The Best Romantic Restaurants For A Date Night In Auckland

Just in time for you to book Valentine’s Day dinner.

What makes a romantic restaurant? There are a few requirements I’m looking for, from soft lighting to an adventurous drinks list, well-spaced tables, and a cosy corner to retreat to. The food at the best date night restaurants is often designed to share, and veers towards luxury: freshly shucked oysters (Celeste), silky scampi risotto (Bossi), cheese puffs with caviar (Onslow) and chocolate marquise (Bar Magda). They also nail the special touches that are often overlooked: vases of fresh flowers, flickering lamps, elegant tableware and a sexy playlist. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, consider making a booking at one of these sweet spots now.

Bossi

There’s something about Italian food that just says romance and downtown restaurant Bossi does authentic Italian with a touch of glamour very well. Located on the ground floor of the Pacifica building on Commerce St, Bossi dazzles with plush green velvet booths, dark wood-panelled walls, floor-to-ceiling glass-fronted wine cabinet and busy open kitchen. Upstairs in the mezzanine seating area, more velvet banquettes are at eye level with a hand-painted mural of part of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam. Bossi’s knowledgeable staff are on hand to steer you through the excellent menu of antipasti and insalata, housemade pasta and secondi crafted by executive chef Shaun Dowling, featuring everything from gnocchi alfredo (made with a trifecta of luxurious beige: parmesan, butter and cream) to costoletta di manzo (short rib with parmesan risotto). Book in for aperitivo hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm for happy hour specials on Aperol spritz and prosecco, plus free canapes and don’t leave without trying the tiramisu. 10 Commerce St, Auckland central.

Poderi Crisci

If you’ve been fantasising about a trip to Italy, Waiheke winery and restaurant Poderi Crisci might be the next best thing. Located on a sunny slope of Awaawaroa Rd, the restaurant and vine-covered cellar door take in the golden afternoon sun with a year-round outdoor dining area and charming farmhouse-style restaurant. There’s a reason this is a go-to wedding venue, with the family-owned vineyard offering an Italian menu and wines made from vines grown on-site in Waiheke’s answer to Tuscany. The grounds are stunning, and include a chef’s garden and lush courtyard surrounded by olive trees and fragrant herbs. 205 Awaawaroa Rd, Waiheke.

Azabu

Amano

Amano is a reliable restaurant any time of day, serving a strong menu of Italian-centric plates heroing fresh produce, clean flavours and expertly made pasta. A date here could take on many forms, depending on what you’re in the mood for. Stop in for breakfast bellinis and smashed potato with chilli-laced poached eggs and prosciutto at the bar, stay for a long pasta-filled lunch with views of the harbour across the road, or opt for an intimate dinner table for two and share locally sourced venison carpaccio and espresso trifle for dessert. 66-68 Tyler St, Britomart.

Settebello

Settebello has big Lady and the Tramp energy with its chequered tablecloths, pizza and pasta menu and sweet, kitschy decor. The kind of place you can lovingly nudge meatballs in each other’s direction (okay, there are no meatballs, but there is gnocchi) and get lost in the energy of this buzzy neighbourhood pizza joint. Bringing a taste of Napoli to New Lynn, Settebello specialises in Neopolitan-style pizzas as well as homemade pasta and calzoni and I can’t think of a better date than a huge slice of pizza and a carafe of house red. 9 Totara Ave, New Lynn.

Bar Magda

Romance does well for Bar Magda, with Valentine’s Day reportedly one of its busiest nights of the year. The subterranean restaurant makes the most of its cave-like setting with sultry red lighting and floor-length velvet curtains partitioning off intimate slices of the space. It’s the perfect spot for a date night, especially if you’re looking to hide away in a corner (maybe it’s a first date?). Bar Magda serves a unique menu of seasonal plates with a Filipino twist, crafted by chef Carlo Buenaventura. The drinks here are a highlight, with aromatic aperitifs and interesting cocktails. 25b Cross St, central city.

Bar Celeste

French neo-bistro Bar Celeste does atmosphere very well, which is an essential element for a seamless date, one that you can relax into, knowing that you’ll be taken care of by the staff, and that the surrounding conversations will fill any awkward silences. Celeste’s rotating wine and food menu changes with the seasons and keeps things interesting, so even if you’ve visited before, you can expect to find a new dish to try. The vibes at this Karangahape Rd wine bar and restaurant are warm and rowdy, and Friday nights see the space switch to a party atmosphere with DJs, smash burgers, oysters and drinks specials flowing into the early hours. The wine list highlights organic and natural wines from New Zealand and further afield, with a short edit available by the glass and many by the bottle. 146b Karangahape Rd, Auckland central.

