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IT’S A DATE

Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, keeping up with a weekly tradition, or taking someone special out for the first time, date night is a cherished ritual for couples. Fortunately, the Northern Rivers offers an abundance of romantic spots where you can celebrate your love.


WRITTEN BY KATE REYNOLDS


Ember, Byron Bay
Ember, Byron Bay

From the best steak you’ll ever eat in the heart of Byron, ocean views accompanied by a limoncello in East Ballina, or award-winning food that’s made with love (and seasonal produce) in Carool, get ready to mark your next date night on the calendar. These five hot spots have all the makings of a great night out with your other half. Good food? Tick. Cosy atmosphere? Tick. A little something special? Absolutely.







EMBER, BYRON BAY

If your love language includes smoky, chargrilled wagyu steak that melts in your mouth, then Byron Bay’s Ember will be the ticket to your heart (and location of your next date night). Think sustainably sourced meat seared over hot charcoals for that distinct smoky flavour, paired with a few fresh and zesty sides and a glass of good plonk from Ember’s extensive drinks menu.

Whether you want the works (aka their five-course degustation with matching wines), something tasty off their grill menu or even a carefully crafted tipple in their cocktail lounge, Ember is the perfect backdrop to a foodie-lovers date night.

Perfect for: date nights. Easing into a first date with great vibes, excellent service and mouthwatering dishes.


CAPICHE, EAST BALLINA

Capiche
Capiche

Italian food, excellent cocktails and sweeping views of the ocean – need we say more? Capiche is where to go when you want a bit of wow-factor. Settle in with one of their banquet menus (with optional wine pairing) or go à la carte and enjoy everything from woodfired bread and zucchini flowers to fresh pasta with ragu and tiramisu.

While there’s no bad time to enjoy Italian food, Capiche is best enjoyed in summer, where a dinner-date is accompanied by a twilight-hued Shelley Beach (preferably with a limoncello in hand). Inspired by seaside Italian living, Capiche is la dolce vita at its finest, right here in the Northern Rivers. You might even spot dolphins and – depending on the time of year – whales while you enjoy your meal.

Perfect for: special occasions and ocean views. Romance 101 - Med vibes and magical views.


POTAGER, CAROOL

Nothing says romantic like venturing through the lush Tweed hinterland and into the picturesque countryside of Carool. Your destination? A gorgeous paddock-to-plate, multi-award-winning restaurant by the name of Potager. Here you’ll find everything is crafted with love – from the seasonal menu to the handcrafted tables you’ll sit at, and the handmade plates created by local potters. There’s a five-course tasting menu offering both an omnivore option, as well as a vegan/vegetarian menu, and many of the fruit, veggies and herbs used in their dishes come straight from their own garden. Oh, and they’re a Hatted restaurant, too.

Potager want you to know one thing – that all their food is served with love, and what more could you want in a date-night destination?

Perfect for: summery vibes/impressing your discerning foodie date.


SEFA KITCHEN, BYRON BAY

Tucked away in Byron Bay's Habitat precinct, Sefa Kitchen brings a vibrant taste of the Middle East to the Northern Rivers. If the name rings a bell, that’s because it’s a beloved Bondi staple, and now its crowd-pleasing cuisine has made its way here. Expect a fusion of smoky flavours and bold spices, with a wood-fire oven and open-flame grill at the centre of the action. But if you're hoping for a formal, buttoned-up dinner, think again. Sefa Kitchen is a full-on sensory experience, where you’re encouraged to dig into share platters and fresh manaqeesh bread with your hands. Add some Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails, and you’re in for an unforgettable night.

Perfect for: something a bit different/hands touching while sharing in the rustic fare.


ISOLA WINE BAR, BALLINA

This little wine bar sits right on the waterfront of the Richmond River; blink, and you might miss it. Isola is intimate (yes, that’s code for tiny), making it perfect for date nights where it’s just you, your loved one, and a delicious glass of wine. Because there’s nothing worse when you’re trying to spark up conversation and can’t hear your date talking, right?

Open Wed-Sun, you can pop in for sundowner, snag a seat at the window and watch the pelicans glide across the water, blissing out in the serenity of it all. Or opt for their wine and food-pairing menu; choose between three- and five-course bites at change with the seasons, paired with carefully chosen wines. Isola also doubles as a wine store, so if you enjoy your tipple, you can also take it home with you.

Perfect for: intimate, cosy dates/getting up close.

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