Your A-to-Z guide on where to eat in Canberra this Valentine’s Day
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Love is on the menu this Valentine’s Day.
Whether you’re planning a candlelit dinner for two, a long lunch with friends or a low-key night that still feels a little bit special, there’s nothing quite like a meal out on 14 February (because cooking and washing up is rarely romantic).
Luckily for Canberrans, our city offers plenty of ways to celebrate around the table.
From Mediterranean banquets and Italian feasts to champagne-soaked high teas and indulgent dessert dates, this A-to-Z guide rounds up where to book this Valentine’s Day – whether you’re celebrating true love, good friends or just really good food.
But before we get into alpha order, we’ve highlighted five of our faves we think you’ll like.
Our picks for a fabulous foodie Valentine’s Day
Clover Dining
This Valentine’s Degustation will leave you feeling full of love. Limited, romantic and unforgettable, the Wafu Italian set menu includes a cocktail arrival (for her, the Forbidden Petal with hibiscus-infused gin and for him, the Crimson Heart with Joven Mezcal) as well as mouth-watering starters, your choice of main, sides and dessert to finish the evening on a sweet note.
$145 per person | 197 London Circuit, City | Book your seat here.
Leyla
Looking for something to do with the girls? Leyla Bar is hosting Galentine’s Day and your invited. Head to the rooftop for two hours of sipping, snacking and chatting, complete with a Caesar salad, bottomless fries (yes, really), martinis, cosmos, spritz and selected wines. Giving you everything you need for the perfect night out, who needs guys when you have fries?
$95 per person | 7/1 Burbury Close, Barton | Book your seat here.
Mu
Choose your perfect Omakase journey this Valentine’s Day at Mu. The Early Love Bird session offers a multi-course menu designed to ease you into the evening, while the Signature Dinner is their most decadent expression. With limited counter seating available, bookings are essential.
The Early Love Bird: $165 per person | The Signature Dinner: $195 per person | 1 Constitution Avenue, City | Book your seat here.
QT
Love is in the air at QT with two indulgent Valentine’s Day experiences. The Valentine’s Day QTea High Tea offers an afternoon of decadent sipping, featuring 28 loose-leaf teas, cocktails and a tower of savoury and sweet treats. For dinner, Two Hearts, One Plate is a three-course affair curated by Executive Chef Josh Smith-Thirkell, complete with a mini ‘love potion’ cocktail, a bloom for your chosen someone and live violin serenades.
Love at First Bite: $74 per person | Two Hearts, One Plate: $125 per person | 1 London Circuit, City | Book your seat here.
A to Z
Atrium
What’s more romantic than dining in a gorgeous, leafy atrium? Choose between a two-course (main and dessert) or three-course (entrée, main and dessert) menu and indulge in dishes like pan-fried salmon fillet, char-grilled sirloin steak, crème brûlée with pistachio gelato, and chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis, crème Chantilly and chocolate shavings. Starting from $50, your Valentine’s Day celebration will be unforgettable.
Two course: $50 per person | Three course: $69 per person | 242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson | Book your seat here.
Azima
At Azima, Valentine’s Day is all about sharing, which is why their banquet menu is perfect for a long lunch or romantic feast. Book your seats in advance for a complimentary drink in arrival and celebrate with a spread made for two (or more).
Prices vary | 1/222 City Walk, City | Book your seat here.
Champi Restaurant
Priced at $95 per person, Champi Restaurant is serving a seven-course degustation, with an option of wine pairing. Including a complimentary rosey coconut panna cotta, the menu features whole scallops, bone marrow served with wagyu, traditional Laotian steamed barramundi and more. It promises to be luxurious and delicious.
$95 per person | 17 Kennedy Street, Kingston | Book your seat here.
Chifley’s Bar & Grill
Set on the expansive grounds of historic Hotel Kurrajong Canberra, Chifley’s Bar & Grill is hosting an elegant Valentine’s Day dinner. Begin with a decadent entrée platter, followed by alternate-serve mains of lemon-roasted chicken supreme and grilled Riverina Angus sirloin with porcini.
