Hello lovers. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—14 February to be exact—so if you haven’t made plans yet, you’d better hustle. Whether you love one or many, you’re looking to sweep your fellow lovebird off their feet, or you’re thinking about taking your situationship to the next level, a romantic Valentine’s Day date is sure to have them catching all the feels. Cupid’s at the ready and we’re crossing our fingers for fireworks.
Here are the most romantic places to wine, dine and treat your lover in Auckland this Valentine’s Day (or live it up while revelling in singledom). Heads up: Some of these gigs take place either side of Valentine’s Day so take a second glance before you lock it in mmmkay?
Gin Classics Cocktail Tasting
14 February | Rocketman, Britomart
Image credit: Caretaker | Instagram
When it comes to tastebud tantalising cocktails, one simply does not pass up a chance to learn from the best and no one can deny that the folks at Caretaker, Deadshot and Rocketman certainly know their stuff. So we're delighted to share with you that for Valentine's Day this year, you can learn how to make six classic gin-based cocktails at Little Rocket (Rocketman's private room). Guided by expert mixologists, the two-hour cocktail class includes light snacks and recipes and clocks in at a very reasonable sum of $75 per person.
Edible Valentine's Food-Quet
12, 13, 14 February | Various locations
Image credit: Woolworths | supplied
Flowers will turn our heads but hand us a bouquet made of all the ingredients we need to whip up a bowl of spaghetti and we'll go weak at the knees. Yes siree, Woolworths' edible Valentine's food-quet is a bunch that's not just pretty, it's practical too. Better still? It's free. Aaaand there are a limited number of gluten free options. Swing by Woolworths Metro Albert Street on February 12 (4.30-6pm), PWC Tower Lobby on February 13 (3.30-6pm) or Woolworths Metro Albert Street on February 14 (3.30-6pm) to snag these sleek blooms.
Custom Message Brownie
Pre-Order | The Sugar Dealer, Karangahape Road
Image credit: The Sugar Dealer | Instagram
Expressing your adoration for someone isn't always easy. Sometimes you need a surprisingly bold brownie to do the talking for you. And for that, there's The Sugar Dealer. Dishing brownies that will say whatever you like (slurs aside, of course), with a taste that's seriously off the chain, it's easy to see why this is one of the best ways to treat your lover this Valentine's Day or, like, any day actually.
Galentines
15 February | Studio Alora, Grey Lynn
A morning of self love, empowerment and creativity for the gals, gays and theys, the Studio Alora x From Zoe Galentines collab is nothing short of immaculate. With doors opening at 9.45am, you'll be guided through astrology insights and a card pull, breathwork, meditation and a soundbath, journaling and creating your own tarot card all the while soaking up the cotton candy vibe of Studio Alora. Light snacks, Pals will be provided, plus spot prizes and gift bags. As Maddi and Zoe have so beautifully articulated, this event is a reminder that love exists in so many forms and the most important one starts within. It's hitting us straight in the feels.
Eat Your Heart Out
14 Feb-14 March | QT Auckland and QT Queenstown
Image credit: QT Hotel x Black Star Pastry | supplied
QT is teaming up with Sydney dessert royalty, Black Star Pastry, to drop one helluva love bomb into the mix. In fact, they've whipped up a full Eat Your Heart Out menu, a sultry two-piece oral delight: The Love Bomb and The Ghost. The former is a creamy explosion that sees layers of velvet cake, silky crémeux, gooey ganache and streusel crumb bewitch your taste buds. The Ghost is the yin to The Love Bomb's yang, offering up a vanilla mousse on berry sponge. Better still, every dessert ordered will come with a love letter that might just snag you a free overnight stay in QT. Lush.
Vday Rose Mochi Cheesecake
13 & 14 February | Fankery (Online For Pick Up From 9A Akatea Road)
Image credit: Fankery | supplied
Sure, a long-stemmed rose is a classic but Fankery's rose-shaped mochi-stuffed cheesecake is even better. Decorated with a stunning fresh cream ombré rose and studded with candied pearls, this Valentine's special combines a chocolate brownie base with a mochi centre and a strawberry burnt basque cheesecake top. Each cake serves 2-3 people and is yours for just $65. Pre-order now.
Saint Valentine's
14 February | The Wine Room by David Nash, College Hill, Auckland
Having materialised on the Auckland dining scene last year, The Wine Room hits the spot for any occasion and Valentine's is no exception. No detail has been spared by executive chef Ryan Moore and David Nash in curating a dreamy experience with a glorious five-part menu (wine-matched, naturally) and a dolce gift box to take home for all the sweet endings. It's giving Parisian romance.
Valentine's Day At Culprit.
14 February | Culprit., Auckland CBD
Image credit: Culprit. | supplied
If anyone's guilty here, it's us—for falling deeply and madly in love with Culprit. the second we first stepped through its doors. If you too, swoon hard for their sumptuous fare, you might just like to treat your beau to their Valentine's spread. That's a 10-dish strong affair (including these sensational yuzu curd cheesecake pops) with a glass of champagne on arrival and the chance to ask your lover if they'll accept this rose. Cute.
Valentine's Picnic
From 13 February | Lebanese Grocer
The Lebanese Grocer is doing a Valentine's Picnic and we're smitten. Available in store from Thursday 13 February and for pre-order online for pick up, this has got to be one of the cutest ways to show your appreciation for your favourite person this Valentine's Day. What's in the metaphorical picnic basket? Glad you asked. Only the most stunning spread: loaded lamb hummus, black olive labneh, tabbouleh cos cups, fresh pita, zeit and za'atar, pistachio chocolate ba'alawa and Everybody's kombucha. Plus, there's a vegan edit too. Vegan and non-vegan picnics available for $75.
