Valentine’s Day Gold Coast: the city’s top 15 romantic restaurants to woo your boo
Got a hot date? Book a table for two at these Gold Coast eateries and it’ll be love at first bite.
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Got a hot date? Book a table for two at these eateries and it’ll be love at first bite.
THE TROPIC
43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads
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Woo with an oceanfront view at Burleigh Pavilion’s fine diner. While festoon lighting and a sparkling skyline spell year-round romance, executive chef Guillaume Zika will be pulling out all the stops for Valentine’s Day dinner. For $99 per person, enjoy a glass of Veuve Clicquot before indulging in a five-course shared feast. The spread starts with just-shucked oysters sprinkled in rose-petal granita. and flatbread topped with lemon zest, olive oil, beetroot and ginger. Next there’s hot smoked trout with preserved chilli and dill, and gold-band snapper with prosciutto dressing and roasted cherry tomatoes. It’s not a proper date without dessert, so finish off with The Tropic’s signature chocolate bonbon, with layers of raspberry, mixed nuts and pink chocolate glaze. Bookings are available from 5.30pm.
Little Truffle
2444 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
ICONIC STEAKHOUSE TO REPLACE RISQUE RESTAURANT
Get in quick if you’re after a table for two at this intimate restaurant, popular with couples looking to celebrate their love or mark a milestone. Little Truffle owner Daniel Ridgeway says tables have been booking up for February 14, but there’s still a chance to woo your beau with a special four-course dinner sitting. “We release the bookings (for Valentine’s Day) to our VIPs first, then our loyalty members, then it’s open to the public,” he says. “They will fill up, but the great thing about that is guys leave it to the last minute.” Tables are placed with enough space between to offer an air of privacy, and being a Friday night there’s the option to book a later sitting for 9pm. If you’ve missed the boat, Little Truffle’s sister venue Gotham Grill and Rooftop Bar in Runaway Bay is also offering a four-course Valentine’s Day dinner.
Oyster Bar and Grill
71 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Seafood is a known aphrodisiac so settle in for a stimulating night at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort’s Oyster Bar and Grill. The secluded location in the swish resort will put guests into holiday mode, while mood lighting and a spacious setting adds to the relaxing atmosphere. For Valentine’s Day the restaurant is serving up a five-course degustation menu executed by head chef Christopher Dodds. Lovers will taste lobster ravioli with salmon caviar, lamb backstrap with minted peas and the “enchanting chocolate dome” for dessert. A glass of champagne on arrival sets the tone for getting in the mood ... or going into a food coma. The Valentine’s Day dinner will host one sitting from 6.30pm to 9pm from $220 per couple.
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Rick Shores
3/43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads
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The rolling waves below and the sparkling stars above create a magical setting for a romantic meal at Burleigh Heads’ Rick Shores restaurant. The fine dining establishment is perched almost at sea level and delivers a pan-Asian menu that’s made for sharing. Rick Shores co-owner Nick Woodward says the restaurant will serve an exclusive feast come dinner time on February 14. “We will be doing a special $125 banquet featuring a North Queensland crayfish cooked over coals, yellow curry, candied lime, fried garlic,” he said. “And also a special Vietnamese coffee and chocolate-inspired dessert.” An award-winning restaurant for its expertly designed menu and stellar service, your date won’t know what’s more impressive — the food or your taste.
Glenelg Public House
9/2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
If you’re after a low-key location where the dishes do the talking, book a table at Glenelg Public House. The unassuming Mermaid Beach restaurant will be operating with its regular menu on Valentine’s Day, which is chock-full of mouth-watering steaks sure to have the carnivore in your life salivating. Staff recommend starting with an entree of chicken liver parfait accompanied with sourdough toast and grape chutney, followed by the made to share marinated 500g flat iron steak with a side of salad and fries. Finish off on a sweet note with the lemon tart and vanilla bean ice cream to round out a romantic night.
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Gemelli
2/2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
NEW CAFE SERVING UP HEMP LATTES AND HEMP TREATS
The Italians know how to wine and dine their flames so book a table for two pronto at Gemelli in Broadbeach. Co-owner Paul Carney says the restaurant caters for couples with varying tastes and budgets. “There’s nice little spots in the restaurant that are really good for couples to sit together,” he says. “You can have a casual pizza, but it’s a good date spot where you can get dressed up, too.” On February 14 the restaurant will host two sittings with a set menu dinner for $75 per person, offering a mix of the venue’s “favourite Italian dishes”. Sister restaurant Gemellini in Nobby Beach will host a similar dinner event for $65 per person.
Quarterdeck Kitchen and Bar
76/84 Waterway Drive, Coomera
Water views, candlelit tables and a shareable tapas menu? Quarterdeck Kitchen and Bar knows how to turn it on when the moon comes up. Owner Kieran Hogue says the Coomera restaurant is already booking up for Valentine’s Day so lovers should get in quick. “If they want to secure a spot, now’s the chance,” he says. “It’s a pretty romantic spot, especially at night time. We open everything open up so you get the view and the breeze, the lighting is really romantic with candlelight, and we’ve got some intimate tables spread throughout the restaurant that allow couples to sit side-by-side. We’ve got really nice desserts that are designed to share, our menu is a tapas-inspired menu with small and large plates to make your own dinner with protein and sides. It’s all share-inspired.”
