Dramatic cliffside restaurants, secluded beach picnics and Michelin-star indulgence: follow the wishes of Saint Valentine with a once-in-a-lifetime destination dining experience.
There is no better way to spend your valentine’s evening than in one of the world’s dreamiest restaurants with your special someone. There is no limit to love when it comes to fine dining experiences, so why not create an evening of culinary passion you will cherish together for a lifetime? Celebrate the life work of world-renowned chefs in the most magnificent locations, from candlelit ocean caves to underwater paradises.
Here is our roundup of the world’s most romantic restaurants.
Puglia, Italy: Dine in a candlelit cave at Grotta Palazzese
Set within a gaping Italian cave overlooking the Adriatic Sea is the awe-inspiring, candlelit Grotta Palazzese restaurant. Here, experience an evening of fairy-tale romance most can only dream of, as you graze on traditional Italian-inspired culinary masterpieces. The unique location is imbued with a natural essence of romance: as you immerse yourself in the enormous aperture, swept away by centuries of passionate ocean waves, gaze into your lover’s eyes dancing in the candlelight. Don’t let the romance end there with a stay at the Grotta Palazzese Hotel perched atop the majestic cliff face.
Paris, France: Michelin-starred indulgence at Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse
The passionate allure of the city of love is undeniable, where romance flows through the streets and into the kitchens of some of the world’s finest restaurants. Inspired by the beauty of love, Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse at Le Meurice - Dorchester Collection is an epicurean gem in Paris’ culinary scene, earning a place on the Michelin-star map. Head chef Alain Ducasse seamlessly creates a romantic journey, both in the atmosphere inspired by Château de Versailles – think gilded ceilings and crystal chandeliers – and in taste, with a Parisian je ne sais quoi applauding traditional French cuisine and creative genius.
Rangali Island, Maldives: Eat underwater at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Conrad Maldives
Submerged beneath the Indian Ocean, the groundbreaking Ithaa Undersea Restaurant was the first in the world to offer an undersea dining experience. Allow yourself to be swept into an unparalleled cosmos of Maldivian coral gardens and turquoise waters, where the words of Walt Disney’s ‘kiss the girl’ are on the brink of every moment. You can’t escape the romance of this restaurant, which pays homage to its breathtaking scenery with an exquisite tasting menu, emphasising on European flavours and perfectly matched wines.
Udaipur, India: Lakeside romance at Sheesh Mahal, The Leela Palace Udaipur
You won’t find a more romantic restaurant under the twinkling stars of the Indian night sky than Sheesh Mahal at The Leela Palace Udaipur. Bringing the class of a bygone era, this restaurant manifests a feeling of true elegance as you dine on authentic Indian flavours and gaze across the magical Lake Pichola. Feast on a menu mastered in royal kitchens by chefs who have redefined the essence of Indian fine dining with voguish nuances. A romantic evening is guaranteed with the intimate glow of candles and the al fresco breeze wrapping around you and your lover.
Jimbaran, Bali: Dreamy sunset setting at Rock Bar, AYANA Resort Bali
Bali’s iconic Rock Bar – part of AYANA Resort Bali – is the physical representation of passion, with the raw power of the waves crashing at your feet while you dine on exquisite Mediterranean-inspired dishes and tapas. Perched atop dramatic cliff formations along the stunning Jimbaran coastline, there is a magical sense of love in the air as the sun slowly dips below the horizon. The infamous Rock Bar is best enjoyed in combination with a stay at the lavish AYANA Resort Bali on the clifftop, where blissful poolside days are followed by nights to remember.
Yasawa Island, Fiji: Sandbar serenity at Yasawa Island Resort
Most couples dream of a loving evening filled with fine dining and bubbles in a hidden paradise away from everyone and everything, and there’s nowhere more perfect to experience this than Yasawa Island Resort. This tropical hideaway, on a private Fijian island, is where lovers can indulge in the most romantic culinary journey on a sand bar in the ocean. Lose yourself on a deserted beach and bask in the company of your partner while you feast on a gourmet picnic and sip your way through an exquisite bottle of champagne. Savour the mood by listening to the waves kissing the sand, feel the ocean breeze caressing your cheeks, and discover the romance of absolute seclusion.
Feeling the love? Discover Australia’s Most Romantic Hotels.