The three-course shared experience finishes with a romantic dessert platter featuring tiramisu teardrops, chocolate-dipped strawberries and raspberry crunch. A bottle of French bubbles is included – and why not make it a true escape with an optional overnight stay and breakfast for two?
$199 per person (not including the overnight stay) | 8 National Circuit, Barton | Book your seat here.
Compa
Bring your date and let Compa handle dinner. This six-course shared menu showcases seasonal produce, Italian technique and bold flavours, with standouts like crab tortellini, cavatelli and millefoglie. A glass of prosecco on arrival is included, with matched wines available for an additional $75.
$115 per person | 148 Bunda Street, City | Book your seat here.
First Edition Canberra
Celebrate love with a refined four-course dining experience at First Edition Canberra. Executive Chef Awiri Castro presents a menu that begins with a smoked salmon amuse bouche, followed by a herb-crusted lamb backstrap entrée. Main courses include Scotch fillet with black garlic jus and charcoal-grilled trout with brown butter and pancetta crumbs, served as an alternate drop. Conclude the evening with a zesty lemon myrtle Basque cheesecake topped with Amarena cherries. Optional beverage pairings are available: a curated wine pairing for $30 per person or ‘Perfect Pair’ cocktails at $20 each.
$99 per person | Level 1, 65 Northbourne Avenue, City | Book your seat here.
The Hyatt
This Valentine’s Day, The Hyatt is offering two swoon-worthy experiences. Dine under the stars with a five-course Valentine’s Day dinner in the historic gardens or enjoy a sophisticated four-course shared menu at The Promenade Café. Both include a complimentary drink on arrival and promise an unforgettable evening.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Under the Stars: $165 per person | Valentine’s Day at The Promenade Café: $155 per person | 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | Book your seat here.
The Inn
Treat your beloved to a dinner they’ll love almost as much as you. With a set menu featuring iconic dishes – from the 700g XB MBS 6–7 rump to the tableside boozy Biscoff tiramisu – plus a drink on arrival and your choice of seating, it’s love at first bite.
$120 per person | Level 1/1 Edgar Street, Ainslie | Book your seat here.
Les Bistronomes
Roses are red, violets are blue… this Valentine’s Day, Les Bistronomes has two romantic options for you. Choose their traditional Valentine’s Day set menu with optional matched wines, or keep the romance at home with one of their take-home dinner packs (available for pick-up on Thursday 12 February).
$200 per person | 18 Blamey Place, Campbell Shops | Book your seat here.
Loha Dining
Experience the heartbeat of modern India this Valentine’s Day at Loha. Their premium set menu takes you on a curated journey of contemporary flavours, from tandoori Cowra lamb through to chocolate and payasam.
$85 per person | 64 Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls | Book your seat here.
Louis
Take your Valentine to the City of Love with a five-course French-inspired dinner at Louis. The evening includes a glass of sparkling on arrival and features freshly shucked oysters, John Dory and prawn roulade, seared duck breast or beef fillet, and a heart of mango dessert.
$155 per person | 18 National Circuit, Barton | Book your seat here.
Lunetta and Lunetta Trattoria
For a truly memorable Valentine’s Day, you can’t go past an Italian-inspired meal at award-winning Lunetta and Lunetta Trattoria. Upstairs at Lunetta, Executive Chef Tristan Rebbettes will be curating a four-course fire-driven feast, La Festa Di San Valentino, A Feast For Lovers. To complement the menu, sommelier Richard Woon will be composing premium wine pairings. Please see the menu attached. The event is priced at $185 per person and is available for both lunch and dinner sittings.
Downstairs at Lunetta Trattoria, Head Chef Will Moyle will be hosting an Amore all-day dining affair that takes diners from the sun-washed afternoon through to the golden summer evening with a set menu, with a curated menu – including arancini, wood-fired beer-brined chicken and ricotta cheesecake – you’ll linger over food, wine and stunning views of Canberra.
A Feast For Lovers: $185 per person | Amore Trattoria: $120 per person | 60 Red Hill Drive, Red Hill | Book your seat here.
