Classic Restaurants to Dine with Your Significant Other

by OpenTable Team

Updated 31 December 2023

Hungry for a dining experience that's tailor-made for you? We’ve got you covered. Here are our top restaurant picks for your next outing. Bon appétit!

Credit: Kokumai

True South

4.4

4.4 (800)

$40 and under

Gastro Pub

Black Rock

About the restaurant

Located in the picturesque bayside suburb of Black Rock, True South holds prime position as the areas best and biggest Restaurant, Bar & Function Space.

Once used as an auto repair shop, this modern gastro pub has undergone a colossal renovation, keeping the original facade, but completely stripping back the inside to create the incredible space it is today. The talented chefs at True South offer a modern Argentinean menu, served in the newly converted setting.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on 23 Dec 2024

Fabulous food and drinks in a lively open setting. The Chef's Taste was fantastic and would recommend it for a group to share. Very good value for money - excellent quality and plenty of options. Highly recommend

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Tuesday Trivia Night 2025

Hotel Brighton

4.2

4.2 (635)

$40 and under

Pub

Brighton

About the restaurant

Hotel Brighton is a truly local venue and has been serving the Brighton community for years. The impressive double story building boasts a traditional front bar, serving fresh tank beer, local wine and great cocktails, a restaurant serving home-cooked food and a hidden roof terrace, perfect for Summer drinks and parties.

Hotel Brighton is also the place to watch live sport, screening hundreds of live games every month on the big screen, you can even get a bet on in our state of the art TAB.

With a range of spectacular spaces, Hotel Brighton is a brilliant place for functions. We can cater for every size of the event, from a first Birthday party to engagement parties. Our events team bring that personal touch to any event, managing every detail, so the customer can sit back, relax and enjoy.

Hotel Brighton continues to grow with the local community and we have big plans for the future.

We are always evolving, but always truly local.

Top review

Stephen

Dined on 3 Dec 2024

Went to the steak night. Steak smallish, but delicious, and cooked as requested. Good chips too.

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Experience

Tuesday Steak Night

Experience

Monday Burger & Beer Night

Experience

Trivia Night 2025

Trattoria Emilia

4.8

4.8 (1267)

$41 to $100

Italian

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

Trattoria Emilia is an authentic Italian restaurant focusing on seasonal produce and fresh pasta. Head chefs Francesco Rota and Luca Flammia hail from Modena in Emilia Romagna.

At Trattoria Emilia we seasonally change the menu and source a large majority of our produce from regional Victoria, our meat is organic and sustainably grown in Tasmania and Victoria and we import some of the best Italian DOC products. Some dishes that are not to be missed are our Tortelloni Emiliani and the crowd favourite salumi misti with gnocco fritto and tigelle served with mortadella mousse.

Rustic, yet refined, Trattoria Emilia boasts fantastic ambience, attentive and professional service whilst all the while remaining a great casual dining spot perfect for a quick lunch, a long relaxing dinner with friends and has always been a romantic date spot.

Top review

Karen

Dined 3 days ago

It feels like stepping into Italy. A lovely dining experience at Emilia. Fabulous authentic Italian food and service. Thank you.

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Chef's choice, 5 courses for $105

The European

4.7

4.7 (1290)

$41 to $100

European

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, The European offers a welcoming ambience with warm, generous and knowledgeable hospitality - a beacon of Melbourne dining at its finest. Located on Spring Street near the Princess Theatre, we offer classic bistro fare with substance and character to perfectly complement our extensive collection of wines, old and new world, available to enjoy with your meal.

We also welcome you on a walk-in basis next door at The City Wine Shop any day of the week, where you may simply pop in for a seat at the bar or grab a spot outside overlooking Parliament House.

We take the best seasonal produce available, cooking simple, classic foods. Nose-to-tail offal dishes are centred within our menu, utilising every part of the animal products in our kitchen. Drawing on our own in-house butcher and farmhouse cheeses matured by our friends at Spring Street Cheese Cellar, there is always something new to try on the menu at The European and City Wine Shop.

Top review

Peter

Dined 2 days ago

Fantatasic server, liked the portion sizes, loved the food, and a great wine selection.

Figo Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (408)

$41 to $100

Italian

Rushcutters Bay

About the restaurant

Casual Italian Restaurant with Friendly service and traditional food. Bar seating and dining tables with two different rooms. We are a small but vibrant place.

