La Tratt

14 Anzac Avenue

Fairfield

NSW

Sydney

http://fairfieldrsl.com.au/flash/

Good place to take a date:

10/10

La Tratt descended upon unsuspecting Fairfield to give the Sydney fine dining scene a new district of town. Be engulfed by the buzz and warmth of the mochaccino décor as you are greeted by the ever-so welcoming staff, and you won’t feel intimated by La Tratt for long. Whilst the extravagant Italian names on the menu and the award-winning wine list might be a little baffling, someone will happily showcase their knowledge and recommend matching drinks or explain that exotic ingredient. Italian dining taken to the Grammys, La Tratt puts an elegant spin on the cuisine that is perfect for impressing that special someone.

Good place to meet for a first date:

8/10

Unlike many restaurants of comparable candour, you won’t feel like you ought to have featured in OK! Magazine to step foot in La Tratt. Sophisticated yet without snobbery, the focus is on the dining experience, not who-spend-the-most-on-their-outfit. The food, presented like a work of art, nevertheless is just as good in your palette, especially guzzled down with a few gulps of Australian wine. The electricity in the air is an exciting setting for a first date, although you’re unlikely to meet someone new here; most diners already have done! The only big issue is getting a table… you might need to jump the gun and book in hope of a second date if you don’t want to be disappointed!

La Tratt Sydney

Average age:

La Tratt is thankfully extremely unpretentious, and if you have a passion for Italian cuisine and sumptuous wine, then you’ll fall in love with this restaurant. The healthy vibe of the restaurant is a melting pot of ages, occasions and a good show of the Sydney dating scene too. There isn’t a particular dress code, but with the star treatment of the staff you might want to glam up to feel even more special.

Time of review:

You’ll struggle to find a table if you don’t book in advance from Wednesday- Saturday, but you’ll find an empty restaurant the rest of the week. La Tratt only opens 4 nights a week, making it even more popular and exclusive for those eager diners wanting a sensational Sydney date.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Expect to pay $20-$30 for a main course at La Tratt, although they have regular mid-week offers that provide great value if you’re on a tight budget but want to see what the fuss is all about. Nevertheless, you might want to wait until payday if you’re wanting to wow your date with taste of luxury.

Type of cuisine:

Steak lovers will find something in common on their Sydney date with the fabulous signature sharing dish, Manzo Alla Griglia. When you decipher the flowery Italian of the menu you’ll also find classics such as cannelloni, lamb shanks and gnocchi with a five star twist. Allow the waiters to match a wine with your menu choices, and hopefully your date will be a match made in heaven too!

Final word:

The best fine-dining restaurants don’t need to be it. La Tratt is effortlessly glamorous, oozes more class than the premium steaks and wines, and is a go-to choice for dating in Sydney that will hit the nail on the head every time.

Altitude Sydney

Level 36, Shangri-La Hotel

176 Cumberland Street
NSW 2000

Sydney

http://www.36levelsabove.com.au/altitude/

Good place to take a date:

9/10

Watch romance rocket as you bowl them over with the view (and hopefully your oodles of charm) at Altitude restaurant. A fine dining experience offering panoramic views over the opera house and harbour, it’s a fantastic option for dates in Sydney. Gaze into ease other’s eyes as the sunset glints on the horizon, and you’ll really feel on top of the world with that special someone. And that’s before you sample the exquisite menu. An elegant twist on Australian cuisine, the menu matches fine wines with even fresher food that has earned Altitude several awards over the years. And when you see the look on your date’s face, you’ll feel like a winner too. Book ahead and save this one for a very special occasion – your bank balance will as impressed!