Valentines Box
14-15 Feb | Wen And Yen
Image credit: Wen And Yen | website
They stole our gluten-intolerant hearts with their golden, how-is-there-no-gluten puff pastry pies and impossibly spongy doughnuts and they're continuing to sweep us off our feet, this time with a Valentines Box fit for the gluten free gods (and those lucky blighters who can eat gluten too). Each box contains a chocolate salted caramel cake, two mini heart donuts and five adorable love note cookies. Available as regular or no gluten and yours for the ridiculously good price of $25.
Candle-Making With Sybs
14 February | Residium, 165 The Strand, Parnell
Nothing says 'i'm so freaking in love with you' like staring into your lover's eyes while you seductively pour hot wax into a candle jar. Tāmaki Makaurau is blessed to be a city full of wonderful people doing epic things and Cam, the candle-maker behind sybs, is one of those people. Share the love with an evening candle-making workshop for something a little bit different this V-Day.
A Valentine's Rooftop Lunch
14 February | Parasol & Swing, Viaduct | 12-4pm
Image credit: Parasol & Swing | supplied
Swap Valentine's dinner for a gorgeous rooftop lunch instead at Viaduct gem, Parasol & Swing. The crew are toasting love with quite the deal, too. Throw down a crisp $50 note and you'll score two Spritz cocktails and two sharing plates of your choice, choosing from tartare, fried chicken, prawn cups, pork sando, poppers, tomato salad and guac. Sister venue, The Broken Lantern in Ponsonby, has a similarly excellent offering too.
Strawberries & Cream
14 February | Aryeh, Piha
Yep, we're calling out a specific dessert for this one and we'll die on this hill. For those in the know, Aryeh's ever-evolving strawberries and cream dessert is renowned and rightly so. This season's edit features Kumeū strawberries, whipped creme caramel, cold-pressed basil oil, kawakawa crumble, balsamic and freshly churned sorbet and we wish we could eat it all day every day for the rest of our lives. Pair with a cute walk along Piha Beach for Valentine's Day done right.
Chocolate Heartbreakers
14 February | Boda at Movenpick Hotel, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Movenpick Hotel | Instagram
All hail the return of Movenpick Hotel's Chocolate Heartbreakers where you get to use a tiny mallet to smash a chocolate heart to smithereens and then sit back and smugly sip a strawberry-infused fizz cocktail. If you'd like to stay a while, BODA's also offering up a four-course modern Korean fusion menu complete with wine matches and spritz on arrival.
Valentine's Day At Esther
14 February | QT Auckland
We've heard the Valentine's Day menu at Esther is a four-course menu that flirts back—consider our interest piqued. With the likes of Te Kouma oysters in a Champagne mignonette, yellowfin tuna crudo, pistachio herbed lamb rack, duck fat potatoes and dark chocolate ganache in the lineup, book in here for quite the fancy feast. Enjoy a Valentine cocktail on arrival and if you're feeling lush you might just like to add on a bottle of G.H. Mumm for a smooth $120.
Galentine's Day High Tea With BeautyEQ
15 February | Living Room At Park Hyatt Auckland
Image credit: Park Hyatt Auckland | supplied
If high tea's a bit of you (it is), you'll want to book a spot at Park Hyatt Auckland's Galentine's Day summer high tea. You'll enjoy a glass of Piper Heidsieck champagne on arrival followed by a summer cocktail and designer bites whipped up by Executive Pastry Chef Callum Liddicoat. All the while, groove to freshly spun beats by DJ Venetia and peruse fashion edits by Louise Hilsz plus fragrance and beauty highlights by Beauty EQ.
Vale Day
14 February | Atelier, Karangahape Road
The very definition of pleasure, Atelier is also coming to the Valentine's Day party with a four-course Vale Day sharing menu with a sultry potion on arrival. The details are currently a closely-guarded secret but we're certain it'll be nothing less than exquisite.
DOE-lentines Day Box by DOE Donuts
Pre-order for 14 February, Grey Lynn
Image credit: Doe Donuts | website
Doe Donut’s iconic DOE-lentines Day box is back yet again and earth-shatteringly delicious waves of pleasure will ensue. Choose from two heart-shaped chocolate-stuffed, ganache-dipped delights or two raspberry jam scrolls.
Valentine’s At Palmer Bar
14 February | Palmer Bar, Auckland CBD
Syrupy live music is synonymous with romance and Palmer Bar’s got it in abundance along with a three-course shared set Valentine’s menu you’ll definitely want to wrap your mouth around. Flavour notes include beef carpaccio or tuna ceviche, pork belly, market fish or vegetable risotto, plus a cheeseboard and chocolate petit fours with a glass of bubbles on arrival.
Moksha Gin
Anytime, Your Glass
Image credit: Moksha | website
For a Valentine’s Day date that’s whimsical and more than just a little bit boozy, why not bequeath your beloved a bottle of Moksha Rose & Hibiscus Gin?
Spiked with cardamom and organic rose petals from India, plus Hibiscus flowers and a dash of orange, this cheeky tipple is the perfect addition to your Valentine’s Day spread. One sip and your date will be all a flutter.
Looking for some last-minute romantic getaway inspiration? Right this way.
Main image credit: Wen And Yen | Instagram.