Best Romantic Restaurants in Essendon

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

City CentreEastern SuburbsInner City EastInner City NorthInner City SouthInner City West

Neighborhoods

Albert ParkArmadaleAscot ValeBrunswickCarltonCarlton North

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

201 restaurants available nearby

1. Old Man Drew

4.6

Exceptional(245)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Café • Ascot Vale

Booked 24 times today

At Old Man Drew, we know that memories are to be cherished. Are you coming to visit us to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, retirement, or any special occasion with a small group for breakfast of lunch? Think about booking one of our exclusively set celebration tables in the café, atrium or garden. Enjoy a special spot set with white linen, fine china, fresh flowers and glass ware, a truly beautiful setting. Please request in one of our celebration tables when you make your table booking. The charge starts from $40 per table, which is payable at the time of booking.

A photo of The Carlton Wine Room restaurant

2. The Carlton Wine Room

4.8

Exceptional(826)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• European • Carlton

Booked 29 times today

Carlton Wine Room is a neighbourhood restaurant offering a well-executed, fresh, seasonal food menu, and an ever changing, diverse wine list featuring the best of Italy, Australia and the rest of the World. We offer a bar space, an upstairs restaurant dining room and three unique spaces that are can be booked for private dining perfect for special events.RESERVATIONS: are for a two hour sitting. We do not accept bookings for drinks and snacks, however we accept walk-ins for this if space permits. A surcharge of up to 1.2% applies to credit card transactions. A surcharge of 10% applies on Sundays and 15% on Public Holidays. OUTSIDE SEATING: please note this is subject to the weather and we may not be able to move your reservation inside in the case of bad weather. CANCELLATION: A $50 per person no show fee is charged for failing to attend your reservation. Contact us on 9347 2626 to make changes or cancel your reservation.

3. TOTE Bar & Dining

4.6

Exceptional(241)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Australian • Moonee Ponds

Booked 6 times today

A contemporary bar and restaurant, serving modern-Australian dishes with seasonal eating in mind.Channelling the timeless allure of 1930's design, the interior boasts rich oak panelling, emerald hues, decadent leather and bronze finishes. The space offers three intimate dining areas, known as The Northern Terrace, The Dining Room and The Cellar - our Private Dining Room. The main feature of TOTE is casual dining with premium quality food from well sourced high quality and sustainable produce.It features a contemporary offering from coffee, craft beer and creative cocktails to carefully curated local & imported wines and spirits.The bar itself is modelled to the development’s quintessential roots – the racecourse – and is aptly shaped in an oval form to mirror it.

A photo of Leonardo's Pizza Palace restaurant

4. Leonardo's Pizza Palace

4.8

Exceptional(86)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Pizzeria • Carlton

Booked 25 times today

We are a neighbourhood-style American-Italian restaurant situated in the leafy backstreets of Carlton. Since 2018, we specialise in offering quality food, friendly service and natural wine.

5. Tutti Trattoria

4.3

Awesome(12)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Essendon

Booked 5 times today

We grew up on Nonna’s classic pizzas, freshly made pasta and Italian sweets. Noisy family gatherings, a little indulgence and a lot of fun. And everyone was welcome.Now we extend the invitation to you. Tutti Trattoria is the recreation of these family moments, with a little makeover. Our gorgeous interior brings a taste of Italy to the heart of Essendon. Each of our rooms reflects a unique vibe, from our southern Italian trattoria to our decadent and intimate upstairs restaurant.And the food. We believe good food doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs to be made fresh, with quality ingredients, and a little love. Come on in and see what all the fuss is about.

6. Maven by Morgan

4.6

Exceptional(121)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Fitzroy

Booked 17 times today

Step into Maven, Fitzroy's lively and stylish dining spot by Morgan Hipworth. Enjoy Mediterranean-inspired dishes designed for sharing, alongside innovative cocktails in a relaxed and buzzing atmosphere. Whether for a casual night out or a special occasion, Maven offers memorable moments over great food and drinks.

7. Bistra

4.9

Exceptional(112)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Australian • Carlton

Booked 15 times today

Bistra is an Australian bistro serving quality food and wine; our fare draws its influence predominantly from British, French and Italian cooking and technique, and yet it is quintessentially Australian. You can expect generous, memorable plates championing seasonal ingredients and an extensive list of wines.

8. Casa Chino

4.8

Exceptional(54)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Fusion / Eclectic • Brunswick

Booked 15 times today

In an intimate setting, splashed in shades of neon and pastel, Casa Chino celebrates the vibrant entwining of Chinese cuisine with Latin American influences. This 90-seat open-style bar with an alfresco space will offer a collection of Chifa-infused share plates and luminous cocktails.Our specially crafted cocktail program celebrates the quintessential Peruvian spirit, Pisco, with a selection of Pisco sours alongside a curated collection of Victorian and South American wines.Come discover the delectable fusion of Peruvian and Chinese dining in Brunswick.

9. Kumo Izakaya

4.5

Awesome(213)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Brunswick

Booked 18 times today

Kumo Izakaya provides an intimate, warm, and inviting atmosphere, as noted by reviewers. The booths and tables for two create a cozy setting, ideal for a romantic dinner. The restaurant's attention to detail in presentation, excellent service, and delicious food add to the overall romantic experience.

10. Good Gnocchi

4.8

Exceptional(172)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Carlton North

Booked 20 times today

A very relaxed and delicious bar & bistro in Carlton North. GG's has a selection of light antipasti alongside gnocchi, pasta and comforting mains. Wash it down with a fun cocktail, or browse our delicious and approachable wine list.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Mia
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
As soon as we got to the door the service started absolutely fantastic!! The atmosphere & vibe was unreal and amazing!! The food and wine was delicious, I could drool… The service was amazing , everything was done well and fast. Will definetly be coming back here !
More info
Leonardo's Pizza PalacePrice: Expensive• Pizzeria• Carlton
•
4.8
A
Amanda
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We had a really great Valentine’s dinner! My husband was very happy with everything especially the services. 🫶🏻
More info
TOTE Bar & DiningPrice: Expensive• Australian• Moonee Ponds
•
4.6
B
Biio
Sydney •1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Hannah and Travis were super helpful throughout the night. Food was off the charts.
More info
The Carlton Wine RoomPrice: Expensive• European• Carlton
•
4.8
M
Meghan
Melbourne •2 reviews
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
Our food and the service were amazing! Our only downfalls was the heat and noise level. Very hard to have a conversation as it is quite a loud environment. And the front doors were open leaving us to feel a bit sweaty and uncomfortable while eating hot food! Won’t stop us from coming back though (: highly recommend!
More info
Tutti TrattoriaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Essendon
•
4.3
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 11, 2025
Beautiful staff, meals, coffee and atmosphere in this well run cafe.
More info
Old Man DrewPrice: Moderate• Café• Ascot Vale
•
4.6

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
Romantic

Essendon

Noble Park
Glen Iris
Tullamarine
Spotswood
South Yarra
Albert Park
Camberwell
Wheelers Hill
Sandringham
Kew
Preston
Ripponlea
Carlton
Prahran
Kooyong
South Wharf
Lysterfield
East Melbourne
Fitzroy
Croydon