Love at First Bite: Adelaide’s Most Romantic Restaurants
Hoping to sweep your date off their feet? Adelaide’s romantic dining scene is here to serve lovebirds in style.
From the charming allure of Osteria Oggi to the timelessly romantic decor of Chianti, we have the details on the CBD’s restos where sparks fly!
Apoteca Bar & Restaurant
Address: 118 Hindley St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8212 9099
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Thu – 6 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 6 pm to 12 am
- Sun – Closed
Apoteca is like a modern-day love potion, complete with marble tables that say “classy” and velvet lounges that whisper “romance.”
The old-world wine cellar is best for private dinners with your boo; it has dim lights, vintage brickwork, and a whole lot of wines. If you prefer views of the private courtyard, have your date night in the mezzanine room.
For the food, impress your date by ordering the sweet and savory ham hock terrine or the king salmon with sauce grenobloise, a buttery French sauce fit for a fine evening. End things on a sweet note with the chocolate and strawberry tart.
Chianti
Address: 160 Hutt St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8232 7955
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 11:30 am to 10 pm
- Sun – Closed
With softly colored walls, exquisite masonry, and a collection of evocative artwork and luxurious wines, Chianti lays down an ambiance only the Bel Paese’s old-town ristorante can offer.
The menu reads like a love letter to Italian cuisine, with dishes like the burrata primavera, a delicate dance of spring vegetables, cheese, pea vinaigrette, and mint.
Then there’s the 300-gram Kerwee Angus sirloin, embraced by an aromatic and buttery bistecca sauce. Pair these with the fruity Rosso di Montalcino to further elevate the elegance of your date.
Orso
Address: 36 Kensington Rd, Rose Park, SA 5067
Contact Details: (08) 8364 1008
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sat – 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 2:30 pm
Orso is an upscaled bluestone beauty, offering a laid-back slice of Tuscany with a patio and a well-kept garden.
Their dishes are a flavorful Italian symphony—a must-have for lovers who crave top-tier dining. Couples will love sharing their chicken portobello mushrooms and porcini jus.
The lamb rump with almond cranberry salsa and jus is a love affair on a plate, too, bursting with a bold flavor. This dish is best complemented by a glass of refined Deviation Road Beltana sparkling wine.
Luma Restaurant and Bar
Address: 120 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8213 8844
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 6:30 am to 9 pm
- Sat to Sun – 7 am to 9 pm
Luma embraces elements of jaw-dropping Art Nouveau in its design, characterized by its interior’s artistic walls, furniture, and lighting.
The restaurant’s menu also sets the stage for an unforgettable romantic rendezvous. Imagine starting your evening with steamed Boston Bay mussels given more flavors by Lenswood cider and pancetta.
For the main act, the barramundi filet is the star of the meaty show, while the pan-fried gnocchi is a vegan favorite. And when it’s time to sweeten the deal, the vanilla cream brulee with seasonal fruits is a fine way to say “I love you.”
Sean’s Kitchen
Address: SkyCity Adelaide, 125 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8218 4244
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Wed – 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Thu – 2 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Fri to Sat – 2 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – Closed
Sean’s Kitchen doesn’t sound like an intimate eatery, but, trust us, this lux-looking NY brasserie-themed gourmet bistro is as romantic as a moonlit stroll.
The stylish furniture and high-vaulted ceiling add to its allure, making it a fave among Adelaidean sweethearts.
The menu here is pure meaty goodness. Whether you’re sinking your teeth into the dry-aged burger or savoring the fire-kissed 220-gram tenderloin, the salty and savory flavor profiles are love notes to your palate.
When it’s time for the drink, nothing beats the From Paris with Louvre, a concoction of Chambord, lemon juice, and fairy floss.
Restaurant Botanic
Address: In Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Plane Tree Dr, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8223 3526
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – Closed
- Thu to Sat – 6 pm to 12 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 5 pm
With a leafy and flowery backdrop, a modernized rotunda, and views of Adelaide Botanic Gardens’ crystal-clear main lake, Restaurant Botanic is a certified romantic getaway.
Their menu is a journey through modern Australian cuisine, with flavors that might stun you and your partner. They serve roasted crocodile tail in a daikon broth, elevated by the warmth of toasted oak.
You can also have a kangaroo tendon with salted koji or a seared kangaroo with camel hump and a shiso mix. After your meal, stroll under the canopy of lush trees where the gentle rustling leaves set the tone for a romantic afternoon or evening.
Nido Bar I Pasta
Address: Shop 2/160 King William Rd, Hyde Park, SA 5061
Contact Details: (08) 8373 2044
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 9 pm
Nido’s opulent gold and black decor, sultry dim hanging lamps, and posh furnishings create a romantic haven. There’s an outdoor spot facing King William Rd’s quieter side, perfect for fresh air and heartfelt moments, especially during sunsets or starry nights.