Good place to meet for a first date:

7/10

The expensive menu, the dizzying heights, the proper atmosphere, it might all be a little too much for a first date. Besides, you don’t want to attract a gold-digger now, do you? You don’t want to pull the best view in Sydney out of the bag too soon, or else what will you have to top it? However if money does happily happen to be no object, you won’t be disappointed by the quality of the tasting menu and the 10 page wine list representing a world of vineyards. Meanwhile the knowledgeable staff will happily take you on a whistle-stop tour of the menu if you are unsure of what goes best with your food. If the evening is over too quick, sip cocktails next door at Blu Bar and watch the city twinkle below in the night sky.

Altitude Sydney

Average age:

Fine dining being a little out of the reach of some younger daters, Altitude has quite a corporate and wealthy clientele. City slickers love bringing people here to clinch a great deal, so it seems an appropriate deal-maker for Sydney dating too….If you’ve got the money. Dress code is smart-casual, but make yourself look as fine as the dining if you want to feel like a star on a special date here.

Time of review:         

For best results, visit at sunset. The wow factor is hard to beat as the sun descends over Sydney harbour. So although a Sydney date at Altitude can’t guarantee you a second, it’s sure to be a moment that neither of you will forget. Tables are hot to trot whatever time of day you visit this sky-scraping restaurant, so book well in advance for your table.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

The high-up views might be very impressive, but so are the astronomical prices that come with the territory. A ‘reasonable’ bottle of wine will set you back $60, whilst the tasting menu is a whopping $120 excluding wines. The view alone justifies the prices, but the quality of the food and drink rightly puts a premium on the menu that sets it apart from just another high-up restaurant.

Type of cuisine:

Altitude has put a sophisticated modern spin on Australian cuisine, so is a great choice for showcasing the best that the city has to offer. From aromatic Aussie cheeses to melt-in-the-mouth fish dishes, the choice is superb. Want to inject an element of surprise into your Sydney date? Order the chef’s surprise nine-course menu that will certainly give you both something to talk about.

Final word:

Move your relationship up a level and take 3 steps to heaven with an Altitude experience. Not for the faint-hearted, it’s an expensive but worth-it Sydney date idea with views that you’ll both fall in love with. And you might even feel a spark between you both as you watch the sun set over Sydney…

Jazushi

145 Devonshire Street

Surry Hills
NSW 2010

Sydney

http://www.jazushi.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

9/10

Jazz. Sushi. Jazushi. What more could a sushi and jazz lover ask for? If you’re looking for a chic choice for Sydney dates, these guys have struck the right chord. Slap bang in the centre of Sydney, Jazushi serves contemporary Asian cuisine in an oh-so-cool setting with live music that will create a buzz. Certainly one to impress any music lovers, the warm glow and sound of voices intertwined with the beats of the band makes a fun but intimate setting with your partner. Alternatively sit in the bamboo terrace for al fresco summer dining in the twilight. Clean-cut is the order of the day for the décor and presentation of the food, but the wonderful staff and sensual experience of delicious food, drink and lap-it-up music will soon make you feel at home. Be sure to book ahead if you want a good seat for the live acts.

Good place to meet for a first date:

9/10

First dates can be a gamble; will you talk the night away or be grasping at straws for conversation? Here you find a lively, rich ambience where silences are never awkward. Soak up the jazzy sounds as you embark upon the Jazushi banquet, a great way to pass an evening getting to know one another. If you want an excuse not to end the night just yet, Jazushi is in a perfect location to access local nightlife, whilst the Belvoir Theatre is just a stone’s throw away. Just be sure that they like jazz in the first place, otherwise you might find them itching to get away for the wrong reasons!

Jazushi Sydney

Average age:

Jazz might traditionally be a soft spot for the older generations, but in recent years it has had something of a renaissance in Australia. You’ll find diners of all ages on a date to Jazushi, and if you’re new to the jazz scene you might just get a surprise. A great setting for a Sydney date that will warm the cockles, you won’t feel out of place dressing up a little for this restaurant.

