Image credit: Aurora. Venues are listed in no particular order.
When it comes to romance, Adelaide knows how to set the scene. We’ve rounded up a dreamy list of the city’s most romantic restaurants that you can book right now, from intimate candlelit corners to cozy tables with a view. Whether you’re planning a first date, celebrating an anniversary, or just a reason to celebrate love (and the love for good food), these 10 spots bring the ambiance, the flavours, and that little spark for an occasion worth remembering.
1. Part Time Lover
This all-day joint’s got more than just the name going for them. Follow the neon “Love” signs that light up the laneway behind Adelaide Town Hall and step into this modern Australian bistro that’s equal parts groovy and grown-up. The menu splits into Plants, Seafood and Meat—indulgent and designed for sharing, which gives you the perfect excuse to lean in close.
The velvet banquettes, low lighting and statement stonework create a stylish backdrop, whether you’re seated inside or out in the laneway space. With Five Senses coffee, wines on tap from Riot, and cocktails that hit just right, this place captures Palm Springs vibes meet CBD energy in the most date-worthy way.
Location: Paul Kelly Ln, Adelaide CBD
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7am – 10pm;
Saturday 6 – 10pm
2. Howard Vineyard
Howard Vineyard is romance served with a side of breathtaking views. Nestled in the heart of Adelaide’s wine country, this charming cellar door offers an intimate escape where couples can sip award-winning wines and soak in the serene vineyard landscape. The estate wines are stunning—particularly that 95-point Amos Chardonnay—and with tasting experiences, banquet menus, and private vineyard walks available, you can easily stretch a long lunch into an all-afternoon affair.
With its sun-dappled terraces, rustic-chic interiors, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Howard Vineyard is a venue that turns any outing into a memorable experience.
Location: 53 Bald Hills Rd, Nairne
Hours:Monday to Friday 11am – 4pm;
Saturday to Sunday 11am – 5pm
3. Aurora
Inside ILA’s 150-year-old heritage building at Light Square, Aurora is where fine dining meets immersive art in a way that’s both sophisticated and genuinely exciting. The menu is produce-driven modern Australian with South African soul food influences, all cooked over a custom-made braai that sits at the heart of the open kitchen. The five-course degustation is generous, thoughtfully balanced, and paired with wines that elevate every bite.
The warm, sophisticated atmosphere manages to feel special without being stuffy, and because profits fund ILA’s arts programming, you might catch jazz, classical or modern dance performances throughout the building. Aurora is perfect for couples who love a touch of elegance without the fuss.
Location: Ground Floor, 63 Light Square, Adelaide
Hours: Friday & Saturday 6pm – 10pm
4. Chianti
Since 1985, Chianti has been Adelaide’s destination for elegant Italian dining, and it’s lost none of its romantic appeal over the decades. Located on Hutt Street in a warmly lit space that balances classic trattoria charm with sophisticated polish and a menu full of hearty, authentic Italian dishes, it’s the kind of place that makes a classic date feel special.
This restaurant earned its Ospitalità Italiana accreditation from the Italian Government for good reason—the menu changes seasonally but always delivers on authentic Italian flavours whether it’s shareable antipasti or indulgent pasta dishes.
Location: 106 Hutt St, Adelaide
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11.30am – 10pm
5. Orso
Housed in a circa-1885 bluestone building in Rose Park, Orso brings contemporary European dining with Mediterranean soul—sporting warm, inviting touches that instantly make you feel at ease. Restaurateur Andre Ursini (of MasterChef fame) teamed up with head chef Will Doak to create a menu here that’s simple in description but sophisticated in execution, a celebration of rich, layered flavours.
Take your pick from their dining spaces, including the open Orso Dining Room overlooking the bustling kitchen, the intimate Alexandra Room, the stylish Orso Bar, and a sail-covered courtyard perfect for warm evenings. The 180-strong wine list has a Spanish leaning, and service hits that sweet spot of knowledgeable without being pretentious. It’s grand without being stuffy—exactly what date night should be.
Location: 36, Kensington Road Adelaide
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 12pm – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – late
6. Fino Vino
Fino Vino brings the celebrated Willunga and Seppeltsfield Fino legacy to the CBD with 70 seats of stylish sophistication. The striking space mixes marble with wood, leather with iron, and leaves brick and stone walls beautifully naked—a timeless atmosphere that sets the tone for a romantic evening. Executive chef David Swain’s produce-driven menu tells a South Australian regional story, with dishes like tea-smoked quail and signature crema catalana that’s been on the menu since day one. Everything is prepared in-house with next to nothing wasted, showcasing local suppliers and seasonal ingredients.
