Sydney’s most romantic restaurants for a memorable winter date night

Bennelong boasts one of Sydney’s most beautiful dining rooms and is a slam dunk for a date night to remember. As you and your date watch the sunset over the Sydney Harbour Bridge while waiting to be seated, a celebration of flavours and warm hospitality awaits.

Set in the iconic Opera House, the lantern-lit tables make an intimate setting. Renowned executive chef Peter Gilmore’s innovative à la carte menu also promises a memorable experience. Entrees include Sashimi scallops with oyster cream, pickled turnips, and seaweed; and Mud crab with soft polenta and corn brown butter. For mains, we recommend the Local pink snapper with shaved squid, turnips, and koji emulsion as well as the Maremma pasture raised duck hunter sausage and sapphire grapes.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Three-course menu and sides ($180)

If you really want to impress your date, you can decide to rock up by seaplane at this glitzy waterfront seafood restaurant on stilts in Rose Bay.

Catalina’s name is derived from these vintage flying boats, recapturing the romance of the times. Catch the sunset from the floor-to-ceiling windows or balcony with 180-degree views of Sydney Harbour.

Enjoy a Santa Margherita prosecco before entrees such as Poached Western Australian marron with plum, jalapeno, coriander, lime, and cucumber gazpacho; and Pan-seared scallops with sweet corn, romesco crumb, and chipotle puree. Must order mains include Cone Bay barramundi with pan-fried squid, cauliflower, lemon, and sage beurre noisette; and the Aquana Murray cod with turmeric yoghurt, kipfler potatoes, pickled garlic and Madras curry.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Three-course set menu ($161)

Set the mood for an evening of romance with the history, theatre and food at Restaurant Hubert.

Escape into a 1940s French-style bistro as you descend the mahogany-panelled staircase lined with thousands of miniature liquor bottles.

Dramatically warm winter dates start in the old-world opulence of this dining room with its fringed table lamps, dark wood furniture, crimson drapes, and grand piano.

Start the affair with rounds of martinis and Sydney rock oysters to the strains of live jazz music, move onto Escargots XO, roasted snails, XO butter and the house baguette, share a Bavette steak with bone marrow butter and finish with an incredible passion fruit soufflé. How could you not be more in love at the end of such a meal?

Dish Cult’s top pick: Bavette ($58)

Treat your date to one of the most enjoyable dining experiences in Sydney filled with unexpected and extremely delicious Lebanese flavours.

Head to Nour and you’ll be greeted by pretty pastels, rose-pink tubular chairs, marble-topped tables, and a dramatic central wood-fired oven, in an open kitchen.

The real magic here is in the flavourful selection of mezze and sophisticated dishes that pay homage to tradition with a refined twist.

Choose the banquet option to sample a little of all their signature creations. Mezzes like Chicken bits shawarma, tarator, pickled cabbage and yoghurt bread and Grilled Mooloolaba scallop with Arabian XO sauce. For mains, we loved the Barberry glazed lamb shoulder with shaved beans and green zhug. Finish off with unlikely desserts like Tamir and olive oil cake with coconut labneh and jazarieh.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Barberry glazed lamb shoulder ($49)

For an unforgettable dining experience, opt for Sokyo, one of the best Japanese restaurants in Sydney with a name that pays tribute to the city it’s in as well as Tokyo, the city that provides it with inspiration.

The menu is innovative with artful presentation and beautiful aesthetics befitting renowned chef Chase Kojima.

Ingredients are top-notch and include kingfish and abalone flown in from South Australia, freshwater eels from Taiwan, scallops from Japan, and salmon belly from Tasmania.

If you don’t go for the stunning Omakase menu, choose the tasting menu with highlights including the tuna sashimi with truffle egg yolk, the Dengakuman, miso-glazed toothfish with Japanese salsa and cucumber salad, and the Nikka whisky macchiato, which features coffee ice cream, cacao nibs and Nikka whisky foam. The sushi and sashimi here are exceptional.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Sokyo tasting menu ($165)

Want to take your date out of Sydney? Check out our list of romantic destination restaurants in New South Wales.