Valentine’s Day in Melbourne centres on where and what you choose to eat. For couples who plan the evening around flavour and technique, the city’s strongest restaurants approach the occasion through a focus on cuisine.
Spice Temple
Spice Temple defines Valentine’s dining through regional Chinese cooking. The menu draws from six cuisines, including Sichuan, Yunnan, and Hunan, with dishes designed for sharing between two people.
For Valentine’s Day, the menu progresses from delicately folded dumplings through to signature plates like Moreton Bay Bug Tail with XO Sauce and Tea-Smoked Duck. The low-lit dining room and soft ambient lighting create an intimate setting for couples.
Why it stands out: Modern Chinese restaurant showcasing China’s lesser-known regional cuisines in seductive, intimate surroundings.
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Rockpool Bar & Grill approaches Valentine’s Day dining in Melbourne through classic steakhouse cooking. The menu is anchored by premium Rangers Valley Wagyu, dry-aged beef, and sustainably sourced seafood. Freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters open the meal, followed by steak cooked with restraint.
Why it stands out: Ranked #12 steakhouse in the world 2025, with all beef dry-aged and butchered in-house.
Saké Restaurant & Bar
Modern Japanese dining shapes Valentine’s Day at Saké Restaurant & Bar. The menu balances sushi and sashimi with crisp tempura and warm dishes designed for sharing. The à la carte menu highlights premium seafood, paired with sake, Japanese whisky, or crafted cocktails. The famous Dragon Egg dessert arrives in a flourish of dry-ice smoke, melting under the pour of hot caramel sauce.
Why it stands out: Counter seating places you directly in front of sushi masters working with precision.
7 Alfred
At 7 Alfred, Valentine’s Day restaurant choices in Melbourne gain a focused alternative. The menu centres on a single dish: a 220g O’Connor grass-fed scotch fillet from Gippsland served with crisp beef tallow fries. Four complimentary house-made sauces include chimichurri, peppercorn, veal jus, and umami butter.
Why it stands out: One exceptional dish done superbly, with premium Victorian produce.
A Food-Led Valentine's Choice
Regional Chinese cooking, a world-ranked steakhouse, modern Japanese dining, or a singular steak-frites focus each offers a different way to frame Valentine’s Day. The choice comes down to how cuisine shapes the evening.
Book your Valentine’s Day table at Spice Temple for a cuisine-led celebration.
*Spice Temple practices the responsible service of alcohol. Drink responsibly.
