot for endless fans who return time and again to get their favourite breakfast fix. Whilst it may not be romantic in the traditional sense of the word, the menu reflects an infectious love of food and fresh produce that you won’t be able to resist. So whether you’re planning a weekend itinerary with your date or roll out of bed to your bellies rumbling, this is an impressive brunch spot for Melbourne dates.

Good place to meet for a first date:

8/10

Play it cool without compromising on the wow factor with a visit to Hardware Societe. If you don’t want to take the leap with formal first date dressed up in your dinner jacket, this is a great place to suss out if a second date might be on the cards. Surprise them with the location for a smashing breakfast or lunch, and it’s a pleasant walk to get there which leaves plenty of time to talk. In fact, unless you get in early you’ll probably find yourself chatting in the queue for a while too. The service and menu is worth it though, and thankfully it’s won’t break the bank for those uncertain first dates in Melbourne.

Hardware Societe

Average age:

The word has spread through Melbourne and no one can argue with a great breakfast, can they? You’ll find a mismatch of ages and groups at Hardware Societe that give it a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. Turn up in your joggers or put a little effort in to look your best, there’s really no dress code and the focus is purely on the food.

Time of review:

Get in early unless you want to be queuing for upwards of half an hour. This isn’t the sort of place where you book a table a week in advance, it’s first come first served generally speaking. Having said this, the bubbly ambience will soon lift you up as you enter the restaurant and on a relaxed brunch visit it’s a good excuse to span out your Melbourne date…

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Expect to pay around $20 for a brunch dish at Hardware Societe, but with that you don’t get your standard eggs on toast. With market-fresh ingredients and impressive presentation, this eatery puts an extravagant twist on breakfast classics. Hardware Societe boasts a reputation that precedes it, so you can be sure that you’ll get your dollar’s worth on date here.

Type of cuisine:

From classic breakfasts to sumptuous European dishes like baked egg and chorizo, you’ll struggle to choose from the menu at Hardware Societe. If you’re a little on the late side of the morning, they also put on a lunch menu, with favourites such as salmon and pork belly satisfying diners. Just wanting a snack or a coffee? Choose from a tempting array of sweet treats that go great with a mocha or cappuchino for a visit during your lunch break.

Final word:

We all love a dinner date, but if you’re wanting to mix things up or surprise them the next morning with a special brunch, Hardware Societe hits the nail on the head. A laid-back café-cum-restaurant that lets the menu do the talking, you’ll find avid conversations and the smells of the kitchen engulf you in a comfort blanket for unique daytime dates in Melbourne.

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

Tramstop 125

Corner of Normandy Road and Clarendon Street

South Melbourne

http://www.tramrestaurant.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

9/10

If Melbourne date restaurants were judged on novelty alone, The Colonial Tramcar would surely come top. Regardless of the obvious attraction that it’s a historic tram turned into a restaurant, the cosy ambience, great good and excellent service truly do run like a well-oiled machine. Feel like royalty as you embark on a first class culinary voyage that is sure to be one for the scrapbook. A great anniversary, birthday or first date experience, the staff give you a star treatment whilst the set menu is suitably sophisticated. All of this comes with a price tag though, which is why it’s a one off treat for you and your partner that you’ll want to make the most of!

Good place to meet for a first date:

9/10

Inject a little magic into your first date in Melbourne with a mystery dining tour on the Colonial Tramcar. Step into the wonderfully atmospheric carriage and get comfortable in the velvet booths for a vintage experience that they’ll never forget. Novelty comes at a price, but if you want to show that special someone your fun side it won’t disappoint. The conservation should never stop rolling as you take in the passing sights, the chintz surroundings and the delicious dishes. With a variety of lunch and evening sittings available throughout the week, all you have to do is pick the right time to ask them out on a date!

Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

Average age:

You don’t have to remember the 1920s in order to visit this antique train. The period décor is brought into the future with sterling service and classic menu choices that make it popular amongst Melbournians and tourists alike. Get dressed up to the nines and enjoy the photo opportunities in the quirky cabins as you make your way thorough Melbourne; dress code is smart casual and so allows for plenty of flexibility.

Time of review:

As a star attraction of Melbourne, expect to find the Colonial Tramcar packed with passengers throughout the week. You’ll need to book your tickets to avoid disappointment! Sittings include lunch, early dinner and late dinner, giving you plenty of opportunity to organise a jam-packed day of fun for your Sydney date around the Tramcar experience!

