Sydney's best places to eat, drink and play for Valentine's Day 2018

Whether you're treating a partner, a family member, a friend or treating yo' self, Valentine's Day is about enjoying the finer things in life. From a French-inspired feast in Sydney's Darling Harbour to sipping drinks as the sun goes down on Woolloomooloo wharf, Sydney's sharing the love like never before.

Table To End Hunger

Give more this Valentine's Day by participating in A Table To End Hunger. Launched by The Hunger Project the initiative is an auction of sorts, where you can bid for an array of Valentine's dates with money made going towards ending world hunger. Over 130 restaurants throughout Australia as well as Balia, Hawaii and England are offering Valentine's experiences this year.

See atabletoendhunger.org.au

Anason

Enjoy a romantic Valentine's Day dinner ($98 per head) along the waterfront while grazing on modern Turkish starters. Dishes are full of flavours which will tickle your tastebuds: sesame simit with whipped kopanisti cheese, and lamb fillet with Jerusalem artichoke tarator are two of the seven courses on offer. Try to keep room for dessert: the special Valentine's Turkish mess dessert will make sure you end on a sweet note.

Level 5, 23 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, 02 9188 1581, anason.com.au

Atelier by Sofitel

Indulge in a romantic three-course French-inspired dinner with your loved one at Atelier by Sofitel ($150 per head). Get your tastebuds tingling with a starter of fresh rock oysters. Mains of butter poached king prawns and fillet mignon are paired with unusual sides of sea urchin and broccoli foam. End on a sweet note with the chocolate brulee mousse (bookings essential).

12 Darling Drive Sydney, 02 8388 8888, sofitelsydneydarlingharbour.com.au

Bacco

When it comes to romance, the Italians are masters of it. Say "ti amo" this Valentine's day with a selection of Italian food and a glass of prosecco or Menabrea lager to get the good times flowing. $75 per head.

No.1, 2-12 Angel Place, Sydney, 02 9235 3383, bacco.com.au

Capriccio Osteria & Bar

Celebrate 'amore' with an indulgent five-course Italian menu ($75 per head) including a pre-dinner drink. The menu is designed to share to keep things intimate. And, to sweeten the deal, Capriccio is giving all couples a box of homemade chocolate truffles to take home.

159 Norton Street Leichardt, 02 9572 7607, capriccio.sydney

Chin Chin

With neon lights and a buzzing atmosphere, dinner at Chin Chin is always a fun option. The 'Feed Me' set menu ($125 per head) makes ordering a cinch, with dishes like kingfish sashimi with lime, chilli and basil, BBQ king salmon in banana leaf with dry red curry. If that isn't enough, seal the deal with some roasted pineapple with white chocolate meringue, spiced dark rum syrup and coconut sorbet and a V-Day cocktail.

69 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, 02 9281 3322 chinchinrestaurant.com.au

China Doll

On Woolloomooloo wharf with views of the water, China Doll is the spot to enjoy a romantic dinner for two. Watch the sun go down then dine by candlelight, indulging in a three-course dinner ($135 per head) and sipping on cocktails. One of the most popular venues in Sydney, it's sure to get you a spot in the good books this Valentine's Day.

Drinks not included. Bookings essential.

4/6 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo, 02 9380 6744, chinadoll.com.au

China Lane

China Lane's Love Cocktail will help you feel the love on the 14th. Tucked away in Angel Place beneath the birdcage installation, pair your cocktail with a cosy ambiance and a feast of menu favourites ($95 per head). If the cocktail doesn't do the trick, dessert will.

2 Angel Place, Sydney, 02 9231 3939, chinalane.com.au

Clean Treats Factory

Don't want to disrupt your clean eating ways? Clean Treats Factory in Alexandria have designed a dinner to look after your love and your waistline. The three-course meal for two ($90 for two, shared seating or $110 for two, private) is full of dishes which are nutritious and delicious. Enjoy some sweet potato gnocchi or beetroot linguine and finish with raw chocolate fondue and coconut ice cream. Wine is BYO so, if you're feeling a little naughty, bring a bottle (or two).

