Whether you’re looking to impress a new love interest or you’re trying to keep it fresh on your 51st date, there are plenty of places to pick in Brisbane that ooze romance. To give you and your one and only some fresh inspiration, we’ve partnered with Now Book It to curate a handful of restaurants that promise a top-notch feed and an atmospheric night to boot.
E’cco Bistro
Newstead
Recommending a hatted restaurant and a five-course meal will always be a suave move, so E’cco Bistro will certainly earn you some brownie points. Helmed by tour de force Philip Johnson, the tasting menus are a surefire way to get to know each other over ocean trout crudo with smoked roe and crumbled ricotta. As a bonus, the menu caters for both vegetarians and vegans, so there’s no need to awkwardly suss your date's dietary requirements.
Ach Wine Bar
Hamilton
Wine bars are a tried and tested date night formula. The ambient hums from fellow patrons, flowing vino and shareable snacks between chats all make for a smooth night, so add Ach to the date destination rotation. Book a table near the ever-romantic fireplace and indulge in steaming laffah bread with hummus and za’atar, accompanied by a freshly opened Chateau Fakra Collection Privee ‘12. To prolong the date, give in to your sweet tooth and share a limonana granita paired with a punchy lemon curd sorbet.
Rich & Rare
West End
Reservations are essential at Rich and Rare, which should indicate just how in-demand the restaurant is. Set up with outdoor seating for a more relaxed vibe, sit under the stars and show off your culinary knowledge by commenting on the use of porcini dust in the truffle ragu. For something lighter, the seared scallops with caramelised cauliflower purée and jamón crumb are guaranteed to hit the spot.
Short Grain
Fortitude Valley
For a date night that won’t disappoint, head to Short Grain and marvel at chef Martin Boetz’ intricate menu. The crisp salted mackerel with mint green mango and a roasted chilli eschalot dressing is a thing of beauty, along with the caramelised pork hock with chilli vinegar, garnished with sprigs of coriander. The expansive windows will let in the perfect amount of natural light to bring out your date’s eyes, too.
Emily Yeoh
Paddington
You may recognise the name from Masterchef circa 2014, and Emily Yeoh’s come a long way since her stint on the show. Opening her restaurant of the same name, Emily Yeoh is a tantalising fusion of Malaysian and Cantanese cuisine. Try the mud crab with Emily’s special pepper sauce and swap theories with your date on the hidden ingredient.
Rothwell’s
Brisbane City
With its playful table arrangements and buzzing atmosphere, Rothwell’s Bar and Grill promises to keep the evening lighthearted and the vibes romantic. Gawk at the chandeliers floating above before tucking into campanelle with lobster and bursts of caviar. As a nightcap, sip one of Rothwell’s meticulously made martinis and chat with your date until it’s closing time.
The Wolf
Brisbane City
Decked out with retro motifs and an eye-catching pattern throughout the restaurant’s interior, The Wolf will evoke feelings of nostalgia that will easily spark fond chat's about your date's childhood. In between exchanging life stories, feast on wood-smoked duck breast with sweetcorn purée and tasty morsels of artichokes, or savour the swordfish ceviche with a citrus salad and tomatillo-tiger's milk sorbet. Yum.
Elementi
Paddington
Inherently Italian, Elementi will keep you and your date happy with its authentic pizzas and intriguing ingredient combinations. Ever tried a smoked salmon pizza with rocket, pine nuts and thin slices of lemon layered on top? You will once you head along to taste it for yourself—the citrus complements the smoked salmon to a tee, while the perfect wood-fired dough serves as a sturdy base for this incredible concoction.
Are you a restaurant owner or manager? Head to Now Book It to set up the world's most powerful hospitality reservation platform for your venue.
Editor's note: this article was produced in partnership with Now Book It. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Image credit: Elementi, Rich & Rare and Rothwell's.