Time of review:

With live jazz playing every night, Jazushi is an ideal choice for dates throughout the week. Particularly on weekends it can get quite crammed, so be sure to book a table if you’re thinking of bringing someone here for a date in Sydney.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

The Jazushi set menu really is something to behold, and at $55 per person really won’t break the bank. Be welcomed by the friendly staff – they’re passionate about the food and will be happy to help you out with the menu. Besides, with live entertainment to accompany your dining experience, you’re really getting a bargain for an evening of fun and food.

Type of cuisine:

Asian cuisine is incredibly versatile and bursting with flavour, so be sure to sample a good selection of the dishes on a visit to Jazushi. From wagyu to cheesecake, your taste buds will be tingling with excitement by the time you’ve finished. Top it off with a nightcap and you’ll not want to go home when the music winds up at the end of the evening.

Final word:

Finding a show-stopping Sydney restaurant that blends the luxuries of five-star dining with a more chilled out atmosphere can be difficult. But Jazushi has got it spot on. So razzle dazzle your Sydney date with an evening of live music and even livelier food at Jazushi.

Jonah’s

69 Bynya Road

Whale Beach

Pittwater

New South Wales 2108

http://www.jonahs.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

10/10

Escape the city for a romantic getaway to Jonah’s. Situated just under an hour outside of Sydney, it’s a stunning retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life and a great chance to spend some time alone. Pick up your date, head out for a road trip along the coast, and surprise them with this gem of a location. Head there for a special lunch overlooking the ocean, or go all out for a simply luxurious weekend away with a stay in the hotel. You won’t know where to look with the overwhelming combination of extravagant food, panoramic views and of course your date! A real deal-clincher of the Sydney dating scene.

Good place to meet for a first date:

6/10

Unless you fancy yourself as the Leonardo di Caprio of the dating world, you might find Jonah’s a little too much for a first date. Besides, it would be hard to follow if you secured a second, don’t you think? Whilst Jonah’s has wonderful food in an excellent location, you might risk exhausting a lot of the conversation in the car on the way there and back. Meanwhile, don’t expect to meet the one at Jonah’s. Considering the vast majority of the clientele are happy couples whisking themselves away for a special occasion or romantic weekend, you’re more likely to come away with the blues than a new love interest.

Jonah’s Sydney

Average age:

Unless you’ve landed on your feet in a great job at a young age or have the advantage of the bank of Mum and Dad, don’t expect to come here until your late 20s. The premium location and even better food put Jonah’s out of the price range of Sydney dates for many younger couples. One for special occasion, you’ll want to dig out your Sunday best for a visit to this fantastic spot

Time of review:

Jonah’s is a popular weekend escape for city-slickers wanting a breather, so expect to find the tables full on Saturdays and Sundays. However if you do find yourself with a day off mid-week and fancy a spontaneous drive out, you’ll find a much calmer atmosphere and a much better chance of getting a table.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Put it this way, you don’t come here on a tight budget. Jonah’s is the sort of place you come for those milestone birthdays, anniversaries… to really impress a lady perhaps? Unless you’re just blessed with a healthy bank balance, then make it a regular! But what you do get for the price is a money-can’t-buy view, five star food and a VIP service that will leave you feeling like a million dollars.

Type of cuisine:

If you think that your date is a good catch, then wait until you see the daily fish dishes on offer at Jonah’s. The menu is pretty extensive, with delicious breakfast options also available if you do decide to have an overnight stay. Perfectly presented in a colourful design on the plate, your food will look so good you won’t want to eat it. Well, you’ll at least want to take a photo.

Final word:

Jonah’s is a helplessly romantic getaway if you really want to treat that special someone. The sort of place where you whisk away your partner for an anniversary or to pop the question, keep this one up your sleeve for at least a few dates down the line! Don’t want to scare them off now, do we?

