Get Your Romance On At Brisbane’s Best Date Night Restaurants

A real hidden treasure worth seeking out, Mosconi is a chic two-level European wine bar and restaurant tucked around the corner off James St. Meet your date at the door, and spend countless hours talking over exquisite food and buttery wine among this moody, gorgeous setting. With a small handful of tables placed on the footpath outside the restaurant, those lucky enough to secure one will feel as though they’ve been whisked away to the City of Love, though a table inside is all the more cosy and intimate. With small plates of mixed olives, Pacific oysters with lime caviar, and scallops, to heartier meals like the linguini with Mooloolaba prawn, fermented chilli, zucchini, and lemon pangrattato or the casarecce beef cheek ragu, with aged reggiano, tomato, and crispy cavolo nero, an evening for two here can easily turn into a date night in Brisbane to remember.

With its dark and brooding interiors, smoky scents, and the soft chatter of the crowd, a date at Agnes is filled with mystery and enticement. Located inside an old brick warehouse, the drama, spectacle, and ancient skill of cooking over fire will ramp up the romance. Plating up simple, yet refined dishes, this restaurant is the perfect setting for a night out with your S.O. Come early and enjoy a cocktail on their rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline to really get you in the mood.

If oysters are a natural aphrodisiac, then you’ve booked the perfect restaurant to woo your S.O at SK Steak & Oyster. With its soaring ceilings, pale timber fit-out, curved leather boots, table lamps, grand piano, and stretched white tablecloths, a date night at this Brisbane favourite Gloftis restaurant means serious business. Paying homage to fine dining, this classic yet modern space feels like the perfect mix between a Mad Men scene and something out of a Bond film  – exciting, dangerous, and expensive. As for the menu, the focus is on good food presented in a straightforward fashion. Think prawn cocktails, oscietra caviar, and oysters served with Champagne mignonette. Yeah, it’s a lil’ bit fancy.

Step inside this heritage listed building and uncover this timeless bar and grill that’s dripping in old world charm. Taking its name from tailor and outfitter Thomas James Rothwell who once owned the building, the motto at Rothwell’s is simple and effective: eat well, drink well. Made for long lunches, evening cocktails, and intimate dinner moments, be dazzled by the romance of the interiors where cosy sea green leather banquettes, hints of marble and brass, and bespoke chandeliers sparkle above, adding to the ambience. Despite the old money feel, date night goers can expect a mix of reasonable and lavish meals such as hearty bowls of pasta with mushrooms or sea urchin and caviar – how decadent you decide to go is up to you. Though Rothwell’s only opened in late 2021, it feels as established as the heritage-listed building it resides in.

Red wine and a good steak are a match made in heaven, and at Walter’s, that’s just what you can expect. Bringing a timeless charm to downtown Brisbane, the steakhouse is a nod to the city that never sleeps. Created by three friends, Denis Sheahan, Paul Piticco, and Andrew Baturo who each share a fondness for New York, Walter’s is the epitome of a New York City steakhouse – impressive, uncompromising, and classic. Located in Old Mineral House overlooking the City Botanic Gardens, Walter’s serves up superior steak with careful attention given to their drinks menu. Walter’s Bar serves as the perfect place to enjoy a pre- and post-feast tipple, serving up high-end spirits, classic cocktails, and a winning selection of wines.

Feel the heat when you secure a date night at this fun-loving institution. Happy Boy serves up tasty Chinese food that’ll surprise you in more ways than one. Housed in a stunning light and airy space with ample seating and a huge alfresco deck perfect for a couple of drinks, the overall dining experience here is what matters most, and that’s what makes it a top date night option. Combining raw but elegant decor, unique dishes, and delicious drinks, Happy Boy is the banquet-style night out that brings the good times and tastes without burning a hole in your wallet.