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Prices of the sittings vary considerably from $85 to $140, and whilst it might sound like a hefty figure to fork out, you get a lot of bonus for your buck. The set menu is a definite people pleaser, whilst the prices include drinks to quench your thirst along the way. Plus, how many Melbourne dates involve riding in 1920s tram car whilst tucking into a three course meal? Only the one, we can assure you!

Type of cuisine:

From steak to pannacotta, familiar favourites grace the menu of The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant to ensure that everyone’s a winner with this set menu. Sure, it might not be the most adventurous selection of dishes, but there’s only so much novelty that one restaurant can handle and the focus here is of course on the unique setting. Reliably good food and wine makes it worth the price.

Final word:

Take them on a whirlwind tour of Melbourne for a truly memorable date that will hopefully get the wheels rolling on your route to a relationship. Ideal for show stopping first dates or special occasions with your partner, it’s an eccentric dining experience that every Melbournian should try at least once.

Osteria La Passione

486 Bridge Road

Richmond

Melbourne

http://www.osterialapassione.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

9/10

Passion is the buzzword at this quaint Italian restaurant, making it a suitable setting for Melbourne dating. A small, independent restaurant that changes its menu faster than a chameleon in a washing machine, the focus is fresh, market produce straight to your plate. If you’re the adventurous sort and don’t mind being surprised with whatever the chef fancies presenting in front of you, Osteria La Passion is an exciting option. You’ll feel like you’ve been greeted by an old friend as you’re seated in what looks more like a dining room than a restaurant; the host prides himself on a personal approach to cooking. So much so that you can even bring your favourite wine to accompany your dinner on most days of the week.

Good place to meet for a first date:

8/10

Carmine the host will soon make you feel comfortable on that nervous first date. Sitting in the amicable setting of his humble sized restaurant, you’ll feel quite at home as you embark upon the journey of getting to know one another. The express lunch is a safe bet if you aren’t quite sure how successful the meeting might be; plus at only $25 per head for two courses and a glass of vino you might even feel like paying for your date. A sophisticated twist on Italian cuisine, Carmine’s love of organic fresh food is infectious… is that a hint of romance we detect in the pasta? The only downside is that if you’ve happened to find the perfect match who’s palate is particularly fussy, you might have a bit of a nightmare with the get-what-your-given menu selection.

Osteria La Passione

Average age:

Just like your own family, Carmine draws in a community of diners of all ages. From family meals to romantic occasions, his simple but special space is popular with Italian lovers throughout Melbourne. If you want fresh, authentic Italian cuisine, you won’t find more honest and quality cooking than at Osteria La Passion

Time of review:

Osteria La Passion is closed on Mondays and Sundays, then open for dinner throughout the week. With only 35 seats, you’ll find a pretty intimate atmosphere whenever you choose to visit, and a lively ambience during the express lunch service on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

The restaurant is now finally licensed to sell alcohol, though Carmine sticks to his flexible roots and allows BYO Tuesday to Thursday. The express lunch is very reasonable at $25, but the evening prices are considerably steeper at $55 for a 3 course degustation menu, $85 for 6. Nevertheless, you can trust that Carmine knows exactly where every ingredient comes from, with an unwavering control on quality that expresses itself elegantly through his daily hand-crafted menu.

Type of cuisine:

Although you’ll find the standard antipasti and pasta dishes throughout the week, Carmine experiments with Italian cooking with a focus that lies more on the flavours than the boundaries of the cuisine. So if you’re looking for a reliable pizzeria or classic favourites, you might be safer sticking with a chain restaurant. However open yourself up to new experiences and you’ll be sure to have an intriguing Melbourne date.

Final word:

If the words organic, fresh and adventurous turn you on, then Osteria La Passion is has a passionate buzz that is sure to energise your date in Melbourne. Irresistibly intimate with something new to offer on every visit, Carmine speaks the language of love through the medium of sublime Italian cooking.