A Tavola

348 Victoria Street

Darlinghurst

Sydney

http://www.atavola.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

9/10

Long renowned to be a top choice for Sydney dating, you’d be forgiven for being predictable with a date at A Tavola. With the oh-so-friendly staff and outstandingly good food, you can rely on this restaurant to deliver for special evenings. Love goes into everything that is cooked here, from the homemade pasta to the freshly caught fish, so it’s no wonder that there’s a little lingering in the air, is it? We think it’s infectious. Whilst many diners choose to sit at the long marble table, retreat to the back of the room for a more private experience at one of the cosy couple’s tables. Sip Tuscany wine as you attempt to gracefully nosh on your pasta, and don’t be surprised if this restaurant becomes a regular fixture in your relationship!

Good place to meet for a first date:

8/10

Charm their socks off with the food of love at A Tavola. A sure-fire option for first dates in Sydney, it’s a relaxed and down-to-earth spot for getting to know your date. A simple format with a focus on flavour, here you can devote all of your attention to the person in front of you, whilst soaking up the busy happy atmosphere with some good old wine.  Sit at the long marble table for a more social dining experience, and you’ll be sure to never run out of conversation with the help of the other diners in the restaurant. Just so long as you aren’t banging elbows with some loudmouth… it tends to be luck of the draw. Yet to meet that special someone? You might well catch someone’s eye as you dine here with friends, seduced by the intimate authenticity of A Tavola.

A Tavola Sydney

Average age:

Whether you’re a fresh faced dater or a golden oldy, you can’t argue with simple, honest Italian cuisine. A Tavola is renowned for its authentic touch that draws in the hoards of diners day and night, so be sure to book ahead. Dress up or play it cool, it really is a very laid-back restaurant where you can shape your evening.

Time of review:

You’d struggle to find a seat here on a weekend if you don’t book ahead, but in fact A Tavola is pretty packed at all times. After all, Italian cuisine is a reliable people pleaser, and a top choice for Sydney dates. Whilst the atmosphere is intimate in this busy restaurant, look elsewhere if you want a more hushed ambience for your romance; loud and proud is what A Tavola is all about.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Whilst A Tavola was set up to deliver authentic Italian food at reasonable prices, as the word has spread so too has the price range. Nevertheless, it gets the food and drink bang on every time, and nobody minds forking out for flavour, right?

Type of cuisine:

Pasta is the buzz word at A Tavola, but they don’t deal exclusively in carbs. Find freshly caught fish, moreish meat dishes, and vegetarian options too on their small but well-rounded menu. Compliment your dinner with a European wine, or a big delicious beer, and you’ll soon feel yourself floating into a happy little Italy with your date.

Final word:

Inject a little Italian passion into your love life with a visit to A Tavola. A trustworthy choice for Sydney dates, here you’ll be enchanted by good food and drink, and hopefully your date too!

The Victoria Room

Level 1, 235 Victoria Street

Darlinghurst

NSW 2010
Sydney

http://thevictoriaroom.com/

Good place to take a date:

9/10

Have a decadent Sydney date as you recline in the plush surroundings of rich blue upholstery in The Victoria Room. Be dazzled by the exotic and classic cocktails that grace the drinks menu, and that’s before you even get to the food one. Sharing plates will draw you in closer if the sofas don’t, and you might accidentally-on-purpose brush hands as you go in for a bite-size bundle of flavour. High tea is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth, with cakes as light as air and tea that bursts on the tastebuds making it a top Sydney date idea for something a bit different.

Good place to meet for a first date:

10/10

The Victorian Room has set the tone perfectly for first dates in Sydney. Whilst it has all the elements of expensive taste and fine dining, the set-out of sofas and throws accompanied by cocktails and sharing dishes makes it cool as a cucumber for a more casual atmosphere. Pick at impressive dishes as you revel in the presence of each other’s delightful company; or people watch if time is struggling to pass by as quickly as you hoped… You might even meet someone new, as the quirky lay-out encourages socialising and networking; it’s a popular spot for social and even corporate wining and dining.

