The best things to do on Valentine's Day in Melbourne

Melbourne's hottest new diner from restauranteur Scott Pickett is doing a special Valentine's Day menu for the big day. For $150 per person, you'll get hor d'ouvres to share, tomato consommé, your choice of beef bourguignon or John Dory, sides and a white chocolate mousse. Book in a spot via the website. 

Healesville's Innocent Bystander has launched gourmet picnic packs for Valentine's Day. They include a selection of cheeses, cured meats, veggies, a baguette as well as chocolates and truffles for dessert. Naturally, you can pair it with a bottle of Innocent Bystander Moscato or rosé. It's available from February 11 to 14 and costs $110. Book yours online. 

Settle in down on the Mornington Peninsula with a four-course lunch or dinner at Pt Leo Restaurant for $115 per person, or a delightful eight-course degustation lunch at Laura for $195 per person. Then, naturally, you can explore the beautiful sculpture park with your loved one. Bookings can be done here. 

The team at Beast CBD (who also own the B.East in Brunswick East) want to give you or your loved one a free bouquet made of wings this Valentine's Day. The venue will be handing out free chicken wing bouquets from the Swanson Street venue on Saturday February 13 and Sunday February 14 from 2pm. Don't want to miss out? You can also pre-order one for pickup or delivery – and yes, there is a plant-based option too. Give the venue a call on 0410 428 075 on Friday to order one.

Dripping in old-world charm and the glamour of a bygone era, this grand dame is really something special. Lovers can sign up for the Valentine's Day Package ($699) guests will receive a complimentary upgrade to a Deluxe Room, valet parking, a bottle of Champagne, a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses, a Windsor teddy bear, private in-room breakfast and late checkout. There's also a Valentine's day version of the high tea to try on February 13 and 14. Find out more here. 

Collins Coffee House is currently offering high tea in a box for those in Melbourne who have a hankering for scones, mini quiches and popping their pinkies out while sipping at home. The box comes with all the right fixings including savoury treats like roasted butternut pumpkin and sage tarts, caramelised onion and Yarra Valley Persian feta quiches, egg and mayo mini rolls, cucumber ribbon sandwiches and chicken Waldorf ribbon sandwiches. Order yours here. 

The Village Belle Hotel will be putting on a special edition of the venue's bottomless brunch for V Day (but hey, you don't have to be loved up to enjoy this one). Guests will receive a cocktail on arrival and then be treated to bottomless spritzes, sparkling wine, cider and tap beer, as well as food from the brunch grazing table. It's $80 per person and you need to book in advance. Book your tickets here. 

Mod-Chinese diner Lee Ho Fook is doing a special Valentine's Day menu for lunch and dinner on the 14th. Guests will receive a white peach Bellini on arrival then be treated to Drunken Goolwa pippies, Shandong chicken crackling, Tasmanian ocean trout, Skull Island tiger prawn noodles, a dry-aged duck breast and even a dark chocolate pavé for dessert. The menu costs $160 per person and there's also a wine pairing available. Book in a spot here. 

Thomastown's That's Amore Cheese has released two limited-edition hampers (priced at $50 and $90) that feature a selection of the fromagerie's best cheeses and other bits and bobs like honey, chocolate and flower bouquets. Check them out here.

This Valentine's Day lovers can enjoy the Cupid's Delight Flight aboard the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. The package includes two rotations in a private cabin, a bottle of Champagne and a picnic hamper from Melbourne caterer Peter Rowland. The price is $725 for two people and you can book here. 

Forget the bros and hang out with the gals for Valentine's Day this year. The National Hotel is hosting a bottomless brunch which includes two hours of unlimited cocktails (including Mimosas, Bloody Mary's and sparkling wine) as well as your choice of two entrees or a main from the menu. There's also a special complimentary Galentine's Day dessert. It's $59 per person and bookings are required. Book your spot here. 

Hotel Chadstone is a five-star, $130 million development operated under the MGallery by Sofitel brand. Located within the Chadstone complex, there are 250 rooms, including 21 suites and two flash-as-hell penthouses. Naturally, it's a wonderful place to spend a romantic Valentine's Day. The hotel will be offering a package that includes an overnight stay in one of the Deluxe Suites, breakfast for two, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a box of Koko Black choccies and complimentary parking. Prices start at $454 and you can find out more here.  

Artisan chocolatier Koko Black is doing several cute Valentine's Day chocolate packs that you can pick up for your loved one. Prices start at just $24.90 and you can handpick flavours especially for your Valentine. Check it out here.

Gelato Messina has created a beautiful rose-inspired tart for Val's day this year. This tart is filled with layers of basque cheese flavoured gelato and chocolate dulce de leche all tucked into a chocolate coffee tart shell. It's then topped with piped burnt vanilla Chantilly petals. It can be ordered online from Monday, February 1 for pick up on February 12, 13 and 14. 

There's a reason flowers and desserts are the go-to options for communicating love. This Valentine's Day, there's no need to choose between the two, with Black Star Pastry bringing back its famous rose-infused strawberry-watermelon cake in a picture-perfect heart shape in time for this year's love-fest. To order and to pre-order, head to the website.