The European

161 Spring Street
Melbourne

http://www.theeuropean.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

9/10

How do you like your eggs in the morning? I like mine with caviar….never did the song go. But that’s just one of the delectable breakfast dishes available at The European. One of the most popular spots for breakfast in the city, The European makes a good alternative Melbourne date idea. Or even an impressive option for the morning after a successful date. Not that FreeAndSingle readers break the rules… The European is also ideal if you’re looking for a pre-theatre or after-show spot to chow down a few nipples and cocktails, giving it plenty of versatility for any occasion.

Good place to meet for a first date:

9/10

Be charmed by the oldy-worldy entrance of dominating wooden doors as you enter this restaurant, and the elegant simplicity of the décor evokes a subtly nostalgic feel of European bistros and cafes blended into one, modern take. On an evening, mood lighting descends an intimate curtain over the restaurant as the kitchen indulges in richer flavours typical of a bistro. Accompanied within the wine it’s quite divine. Meanwhile, outdoor dining on the rooftop makes is a great chance to soak up the positive energy of the sun for a (hopefully) positive Melbourne dating experience. Just make sure you bring your sun cream!

The European Melbourne

Average age:

Whilst you’ll inevitably find the odd pretentious European connoisseur here, the overall clientele is remarkably chilled out. Find a healthy mix of couples, groups and families on your visit to European; spaced over three floors the restaurant has plenty of room to breathe for relaxed Melbourne dates where you can hear yourself think. Whether you’re dressing up for the theatre or dragging your sleepy selves out of bed for a hangover brunch, you’ll soon melt into the crowd at The European.

Time of review:

The European is renowned for outstanding service even on the busiest of Friday nights. Whether sipping cocktails on the rooftop bar or tucking into a three course menu indoors, you’ll find attentive staff and a great atmosphere. The staff tends to be very accommodating if you have a surprise up your sleeve that you need a little help with pulling off, but book well ahead for weekends. Check out their events page for a quirky list of occasions including Bastille Day and Degustation evenings that make for a great excuse to organise the next date…

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

The European tows the line skilfully between expensive fine dining and affordable bistro eats. You’ll be so bowled over by the quality food that by the time the bill arrives you’ll wonder how the prices are so reasonable. The wine list pulls up the average with an imported cellar that ranges far and wide, but you can easily keep the price down on your visit to The European.

Type of cuisine:

From Spanish baked eggs for breakfast to creamy pies with crispy crusts, The European’s menu draws inspiration from all over the continent to create an eclectic menu that is sure to satisfy all. Nose to tail eating is a unique addition to the menu, with premium air dried beef bringing something special to all those meat lovers. Meanwhile you’ll find a breath of fresh air in the wine menu, and the chance to sample French, Spanish and Italian wines to accompany your one pot or paella.

Final word:

The European has managed to evoke an essence of the continent that captures the rural loveliness of Italy, the Parisian café couture of France and the casual dining of Spain all in one. Its focus on a diverse menu with simple presentation and décor allows you to create your own memories of Europe through the senses. As a result it’s a firm favourite for Melbourne dates.

Eau de Vie

1 Malthouse Lane

Melbourne

http://eaudevie.com.au/Melbourne/

Good place to take a date:

9/10

Be seduced by the sephia tones as you and your date melt into a dimly lit corner for an intimate evening of sampling fine liqueurs and tasty food. Cocktails are the order of the day here, but the tapas gives Eau de Vie a more versatile edge with snacks and sharing plates offering something to line the stomach. And you’ll most likely need it. Nitrogen cocktails and lethally palatable potions make for a heady combination that will help romance thrive in an enchanting setting. The amicable staff specialise in making the occasion just right, and you’ll find plenty of other venues nearby if you want a fun Melbourne date on the town.

Good place to meet for a first date:

8/10

Let’s hope you and your date speak as easy as the speakeasy style that works a treat on this cosy little hub. If you don’t want to commit to a night of fine dining just yet, these potent cocktails will certainly loosen things up and get you both talking, if only about the mesmerising skills of the mixologists behind the bar. Meanwhile the toe-tapping sounds of jazz will lull you into a happy medium and ensure no panicked pauses in conversations as you work out what to say next. Want a fun environment that might offer the chance to meet someone new? Book you and a friend onto the cocktail degustation evening. At $150 a head you’ll be better off using FreeAndSingle to find someone new, but nonetheless it’s an extremely quirky evening with 5 courses and matching cocktails working Eau de Vie into a frenzy of flavours.