The food will leave you satisfied, too. The wood-grilled southern calamari with blistered cherry tomatoes is a taste sensation.
If you’re not afraid to break the bank, the 350-gram wood-grilled sirloin steak, served with whipped mustard butter and marsala jus, is a must-try.
Jolley’s Boathouse
Address: 1 Jolleys Ln, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8223 2891
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Fri – 12 pm to 3:30 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sat – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 3:30 pm
Jolley’s Boathouse is a classic dating spot boasting a cozy fireplace and a terrace exuding relaxation and romance while overlooking the ever-beautiful River Torrens.
The modern Aussie delights here deliver flavors that’ll make you head over heels. You can spoon-feed your partner with the Maremma Farm free-range dry-aged duck breast or share the half-roast Nomad Farm chicken served with focaccia and butter.
Their drink game is on point, too. From martinis made with Never Never gin and Grey Goose vodka to wines like McLaren Vale’s Mates Shiraz, they have libations that can keep the romance and sweet nothings flowing smoothly.
Lenzerheide Restaurant
Address: 146 Belair Rd, Hawthorn, SA 5062
Contact Details: (08) 8373 3711
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Sun – 12 pm to 11:30 pm
Whether you’re in for a love-filled high tea date or sumptuous dinner, Lenzerheide’s modish glass atrium, white and gold tables with fresh flowers, and pastel hues bring romance to the table.
The high tea menu is a royal spread deserving of love. You’ll sweetly share high tea staples, like scones, tarts, sandwiches, and cheese while sipping Madame Coco blanc de blanc or the costlier and more envy-inducing Pol Roger French Champagne.
If you scheduled the date on darker hours, savor tender cuts of medium rare Onkaparinga Valley venison or their roasted lamb rack. You can then cap it off with the apple and strawberry crumble and watch your bae light up with a smile.
Press* Food & Wine
Address: 40 Waymouth St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8211 8048
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Sat – 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Sun – Closed
Press* Food & Wine is an enchanting venue for lovers, awash with natural light in the morning and lit by faint lighting after nightfall. The intensely dark walls evoke a passionate aura, while the plush ebony chairs will make you feel like a VIP.
The bites are also noteworthy, from our team-fave whipped cod roe to the succulent pork loin crowned with fennel seed butter and braised red onion.
Additionally, you can make the date better with a glass of Negroni or espresso martini. And for those with a penchant for hops, there’s a selection of beers, like ale, sour brews, and tap, to raise a toast to your special moments.
Osteria Oggi
Address: 76 Pirie St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8359 2525
Operating Hours: Daily – 11:30 am to 11:30 pm
Osteria Oggi’s blend of midcentury decor, contemporary chic, and natural splendor creates a setting that’s romantic and sophisticated.
When it comes to the menu, the flavors are smoother than a serenade under the Venetian moon. There’s wood-grilled rib rye, 800 grams of sheer savory and buttery indulgence, and the tender beef carpaccio with a milder flavor profile.
To round off your romantic feast, there’s the tiramisù affogato—a dreamy blend of coffee anglaise, chocolate, and hazelnut parfait, all harmonizing like a love song on your taste buds.
The Meat & Wine Co Adelaide CBD
Address: 39 Currie St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8127 0888
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 10 pm
At The Meat & Wine Co in Adelaide CBD, love finds its voice through earthy hues, tribal patterns, and textured fabrics that transport you to the heart of Africa. Beyond the Afro-centric aesthetics, this chophouse has some of the CBD’s finest meat cuts.
You should start with the Mediterranean lamb backstrap with dukkah or the 500-gram grain-fed Wagyu rump with a marble score of 6+.
And since love tastes best when it’s tender and juicy, you can also try the 350-gram New Yorker, grain-fed for 240 days, and flexes a marble score of 3+.
Garcon Bleu
Address: 108 Currie St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8432 1999
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 6:30 am to 10:30 am
- Wed to Fri – 6:30 am to 10:30 am, 12 pm to 2 pm, 5:30 pm to 9 pm
- Sat – 7 am to 11 am, 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 9 pm
- Sun – 7 am to 11 am, 1 pm to 4 pm, 5:30 pm to 9 pm
Garcon Bleu is where romance meets a view straight out of a fairytale, with the Adelaide Hills and city lights winking in the distance. The modern dining area also bathes in natural light, bouncing off a mirrored ceiling and glistening gold accents.
For the bites, start strong by going with the foie gras and chicken liver parfait, a decadent dish that captivates with its rich liver flavor and creaminess.
Then, savor the 250-gram porterhouse, a perfectly grilled masterpiece of SA Angus pure grass-fed beef. The resto’s best ender is the La Mandarine, burnt mandarin ice cream with chamomile—this one is love at first bite.
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