Best Date Night Restaurants in Bayswater Melbourne 2026

We’ve tested every best date night restaurants option in Bayswater to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Remy is the one everyone knows. Old Kitchen is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Sits along Mountain Highway with emerging cafe scene. Bayswater sits in the Outer East corridor, 24-35km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best date night restaurants scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Bayswater since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Felix’s — 374 Park Lane, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (date night restaurants) Worth the detour Cost: $22-28 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Felix’s has been operating in Bayswater for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($25) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 39 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Lake Avenue is usually fine.

Order this: The sourdough bread ($25) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

2. Ivy’s — 302 Lake Avenue, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (date night restaurants) The one regulars swear by Cost: $20-31 per person Best for: dates

Ivy’s has been operating in Bayswater for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($21) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The pumpkin risotto ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

3. Ivy — 133 Lake Avenue, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (date night restaurants) A solid local spot Cost: $17-30 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Ivy has been operating in Bayswater for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($21) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 42 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Lake Avenue is usually fine.

Go for: The fish special ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

4. Sunny Press — 4 Park Lane, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (date night restaurants) No-frills excellence Cost: $19-28 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Sunny Press has been operating in Bayswater for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($19) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 57 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The seasonal special ($24) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

The Bayswater That Locals Know

Sits along Mountain Highway with emerging cafe scene. Industrial precinct provides local employment. The best date night restaurants options here reflect Bayswater’s character. For Bayswater locals and anyone in the area, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

5. River — 352 Young Street, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (date night restaurants) Worth the detour Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

River has been operating in Bayswater for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($24) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 34 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The house-made relish ($23) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

6. Marco’s — 366 Young Street, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (date night restaurants) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $14-22 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

Marco’s has been operating in Bayswater for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($17) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 62 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The mushroom pasta ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

7. Rex — 168 Bay Street, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (date night restaurants) The one regulars swear by Cost: $11-16 per person Best for: remote workers

Rex has been operating in Bayswater for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($14) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 61 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The pumpkin risotto ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

8. Theo’s — 347 Swan Road, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (date night restaurants) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $11-23 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Theo’s has been operating in Bayswater for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($15) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 62 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The fish special ($16) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Bayswater roaster — ask which one.

Explore More

• Chirnside Park Best Date Night Restaurants — same vibe, different suburb
• Bayswater Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Bayswater Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Bayswater Complete Guide — everything about Bayswater
• Compare Suburbs — see how Bayswater stacks up
• All Bayswater Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best date night restaurants options in Bayswater?

River Post is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Bayswater good for best date night restaurants?

Yes. Bayswater has 8+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Bayswater known for?

Sits along Mountain Highway with emerging cafe scene.

How far is Bayswater from Melbourne CBD?

Bayswater is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Bayswater is the kind of suburb you move to for practical reasons and stay for the character. Give it six months. You’ll stop driving to the inner city for everything.

Last updated: March 2026