I Do: 6 Melbourne Restaurants Perfect to Propose

Offering an unforgettable farm-to-table experience, Farmer’s Daughters transports you straight to the lush landscapes of Gippsland. To create just the right setting for your proposal,  choose from three levels, each with its own ambience: The Ground Floor Deli with a casual, bistro-style dining and seasonal share plates; Level 1’s Restaurant, serving elevated fare cooked over a campfire grill; or the Rooftop, where you can sip on exquisite local wines, craft beer and cocktails under open sky. Our tip? Make an early or late reservation for a quieter, more intimate moment – and if you can, time it for golden hour on the rooftop for seriously swoon-worthy proposal photos. 

Perched at Level 55 of Melbourne's iconic Rialto, Vue de Monde offers a $380 tasting menu curated by Chef Shannon Bennett, who has held the prestigious title of three chef hats for the last three years – because this special moment calls for nothing but the best. The atmosphere is dark and moody, with striking artwork all around, and the menu is rooted in French-inspired cuisine, the culinary language of romance. In other words, an incredibly elegant backdrop for sealing the moment. 

If adventurous, globally inspired cuisine is more of your vibe; NOMAD is where you want to pop the question. Drawing on flavours from Spain, Morocco and the Middle East, the menu highlights local Australian ingredients cooked over fire and smoke to create dynamic meals that linger on your palate. Not to mention the impressive wine list, featuring small growers from around the world, with bottles that pair perfectly with every course. You’ll have plenty of drinks to celebrate the all-important “yes.” 

Another French-inspired dining spot, Philippe celebrates rustic seasonal vegetables and juicy rotisserie chicken, with influences of Lyon found all throughout the menu. You can start with oysters and caviar to set the tone for a special moment and then move on to one of the delectable mains, each crafted to impress.  And because you’ll need something delicious to toast with, the cocktail list brings the wow factor, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of new and old recipes made only with the finest ingredients. 

Perched 300 metres above sea level on the highest floor of the Eureka Tower, Eureka 89 Dining combines sleek design with breathtaking views across Melbourne. The floor-to-ceiling windows showcase panoramic cityscapes that will make your proposal extra memorable – and the photos extra stunning. The menu celebrates modern Australian flavours, and we suggest digging into the 8-course degustation set with wine pairing. After all, a proposal calls for a little extravagance. 

If it’s a cosy vibe you’re after, let us introduce you to Aru, a Sino-Indonesian-Australian restaurant tucked away on Little Collins St in Melbourne's CBD. Its light timber furnishings, soft lighting and impressive wooden fireplace create a perfectly warm atmosphere, and the narrow dining space will bring you two even closer together for an intimate, romantic interlude. Each dish looks like art on the plate; with unique flavour combinations your taste buds won’t forget – like Moreton Bay bug fried rice with spiced crayfish oil and bottarga or the shorthorn short rib with rendang paste and bone marrow jus.