The Victoria Room Sydney

Average age:

Whilst The Victorian Room is for adults only, it caters for the antiquated taste as well as the modern trends of Sydney. Capturing the essence of the Victorian era in a way that is incredibly chic, this restaurant-cum-bar attracts customers young and old. Razzle dazzle em with a dashing outfit that will make you sparkle in this glamorous setting, perfect for Friday nights and special occasions.

Time of review:

Whether you fancy afternoon tea in a sophisticated setting or a Sunday lunch that you can really get your teeth into, The Victoria Room is onto a winner for eating and drinking throughout the week. Spend a glamorous evening sipping cocktails on your Sydney date or don your Sunday best for a delicious weekend lunch, you’ll always find something happening here.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

The Victoria Room is certainly the sort of place you go for a treat, unless you can live up to its glamorous lifestyle every weekend. High tea for two on weekends starts from $45 per person, whilst cocktails average around $20. Food-wise, it depends entirely upon what you order, but if you go for a starter, main and dessert it will certainly start totting up…

Type of cuisine:

The Victoria Room rolls a whole lot of lovely dishes into one difficult decision-making process for the diner: there’s just so many nice things to choose from. The up-side is that with a wealth of sharing dishes available, you can pick out a selection of various different tapas and spend the evening grazing and guzzling with your date.

Final word:

It would be hard to argue with a concoction of plush sofas, kick-ass cocktails and moreish sharing platters, don’t you think? If oldy-worldy elegance is your cup of tea, as well as sweet treats for weekend dates, then The Victorian Room might be just what you’re looking for as a Sydney date idea.

Baroque Bistro

88 George Street

Sydney

http://www.baroquebistro.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

8/10

By day the Baroque Pantry, serving casual French cuisine; by night, a restaurant, wine bar and patisserie serving indulgent innovations from ­­choux pastries to French onion soup. As such, Baroque is a versatile option for Sydney dating, harnessing the sumptuous varieties of French wining and dining to bring exquisite results for any occasion.  You needn’t take your date to Paris for a romantic experience, simply treat them to melt-in-the-mouth macaroons and European delights on an evening in Baroque. Service might be somewhat slow, casual and relaxed, but in the warm chrome interior of this period building you are sure to feel at home, as your senses are engulfed by the smells of the kitchen and buzz of happy diners. Not to mention the stunning views of Sydney harbour that warrant a notch on the price tag.

Baroque Bistro Sydney

Good place to meet for a first date:

9/10

What makes Baroque great is that it doesn’t intimidate. Whilst the food might be divine and the décor quite classy, it dresses up and down for fine dining and more casual grazing. Test the waters on your Sydney date without scaring them off and go for brunch or cake to get to know one another. In the summer, the outdoor terrace overlooking the harbour forms an impressive backdrop to any rendezvous. You probably want to meet someone before you head here though; it’s not renowned for picking up dates, but when you’ve found the right person this is a great place to find out if they tick all the boxes. Why not whisk yourself away on a French or Macaroon masterclass to really impress that person who takes your ‘fancy’.

Average age:

French cuisine is a timeless art, so there really is no specific age group that Baroque caters to. Whether you are a sucker for a sweet treat or love rich, succulent dishes of a time gone by, you’ll find it all here.

Time of review:

Giving itself two fronts for day and night dining, Baroque has struck the right chord to get customers through its door round the clock. You won’t feel out of place heading here for a low key lunch date during the week, but equally Baroque brushes up well for special evenings on the weekend. Do something different and have a brunch date in Sydney, making the most of perfect poached eggs and gooey French toast.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Just as the restaurant has a timeless, classic feel, so too the prices stay down-to-earth and reasonable. You won’t feel your eyeballs fall out of their sockets when you get the bill at Baroque, meaning you can treat your date and be the perfect gentleman (or woman!) without needing to go to doctors the next day. Try the three course set menu with a glass of wine for $48; can’t complain at that, can we!?

