Here's the best venues to dine at (with bookings still available) for Valentine's Day across the region.
Ah February 14, you’re back again!
If you’re currently scrambling around to find somewhere to take your partner for Valentine’s Day this year, we’ve rounded up a list of all the best spots that still have some availability left for the day of love!
Whether your relationship is long-established, long-distance, or shiny and new, treating them to a sensational culinary feast will have them completely taken care of.
Please note, at the time of writing bookings were still available but due to high demand, some venues may book out.
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Justin Lane, Geelong
A year ago now Burleigh’s much-loved pizzeria Justin Lane has made the trip down South, bringing everything there is to love about the beach-facing Italian hotspot to the Geelong waterfront, including masterfully-crafted pasta made fresh in-house, gourmet sourdough-base pizzas, and salads perfect for sharing.
On Tuesday, Justin Lane are running a Valentines Day Banquet menu at $49 per person and $20 per child under 15 – perfect for anyone with a love of romance and carbs.
Located at 57-59 Brougham St, Geelong. Book here.
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Caledonia Shores, Geelong Waterfront
Taking over the upstairs level of The Pavilion – a spot that has always had the potential to be a game-changer for locals and visitors alike – Caledonia Shores is a relatively new spot that captures the waterfront’s unique energy and inimitable soul, giving diners a cosily lit front-row seat to the breathtaking views of Geelong’s Eastern Beach.
An abundance of timber tables and rattan chairs fill the space, while the high ceilings, soft ambient lighting, exposed rafters, fresh foliage and simple crisp bar only further make this a standout among quality dining destinations in the region. As for the food, the menu offers unique Asian Freestyle dishes combined with impeccable presentation. Think thinly sliced Kingfish, the fall-apart Beef Rendang, Xin Jiang-style lamb ribs, dumplings and so much more.
Caledonia Shores places itself as a unique dining experience, one that’s perfect to enjoy with your special someone this Tuesday.
Book here.
Bob Sugar, Torquay
Boasting a dream combo of curated Asian feeds with fresh cocktails across from the beach, Bob Sugar hits the Melbourne restaurant trends to a tee.
With a focus on super-fresh ingredients and authentic techniques, pretty much everything you’ll find within the four walls of Bob Sugar is mouth-wateringly delicious. The dinner menu is designed to share (the ‘Feed Me’ option is an excellent choice if you’re with a group), however, can also be enjoyed solo ‘cos let’s face it, we all know someone who’s a little too territorial about their food!
For Valentine’s Day, Bob Sugar are running a special seven course degustation for $70 per person. Indulge on Spiced Edamame, Tempura Salmon Rolls, Beef Tataki, Spicy Prawn Salad, Balinese Chicken, Chilli Pork Caramel and Vietnamese Tiramisu. There’s also vegan options available too.
Book here.
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Emerge, Geelong
For an intimate occasion, Emerge Dining is a favourite within the region specialising in premium steak. Focusing on simple ingredients of quality, flavour and locality where possible, Emerge offers something for everyone; from a sesame seared miso tofu and a gluten free beef wellington to Seafood Otway Fettuccine with prawns, scallops, salmon, mussels, chilli, tomato and olive oil. The specialty here is the expertly prepared steaks, which are flavoursome, tender and cooked to perfection.
For Valentine’s Day there were only a couple of bookings left so you’ll want to jump on this one quickly if you’re keen for a romantic dinner over steak and wine.
Located at 112 Ryrie Street, Geelong, book here.
Novotel, Geelong
Take your love out to dine on the waterfront with gorgeous bay views while you enjoy an epic spread at Geelong’s Novotel.
This year the hotel is hosting a Valentine’s Dinner on Tuesday 14 February from 5:30pm – 10pm with a three-course a la carte menu, with different packages on offer to elevate your night.
There the Love Birds package at $95 per person | $189 for two people with gets you a la carte three course dinner – choice of entree, main and dessert; the Romance package with is $295 for two people and gets you a welcome glass of Mumm Champagne, Seafood canape platter for two, a la carte three course dinner and Petit fours platter and cocktails; or the Enchanted package which is $395 for two people. This one gets you a bottle of Mumm Champagne, Seafood canape platter for two, a la carte three course dinner, Petit fours platter and cocktails and a guaranteed waterfront view table.
A wine Matching option can also be added on for $45 per person.
Book online here.
Toki Modern Japanese, Torquay
From the moment you slide your way up the stairs at the newly developed site at 4-6 Gilbert Street and into the up-scale restaurant, you’re left breathless by the hushed, calming and elegant atmosphere.
Delivering a modern approach to the rich traditions of Japanese cooking, Toki’s dishes evolve with the seasons and savour the peak flavour of ingredients and for V-Day Toki are celebrating with a 7-course meal featuring its finest dishes.
Prices start from $150 per person, with an option to upgrade your experience with a $50 drink pairing option featuring 4 different beverages.