Opening late in 2021, ESSA has already garnered a cult following with the Brissy’s foodie crowd, with its fluid and progressive spin on dining dishing up an experience unlike any other. With whispers and rumours of the project dating back to 2018, this long-awaited opening exceeds all expectations. The architecturally-designed split-level interior blends contemporary industrial materials with a relaxed, just mysterious-filled atmosphere, while Head Chef and co-owner Phil Marchant’s menu embraces ingredients sourced from local farmers, hunters, and providores, with raw, pickled, smoked, and woodfired dishes the main event. Those looking for a light-hearted casual date night meal in Brisbane ought to give it a miss, for this is one restaurant that doesn’t muck around.

With exotic and fragrant flavours that will have even the non-vegetarians asking for seconds, date night at ZA ZA TA will see you transported right into the melting pot of Tel Aviv. On a background of Middle Eastern edge and Victorian-inspired interiors, this urban oasis is perfect for intimate connection and scintillating conversation. Their menu of smoked, slow-cooked, and spiced eats pack a delightfully delicious punch, especially when paired with their boundary-pushing cocktails and energetic artisanal wines. We recommend saving your focus for your habibi by opting for the Taste of ZA ZA TA set menu, with culinary wonders at every course.

When it comes to the best of Brisbane – think gorgeous views, delicious food, and electric ambience – no place embodies it all as well as Bar Pacino. Dedicated to impeccable service and creating a memorable occasion for all its guests, Bar Pacino’s Italian-inspired cuisine makes for a hearty meal with shared plates, pizza, burgers, pastas, and more. Their drinks also remain on the forefront of their offering, from delicious house cocktails to their global wine list and iconic Nutella shots. Pull up a seat on their expansive outdoor balcony and soak in the open-air atmosphere, or enjoy the intimate indoor tables alongside floor-to-ceiling glass windows – either way, your visit will be paired with incredible riverside views of the Story Bridge and beyond.

True love starts when you visit the resort-style luxury at The Westin Brisbane. Enjoy a taste of the Amalfi at Guy Grossi’s tantalising Settimo restaurant, sip boutique wines at aviation-inspired jazz bar The Charles, or kick back poolside with a cocktail in hand at Nautilus Pool Bar. Of course, the best date nights are the ones you never want to end, so up the ante by booking a stay for two nights or longer in their luxe rooms at the heart of the city. Not only will you receive a complimentary welcome drink on arrival at The Charles, but you’ll also receive $75 worth of hotel credit per day to spend at one of The Westin’s dining destinations or in the tranquil Heavenly Spa by Westin. Bliss!

Up the romance with a five-star escape where you and that special someone will be feeling the love all night long! Date night at the Marriott Brisbane will take the pressure off when you opt for their Romance, Enhanced package – a thoughtfully designed getaway full of the ultimate indulgences. You and yours will be welcomed with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and decadent Della Mano brownies, inside a Premium Room with picture-perfect views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge. With Marriott Brisbane’s Motion Dining downstairs and Howard Smith Wharves only a hop, skip, and a jump away, you’ll be spoilt for choice for a romantic rendezvous. Plus with complimentary late checkout at 1pm (and valet parking), you can experience all the joys of luxury and relaxation with your beau! 

Take date night to the city under the glowing lights and shimmering stars with Hyatt Regency Brisbane’s fabulous dining destinations! Nestled in the heart of Queen Street Mall, couples who love sharing a laugh over refreshing cocktails and tasty bites can kick back at Hibiscus Bar & Terrace – the rooftop hideaway with envious views of the bustling concrete jungle below. As for the foodie lovers, the charming Lennons Restaurant & Bar combines classic bistro fare with top-tier service all day long. Indulge in intimate conversation amongst the timeless decor, with live jazz music to serenade you on Thursday nights. Our recommendation? Keep date night going with a five-star staycay at Hyatt Regency Brisbane for extra brownie points. 

Italian cuisine is a universal love language, especially when served in a relaxed yet sophisticated style at this exquisite steakhouse. Showcasing the finest Australian beef alongside their Italian heritage, Establishment 203 finds beauty in the simplicity across perfectly cooked steaks and homemade pastas. Get personal with your date as the dishes are served family-style here, and let the curated wine list from Establishment 203’s award-winning sommelier team set the tone for an impeccable evening.