12 of Melbourne’s best date-friendly dining spots (plus where to sit at each)

From push-the-boat out impressive to snacks and drinks at an atmospheric wine bar, good dates can take place in all sorts of settings. Here are a dozen of the best spots for your next date night. And don’t forget to tip generously (for extra brownie points from both waitstaff and your other half).

Bar Lourinha

Seventeen-year-old CBD tapas destination Bar Lourinha has witnessed many a love story, so much so it has a self-proclaimed “lovers’ table”. With an eclectic mix of curios, iconography and framed paintings lining the walls, dining at Bar Lourinha feels like being in someone’s living room, if that someone was also an acclaimed chef. The Iberian-inspired menu includes the likes of fluffy, deep-fried dough balls filled with salted cod and a spiced, savoury melange of chickpeas and spinach.

The best spot to sit: The famed table 41 by the window, or sit side-by-side at “lover’s table” 20.

37 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, barlourinha.com.au

Bar Thyme

This warm and inviting wine bar slash restaurant makes a great date spot in central Footscray. Classic vinyl spins in the background as diners share expertly executed dishes such as chickpea panisse, smoked pork terrine and crumbed brie, sipping on locally brewed beers, ever-changing cocktail specials and minimal intervention, natural wines. All this in a stylishly understated room that’s flatteringly lit, low-key buzzy, and guaranteed to make you seem at least twice as cool as you actually are.

The best spot to sit: The high tables along the wall – intimate and quiet with a great view of the restaurant.

227 Barkly Street, Footscray,barthyme.com.au

Cam’s Kiosk

This laidback cafe by day, Italian wine bar by night offers brunch, lunch and dinner date options amid the verdant surrounds of Abbotsford Convent. Ensconced by grandiose arches in a historical space that used to be nuns’ living quarters, Cam’s is bright and airy, adorned by light-hued timber and bright geometric paintings. At night, share-plates of pork and fennel meatballs, mussels bathed in chilli and tomato, and burrata with broccolini, charred leeks and pine nuts are a highlight.

The best spot to sit: The padded timber booths, along the bar or outside beneath the arches.

1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, camskiosk.com.au

Embla

Good wine bars are usually romantic by nature – cosy, dimly lit, atmospheric – and hatted Emblajust happens to have some of the city’s best food and drink too. Dark wood, exposed brick walls and antique glass light fittings make a timeless backdrop for a meticulously curated wine list, as well as a seasonal menu of delicious dishes made for sharing. Think braised zucchini flowers draped over house-made ricotta and snapper carpaccio, delicately dotted by heirloom cucumbers and lemon myrtle. Elegant.

Best spot to sit: Propped up at the bar for live action that’ll keep conversation flowing.

122 Russell Street, Melbourne, embla.com.au

Gerald’s Bar

This industry-fave in Carlton North, filled with collectables and a hand-drawn, daily rotating menu of always-excellent fare, is a charming rustic wine bar of dreams. Don’t bother trying to impress your date with your knowledge of wine – there are more than 200 varieties available at Gerald’s Bar, which the friendly staff are only too happy to talk you through. Try the oysters mignonette if they’re on the menu.

The best spot to sit: By the bar to drink whichever great wine the bar person has open and ready to pour.

386 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North, geraldsbar.com.au

Kirk’s Wine Bar

After nearly a decade doing its thing on a handsome corner of Hardware Lane, Kirk’s Wine Bar has perfected the winning combination of old-fashioned charm and conviviality. It’s perfect for both light bites (go the fresh oysters with a standout house fermented hot sauce and the pig’s head doughnut) and something more substantial (the steak frites is hard to beat). One thing to note: show up early because it doesn’t accept bookings.

The best spot to sit: By the floor-to-ceiling windows, or weather permitting, out on the street, Paris-style.

46 Hardware Lane, Melbourne,kirkswinebar.com

La Pinta

La Pinta created waves when it first opened in 2020, in a part of Reservoir unaccustomed to tapas bars – and its popularity has not waned since. As well as being affordable – with most dishes under $20 – it has the mood lighting down pat. The menu is scrawled on a blackboard, is locally sourced and changes every day, but you can expect dishes like Flinders Island wallaby tartare with preserved broad beans and salted egg, raw trout with fermented jalapenos and cultured cream, and fennel bathed in olive brine.

The best spot to sit: At the bar so you’re in right the action.

791 High Street, Reservoir, lapintareservoir.com.au

Little Black Pig & Sons

The things that matter have been thought about: the way the lighting casts a golden, 1970s movie glow; the music swinging from opera classics to the Great American Songbook with a side order of Michael Buble. The hardworking suburban Italian bistro is a solid package in which nothing threatens to overwhelm the pursuit of uncomplicated enjoyment. Pasta dishes are big, rich and shareable; ditto the namesake dish of porchetta.

The best spot to sit: A table for two along the banquette.

48 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, littleblackpigandsons.com

Longplay

This gem of St Georges Road is a snug, mid-century-styled cocktail bar with a short, sweet menu of Mediterranean share plates. There are your classic martinis and negronis, but Longplay is always introducing new cocktails (past hits include the dark rum-forward Susan Sarandon with gingerbread syrup and the watermelon cocktail Meloni Griffiths). The menu is ever-changing, but there’s typically a gratin, a risotto of the day and a raw fish moment.

The best spot to sit: Table 1 – near the window with a full view of the street, but still private enough.

318 St George Road, Fitzroy North, longplay.net.au

Rumi

This is one of those restaurants where you come for your favourites, knowing they’ll be done right. After 17 years on Lygon Street, the modern Middle Eastern stalwart has entered its next phase in a new home in the East Brunswick Village development just off Nicholson Street. After something more casual before catching a movie at neighbour FOMO Cinema? Pop into Rumi’s spin-off bar Rocket Society for a wine and to share a bowl of hummus, perhaps topped with the crisp remnants of Rumi’s famed fried cauliflower, instead.

The best spot to sit: A two-top along the window.

2 Village Avenue, Brunswick East, rumirestaurant.com.au

Sushi On

What’s more impressive than having shared front-row seats to the dexterity, skill and precision of a sushi chef? A $190-per-person omakase menu is on offer at elegant hatted Kew eatery Sushi On, and only eight seats are available at a counter where owner chef Jangyong Hyun (formerly of Kisume) works his magic. This is more of a special anniversary than a first-date spot as there’s no escaping if things get awkward. Instead, prepare for several hours spent enjoying no less than 16 courses of perfectly executed Japanese food.

The best spot to sit: There’s only one spot – at the counter.

1135 Burke Road, Kew, sushion.com.au

Umberto Espresso Bar

This northside neighbourhood favourite may have moved from being a poky 40-seater to an expansive 200-seater in a former shoe store, but it’s lost none of its charm. The dark timber fittings remain, as do cult favourites on the menu like the garlicky, chilli-laden orecchiette con broccoli and the lavish spaghetti alla marinara. In fact, there are even more nooks to lose yourself in, as well as a romantic balcony overlooking High Street. Recently celebrating their 13th birthday, Umberto isn’t going anywhere.

The best spot to sit: Either by the window in a cosy semi-private nook where you can watch High Street go by, or anywhere along the wall in the front dining room.

917 High Street, Thornbury, umberto.com.au