The Meat & Wine Co
To take the stress out of planning, The Meat & Wine Co has created an exclusive Valentine’s Day set menu. Enjoy a cocktail on arrival, then choose your entrée, main and dessert from a decadent selection that includes yellowfin tuna sashimi, aged wagyu tartare, Moroccan salmon skewer, 400g rib-eye and sticky date pudding.
$189 per person | 220 London Circuit, Ground Level, 1 Constitution Avenue, City | Book your seat here.
MED
What’s more romantic than a shared Mediterranean-inspired banquet? MED is hosting an intimate evening for two, featuring dishes designed for lingering and sharing – think Sydney rock oysters with pomegranate mignonette and caviar, freshly baked pide, and BBQ king prawns with garlic butter. Elevate the night with a single-stem rose or champagne on arrival.
$120 per person | 1/1 Burbury Close, Barton | Book your seat here.
Midnight Bar
Dim lights, great company and a reason to stay out late – that’s Valentine’s Day at Midnight Bar. Enjoy an intimate two-course plated dining experience paired with special Valentine’s cocktails or drop in for curated nibbles and small plates.
$70 per person | 1 Elouera Street, City | Book your seat here.
natural nine
Designed to delight the senses, Natural Nine is curating an unforgettable Valentine’s Day banquet bursting with flavour. From steamed pork bao to black Angus beef with black pepper sauce, the menu is perfect for sharing and celebrating your special someone.
$98 per person | 21 Binara Street, City | Book here.
OHNO!
Your special someone will be saying “Oh yes!” at OHNO! this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy a love-inspired set menu ideal for couples, groups of friends or something in between, with tables available for up to eight.
$69 per person | 13 and 15 Flinders Way, Griffith | Book your seat here.
Paranormal Wines
Seunghee and Jae from Simple Pleasures in Seoul are heading to Canberra this Valentine’s Day for a one-day-only dining experience. Expect their signature touch on the snack menu from 1 pm, Italo wines by Giorgio de Maria Fun Wines, and music by Genie. Walk-ins only.
1 pm | G27/6 Provan Street, Campbell | Find out more here.
Tintino
The perfect spot for food lovers this Valentine’s Day, Tintino is serving a special menu of beloved classics alongside exciting new additions. Expect dishes like whipped feta with pine nuts, currants and hot honey, lamb belly with yoghurt and dukkah, and a decadent dark chocolate, cherry, malt and coffee dessert. Louis Roederer Champagne will also be available by the glass.
$95 per person | Shop 4/11 Kennedy Street, Kingston | Book here.
Wakefield’s
Promising a saucy evening regardless of relationship status, Wakefield’s has you covered this Valentine’s Day. Their $49 per person sharing menu includes house-made garlic bread, marinated olives, ’nduja arancini, your choice of pasta, and a chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream to finish.
$49 per person | Shop 2/1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie | Book your seat here.
Water’s Edge
Celebrate love by the lake on Saturday 14 February with a waterfront dining experience. Enjoy a four-course dinner for two featuring cured sashimi king fish, MB4 striploin with black garlic, and a yuzu mousse to finish plus a bottle of sparkling on arrival. Choose from a 5:30 pm or 8:30 pm sitting.
$340 per couple (shared menu for two) | Commonwealth Place, 40 Parkes Place, Parkes | Book your seat here.
White Rabbit Cocktail Room
Share something sweet this Valentine’s Day at White Rabbit Cocktail Room. Enjoy a dessert tower designed for two, complete with two signature cocktails each.
$50 per person | 65 Northbourne Avenue, City | Book your seat here.
The Yacht Club
Enjoy an unforgettable waterfront evening at the Yacht Club with a three-course Valentine’s Day dinner and premium sparkling wine on arrival. The menu features South Coast oysters, Gundagai lamb, citrus-cured ocean trout tartare, roasted kipfler potatoes and more.
Members: $110 per person | Non-Members: $130 per person | Lotus Bay, 1 Mariner Place, Yarralumla | Book your seat here.
Feature image: Clover Dining. Supplied.
