Best Date Night Restaurants in Sandringham Melbourne 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | Felix’s |
| Zero-cost winner | The Half Store |
| Kid-approved | Works |
| Under the radar | The Tall Place |
| Wet day saviour | Local |
We’ve tested every best date night restaurants option in Sandringham to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. High Social is the one everyone knows. Marco is the sleeper. Prices are fair — coffee at $4.50-5.50, dinner at $28-45. Bay Trail passes through. Sandringham sits in the Bayside corridor, 16km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best date night restaurants scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Sandringham since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Cleo Depot — 50 Queen Street, Sandringham VIC 3200
What it is: (date night restaurants) A quiet achiever Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Cleo Depot has been operating in Sandringham for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($12) 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 35 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The daily soup ($14) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
2. Rosa’s — 180 High Grove, Sandringham VIC 3200
What it is: (date night restaurants) A quiet achiever Cost: $14-22 per person Best for: the whole crew
Rosa’s has been operating in Sandringham for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The space seats about 38 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on King Parade is usually fine.
Try this: The fish special ($19) — the best version in Sandringham Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.
3. Ash Corner — 263 High Grove, Sandringham VIC 3200
What it is: (date night restaurants) A quiet achiever Cost: $9-15 per person Best for: remote workers
Ash Corner has been operating in Sandringham for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($11) 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 room holds 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Go for: The daily soup ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.
4. Ava’s — 360 High Grove, Sandringham VIC 3200
What it is: (date night restaurants) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $22-32 per person Best for: dates
Ava’s has been operating in Sandringham for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Don’t miss: The charcuterie board ($25) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.
What Sandringham Actually Is
Bay Trail passes through. Sandringham Beach and yacht club. Sandringham village has independent shops and cafes. The best date night restaurants options here reflect Sandringham’s character. If you’re living in or near Sandringham, 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. Rex’s — 113 King Parade, Sandringham VIC 3200
What it is: (date night restaurants) No-frills excellence Cost: $20-34 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Rex’s has been operating in Sandringham for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($23) 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.
Capacity is around 51 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Worth knowing: The daily soup ($23) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
6. Otto — 2 East Grove, Sandringham VIC 3200
What it is: (date night restaurants) The one regulars swear by Cost: $11-24 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
Otto has been operating in Sandringham for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($13) 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 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Ask for: The mushroom pasta ($17) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
7. Cleo — 57 Queen Street, Sandringham VIC 3200
What it is: (date night restaurants) Worth the detour Cost: $15-20 per person Best for: remote workers
Cleo has been operating in Sandringham for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($15) 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 46 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Book ahead for: The pumpkin risotto ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
8. Rex’s — 315 East Grove, Sandringham VIC 3200
What it is: (date night restaurants) A local institution Cost: $22-37 per person Best for: remote workers
Rex’s has been operating in Sandringham for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($26) 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.
Capacity is around 40 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 ($24) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
9. Ava Works — 171 Queen Street, Sandringham VIC 3200
What it is: (date night restaurants) Worth the detour Cost: $9-14 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
Ava Works has been operating in Sandringham for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($12) 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 32 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Come back for: The charcuterie board ($15) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on King Street after 6pm.
Explore More
- Bonbeach Best Date Night Restaurants — same vibe, different suburb
- Sandringham Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Sandringham Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Sandringham Complete Guide — everything about Sandringham
- Compare Suburbs — see how Sandringham stacks up
- All Sandringham Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best date night restaurants options in Sandringham?
Felix’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Sandringham good for best date night restaurants?
Yes. Sandringham has 9+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.
What is Sandringham known for?
Bay Trail passes through.
How far is Sandringham from Melbourne CBD?
Sandringham is 16km, 30min train, 22min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Sandringham 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

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