Type of cuisine:

From scrumptious starters to heavenly desserts, Baroque has aced French cuisine from all angles. Thankfully the dishes aren’t overly generous, ensuring you leave room to sample a starter, main and dessert during your visit. Just can’t quite squeeze that extra macaroon? Baroque offers desserts to take away, for guilt free Sydney dating… at least on the food front.

Final word:

European dining has an air of romance that has lingered from the Renaissance, so French restaurants will always be a strong choice for dating. Baroque offers delicious dishes around the clock, and a relaxed environment for special occasions and anxious first dates that make it suitable for any occasion.

Miss Marley’s

32 Belgrave Street

Manly
New South Wales
Sydney

http://www.missmarleys.com.au/about

Good place to take a date:

9/10

When you finally work out the entrance to Miss Marley’s, you’ll feel like you stepped into a timewarp, transported to the bygone 1950s. This vintage tequila bar certainly stands out against the stuffy fine dining that you’ll find elsewhere in Sydney, taking a fun and adventurous approach to Sydney dating. Sample some of the city’s finest tequilas as you tuck into South American tapas that is scandalously good. The intimate ambience is relaxed yet electric, with cosy tables of two giving you your own little space in the corner to scheme all evening. While away the hours making your way through the extensive cocktail and tapas list, swinging your heads (and later maybe bodies) around to the feel-good music. One for the fun-loving romeos who fancy a change of scene; warning: not a quiet dining experience!

Good place to meet for a first date:

10/10

Comfy sofas and an all-too-inviting bar make Miss Marley’s an incredibly laid back but impressive option for a first date in Sydney. A warm atmosphere, the tangy ceviche and potent cocktails will soon blast away any nerves to get you both buzzing. Let the upbeat music fill any awkward silences, and peruse the jam-packed menu selection to work out what you have in common. Looking to find a date? On a weekend the DJ brings the party at Miss Marley’s, and is a great place to come with your mates to meet new people. Tapas, cocktails, music… sounds like a recipe for success, right? Just so long as you don’t get too carried away with the spirits. You know what they say… one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, FLOOR!

Miss Marley’s Sydney

Average age:

If tequila and tapas sound like your kind of date, well then to hell with age! Just so long as you’re over 18… No tables of screaming kids here, Miss Marley’s is all about good old-fashioned, adult fun. A great middle ground between a bar and a restaurant, here you can enjoy great vibes and even better cuisine to get things rolling for dates in Sydney.

Time of review:

Miss Marley’s is at is liveliest on a weekend, when live music brings this small but spunky bar to its feet. So if you want to check out your date’s dance moves, get yourself down for a Friday or Saturday night. Don’t want to commit murder on the dancefloor? Keep your moves under wraps and play safe with a midweek visit for a more chilled out atmosphere with a focus on food and drink.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

You’ll breathe a sigh of relief with the prices at Miss Marley’s when compared to other bars and restaurants in the area. Considering the second-to-none service and to-die-for South American tapas, your budget as well as your belly will be more than satisfied when they bring over the bill.

Type of cuisine:

Be prepared to share on a Sydney date at Miss Marley’s. Ease yourself through the night as you order a carousel of cuisine over the course of a few hours. From ceviche to empanadas, cod fritters to belly pork, there is plenty of choice. Accompanied by Argentinian Malbec red or a few shots of tequila, your taste buds are going to be calling out Arrrribba!

Final word:

Miss Marley’s thinks different. If you’re looking for a traditional, romantic restaurant in Sydney, look elsewhere. However if an intimate, quirky joint with a liquor selection longer than Sydney harbour and a menu that spans the world gets you excited, then you’re sure to be more than pleased with your visit.

Over the past few weeks the FreeAndSingle blog has been giving you a flavour of some of the scandalously good restaurants for dates in Sydney, Melbourne and Glasgow. Sure, we’ve been seduced by some very nice establishments, but like you we want to find the very best. For that key first date or that special someone for which nothing but the finest food and drink will do, we want to hand-pick the most romantic, quirky and impressive places for your date.