Eau De Vie Melbourne

Average age:

The discreet entrance and boozy environment ensures an adult only space for Melbourne dating at Eau de Vie. Whilst the interior might have that 40s salon feel, the creative cocktail list pushes the boundaries to bring the Melbourne dating scene a fresh and original venue.

Time of review:

You’ll soon feel the world shrink into your own special bubble as you share cocktails in Eau de Vie. Whether packed with drinkers or a little quieter, the dim lighting and colourful bar creates a welcoming ambience that will suck you right in. No need to book, so a great option for last minute Melbourne dates if you’re looking for somewhere a bit different to surprise them.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

If the strength of the drinks doesn’t knock your socks off, the price of the degustation menu might. Nevertheless, Eau de Vie is a premium addition to Melbourne bar scene and you get what you pay for. No moonshine spirits to match the speakeasy décor here, only the best for these addictive apparitions on the cocktail menu. Expect to pay $20 for something off the bar menu if you just fancy nibbles with a few drinks.

Type of cuisine:

The bar snack menu might be very impressive but it’s the whiff of strong blues and soft flavours that is having us saying cheese. If cocktails don’t quite rock your world, you’ll love a late sitting of wine and cheese at Eau de Vie after a busy week at work.

Final word:

Break away from the standard date routine and let cocktails lead the way to an enlightened Melbourne dating experience. An eccentric idea for an evening with that lucky person, you won’t feel out of place popping in for one drink or talking into the early hours depending on how successful the meeting is.

Añada

197 Gertrude Street

Fitzroy
Melbourne

http://anada.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

7/10

Añada brings the colour, vibrancy and flavours of Southern Spain to a little hub of food heaven in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Dainty but delicious tapas dishes take you on a tour of the region as you graze on classics such as ceviche and pork belly. As lively as Gertrude Street in which it is situated, don’t come here for a quiet and intimate occasion; you’ll find yourself shoulder to shoulder with another couple or group in this busy restaurant, but that’s all part of the fun. Informal, loud and proud, Añada is the sort of place where you can turn up feeling wound up from a busy week at work and leave feeling like you’ve let your hair down in the space of a few dishes and half a bottle of wine. This makes it an incredibly relaxed spot for Melbourne dating… if you’re into that sort of thing.

Good place to meet for a first date:

9/10

The great thing about a date at Añada is that in the blur of food, wine, people watching and music, you’ll be astonished when you notice the time. The busy atmosphere makes moments slip away in earnest conversation and a steady stream of delicious tapas dishes – not punctuated by the tide of the standard three course dinner. The cosy intimacy of the restaurant will soon break down the boundaries, whether knocking knees at the bar or huddled in close to hear one another on one of the big tables, it’s a great excuse for whispering in their ear.

Anada Melbourne

Average age:

The hard of hearing might struggle with a visit to Añada. The cramped and noisy interior doesn’t really fly with older visitors, but it’s a happening place for the younger scene and its popularity proves that there’s method in the madness. Whether fleeting here from work or glammed up for a night out, you’ll never feel out of place in Añada.

Time of review:

Añada opens on evenings through the week and all day Sunday, and such a small establishment ensures the place never goes quiet. Walk ins are welcome although you might have a short wait, but the irresistible range of tapas and wine makes it worthwhile. Work your way down Gertrude Street’s bar either before or after your dinner to span the evening out if your Melbourne date is a sizzling success.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Although you might be a little surprised by the price tag of these bite size dishes, the atmosphere and flavours create a well-rounded package for first dates and regular dates. The menu might look very reasonable with many choices coming in at $4, but unless you have the stomach of a bird you’ll find you need rather a lot of helpings to beat your hunger.

Type of cuisine:

There’s no doubt about it, if you want finger-licking tapas you needn’t look any further. Añada claims to model itself on peasant food of Southern Spain, but if mussels almonds and pomegranates graced the plates of these paupers then who needs riches? Perhaps it’s simply the portion sizes that they emulate…

Final word:

Añada has an infectiously happy and bustling vibe that is sure to perk up the mood on your Melbourne date. Recreating some of that Spanish passion through the medium of food and wine, let’s hope some of it rubs off on your evening with that special someone.