Owner Sharon Romeo’s 100-strong wine list focuses on light-to-medium bodied drops that complement rather than overwhelm, with Fino sherries alongside local and European bottles. The mix of booths, shared tables and bar seating means you can claim your own intimate corner for a date that feels both relaxed and refined.
Location: 82 Flinder St, Adelaide
Hours: Tuesday 5.30pm – 10pm; Wednesday to Friday 12pm – 11pm,
Saturday 5.30pm – 11pm
7. Maison Clement
Step into Maison Clement on Currie Street and you’re transported to a cozy bistro bouillon straight out of Paris. Chef-owner Clement Labaere brings authentic French home cooking—the kind his mum and grandma made—to Adelaide with $49 degustation menus that prove French dining doesn’t need pretension or deep pockets. The high-ceilinged space is simple yet considered, decorated with French advertisements and Parisian relics including a 1904 menu.
Clement bakes all the viennoiserie and bread himself—including pain de mie that makes the croque monsieur taste exactly like France. With monthly wine nights pairing dishes with French and South Australian drops, friendly service, and an atmosphere that genuinely feels like dining at a friend’s home, this is romance without the fuss.
Location: 18 Currie St, Adelaide
Hours: Monday to Friday 7am – 8.30pm;
Saturday 7.30am – 12pm & 5.30pm – 9pm, Sunday 7.30am – 12pm
8. Apoteca
Tucked into Hindley Street’s heritage-listed Edwardian building, Apoteca is Adelaide’s answer to a New York brasserie filtered through old-world European charm. The multi-level hidden gem features a Manhattan-themed bar with 150-year-old pharmacy cabinets, a cellar restaurant with exposed brick and wrought iron gates guarding 1,200 wines, and a secluded courtyard that’s an absolute oasis from the city buzz. It’s sleek modern design meets cozy corners perfect for whispered conversations
The contemporary European menu from head chef Mirco Ruthoff changes seasonally—think grilled octopus, smoked chicken thigh, and a 30-page strong wine list to go with it. The cellar restaurant (available for bookings Friday and Saturday nights) is particularly romantic, with ambient lighting and intimate booths creating that date-night magic. Whether you’re settling in for a full dinner or just stopping by for wine and small plates at the bar, Apoteca transforms a simple night out into something playful, intimate, and completely memorable.
Location: 118 Hindley St, Adelaide
Hours: Monday to Thursday 5pm – 10pm, Friday to Saturday 5pm – 12am
9. Station Road
Led by the team behind East End Cellars, casual meets charming bistro Station Road delivers French-inspired cuisine in a space that’s quietly glamorous yet comfortable. The stunning design features a central marble bar, wine vault, and intimate wine room, with the light-filled dining room flowing onto an outdoor plaza perfect for alfresco romance.
The menu showcases bold, balanced flavours—from mayo eggs and ocean trout to Mayura Station Wagyu tartare and market fish that changes with the daily catch. The wine list is exceptional, with rare bottles available by the glass via Coravin. Unlike many Adelaide spots, Station Road’s menu is designed for individual enjoyment (although you can also choose to share!), which means you can both order exactly what you want and linger over every perfectly plated course.
Location: 1 Walker Tower, Adelaide
Hours: Wednesday 6pm – 9pm; Thursday to Saturday 12pm – 10pm,
Sunday 12pm – 4pm
10. Parisi's
Parisi’s brings three generations of Italian restaurant dynasty to a contemporary setting that’s both suave and welcoming. The family-run restaurant is an Adelaide city hideaway that offers multiple spaces including an elegant dining room and a rustic courtyard area that’s lovely in summer (with gas heaters for winter romance).
The menu blends traditional Italian with Parisi family innovation—think duck ravioli, artichoke dip, Bologna pizza with Sangiovese, and veal dishes that showcase premium ingredients. Service is warm and professional, the wine list is thoughtfully curated, and the atmosphere manages to feel both relaxed and special—exactly what you want when introducing someone to one of Adelaide’s suburban best.
Location: 138 King William Road, Hyde Park
Hours: Monday to Friday 11.30am-3pm & 5pm – late;
Saturday 5pm – late, Sunday 11.30am-3pm & 5pm – close
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