Romance Without the Rushing: Valentine’s Day at The Star Sydney for Parents

Valentine’s Day, when you’re a parent, usually comes down to two questions: who’s watching the kids and is it worth leaving the house for. This year, The Star Sydney is quietly making a strong case for the latter, with three dining experiences that feel genuinely considered, not just slapped with a heart-shaped garnish and a prix fixe label.

At Sokyo, romance leans elegant and restrained. Love in Bloom is a 5–6 course tasting designed for couples who want intimacy without fuss. Executive Chef Daniel Kwak’s menu is thoughtful and refined, with unagi tempura and Sokyo’s signature sauce acting as a quiet showstopper rather than a headline act. It’s the kind of dinner where conversation flows, phones stay face-down and you remember why you used to enjoy eating slowly.

If your idea of romance involves a little more indulgence and a lot more flavour, Black Bar & Grill delivers with Flame & Elegance. Executive Chef Insup Kim’s four-course menu leans confidently into rich, celebratory dining, with favourites like the Berkshire pork donut and Wagyu flank finished with café de paris butter. It’s bold, satisfying and ideal for couples who want Valentine’s Day to feel like a proper occasion, not just a dinner reservation squeezed in between bedtime routines.

For those wanting something a little more relaxed, Cucina Porto takes a share-style approach that feels easy and sociable. Love in Every Bubble is less about ceremony and more about connection, starting with Pacific oysters (with a Ferrari D.O.C. option if you’re leaning into the celebration), moving through shared antipasti and mains, and finishing on a chocolate and passionfruit tart that’s designed to be split. It’s warm, unfussy and perfect for couples who just want good food, good wine and a night that doesn’t feel overproduced.

Whether you’re dressing up properly or just enjoying the novelty of eating without interruption, these Valentine’s offerings feel tuned to parents who want their night out to actually be worth the logistics it takes to make it happen.