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Eddy + Wolff
44 Commerce Drive, Robina
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This Robina restaurant is a tribute to the owners’ love story and a snug little spot exclusive to organised couples who book ahead. Eddy + Wolff is named after the streets Thao and Vien Nguyen grew up on and seats just 22 people in its 64sq m space. “(It’s) more of a bar feel, something for date night or special occasions,” Thao says. The compact space features a sleek, moody fit out and is complemented by sophisticated share food and larger bites, while the healthy list of Australian wines and sake will ease you into romance mode. There’s limited seats left for Valentine’s Day evening so try your luck at lunchtime or book another day of the year to celebrate your love, just because.
The Fireplace
Manor Circle, Sanctuary Cove
A crackling wood fire oven and a 300-strong wine library are the ingredients for a dreamy night out at The Fire Place. The suave restaurant attached to the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort is a hit with lovebirds seeking luxury, with the sound of wood crackling away in the kitchen and an extravagant degustation and wine menu. The restaurant will host a three-course dinner on Valentine’s Day, executed by chef Matt Hart. Beginning at 5.30pm, guests will be treated to a glass of Chandon sparkling wine on arrival followed by a sumptuous entree of butter poached Moreton Bay bug, a lavish main of charred beef fillet with salsa verdi, and a to-die-for dessert of raspberry and chocolate rose delice. Spots are $79 per person.
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Nineteen at The Star
Casino Drive, Broadbeach
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Take your relationship to new heights at the Gold Coast’s tallest rooftop bar. Nineteen at The Star affords sweeping views of the cityscape and stars, with a menu and drinks list that’s just as impressive as the vista. “Nineteen at The Star really is the perfect experience for Valentine’s Day, sitting stunningly nineteen floors above the beautiful Gold Coast,” Nineteen director Jackie Cross says. “It’s a delicious dining experience that is guaranteed to win hearts, the perfect backdrop for a night of romance and love.” A special dinner is organised for Valentine’s Day, beginning with a glass of champagne on arrival and a five-course feast. You’ll nibble on caviar, oysters and Patagonian toothfish, and all ladies go home with a signature Nineteen chocolate gold bar. Seats are $150 per person.
Fellini Ristorante
74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Fellini has seen more than 150 marriage proposals since opening in the late 1990s, so there’s either love potion in the wine or simply magic in the air at this Main Beach restaurant. “For the past 24 years Ristorante Fellini has been a sought-after venue for Valentine’s Day marriage proposals and we expect this year to be no different,” Ristorante Fellini co-owner Carlo Percuoco says. “We love Valentine’s Day because it gives us an opportunity to create something really special for couples.” On Valentine’s Day Fellini is turning on the charm with a mouth-watering five-course lunch or a seven-course degustation dinner. The menu is designed with lovers in mind, featuring oysters, crab, caviar, duck ravioli and veal, as well as one of Fellini’s signature fig dishes: fico avvolto in prosciutto. Bookings are from $95 per person.
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Pethers Restaurant
28B Geissmann St, Tamborine Mountain
‘WHY WE LINED UP AT 2AM FOR A BURGER’
The romantic gestures come naturally at Pethers Retreat and its enchanting restaurant, surrounded by a rainforest canopy, twinkling fairy lights and the sounds of native wildlife. “There are so many incredible moments we have the pleasure of being involved in at Pethers,” general manager Shona Philps says. “Once particular stand out were Liam and Louise. Liam wanted to propose, so we came up with a plan to convince Louise to walk to our wedding garden. There she found a red carpet aisle, roses, champagne and Liam down on one knee. Fast forward a year and Liam and Louise got married at Pethers.” For Valentine’s Day the restaurant will put on its regular spread featuring charred tuna tartare, grass fed beef fillet and gelato and affogato for dessert.
The Collective Palm Beach
1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Is your better half vegan but you love a beef burger? The Collective Palm Beach is here to end the arguments and make it work for you guys. The restaurant complex is five kitchens in one, offering Italian, Asian, Mexican, modern Australian and American cuisines, with a dedicated vegan and gluten-free menu to boot. A rooftop area lights up at sunset while the downstairs diner and courtyard has plenty of private nooks. For Valentine’s Day couples can upgrade their booking with a pre-purchased surprise gift. For $65 the Collective crew will deliver a beautifully wrapped bottle of French champagne, a long stemmed red rose and a box of chocolate truffles to your table.
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QT Gold Coast
7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
QT Gold Coast is serving some à la heart with three delectable dining experiences. New to the table is QT’s twilight cabana dinner in the newly refurbished poolside, where lovers will indulge in a glass of Veuve Clicquot and a three course dinner under the stars. If your better half is a bottomless pit (aka a man), spoil him with a starry-eyed journey through Bazaar Marketplace buffet. Executive chef Greg Benney has created the perfect feast with poached Moreton Bay bugs, Amaretto grilled King prawns, and a live pasta station. Finally, fans of Asian cuisine can chop chop into Yamagen Japanese where executive chef Adam Lane will guide you both through a delectable six-course omakase experience of crispy pork belly, thinly sliced snapper, tempura scamp, wagyu beef Kobe 6+ and more. Sip from a select saké collection and sample curious cocktails in this low-lit showcase of Tokyo chic.
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Restaurant Labart
8 West St, Burleigh Heads
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Impress your Valentine with dinner at Chef-hatted restaurant Labart in Burleigh Heads. A one-off special set menu for $125 per person is available on February 14, with the option to upgrade with matching wines for $90 extra. The degustation will divulge with Burleigh Baker baguette and caramelised butter; ocean trout, rainbow chard and sauce Florentine; Jack’s Creek rump cap; and dark chcoalte ice cream with sea salt and olive oil for dessert. Bare wooden tables with tea light candles, washed linen napkins and tableware by local ceramicist Marloe Marloe will host couples looking to try flavours they’ll never forget.
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