Ten last-minute budget-friendly Valentine’s Day date ideas (2024)

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A revolving restaurant and two dozen roses. Strawberries dipped in chocolate so they look like they’re wearing a big ol’ pair of bloomers. There are more ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day than there are recipes for heart-shaped cookies. You do you, of course, there’s no right or wrong way to celebrate.

But I will say, Valentine’s Day is a terrific reason to make an excellent martini. Buy a vermouth with some floral spark, track down your favourite gin. Pick up a fresh jar of olives if the ones in the fridge were opened when Daryl Somers was still on TV. You might even go full silver drinks service and make a choose-your-own-martini tray with co*cktail onions, lemon twists, extra brine and orange bitters.—Callan Boys

That’s just one idea from the Good Food team. Here are many more.

Leave it to chance

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On a sheet of paper write down 10 budget-friendly restaurants you’ve always wanted to try. Throw in a couple of wild cards − restaurants with dishes you’re unfamiliar with (sea snails at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant, for example). Then cut up the restaurant names and put them into a jar for your loved one(s) to select at random, setting you on a culinary adventure.

Need suggestions? In Sydney, I’d include Xi Xiang Feng in Beverly Hills (call ahead for fried pigeon), Peppina’s pizzeria in Roselands (with Duo Duo ice-cream next door), and Mami’s in Bondi (BYO fave bottle of wine).

In Melbourne there’s Raju Omelet Centre in Hawthorn for omelettes jazzed up with Indian masalas and more, or Sichuan Legacy in Malvern – a destination for spice-lovers.—Bianca Hrovat

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Progressive dinner

Head to your local Chinatown for a DIY food tour, selecting different stops for each course. Begin with grab-and-go snacks, to eat as you explore the surrounding streets. I’d recommend cooked-to-order skewers from somewhere like Wonder Skewers in Burwood Chinatown in Sydney, or Kwafood Fried Chuan on Swanston Street in Melbourne.

For mains, try something new to you: a robot waiter, a hot pot buffet, or chewy hand-pulled noodles, perhaps.

For dessert, I’m partial to taiyaki (creamy fish-shaped custard puffs from Chu Mi Royal Cake in Burwood, Sydney). In Melbourne, reporter Emma Breheny recommends ordering bingsu (a Korean-inspired shaved ice treat), from somewhere like Scoopy on LaTrobe Street.—BH

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For active couples

It is possible to combine your love of food, exercise and each other. You could take inspiration from the Croissant Run Clubs booming in Sydney and Melbourne and rise early for a croissant run together, planning a manageable route to a bakery you’ve not yet tried (pre-planning a romantic running playlist and picking up some fresh flowers on the journey home, of course).

Alternatively, hire a couple of kayaks for a sunset paddle and a cheeky glass of delicious wine (I’d pick something light and bubbly for this, like an Aussie-made pet-nat), or pick up some bougie sandwiches to eat on a hike somewhere beautiful.—BH

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Hold a wine club

Imagine a book club, but you’ve swapped novels for wines. That’s wine club: a simple, fun way to get together with your friends on Valentine’s Day. Gather a small group of friends in your home, order your takeaway of choice, and ensure everyone has brought a bottle of wine.

A theme works well − maybe the wine must be a rosé (pink, for Valentine’s Day), or come from a female winemaker. Or maybe it’s just a wine you’ve fallen in love with. Whatever the case, you curate an at-home wine-tasting experience, with slightly more generous pours and probably less knowledge imparted. Make sure everyone has a chance to discuss the wine, saying what they smell and taste.—BH

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Go outdoors

There’s still enough daylight after work to head to a beautiful outdoor spot and have a kick-arse picnic with your main squeeze, be it bestie or lover. My partner Steve and I will pack our portable charcoal barbie along with beef bulgogi (Korean barbecued beef) to cook, lettuce to wrap the charred protein, spicy condiments and an array of simple sides like a bashed cucumber salad.

To drink? Perhaps Brash Higgins′ ZBO Zibibbo. Even if you can only muster sausages, you can make V-Day exceptional (and keep it inexpensive) by adding a personalised playlist or getting an interesting sauce to jazz up dinner. That Hot Sauce Shop has a large selection.—Sarah Norris

• Recipe: Sticky Korean chicken wings with kimchi-pickled cucumbers

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F&C for the win

Too many restaurants jack up their prices on Valentine’s Day, and the dining rooms are filled with couples (and staff) who look like they would rather be at the pub.

Bollocks to that. For the past five years, my wife and I have found it’s better value, and way more delicious, to spend February 14 on the couch with the food (and the person) you love. Weather permitting, we might even make tracks for the beach, but fish and chips are always involved, plus a damn good bottle of chardonnay bought with the money saved by saying no to expensive set menus.

If potato scallops be the food of love, pair them with True Detective and premier cru Chablis.—CB

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Takeaway but make it fancy

I love that Valentine’s Day has veered strongly away from its Hallmark card and long-stemmed red rose past into something much more fun. Like Palentine’s Day.

How’s this for a cute idea? Set a gorgeous table at home: linen napkins, tablecloth, native flowers, the whole shebang. Meet a group of mates at a nearby “eat street”. Get everyone to choose a takeaway dish from a different restaurant. Head home and eat them together as the wine flows freely. Vote on who picked the best dish.—Ardyn Bernoth

Fun for the whole fam

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For a fun V-Day treat for the whole family, banoffee pie is a hit. Either make it from scratch by filling a buttery biscuit base with caramel, sliced banana, hand-whipped cream and shaved chocolate (the Cooking Collective’s version is a cracker), or save yourself a few hours by spooning dulce de leche straight from the jar. Need something even speedier? Sub in some mini tart shells and whipped cream in a can from the supermarket and assemble the lot in minutes. If the kids aren’t fans of caramel, you can always swap it for a squiggle or two of Nutella. —Megan Johnston

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• Good Food recommends
• Cheap eats
• Valentine's Day
• Date night