Top review

Jane

Dined on 23 Dec 2024

Enjoyed a lovely work dinner at Figo - attentive staff, lovely atmosphere and the food was extremely good - very happy to return

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4.5

4.5 (267)

$41 to $100

Turkish

Sydney CBD

About the restaurant

Maydanoz is an Aegean Turkish coast inspired bar/restaurant paying homage to regions vegetarian and olive oil driven casual meze bars. Managed by the team behind Efendy and Anason, Maydanoz is located in the middle of the revitalised Sydney CBD. Food The menu is based on produce driven delights of Aegean region of Turkey, rich in culture and variety of the produce, dairy, fish and lamb.
Most of the dishes are prepared ‘zeytinyagli’ style, olive oil poached vegetables served as part of a drinking feast. Imagine dolmas, sarmas and seasonal vegetables with plenty of fresh herbs of the area.
There is a special attention for natural and local Turkish wines from the coastline stretching from Gallipoli on the north to Denizli on the south. We also pride ourselves having a cocktail menu crafted by our head mixologist with special attention to regions produce, like Zumrut ( Emerald) made with bespoke gin and our namesake parsley as a base.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 14 Jun 2024

The atmosphere is beautiful. The coconut yoghurt dip was very bland as was the bean salad. Octopus was delicious and so was the leek dish. I felt it was mostly over priced for mediocre food

Alpha Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (1195)

$41 to $100

Greek

Sydney CBD

About the restaurant

Alpha, located in Sydney, is a premier Greek restaurant that exudes freshness and sophistication. The restaurant's calm Grecian style is showcased through its whitewashed walls, oak floors, and layered grey fabrics. With Greek-inspired curves and arches, the Mediterranean design is integrated seamlessly throughout.

Along with an a la carte selection, our share feast banquet menus allows the opportunity to sit, relax and enjoy the culture and conversation amongst your friends and family. Alpha, is home away from home.

Top review

CRyd

Dined on 2 May 2024

The food was great. Definitely recommend following the recommendation of the wait staff on portion quantities for number of diners as some dishes are quite generous & saves over ordering. Staff were attentive & not over-bearing for a business lunch.

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4.5

4.5 (1863)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Sydney CBD

About the restaurant

Glass Brasserie is an eloquent, lofty restaurant and wine bar with panoramic views overlooking Sydney's historic Queen Victoria Building. Under the culinary guidance of head chef Natalie Murphy, the Glass team dreams up honest, simple culinary experiences that celebrate the finest seasonal produce in imbued flavour.

The brasserie-style menu is designed to take guests on a journey, losing themselves in the enclaves of the restaurant's ambiance, flavours and character. Glass boasts one of Sydney's most comprehensive wine lists, curated by Head Sommelier, Mauro Bortolato for almost two decades. The 3,500 strong collection is encased in a striking wine wall that spans floor to ceiling through the space. Designed by renowned interior designer, Tony Chi, the restaurant's interior exudes equal party's intimacy and grandeur with it's ambient open-plan kitchen and expansive day-to-night dining experiences.

Located on Level 2, 488 George Street, Sydney.

Top review

Edwin

Dined 3 days ago

Not happy will not return even though previous experience with the chef’s other venues have been 5⭐️. Entree prawns/oyster combo dish offered disappointing and questionable non fresh mushy king prawns. Lobster should have pre cut flesh or accompanied by better cutting knife to assist the eating experience. Dessert “Vanilla Cheesecake” presented as chocolate cake squares without explanation??? Maître D did not show up at our table yet seemed to be circulating the room?

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Experience

Afternoon Tea

Experience

Group Reservations 8+

The Gallery All-Day Dining - Sheraton on the Park Sydney

3.7

3.7 (62)

$40 and under

Australian

Sydney CBD

About the restaurant

Designed as a social gathering space, The Gallery offers a relaxed restaurant setting in which to enjoy a quick morning coffee or a leisurely high tea. Find space to meet and dine while you catch up with friends in Sydney.

Top review

GaryB

Dined on 27 Dec 2023

Great food and lots of variety, lovely presentation, staff quick to fill up your empty glass of sparkling, plently of tea with 1 pot each. Been for a lot of high teas found this the best.

Kokumai - Barangaroo

4.2

4.2 (10)

$41 to $100

Sushi

Barangaroo

About the restaurant

Kokumai means “black rice” in Japanese and is a premium sushi bar operated as a new concept of Japanese restaurant operated with an omakase function.

Seating appx. 60 people and serving up premium roll, nigiri, and sashimi with a great selection of wine, sake, and beer.

*Omakase: Authentic Japanese omakase menu is implemented. Menus made with fresh seasonal ingredients are prepared by the head chef in Kokumai.
**Premium sushi bar: We are operating as a premium sushi bar by using seasonal and superior ingredients.

