Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day at these Gold Coast restaurants

Take your partner’s hand and teleport to the Amalfi Coast this February, via a private soiree by the sea at Hyde Paradiso.

The Mediterranean-themed bar boasts stunning ocean views, hand-crafted cocktails and a menu of tapas and larger dishes to share.

Start with a round of fruity cocktails to soak up the summery vibes, like a lychee martini or refreshing watermelon mojito. The purple lady with creme de violette and butterfly pea flower looks particularly stunning for the ‘gram.

The food is internationally inspired, lending your dinner spread an exotic appeal. Enjoy crisp eggplant wafers with labneh and smoked tomato, spice-glazed chicken with black garlic toum and pomegranate and steamed clams with piquillo pepper and arak.

End the night with a cooling dessert perfectly designed for two: pineapple ice, coconut ice cream, passionfruit, lime curd and pineapple salsa.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Crisp eggplant wafers with smoked tomato, labneh, spiced chickpea and fresh herb ($18)

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If you really want to impress your date, pull out all the stops with a dinner booking at one of the Gold Coast’s most esteemed fine dining restaurants, Vanitas.

Overlooking the opulent Palazzo Versace hotel’s sparkling lagoon, Vanitas offers a modern degustation-style dining experience combining the best of fresh seasonal produce with contemporary Italian flavours and unique spins on time-honoured recipes. The night will take you and your date on a journey through nine different courses, with optional wine pairing from the sommelier.

You’ll begin with a sophisticated selection of canapes, including a native cacio e pepe, beef tartelette and “kangaroo lollipop”. Later courses are no less creative, with dishes like hibachi veal with yellowfin tuna jus, crab salad with burnt onion dressing, apple and sake granita, linguine with Prosciutto di Parma dashi, coral trout and more.

Two dessert courses are included in the degustation for a sweet ending to a romantic night out.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Nine-course degustation menu ($195 pp)

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There are a range of swoon-worthy Valentine’s Day offers at QT this year, from twilight cabanas under the stars with Mumm sparkling and a four-course dinner, to a special Valentine’s high tea with champagne at the hotel’s Fixx cafe.

If your date’s got a case of wanderlust, skip those and take them to the Bazaar Marketplace Lover’s Feast instead. Your date will be charmed with travel memories and exotic dishes on a journey around the world through taste.

Bazaar is described as a ‘marketplace of global flavours’, with street food pleasures from Middle Eastern souks to Latin American bodegas.

Dine on trawler fresh seafood, slow-roasted meats, Asian-style snacks, gourmet salads and an indulgent spread of sweet treats. Your ticket includes a glass of champagne on arrival, live acoustic tunes and personalised chocolate love notes.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Bazaar Marketplace Lover’s Feast ($159 pp)

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It may be known for having the best view on the Gold Coast, but there’s more to The Tropic than just that.

Whisk your date to a dinner out here and woo them with irresistible Mediterranean-style eats, fresh premium seafood (including Oscietra caviar), and arguably some of the best lobster frites available on the Coast.

Here, it’s all about quality and authentic ingredients so if your partner’s a foodie – look no further. Try salty shavings of jamon Iberico or Wagyu braesola, ocean king prawns bathed in a herbaceous garlic butter, beef tartare and everyone’s favourite Greek dip taramasalata.

The warm pink and mint interiors amp up the summer energy as you bathe in the sunset’s rays. Enjoy a beautiful cocktail on the terrace to begin before heading inside to enjoy a romantic dinner to remember.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Kingfish tartare ($29)

The very first Japanese fine dining restaurant on the Gold Coast, Yamagen, will be a buzzing hot spot come Valentine’s Day.

The popular BBQ restaurant and sushi bar is hosting a ‘Honmei Choco’ event on the night, celebrating the Japanese tradition of giving handmade chocolate treats to a lover or love interest.

Make a booking to enjoy a night of pristine sushi and sashimi, delicious barbecued meats, izakaya-style dishes, or a completely chef-led omakase-style experience.

There’s a new dessert called the volcano set to launch on the night for some extra sparks, plus complimentary oysters for bookings of three at aphrodisiac hour.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Omakase menu ($85 pp)