The most loved-up day of the year is fast-approaching, and we’ve got you covered with a list of romantic restaurants hosting intimate booths and flattering lighting. Whether you are a hopeless romantic or die-hard denier of the occasion, Valentine’s Day provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the people you love and, let’s face it, indulge in some seriously good food and cocktails! From a picture-perfect, rustic dining room to a striking, mono-chromatic, pink-themed restaurant, Brisbane has plenty of desirable options for you and your significant other to choose from.
1. Emporium Hotel, South Bank
If you’re hanging around South Bank, Emporium Hotel’s Signature Restaurant is serving up a decadent four-course feast for Valentine‘s Day this year on 14 February.
On the menu: lobster ravioli in the shape of a rose and a sweet love heart dark chocolate parfait, both of which are sure to make your date smile.
To secure your spot, head over to the hotel’s website.
📍267 Grey St, South Brisbane
💲$120 – $180 per person
2. Brisbane Quarter restaurants, Brisbane City
Right in the heart of the city, Brisbane Quarter is the perfect spot to bring your Valentine or Galentine to this year, whether it be a New York-style set menu with river views at The Lex, a five-course Italian dinner at Persone, six courses of Japanese eats at Tenya, a Chinese feast at Brisbane Phoenix, there’s something for everyone at this foodie hub.
For more info, visit the Brisbane Quarter website.
📍300 George Street, Brisbane CBD
💲$145 – $185 per person
3. Maggie May, Newstead
The 1970s seemed like a real vibe, what with the fur coats, flares, and what have you. This Valentine’s Day, get transported back in time to the era thanks to this 70s-inspired supper club. Maggie May is located at Gasworks precinct in Newstead, and to bring in the retro, romantic vibes, they’re serving up a set menu from 6pm on the 14th, with epic eats starting with garlic herb prawns and ending with a creamy fondue station.
You can book a table here.
📍3/84 Longland St, Newstead
💲$69 per person
4. Opa Bar + Mezze, Brisbane City
Sit back in a cushioned booth decorated with refined bolsters under smooth, arched walls, and settle into a romantic meal by the Brisbane River.
Opa Bar and Mezze is doing à la carte for Valentine’s Day this year, which means you can enjoy a Greek feast your way, with a complimentary frozen cocktail on arrival.
Read more about Opa Bar + Mezze.
📍123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
💲$88 – $180 per person
5. Goldfinch, Brisbane City
Located on the bottom floor of the Pullman & Mercure King George Square, Goldfinch offers a Hamptons-inspired dining experience, and their romantic three course Valentine’s dinner will be taking this up a notch, starting with a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, followed by chargrilled Mooloolaba king prawns, a choice of pork rib eye or Gold Band snapper, and a decadent strawberry Eton mess for dessert.
Book your Valentine’s dinner at Goldfinch here.
📍Cnr Ann &, Roma St, Brisbane CBD
💲$110 per person
6. Za Za Ta, Fortitude Valley
Za Za Ta is without a doubt one of the best spots for vegetarian food in Brisbane. So if you’re wanting to indulge your plant-loving taste buds on Valentine’s Day, look no further than this Fortitude Valley gem. You can expect a special hand-crafted menu on the 14th, starting with a Valentine’s cocktail on arrival. Then, you’ll be treated to a variety of share plates, including their famous halloumi doughnuts as well as live music to soundtrack the evening.
For more info on this epic V-Day vegetarian dinner, click here.
📍1000 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
💲$99 per person
7. The Balfour Kitchen & Bar, New Farm
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, attention to detail is key. Woo your valentine with an intimate veranda lit up by fairly lights and a five-course meal created by the restaurant’s Head chef, Dann Rowell.
The delicious share-style menu comes with nine dishes, including Thai basil gazpacho, freshly shucked oysters, beef short rib, as well as pink marshmallow, glazed strawberry and macaron for dessert.
Before heading out to other haunts after dinner, visit the rooftop bar for a cocktail. You can also elevate your dining experience at The Balfour by opting for romantic extras such as red roses, chocolates and champagne.
Find out more about the oasis waiting for you at The Balfour Kitchen & Bar.
📍37 Balfour St, New Farm
💲$149 per person
8. Fosh, Portside Wharf
Located at Northshore Hamilton’s Portside Wharf, this elegant seafood restaurant serves up decadent eats by the river. At Fosh, think local line-caught fish served within 24 hours, as well as oysters, prawns, scallops and Moreton Bay bugs.
Their al a carte Valentine’s Day offering includes a complimentary glass of Moet on arrival.
You can book a table here.
📍39 Hercules St, Hamilton
💲$105 – $130 per person
9. Bisou Bisou, Fortitude Valley
With a mix of local produce and traditional cooking techniques, including the use of a la rôtisserie oven imported from France, Bisou Bisou is often regarded as the crème de la crème of French restaurants in Brisbane.
Their Valentine’s Day set menu includes dill cured Ōra King salmon, eye fillet steak, dark chocolate mousse and more.
Secure your spot here.