Start with Summer flower jelly with white dashi, followed by Salmon & king fish sashimi and sushi roll, Umaki, foie gras chawa mushi, homemade slow cook smoked chicken, along with mixed tempura and chicken saikyo yaki. Then indulge in your main choice of Premium Japanese wagyu steak with teriyaki yuzukosyo, duck with miso red wine sauce, or Japanese style roasted vegetables with miso sauce. End the night on a sweet note with a Matcha green tea Crème brûlée.
There are two seatings available at 5-6:45 and 7-9:00 PM. Bookings close on Sunday and can be made here.
Westend Geelong
Located in the renovated Eureka building, Westend is a beautiful spacious eatery, with the modern interpretation of a great pub, dining room and a bar, boasting a refreshed, pretty schmick and lively space.
Here the sophisticated and modern front bar offers over 30 beers, an award winning international wine list, unique house made cocktails, and is the ideal spot to meet with friends and family, while the restaurant offers contemporary Australian cuisine sourced from the finest ingredients. The menu has a variety of meals to share or you can indulge in a main from the grill. There’s baked cauliflower, handmade gnocchi, grilled salmon or porterhouse, among many other options.
Perhaps you met your love at Eureka, or you enjoyed many good nights out together at this iconic venue, or you’re just looking for a delicious, meticulously prepared meal. Either way, Westend Geelong is the perfect venue for V-Day this year.
Book here.
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La Cachette
Translating to ‘the hideaway’ in French, La Cachette is a modern, intimate and quiet 25-seat bistro, tucked away in Steampacket Place on the lush Geelong Waterfront.
Taking influence from the French bistronomy movement, La Cachette is different to most French places. There’s no steak frites, or French-onion soup, white tablecloths or waistcoated staff. Instead, Geelong born-and-bred Matt Podbury wants to show Geelong what contemporary French dining looks like, injecting fun and accessibility, as well as warmth and intimacy, into the local culinary scene.
For Valentine’s Day, La Cachette will be offering a delightful five-course meal with a glass of champagne with us on Tuesday 14 February 2023. The Set Menu will be released shortly, but you can get in early to pre-reserve a table by emailing us at [email protected].
Located at Steampacket Place, Geelong Waterfront.
Centra, Geelong
Located at 131 Yarra St, Geelong, Centra has long been the place to go in Geelong if you’ve got an urge for authentic rustic Italian done right. It’s modern, stylish, classy, and best of all is only about the locally sourced seasonal produce that’s flavoursome, expressive, honest and (most importantly) delicious.
Boasting a lavish European-inspired menu, Centra have the ability to cater to every type of foodie. From the Caprese salad, arancini and tagliere di salumi, and the ricotta gnocchi and seafood linguini, to the lamb ragu pappardelle and the four cheese pizza, you’ll fall in love with the food – time and time again. Plus, there’s tiramisu and creme brulee for dessert.
There’s a lot to love about Centra on the day of love.
Book here.
Meet Me At Mary’s, Geelong West
Meet Me At Mary’s takes form as part dining room, part lounge, part wine bar, where the owners lean into their deep-seated love of modern Australian fare with worldly twists and drinks to match.
Located on Pakington Street, Meet Me At Marys feature old-world charm and awe-inspiring exposed ceiling beams, paired with a delightful, lived-in aesthetic, warm service and undeniable buzz that’s sure to put you at ease from the get-go. Elegant yet low-key, Meet Me At Marys is a cosy, low-lit space with lots of little nooks, so you can have your own little corner, hidden from other groups, but feel still part of the mix. Food-wise, the head chef has designed a concise menu of wine-friendly small plates and larger meals for those looking for more.
If you’re looking to impress, this venue is a must. Plus, the venue shines with its unique and classic collection of cocktails, one of the city’s best wine and beer lists and extraordinarily attentive service.
Book online here.
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I Ragazzi, Newtown
For pizza and pasta that looks, feels, and tastes like real Italian pasta and pizza, I Ragazzi is the ideal place to go!
Bringing a bit of Southern Italy to Pakington Street in Newtown, serving fresh, handmade pasta just how you’d find it on the sun-soaked island of Sicily, this little gem is a venture from Geelong local Julian Barbagallo. Dishing up the kind of devotedly rustic Italian food that you can feel doing you good, body and soul, this is the Italian restaurant of choice for lovers of all kinds this Valentine’s Day.
With handmade pasta across the menu, you really can’t go wrong. Just be sure to watch out for sauce stains on your shirt.
Book online here.
Bottles & Barrels, Geelong
With its 100-year old roots and fully functioning bottle shop, coupled with its status as a walk-in alcohol store, featuring some of the finest selections in the city, and its Nomad Styling-designed café focussing on local produce and the people who make it, this beloved boutique venue has given us one more reason to love them in recent times with their new dining concept, ‘Bistro at Bottles & Barrels’.
Giving us one more destination to indulge in after-work wines and delicious eats, the cafe section of the venue will transform from an all-day café into a relaxed spot to indulge in a tight European-inspired menu. Providing flavoursome and fresh dishes, supporting local suppliers, it’ll be hard not to find multiple things that tickle your fancy.