Daphnes

You can’t go wrong with a table for two in the bar area of Ponsonby Rd’s Daphnes. Owners Clare and Joost van den Berg are experts at putting a beautiful restaurant interior together and Daphnes nails the brief with its exposed brick, peach, navy and blood-red colour palette and low-hanging lamps. The intimate bar area, partitioned by floor-length curtains, is a lovely spot for a date night, or a cocktail and a snack from the menu of small plates like halloumi fritters with hot honey, and prosciutto and bechamel croquettes. 71 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby.

Bar Martin

Technically not a restaurant but a wine bar with excellent small plates, Bar Martin makes the list for its well-documented ambience and good vibes. Located between Mt Albert and Western Springs on Martin Ave, there are tables to suit your mood, whether that’s seated at one of the beer garden-style tables in the courtyard, or perched at the window seat or at a table for two inside. There are more than 20 wines available by the glass, and double that amount available by the bottle, canvassing well-loved wineries like Craggy Range, Milton and Dog Point and natural styles from the likes of Delinquente Wine. To eat, find sardines with sourdough and seaweed butter; coppa with roast hazelnuts; burrata with herbs, capers and chilli, and duck parfait — nothing much is cooked here, and that’s just fine. Bar Martin has the kind of ambient lighting and stylish fit-out perfect for impressing a new lover. Bar Martin doesn’t take reservations, so be aware if you’re pre-planning a seamless romantic evening. Open from 3pm Tuesday-Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-8pm. 43 Martin Ave, Mount Albert.

Tala

Parnell’s new contemporary Samoan restaurant Tala (it opened at the end of last year) is chef Henry Onesemo’s love letter to his childhood in Samoa. From the set tasting menu to the beautiful and bold fit-out which has seen the ex-Pasture space transformed into a sleek and elegant 28-seater restaurant; Tala has been conceptualised with utmost care. While the seats at the counter are ideal for watching the theatre of the open-fire kitchen, the banquette seating along the far wall is the ideal spot for a date night. The full Chef’s Journey experience at Tala is priced at $215 which is a generous menu canvassing everything from umu chicken to koko Samoa. 235 Parnell Rd, Parnell.

Ada

Ada has one of the most gorgeous dining rooms in Auckland, inside the historic Convent Hotel in Grey Lynn, complete with arched concrete pillars, a white-tiled open kitchen, wrought-iron chandeliers and daily sunsets that stream through the windows. The bistro menu has had a refresh recently with new chef Alfie Ingham at the helm - recently reviewed by dining out editor Jesse Mulligan. 454 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.

1947

Potentially a left-of-field addition to a romantic restaurant roundup but one of the dimly lit booth seats partitioned off from 1947′s main dining room would make a great spot for two during off-peak hours at this busy inner-city eatery — and who doesn’t love a booth seat? Plus, 1947 is known for its inventive cocktails that add an element of glamour and fun to a night out, complete with foams, smoke and creative glassware. The menu at 1947 is contemporary yet authentic Indian cuisine and ‘The Journey’ set menu is a great way to sample some of the best dishes, from pani puri to pav bhajo; Malai chicken from the tandoor oven and paneer lagan. 1947 also has a sister restaurant on Graham St called Times of India, which is also worthy of your attention. 60 Federal St, Auckland city.

Onslow

Josh Emett’s Onslow is well worth considering for your next date night if you’re after a sophisticated restaurant with a touch of old-world elegance. Dinner here feels like an event, from the moment you walk through the posh lobby of The International building on Princes St and into the 100-seat space, rendered in marble and travertine surfaces, rich oak panelling, brass accents and floor-to-ceiling linen drapes. For Valentine’s Day, Onslow has crafted a special five-course dinner paired with a glass of Rosé Ruinart Champagne on arrival, for $215 per person. You’ll dine on gougere (cheese puffs) with chive creme fraiche and caviar; smoked Glory Bay salmon and Lumina lamb rack with confit potatoes. And for dessert, choose from chocolate-dipped strawberries with cream cheese ice cream or a classic peach melba. Find the details here. 9 Princes St, Auckland CBD.

Apero

Apero has been serving great food and wine for nearly a decade now, led by owner-operators Leslie Hottiaux and Mo Koski. At Apero, French chef Leslie creates generous, delicious plates loosely inspired by her hometown of Toulouse, with partner Mo on wines. Dine on Apero’s terrine of the day; charcuterie; goat’s cheese croquettes with kamahi honey or a plate of rib eye and enjoy them with wines hand-selected by Mo, who goes out of his way to ensure you enjoy your chosen drop. The wines, from small producers across New Zealand as well as imported bottles, change often, so expect to be surprised. Apero is open Monday to Thursday from 5pm, all day on Friday and is closed on Saturday and Sunday. 280 Karangahape Road, Auckland

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