📍458 Brunswick Street Ground Floor, Fortitude Valley
💲$99 per person
10. Ping Pong, Newstead
What do you think of when you see the colour pink? LOVE. Pink is bold, its brave, and it demands attention. With an eclectic interior and a reputation for having some of the best Thai food in Brisbane, plan a memorable date or dinner with friends at Ping Pong.
Their Valentine’s Day menu features plenty of dishes that will delight your tastebuds, including a complimentary glass of Taittenger Champagne on arrival.
Thanks to its contemporary layout and funky design, you are guaranteed to have some Instagrammable moments at Ping Pong. If you’re looking for a setting to break the ice on a blind date, or enliven the mood with your pals, this eye-catching spot is a great bet.
Plan your date night here.
📍76 Skyring Ter, 4006, Newstead
💲$110 per person
11. Rich & Rare, West End
This new restaurant in West End specialises in sizzling steak and succulent local seafood. Menu highlights include tomahawk steak cooked over an open flame, oysters shucked to order, lobster cooked live from a tank, as well as Mooloolaba swordfish steak on the bone.
Rich & Rare is also home to a dry-aging room and a glass-encased wine cellar, so you know the meat and wine is kept well.
The Boundary Street spot is also home to one of Brisbane’s best value set menus, which gives you a nine-course journey through land and sea for just $50.
All Valentine’s Day bookings include a glass of Veuve on arrival.
📍97 Boundary St, West End
12. Iris Rooftop, Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley packs a selection of Brisbane rooftops, but if you’re looking for one with class, style and a touch of luxury, then you’ve got to make a beeline for Iris this Valentine’s Day.
Found on top of the equally glamorous Hotel X, Iris Rooftop makes romance easy with its unrivalled views over the city.
Their Valentine’s Day banquet features a curated selection of Spanish eats, including lamb empanadas, crispy skin barramundi and whipped burnt basque cheesecake.
Secure your spot here.
📍Atop Hotel X, 458 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley
💲$125 per person
13. Libertine, Brisbane City
Libertine is the epitome of romance with low-hanging crystal chandeliers, heavily wallpapered walls, and chic recycled furniture. You will find Libertine tucked away in the heritage-listed Barracks building. A blend of French and Vietnamese cuisine means this restaurant is marked by originality and offers something very different compared to other places.
Their seven-course banquet includes large shared plates such as crackling twice-cooked pork belly, pan-roasted barramundi, Moreton Bay bug toast, and a traditional French puff pastry for dessert.
Learn more about Libertine.
📍No. 5, The Barracks, 61 Petrie Terrace
💲$85 per person
14. The Boom Boom Room, Brisbane City
Japanese restaurants can be hard to beat for their ineffable refinement. Maybe it’s the delicately constructed pieces of sushi, the discipline of the chopstick, or the smaller plates. Whatever it is, The Boom Boom Room encapsulates it and is a great place to share a romantic meal in an opulent restaurant.
This Valentine’s Day, feast on a specially curated banquet as you (mentally) transport you and your date to the streets of Japan.
Read more about The Boom Boom Room.
📍49 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane CBD
💲$125 per person
15. Hervé’s Restaurant and Bar
Travel to the City of Love without leaving Brissy thanks to elegant Hervé’s. Its Parisian-inspired menu, created with the year’s most romantic day in mind, includes French classics like twice-baked goat cheese soufflé, stuffed chicken breast with peas à la française and a decadent hot chocolate fondant with salted caramel for dessert.
Be their guest and book your spot here!
📍Craft’d Grounds, Level 1/31-37 Collingwood St, Albion
💲$95 – $120 per person
16. Bacchus
Whether you’re leaning into love with your sweetheart, celebrating friendship with a Galentine’s celebration, or enjoying your own company, Bacchus Restaurant‘s Valentine’s Day menu will make your heart sing.
Not only will you get to taste such delicacies as freshly shucked oysters with raspberry and radish and lamb saddle with pomegranate, but the cleverly interactive dessert — a chocolate heart filled with treats that you’ll get to break — will ensure the evening ends on a sweet note.
Get your own achy breaky heart here.
📍Rydges South Bank, 9 Glenelg St, South Brisbane
💲$210 – $260 per person
17. Byblós
Treat yourself and your significant other to a Love-anese feast at Byblós. Designed for sharing, every plate will bring you closer together — literally and metaphorically — as you indulge in baba ganoush, tabouleeh and roasted chicken with muhammara, a magnificent pavlova for dessert, and even a Valentine’s-themed cocktail!
Get your spot here.
📍39 Hercules St, Hamilton
💲$105 per person
18. Maya
Celebrate the Día del Amor with stunning views and even better food at Maya. Get the party started as soon as you arrive with a complimentary margarita and then heat things up with jalapeños with smokey queso, pork belly with mole, and dark chocolate ganache with spiced rum for dessert.
And to make it a real fiesta there will be live music setting the mood during your meal. Book your spot before there’s nada left!
📍757 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
💲$95 per person
Editorial contribution by: MJ Gayón