It’s been an exciting fortnight here at FreeAndSingle exploring the sexiest, most stylish and down-right irresistible restaurants in the city. The winner has now been announced, and what do you think to the results? Here’s a look back over the Top 10 Sydney date restaurants in case you missed it. Click on the links to read the reviews in full.

10. Miss Marley’s

With South American sharing dishes, a skin full of tequila, and an intimate atmosphere, this quirky vintage bar is a unique setting for Sydney dates.

9. Baroque Bistro

An urban-chic restaurant serving elegant French cuisine, Baroque Bistro transforms from day to night dining, making it perfect for dates around the clock.

8. The Victoria Room

Razzle dazzle your date with the plush sofas and potent cocktails as you tuck into delicious dishes in The Victoria Room.

7. A Tavola

Italian food speaks the language of love, and this bustling restaurant is a top choice if you love European wines and homemade pasta dishes.

6. Jonah’s

Whisk your date away for a romantic meal in a stunning ocean setting at Jonah’s. A truly special spot for a deal-clinching date with a special someone.

5. Jazushi

Jazzing up the Sydney dating scene with a winning combination of music and sushi, you’ll find plenty to talk about here, and music in case you don’t.

4. Altitude

Feel on top of the world as you clink glasses with your date at this terribly posh spot for dates in Sydney. Fine dining overlooking the harbour, it’s a show-stopper if ever there was.

3. La Tratt

An elegant twist on Italian cuisine, receive star treatment as you tuck into fine food and wine at La Tratt.

2. Reef Restaurant

Walk on the beach to work up an appetite for a helplessly romantic meal at Reef Restaurant. Laid-back fine dining in an unbeatable coastal setting, it’s worth the drive.

1. Rockpool Bar & Grill

A firm favourite on the Sydney dating scene, Rockpool is a people pleaser without compromising on quality food and service. The impressive hall and extensive menu make it number one for a diverse range of ages, tastes and dates in Sydney!
So that’s a wrap! What do you think of FreeAndSingle’s Top 10, would you do it differently? If so, let us know and feel free to comment below.

Next week, we’ll be kicking off our countdown in Melbourne! Looking at the best spots for first dates, those deal-clincher dinners, and special occasions with your partner, we’ll be starting with number 10 on Monday 12^th May.

If you know somewhere that’s perfect for Melbourne dates, or perhaps you think your restaurant should feature in the rankings, get in touch! Email kellygilmourgrassam@outlook.com to get involved and have your say.

Want to try out some of these restaurants but need to find a date first? FreeAndSingle is a 100% free dating website! Sign up today and get connected.

Rockpool Bar & Grill

66 Hunter Street

Sydney

NSW 2000

http://www.rockpool.com/sydney/bar-and-grill/

Good place to take a date:

10/10

Waltz into the Art Deco interior of Rockpool and feel like you walked onto a film set as you cross the expansive hall to your table. Be ushered in by the flawlessly friendly staff who will soon have you feeling settled in. You might need a map to navigate the enormous menu, but at least it ensures something to please everyone, be it a juicy burger, freshly pressed pasta, or a more elegant dish. Rockpool certainly isn’t a cheap option for Sydney dating, but the luxurious setting of the glistening hanging glasses and marble pillars ensures you’re in for a special evening. And once you’ve got your teeth into one of the divine dishes from the menu, you’ll understand the price tag.

Good place to meet for a first date:

10/10

Whether you have a soft spot for cocktails or fancy yourself as a bit of a wine connoisseur, you might easily spend an evening watching the ebb and flow of the restaurant from the vantage point of the bar. Enjoy a few tipples here to span out the evening if the first date is going better than expected, although you might find it hard to resist an all-out three course meal sampling the sumptuous menu selection. Be engulfed by the awesome atmosphere of rich smells from the kitchen, the chorus of happy diners chatting away, and the professional staff floating from table to table. It will give you plenty of points for conversation that is sure to fill your first date in Sydney with things to talk about.

Rockpool Sydney

Average age:

An array of ages, occasions and groups melt into the warm buzz of Rockpool in a harmony of food love that brings people together. The fabulous staff have a passion for the menu and wine list that is sure to rub off on your Sydney date; they can help craft a special occasion if you let them know in advance! You aren’t likely to stick out like a sore thumb if you dress either up or down here, the size of this impressive hall creates an intimate anonymity that can make you feel alone together despite the busy workings of the restaurant.