23-25 Doody Street, Alexandria, 0449 925 683, thecleantreatsfactory.com

Gowings Bar & Grill - QT Sydney

Make the ultimate declaration of love this Valentine's Day with Australia's most expensive dessert - with a side of pillow talk. Guest chef Jean-Paul Lourdes has created the 'love bomb'. Trust us it sounds explosive. Along with the dessert, should you choose to order it, comes a room key. Automatically checked in, finish off in the restaurant and continue the romancing over a bottle of iced Mumm NV Champagne in privacy.

'Room for dessert' ($500) is available to order off the menu between 12-18 February.

Level 1, 49 Market Street, Sydney, 02 8262 0062, qthotelsandresorts.com

GPO Grand

Fancy a bit of old fashioned romance? The GPO has your back. Surprise your darling with long-stemmed red roses, a glass of champagne on arrival, a personalised handwritten card or box of choc truffles. Decide the services you want when booking and arrive on the night to have everything prepared for you, just like magic. Continue the night with a dinner at Prime Restaurant. S

The Personal Restaurant Butler service is available across all GPO Grand Fine Dining restaurants which include Prime, Intermezzo, Postales, GPO Cheese and Wine Room and Subterranean. See gpogrand.com

Jamie's Italian

You'd hope the Naked Chef knows a thing or two about romancing. Treat your loved one to a Jamie Oliver-style feast this Valentine's Day, featuring their famous antipasti plank to share, a choice of main, and decadent dessert for $70pp. Choices include truffle tagliatelle, Cone Bay barramundi, and an epic chocolate and hazelnut brownie to finish.

107 Pitt Street ,Sydney, 02 8240 9000; Centenary Square, Church Street, Parramatta 02 8624 6800; jamieoliver.com

Koi Dessert Bar

Roses for Valentine's are a staple, as are desserts. Koi Dessert Bar has combined the two in the ultimate treat for your Valentine: 'Romeo's Rose'. Champagne and rose mousse with strawberry tea and pressed jaqons. If you really want to indulge, dip your spoon into Koi's six-course Valentine's menu ($85 per head), complete with a complimentary sparkling wine.

46 Kensington Street, Chippendale, 02 9212 1230, 62 Blaxland Road, Ryde, 02 9809 4720, koidessertbar.com.au

Merivale Group

Sydney's mega hospitality group has you covered this Valentine's Day. Many of its restaurants, including Mr. Wong (banquet for two, $150 per head) and Papi Chulo, have special menus and specials to woo both your taste buds and your date. Pop into Felix and be transported to the city of love while you enjoy a French four-course set menu ($150 per head) and flute of champagne. After something more casual? Mr Liquor's Dirty Italian Disco is the place to be - there's karaoke, enough said.

merivale.com.au

NOLA Smokehouse and Bar

NOLA Smokehouse and Bar in Barangaroo is keeping it simple this Valentine's Day, offering their their full a la carte menu. Try a classic New Orleans cocktail or snack on some Sydney Rock Oysters or Cajun fried soft shelled crab to start with a bang. Remember to ask for a table up against a window so you get uninterrupted views over Jones Bay Wharf.

Level 1, Tower 1, 100 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney, 02 9188 3039, nolasydney.com

Olio Kensington Street

Olio's romantic six-course set dinner menu for two ($388 per couple) will transport you to Sicily. Enjoy a special Valentine's cocktail, authentic angel hair pasta and modica chocolate sphere, all without leaving the comfort of your table. And with a menu that good, why would you want to?

Level 2, The Old Rum Store, 2-10 Kensington Street, Chippendale, 02 9281 1500, olio.kensingtonstreet.com.au

Pendolino

Give thanks to San Valentino on the 14th with Pendolino's specially designed degustation menu. Courses are all Italian, including house-made gnocchi with a butter and sage sauce.