For Valentine’s Day, B&B are offering a three course share style menu for $85 per person.
Book online here.
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Che Vuoi, Barwon Heads
Staying true to their roots, the guys at Barwon Head’s rustic Italian restaurant Che Vuoi are using authentic techniques and recipes from their Nonna, hoping to share the love they feel in food. Their modus operandi? Come as a guest, leave as a friend. So Italian!
The menu boasts a mouth-watering selection of pastas and gnocchi, as well as locally sourced seafood, cheeses, veggies and artisan meats for your pizza toppings. Vegetarians are well catered for here, with four delicious options to choose from. They didn’t forget about vegans either. The ‘Che Vuoi’ pizza itself features pumpkin puree, vegan goats cheese, olives, onion, sundried tomatoes, chilli and sultanas. Drooling yet?
The restaurants goal is to bring a smile to everyone’s face and give the community some of the dolce vita and Italian flair – so why not spread that love to your S.O this Valentine’s Day.
Book here.
1915 Geelong, North Geelong
Set in the former Federal Woollen Mills, one of the city’s most iconic and historic buildings, and beneath the historic North Geelong smokestack, is 1915, a whimsical restaurant laced with old-world charm. A grand, all-occasions bistro, 1915 is definitely one of Geelong’s most unique dining and drinking experiences, proving to be a powerful dose of history infused with a modern spirit.
Polished concrete, lofty ceilings, bright pendant lighting, exposed beams, and weathered red brick feature across the open-plan with a grand staircase leading to a sweeping second floor. The airy space is bathed in light, providing the ideal atmosphere for indulging in fine-dining finesse on the Northside of town. The menu is inventive, elegant and Mediterranean-inspired; with a focus on sourcing the best local ingredients to make this a truly unique and memorable experience.
While 1915’s special dinner is booked out, the venue have a bunch of lunch bookings available for those wanting to treat their special someone to a super luxe lunchtime spread.
Located at BH2 / 33 Mackey Street, North Geelong. Book here.
Sawyers Arms Tavern, Newtown
Boasting modern Australian fare in the heart of Geelong, Sawyers Arm Tavern is earning quite a reputation in recent months for its elevated dining experiences, courtesy of the newly-appointed Executive Chef Jackson Hunt (ex-Movida and Fitzroy’s Builders Arms Hotel) who has developed a menu that embraces modern Australian cuisine while retaining key dishes that have been enjoyed by the pub’s clientele for years.
There’s prawn linguine, Crispy skin Tasmanian salmon fillet, Crumbed lamb cutlets, Smoked chicken in buttermilk, scotch and eye fillets, plus a bunch of other sensations bites and main options.
Book here.
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Edge Geelong, Geelong
With a gorgeous north-facing bar, New York loft styling and a trendy outside deck area; not only does Edge give patrons a world-class view of the beautiful Corio Bay, but from the moment you arrive, you feel like you’ve entered a relaxed paradise – regardless of if you’re in town to soak up the sun on a summer’s evening, or enjoy a stylish soul-warming dinner for V-Day.
Going above and beyond to source high-quality, organic and free-range produce from local suppliers, you can be assured the hearty dishes are top-notch. The chefs have lovingly created a mix of innovative, fresh flavours and elevated pub classics, perfect for sharing with your significant other or your best pals on the day of love.
Book online here.
Waiting Lists:
Empire Grill, Geelong
The name Empire Grill is synonymous with Geelong fine dining, renowned for providing a sumptuous experience where critically acclaimed food and wine combine to make an experience that is truly out of the ordinary.
Inconspicuously placed on McKillop Street, Empire Grill has been a favourite special occasion restaurant for more than 30 years now, with an a la carte menu boasting a fine a collection of dishes that are contemporary in their execution, vivid in their taste, and expressive in overall satisfaction. A mix of modern Australian with European and Asian influences, utilising the finest and freshest of what the Geelong region has to offer. Think Goats Cheese Tortellini, Mushroom Fricassee, slow cooked beef cheek, confit duck, and char-grilled eye fillet. For more extravagant occasions, the five-course degustation is our pick.
The quality of food shines through into the interior, where you’re met with bank of windows facing the street, high-backed chairs, white linen-dressed tables and attentive, cheerful staff create a welcoming mood.
For Valentine’s Day, there’s currently a waitlist for 5:30pm and 7:45pm bookings so sign up for late-minute cancellations.
Felix, Geelong
Spawned from the brilliant team at ALMA, Felix is defined by three things: warm service, elegant setting and decadent dining.
Tucked up Downes lane (off little Malop street), Felix focuses on a celebration of seafood, vegetables and fine beverages and boasts an unapologetically extravagant decor alongside (think classic European sophistication), making this one of the most remarkable dining experiences in town.
Felix are running a special Valentine’s Day dinner on Tuesday, and while it’s currently booked out, there’s a waiting list available for various time in case of cancellations.
As for the dinner, it’s a decadent shared Valentine’s 4 course meal for $100 a head.
Located at 9 Downes Lane, Geelong. Waitlist yourself here.