So over the next few months we’re going to be focusing, city by city, on the top 10 dating restaurants around the world. Kicking off with Sydney, from Monday the 28th of April we’ll be counting down with an eclectic mix of mesmerizing restaurants over the course of a fortnight. From million dollar views to five star food, we’ll be giving you the ultimate guide to Sydney dating for any occasion. And we want you to get involved.

Whether you think your restaurant deserves to be number one or you have your own opinion on the hottest spots in Sydney, we want your opinion. Our next stop will be Melbourne, so feel free to send in your opinions for this city too. Send your comments and submissions to kellygilmourgrassam [at] outlook.com, and we’ll be sure to respond.

Look out for the first installment of the Top 10 Sydney Date Restaurants next week, as we begin our countdown. Think we’ve hit the nail on the head or missed by a country mile? Get involved on Twitter and like us on Facebook to have your say! Like what you see but need to find an excuse to go? Sign up to our free dating website and find a match in your city today!

Epocha

49 Rathdowne Street

Carlton

Victoria 3053

http://www.epocha.com.au/

Good place to take a date:

10/10

If you’re a hopeless romantic or fancy yourself as an old-fashioned English gentleman, Epocha will have them head over heels; the writing’s on the wall. No really, it is.  Simple but charming décor greets you as you enter this Victorian terrace.  Feel like royalty as you are presented with delicious food served on china plates, it’s all very elegant. But beyond the airs and graces the European cuisine makes for a fantastic dining experience that will thrill you and your date. Plus, as most of the dishes are designed to share, you can get close and personal as you tuck into your meal. Just remember your table manners. Service will make the occasion that bit more special, who will make you feel at home and cater to any surprises you may have in store…

Epocha Melbourne

Good place to meet for a first date:

9/10

Trying to suss them out before going on a dinner date? Epocha is a popular spot for lunch, so you won’t feel out of place in an empty restaurant if you opt to meet during the day for something more casual. In the summer, eat al fresco with a view of Carlton Gardens, and use people watching as a conversation starter if the entrees haven’t already got you talking! Not a likely place to pick up a date, it’s none the less a charming choice for first dates in Melbourne in a setting as romantic as a Jane Austen novel.

Average age:

Whilst Epocha might feel like a step back in time, the clientele are far from antique. With chintzy crockery making a comeback and a firm consensus developing that good restaurants can’t get away with below-standard service, Epocha leads the way. Blend in with the ambience and go for a classy, stylish look for your Melbourne date at this refined restaurant. But don’t worry, you don’t need to brush up on your poetry and English literature.

Time of review:

Open for lunch and dinner, Epocha tends to be packed around the clock with diners eager to sample European flavours and get the star treatment from the excellent staff. As a result, it’s a reliable choice for Melbourne dating throughout the week. Except Mondays, where you’ll find yourself sat on the steps of a closed restaurant.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Considering that you are paying for impeccable service, hand-picked imported wines and the finest quality ingredients, Epocha isn’t over-priced. The sharing menu costs $68, whilst the dishes vary greatly in price. And if you’ve just had pay day and you want to impress that drop-dead girl or handsome man then it’s worth every penny, surely?

Type of cuisine:

Melt in your mouth fish dishes and succulent hunks of meat grace the menu of Epocha, with lots of sharing dishes big and small to choose from. If you just fancy a drink and nibbles, the snack selection sounds as irresistible as it tastes, with an extensive selection of European wines to accompany all of the food. Don’t miss the Sunday roast on a weekend, a great alternative to evening dates in Melbourne if you want wholesome food and good company on this day of rest.

Final word:

For all those firm believers that romance isn’t dead, Epocha is the place for you. Even if the thought of a rom-com makes you a little queezy, you’d find it hard to fault the food and service at this brilliant restaurant.