Valentine's Day Dining 2026

Sure, there’s flowers, cards, candles, and jewellery, but let’s be honest, the real way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. And lucky for you, on James St there’s feasts, fine dining, and sweet treats fit for any of the loved ones you’re celebrating on Friday 14 February.

Read on to see the Valentine’s Day banquets and limited-edition menu items our community are cooking up for this year’s day of love. 

Biànca
Crudo di pesce, focaccia with burrata, figs and prosciutto di Parma, trofie Genovese, rib eye tagliata, salsa verde fried potatoes, and berry buttermilk panna cotta – now that’s amoure!
$150pp
Book here

ēmmē
Set yourself up for success with a date night of champagne on arrival, oysters with lemon pepper granita, miso hummus and woodfired pita, chargrilled king prawns, fenugreek oil Wagyu short ribs with pickles, and ēmmē love cake to seal the deal.
$139pp
Book here

ESSA:
With the likes of spanner crab potato beignets, salad of heirloom tomatoes with stone fruit and ricotta, charred Stockyard Black Angus rump marinated in shio koji, flourless chocolate torte with brandy whipped cream, and a 2004 Vincent Couche Champagne poured from magnums, you'll be treated to only the finest food and drink at this decadant celebration of love
Lunch - $98pp
Dinner - $118pp
Book here

Gelato Messina
Just when you thought they couldn’t outdo themselves anymore, Gelato Messina go and launch the Pavlover Tart. A chocolate tart crust filled with passionfruit curd, vanilla gelato, baked meringue, raspberry compote and mousse, vanilla Chantilly cream, topped with chocolate hearts.
$79
On sale January 29 here

Gerard's
Proving that no one knows love quite like the Lebanese, Gerard's is putting on a generous feast including farro grain tabouli, scorched kingfish with smoked tomato oil, lamb saddle, and wagyu cube roll alongside minted fava beans, beef shorba, and brown butter charred cabbage. Don't forget the dessert and cocktail on arrival!
$140pp
Book here

Harveys Bar + Bistro
V. Day your way with share plates and multiple menu options at Harveys. Choose between Taittinger Champagne, beer, or wine for your complimentary drink, before settling into a smorgasbord of starters including ’nduja butter scallops, oysters mignonette, fried olives, and grilled goat’s brie. Then it's onto either Murray cod with zucchini flower and tarragon beurre blanc or slow-roasted lamb shoulder for mains, followed by the tough choice between crisp meringue and chocolate cream, Basque cheesecake, apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream, or a cheeseboard with quince paste and assorted crackers.
$150pp
Book here

Jocelyn’s Provisions
Put your feet up and celebrate Valentine’s Day from the comfort of your own home with take home specials like the chocolate cream cheese layer cake, pink marshmallow hearts, love cookies, and mini cake cakes in chocolate sour cream, orange and almond, and Victoria sponge.
Pre-order here

Penelope
With an expertly curated list of creative cocktails, a three-course set menu including spanner crab tart, wagyu tartare, roast chicken, and choc hazelnut choux buns, and resident DJs playing through the night, Penelope is offering a night of drinking, dining, and dancing all from one cool, cozy venue.
$90pp
Book here

sAme sAme
Take to Thailand by way of sAme sAme this V. Day for a fiery feast of green papaya and pomelo betel leaf, spicy lion’s mane and caviar coconut soup, grilled wagyu brisket with mint and tamarind dressing, hapuka red curry, before cooling off with a coconut pannacotta with coconut crumble for dessert.
$150pp
Book here

The Green
Feel the love of Middle Eastern hospitality with The Green’s feast of feasts featuring Lebanese flat bread with hummus and babaganoush, charcoal chicken, lamb shoulder, Fattoush, spiced potatoes, and pistachio chocolate tart.
$80pp
Book here