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

Garden State Hotel is getting in the Valentine's Day mood in the lead-up to the day, by opening a pop-up florist in the middle of the multi-level bar, restaurant and pub. That way, if you forget to buy your significant other a lovely bunch of flowers, you can grab one while you down a pint at the bar. 

The florist will be open from Monday February 12 until (an including) Valentine's Day. 

Take the special dumpling in your life out to dumplings this Valentine's Day. At Oriental Teahouse's South Yarra and Melbourne CBD restaurants this February 14 they're hosting Dumplings for Dating where couples eat dumplings while playing a board game where they'll have to answer questions about themselves. Being Valentine's Day you can expect the Teahouse's chocolate Wonka dumpling to make the menu. 

Next to the French no one knows how to do romance quite like the Italians. Romance your paramour Italian style with a three course Valentine's Day dinner at Mr Ottorino. Start with a white peach Bellini and baked figs before tasting the seductively named 'devil's chicken'. There's two sittings and the tables will be tucked away in intimate nooks. $90 per person. 

Luna Park's Luna Love event returns on Valentine's Day with unlimited rides and plenty of fairy floss to sweeten the deal on date night. From 6-11pm on Wednesday February 14, Luna Park will host couples as they watch the sun go down on St Kilda Beach from the Ferris Wheel, or as they take a thrilling ride on the Great Scenic Railway. Tickets $75 per couple. 

Treat your special someone (or yourself) to gelato cake on Valentine's Day. The Valentina single serve cake from Piccolina Gelateria features raspberry swirl gelato with fresh raspberries and a layer of chocolate brownie all topped with white chocolate and freeze dried raspberries. Pick one up from Piccolina's Hawthorn or Collingwood store. 

Nothing says "Aussie romance" quite like a round of pub trivia. The Grosvenor Hotel is running a special loved-up trivia night on Valentine's Day and it's free to enter. Try the Friend With Benefits cocktail while you're there (there's also a mocktail if you're on driver duty). 

Celebrate the one you love by stuffing yourselves full of food. The southside venue with a view – the Point – are hosting a romantic Valentine's Day degustation. Your ticket to romance includes a glass of Piper-Heidsieck on arrival and four or six courses including delicacies like lobster mousseline, stuffed lamb backstrap and black garlic gnocchi. Four courses are $150 and six courses $195. 

For the significant other who is particularly significant, there's a Cupid's delight flight on the Melbourne Star. This luxurious Valentine's package includes a private one hour flight (greeted on arrival by a giant Valentine's Day Melbie bear), a private host and bottle of sparkling, sweet canapés, a bouquet of roses, a souvenir photo book, a caricature of the happy couple and a musician to serenade you with sweet nothings. Prove your love for just $1755.

For last minute Valentine's feed book yourself into the Middle Park Hotel on February 14. Their four course dinner has everything you need: canapés, sparkling wine, dinner and a chocolatey desert. May your love shine as bright as the hotel's dazzlingly white façade. Dinner is $75 per person. 

If you're trying to impress your Tinder date but don't want to invest too much money then O'Connell's has your back. Their V-Day three course dinner for $65 includes a glass of Chandonplus options like dry aged rump cap, lobster ravioli and a strawberries and Champagne dessert. 

Unless you have the metabolism of a nine-year-old, and the finances of a Kardashian, you never stand a chance against Melbourne's ferocious dining machine. The openings just don't stop and ain't nobody got time to keep on top of what's what. Except us, that is. So behold, our eat-and-destroy list – a guide to Melbourne's 50 best restaurants.