Top review

Ruby

Dined on 24 Feb 2024

The food was fantastic, everything we order was really delicious. It is on the expensive side but it’s really good quality stuff so it’s worth it

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Experience

Lunch Deal

Experience

Sushi & Sashimi Course

Experience

Kokumai Course

Kokumai

4.0

4 (4)

$41 to $100

Sushi

Circular Quay

About the restaurant

Top review

JonB

Dined on 10 Jul 2023

The superb seafood banquet was expertly prepared in front of us, each dish explained and the service was extremely cordial and attentive

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Experience

Table Omakase

Lucia

4.4

4.4 (281)

$40 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Tugun

About the restaurant

Lucia exists to take you on a journey. Step onto our sundeck and you’ll immediately be transported to Iberia. Lucia means light, and that’s exactly what you’ll encounter. The backdrop of warm inviting colours, plethora of greenery, and atmosphere that beckons “uno más, por favor” (one more please) might make this your new favourite escape.

Lounge with old friends or make new ones with delicious cocktails, delectable food and great times that are even better when shared. Inside the venue is another beast altogether.

You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped off the beaches of Portugal and into a packed Valencian hole-in-the-wall eatery. Loaded with the vibrancy, sounds, smells and tastes typical of that “best kept secret” restaurant you found in your holidays. This is sure to leave a mark.

Top review

Ian

Dined on 29 Sept 2024

We've been to Lucia's a number of times over the years, and it's been consistently excellent. The food is always great quality, the service is lovely, friendly and efficient. We've always sat in the court yard out the back, which now has an awning in case it rains. Great happy hour drinks and live music adds to the experience.

Essa Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (731)

$41 to $100

Wine Bar

Fortitude Valley

About the restaurant

ESSA provides a destination to escape the expected.

Just like the raw interiors in which we reside, our work is simple but considered.

The ethos in the kitchen embraces collaboration with local farmers, hunters and providores, promoting an environmentally conscious approach to the menu. Harvest driven dishes provide the creative parameters for our ever evolving dining experience.

ESSA is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm till late and Friday and Sunday lunch from 12pm.

Top review

Kerryn

Dined 3 days ago

Incredible experience for my Birthday dinner! Will definitely be back!

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Experience

Five Chefs, Five Plates

Experience

$68 Friday Lunches at ESSA

Experience

Sunday School at Essa

Persone Italian Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (1119)

$41 to $100

Italian

Brisbane CBD

About the restaurant

In Italian Persone means ‘people’.
Persone is the embodiment of the sweet life.
A place to indulge in ‘the good life’.
Immerse yourself in a truly spectacular Italian bar and dining experience.

Top review

Miranda

Dined on 25 Dec 2024

Beautiful restaurant ! Food and service was impeccable from the moment we booked to the very end! Very impressive and we all loved it for our family Christmas .

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4.5

4.5 (911)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Sunshine Beach

About the restaurant

The Doonan offers the ultimate alfresco dining experience, enjoy an Italian-inspired menu among lush gardens. Nestled in the scenic Noosa hinterland on 2-hectares just a stone's throw from famous local beaches; The Doonan boasts indoor and outdoor dining, a pizzeria, ice creamery, bars, beer gardens, a cellar door, multiple function spaces and a large outdoor kids playground, coming soon.

Oozing with character and charm, the venue is more like a plant nursery than a hotel. With striking architecture covered in greenery and decorated with exposed brick, The Doonan is a wonderland for the senses.

Top review

Michelle

Dined on 9 Nov 2024

Fantastic venue ambience plus and the staff very helpful

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Popular dish

Crab Salad

Rococo St Kilda

4.7

4.7 (1886)

$40 and under

Italian

St Kilda

About the restaurant

Rococo St Kilda's atmosphere is both seductive and vibrant, bustling and intimate. The place where Rococo’s signature antipasti boards and simple Italian flavours first came to be, it continues to attract diners from all over Melbourne some 10 years later. Set amongst some of Melbourne’s most loved sites – The Palais, The National Theatre and St Kilda beach to name a few – our expanded restaurant space is bigger than ever, yet remains cosy and flexible, with various spaces available for functions and plenty of nooks for private dining or close conversations.
Join us for a meal of many courses; a hearty breakfast to start the day, a jovial work lunch, a family get together or just a glass of wine to celebrate the end of a day. Oh and our Wood Fire Pizzas are a must. Enjoy the authenticity, quality and warm hospitality of modern Italy right here in Melbourne.
Al fresco outside seating also available.

Top review

Naveen

Dined on 1 Jan 2025

One of the best pizza in Melbourne, loved it and the service team was lovely & welcoming.

The Breslin Steakhouse

4.5

4.5 (651)

$41 to $100

Contemporary American

Southbank

About the restaurant

Based on the Left Bank in Melbourne's Southbank, overlooking the Yarra River, The Breslin Steakhouse aims to be the best whole carcass based restaurant in the market. New York attitude and style combined with modern and classic technique, The Breslin Bar & Grill pays homage to the classic New York-style steakhouses, complete with a large wall-to-wall bar that proudly mixes up the classics.