Set menu $155 per person, $218 per person with matching wines

Shop 100, Level 2, The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney, 02 9231 6117, pendolino.com.au

Salt Meats Cheese

Italian food is as indulgent as it gets and Salt Meats Cheese have designed a $59 (per head) Valentine's Day menu. Enjoy a glass of prosecco each on arrival and then share your way through three courses which includes an antipasto board, any pasta or pizza, plus dessert. Options include mouth-watering dishes like pappardelle with slow cooked lamb shoulder ragu with thyme and parmesan and prosciutto pizza with rocket and shaved parmesan.

Salt Meats Cheese Circular Quay, Salt Meats Cheese Drummoyne, Salt Meats Cheese Broadway, saltmeatscheese.com.au

Seventeen

Relax with your loved-one this Valentine's at Seventeen. Take in views of Walsh Bay and the harbour foreshore while feasting on a seafood sampler (three-courses $95 per head), or a chef's banquet (five-courses $120 per head). With cold and hot seafood selections, a deli platter and desserts which include a banana parfait, you won't want the day to end.

Shop 2, 17 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, 02 9247 6790, 17.com.au

The Glenmore

Lonely singles and loved-up couples, the Glenmore's got a drink menu fit for all-types of celebrations. Say cheers to Valentine's Day on The Glenmore's rooftop with views of Sydney Harbour and a special Cupid's Rose cocktail ($18) in hand: Hendrick's gin, rose syrup, St Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon and egg white. Rally some friends and stay for lunch and dinner; the venue is offering its usual tasty a la carte menu all day long.

96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, 02 9247 4794, theglenmore.com.au

The Rocks

The Rocks is giving romantics the chance to win more than just someone's heart this Valentine's Day. Their Valentine's competition gives six lovers the chance to win dinner and drinks at three of the Rocks' top dining spots (Pony, Sake, or The Cut), an $80 shopping voucher to spend at The Rocks Markets and a free ride home with London Taxis. Click here to register. Entries close midnight 7 February.

For those not lucky enough to win, don't worry: bars, restaurants and hotels around The Rocks have got you covered. Stop by for a cocktail at The Push, where the sweet and spicy La Vie en Rose ($18); Scarlett Restaurant is offering a four-course degustation ($160 per head); while Russell Hotel's Romance Package (from $430 a night) is swoon-worthy. Or, if you're wanting to feel more lush, endota spa at The Rocks will be offering two complimentary glasses of bubbly with every couples massage. Buy a couples massage oil pack ($80) and take the romance home with you.

The Wilmot

Indulge to the max with oysters, caviar and lobster at The Wilmot. Executive Chef, Daniel Menzies, has designed a degustation dinner to help you sweep your better half off their feet. At $250 per couple its a decadent experience worth every buck.

Add matching wines for $110 p.p. Stay overnight in the Executive King Room for $799.00 (with sparkling on arrival).

339 Pitt Street, Sydney, 02 8027 800

primushotelsydney.com

Tudor Hotel

A local favourite, The Tudor Hotel has stepped things up a notch for Valentine's day. Special menu offerings include a shared grazing plate for entrée ($16) which includes charred corn, pork belly bites and rosemary beef skewers. Follow up with a trio of house made strawberry, peach and mango sorbets ($12) washed dow with a Gin Basil Smash cocktail ($16).

90 Pitt Street, Redfern, 02 9310 4314, tudorhotel.com.au

3 Weeds Hotel

If you're looking to keep it local and casual, 3 weeds makes a worthy Valentine's Day choice. The seafood platter for two ($125) is worth a try: with a dozen Sydney Rock Oysters, tiger prawns, blue swimmer crab, Balmain bug, Coffin Bay scallops and kingfish ceviche.Not too shabby for a local pub.

197 Evans Street, Rozelle, 02 9818 2788, 3weeds.com.au

1821

Greek food? Check. Set menu? Check. Champagne on arrival? Check. 1821 has made Valentine's Day easy. The three-course menu includes traditional favourites such as mezze and moussaka, plus some old dishes with a twist. Pork belly baklava? Your date will be salivating (and that's just the second course).

122 Pitt Street, Martin Place, 02 8080 7070, 1821.com.au