Time of review:

Book in advance to avoid disappointment, especially on weekends. Having recently reopened after a fire in April, Rockpool is busier than ever with diners eager to satisfy the craving for their burgers and cocktails. A loyal customer base integrates nicely with the tourists and Sydney dating scene to ensure the restaurant is packed throughout the calendar.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Fine food and drink doesn’t come cheap; Rockpool’s motif borrows the quote “the cornerstone of good cooking is to source the finest produce”, but you can really taste the difference in even the most basic of dishes. However, this won’t ease the blow to the bank balance if you decide to go all-out on a 3 course meal on your Sydney date. With mains coming in at anything from $25-$55, it’s one to reserve for that special someone that you really want to win over.

Type of cuisine:

Rockpool’s menu rolls a variety of cuisines into one, too-good-to-choose-from menu selection. Including everything from lobster to beef and Guinness pie, you’ll find a good excuse to plan your next date just to come back for seconds. Leave room for dessert if you don’t mind loosening the belt a notch; the sweet treats really are the icing on the cake.

Final word:

An expensive but worth-it restaurant in the heart of Sydney, Rockpool has a winning combination of fine food, drink and service that sets it at the top of the league for Sydney dating. A dazzling setting for the first date or a fantastic location for a special celebration, Rockpool is a proven people pleaser for the whole spectrum of the dating scene.

Reef Restaurant

The Haven

Terrigal

NSW 2260

Sydney

http://www.reefrestaurant.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

10/10

Take your date on an adventure and head out of the city to cruise down the coastline for a great weekend escape. Just over an hour outside of Sydney, Reef Restaurant combines idyllic views with five star food for an explosive combination. Make stops along the way at unspoilt natural parks, then walk on the beach to work up and appetite before heading into this romantic little spot. Overlooking the beach in an utterly sophisticated setting, it’s a winner for unique Sydney date ideas. Head there for lunch as a stop-off on your road trip, or watch the sun set over glistening water as you listen to each other’s stories. All sounds terrible soppy doesn’t it, but you’ll struggle not to be enchanted by Reef Restaurant.

Good place to meet for a first date:

9/10

Reef Restaurant is undoubtedly fine-dining, but its subtle sophistication and stunning setting make it just about acceptable for a first date. With so much to do along the way to your Sydney date, you’ll hopefully avoid any awkward silences on the hour-long drive each way. The lunch special is a great option for a midweek jaunt out of the city, and won’t upset the bank balance too badly either. Whilst Terrigal is a renowned surf spot along the Sydney coastline, you might get raised eyebrows if you invite a surfer girl for a romantic meal that night. But it could be worth a try!?

Reef Restaurant Sydney

Average age:

Fresh-to-death food: check. Gorgeous views: check. Road trip time: check. If you’ve got wheels and a bit of time on your hands, then there’s nothing stopping you taking a drive out to Terrigal for a romantic escape with that special someone. Book to avoid disappointment, and don’t worry about a dress code – the surfer environment ensures a pretty laid-back approach to fine dining!

Time of review:

Since most diners don’t have the luxury of being able to escape the city midweek, you’ll find the Reef Restaurant full of city slickers letting their hair down on a weekend. A fabulous option for lunches overlooking the water or intimate evening dining, you’ll find Reef Restaurant busy day and night for your Sydney date. Time your visit with sunset for a truly sensational dining experience that could just seal the deal.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

The degustation menu doesn’t come cheap at $110, but with scallops, lamb and belly pork making an appearance it isn’t difficult to justify the price tag. The midweek lunch special, on the other hand, offers excellent value for money at around $50, whilst the mains and wine menu vary considerably depending on how expensive your taste is and how hungry you might be feeling!

Type of cuisine:

Freshly sourced ingredients make all the difference for divine dishes that ensures Reef Restaurant is worth the drive. Slurp oysters as you try to maintain some dignity, before tucking in to classics such as beef wellington or the catch of the day. The degustation menu will get your digestive juices going, and is a good way to span out your Sydney date over a few hours to make the most of your visit.

Final word:

For a truly special setting for Sydney dating, Reef Restaurant is worth its weight in gold. With plenty of attractions along the way to make a fantastic day trip, it’s the cherry on top for a romantic getaway with that special someone that is sure to turn the tide of your luck in love.