Top review

BOB

Dined 1 day ago

We all ordered from the Special 2Course Lunch menu. The entrees Tuna Sashimi, Calamari and Croquettes were very good as were the Main courses of Salmon and Parmas . Service was very welcoming and we were well looked after.

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Popular dish

Breslin's Signature Beef Wellington

Popular dish

Pork Ribs Tasmanian

Experience

Empire State Set Menu $85pp/$99pp ($25pp deposit)

Lamaro's Hotel

4.8

4.8 (909)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

South Melbourne

About the restaurant

"Truly a wonderful pub is Lamaro’s, run by experts that embrace hospitality."
Tony Leonard, 3AW
https://bit.ly/36XkQbd

Broadsheet's Top 5 Gastropubs in Melbourne 2019 & 2020
3AW's Pub Of The Year 2019

Lamaro's Hotel is an iconic Gastro-pub located in leafy Cecil Street in South Melbourne.

Let us take you on a gourmet journey with our creative modern Australian menu. Either dine in the opulent surrounds of our restaurant or relax in our old world bar.

With a boutique extensive wine list and 12 craft beers on tap there is something to please every taste and palate.

Private dining rooms available and functions welcome.

A must visit venue for any food, wine and beer lovers.

We're close to Albert Park Lake and just 100m stroll from Bridport Street light rail (Tram no. 96) and South Melbourne's bus

Top review

SharonVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great schnitzel and good service. Very good portions as well.

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4.6

4.6 (431)

$41 to $100

Bistro

Albert Park

About the restaurant

Pipis Kiosk is a beachside bistro serving up a menu that champions Australian seafood and vegetables.

Awarded one hat in The Age Good Food Guide since its opening in 2021, the restaurant is a quintessential Melbourne experience.

Nestled on the ALBERT PARK foreshore its a great place for a special occasion, group event or simply a place to sit back and watch the boats sail past.

Top review

Tracy

Dined 4 days ago

Perfect location to meet friends and enjoy water views. Food was delicious and service excellent

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Experience

$110 Tasting Menu

Mount Erica Hotel

4.7

4.7 (1111)

$40 and under

Gastro Pub

Prahran

About the restaurant

The Mount Erica Hotel, loved and revered corner Pub. includes public bar, indoor and outdoor dining/function spaces. Offering a menu of elevated pub classics, tap beer, cocktails and extensive wine list. Delivered in a relaxed venue with a designer edge.

*All bookings are for our dining room for sit-down dining. We have our front bar and courtyard available for casual drinks, and are on a walk in basis. Dogs and children are welcome in the venue until 8pm.

Top review

Iefan

Dined 3 days ago

We've recently started using Mt Erica as our local. At 5pm it's great for families with young kids. great food options for adults and kids. Food is terrific and consistent and served fast. The Roast Chicken and Chilli Crab Spaghetti are particular highlights. The Chocolate Semi-freddo was a perfect way to finish a meal. Highly recommend.

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4.7

4.7 (286)

$41 to $100

Italian

Surry Hills

About the restaurant

Bartolo Wine Room is an Italian restaurant and wine bar located on Crown Street, Surry Hills, listing more than 200+ International and Australian wines, a great cocktail list and an exciting Italian food menu. All day dining every Friday-Sunday. Open Thursday dinners, Friday lunches from 12pm, and from 11am on Saturday and Sunday for those long lunches, afternoon drinks and boozy dinners. We have both indoor and outdoor (dog friendly) seating available. Please note that if outdoor seating is booked and bad weather prevails then we may not be able to accommodate your party inside unless there is space available. Bartolo Wine Room's food menu has been designed around the great wines on our list and as such is not a kids friendly space.

Can't see any availability online? For groups of 21 or more, please send us a request now at info@bartolosydney.com.au. Bar open until 12am on Fridays & Saturdays.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 1 Jan 2023

Amazing food

Zama Bondi

3.9

3.9 (47)

$41 to $100

Latin American

Bondi Beach

About the restaurant

Welcome to Zama Bondi, a captivating culinary destination nestled in the vibrant heart of Bondi. Prepare to embark on a remarkable gastronomic journey that seamlessly fuses the rich flavors of Argentina and South America with a touch of contemporary innovation. Our passion for the renowned Asado style of cooking and the use of fresh, seasonal produce form the very essence of our menu, creating an extraordinary dining experience unlike any other.

Top review

Samantha

Dined on 2 Nov 2024

Delicious food and outstanding service - so attentive and friendly, and your water glass gets topped up so frequently!!!