How to celebrate Valentine's Day if you're single

• What's on: Valentine's Day in Sydney
• Alternative Valentine's Day dates for Melbourne foodies
• Romantic dinners in Canberra

For many, the only late-night spooning they'll be doing this Valentine's Day involves a tub of Maggie Beer's burnt fig and caramel ice-cream on the couch. V-Day is this Saturday and not everyone, including restaurateurs, is excited about it.

"Valentine's Day this year is particularly bad for restaurants because it's falling on a Saturday, which is a night where you're usually full anyway," says Paul Cooper, chef and co-owner of Bishop Sessa in Sydney's Surry Hills. However, Cooper was surprised to receive bookings from larger groups as well as pairs this year.

Shannon Bennett, owner of Melbourne's Vue de Monde, finds Valentine's Day rather corny. "It's one (day) that, actually, growing up, I sort of despised," he says. "This goes against the grain of being a businessperson but I never really had a pull of the heart strings when it came to Valentine's Day."

These days Bennett spends Valentine's Day with other families with children over some "serious food".

In contrast to his own laid-back celebration, the atmosphere in Vue de Monde is incredibly focused, and waitstaff can expect to witness at least one proposal.

It's a slower night than usual, with every setting other than the chef's tables occupied by sweethearts.

"It's the only day of the year that that ever happens," says Bennett, before adding that he feels for those without a significant other. "I think of all of these couples that have split up or are just friends; Valentine's Day may be culturally significant but it doesn't have to stop people who are not in a couple from going out and having a good time."

Victor Liong – who worked at Mr Wong in Sydney before becoming chef and co-owner of Melbourne's Lee Ho Fook – feels much the same way. "I will do a Valentine's Day menu because at the end of the day I am a business owner but if anyone wants half portions, I'm more than happy to do that," he says.

This year, venues are making an effort to cater for singles and groups as well as couples, so regardless of what Valentine's Day means to you, you're guaranteed to be able to spend it with your one true love – food.

Power in numbers

In Melbourne, Shannon Bennett's Cafe Vue at Heide is taking bookings for groups of friends as well as couples, with guests battling it out to win a day in the kitchen during dinner ($120 a head, call 03 9852 2346). Both Ladro locations (Fitzroy and Prahran) are offering a six-course Anti-Valentine's Day menu for singles keen to mingle ($50 a head, visit ladro.com.au), while the B.East in Brunswick East is hosting a Desperate and Dateless party, complete with beef brisket and anchovy love bombs (visit theb-east.com).

BangPop venue manager David Jamieson says while he won't kick out couples during the Anti-Valentine's Day dinner, "they'll definitely be getting a stern look". The South Wharf restaurant has banned share plates for the evening and is offering tequila specials and split bills ($39 a head, call 03 9245 9800).

The party continues in Sydney on Daniel San's rooftop with a DJ on the Dojo (call 02 9977 6963) and a Twilight Garden Party at the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Expect live art performances from contemporary Chinese artists, DJs and food and drinks by Grasshopper Eating House and Bar ($45 a head, visit 4a.com.au/twilight-garden-party).

Dining solo

Parties of one in Sydney can spoil themselves at one of Momofuku Seiobo's walk-in bar seats (80 Pyrmont Street, Sydney) or match solid Italian nibbles to outstanding wine at Berta (call 02 9264 6133). Unaccompanied Melburnians are encouraged to get in on the action at L'Hotel Gitan (call 03 9999 0990) and Luxembourg Bar & Bistro (call 03 9525 4488), where they can sit at bar stools beside open kitchens, watch their food being prepared and chat to staff.

Upskill

Work-Shop, an organisation that co-ordinates quirky short courses, is running a Valentine's Pickling Degustation in Melbourne and a Bring Home the Bacon class in Sydney (visit work-shop.com.au). "It's a great opportunity to meet people if you're not hooked up," says co-founder Chester Garcia. "I had an email from someone this morning saying, 'Is it sad if I'm single and I come along to the bacon class?' Absolutely freaking not. Sure, you'll learn how to make some bacon but it's also an opportunity to meet someone who's like-minded and not feel forced to have a partner."

Replace V-Day with a festival

Melbourne's Greek precinct comes alive on Valentine's Day weekend as the Lonsdale Street Festival turns the strip into a frenzy of food and fun, including a Greek Island-inspired pop-up bar (visit antipodesfestival.com.au). Sydneysiders can visit the Botanic Gardens' 2015 Tomato Festival. Highlights include a four-course, tomato-inspired degustation at the Botanic Gardens Restaurant, the search for the best passata and a preserving masterclass by Italian chef Pietro Demaio (visit rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au).

Binge, baby, binge

The truth is that not everyone wants to celebrate singledom. Some might be better off going one-up on the traditional Valentine's Day binge-eating session by heading to a buffet (try Cafe Opera at Intercontinental in Sydney, or position yourself near the chocolate fountain at Melba Restaurant at the Langham, Melbourne). Alternatively, cruise over to Skyline Drive-In cinema in Blacktown – or the Lunar Drive-In in Dandenong, Melbourne – order a burger for less than a tenner, and mouth off at Fifty Shades of Grey.