Cheap date ideas in Melbourne
Date ideas with an admission or activity allowance of up to A$50 for two, with the extras made clear.
MELBOURNE, FOR TWO
A little local
direction.
Choose somewhere that fits the time you have, with a sensible next step if the day changes.
Find a date idea ↗Start with the part of town.
Our complete outings currently cover Fed Square, the CBD, Southbank, East Melbourne, the Domain and Parkville. The guides also explore options such as dining and cinema beyond that itinerary collection. Choose an area that is convenient for both of you; a second neighbourhood does not need to be part of the date.
Some routes connect venues on foot. Walking estimates allow a buffer but do not establish step-free access. Pick your walking limit in the date edit, and use the sourced access details for any specific requirement.
Choose the shape of your time.
Non-drinking date ideas in Melbourne
Melbourne outings whose planned activity and alternative do not require drinking alcohol or attending a bar.
Daytime dates in Melbourne
Short Melbourne outings with room to finish after one stop or stay a little longer.
Stay-in date ideas for two
Small evenings at home, with a clear equipment list, original sequence and links to the activity instructions.
Weather, budget or a first meeting?
An indoor stop does not make the journey between stops rainproof. Free entry does not cover transport, a meal or a special exhibition. Our guides help separate those decisions before you book anything.
Explore the Melbourne outings.
Melbourne CBD
Supernormal banquet dinner
Settle in for Supernormal’s Asian-inspired banquet, with prawn-and-chicken dumplings, lamb shoulder, rice and peanut-butter parfait.
See the plan ↗Carlton
Coffee and breakfast rolls at Heartattack and Vine
Meet at Heartattack and Vine in Carlton for specialty coffee and a breakfast roll. The morning menu runs daily from 8am to noon.
See the plan ↗Melbourne CBD
A glass and a shared snack at Embla
Meet at Embla in the CBD for a glass of wine each and a shared snack, such as polenta sourdough with herb butter.
See the plan ↗Brunswick
Live jazz at The Jazzlab
Spend an evening listening to live jazz at The Jazzlab in Brunswick. Choose a dated performance and confirm tickets and start times before heading out.
See the plan ↗Melbourne CBD fringe
A garden date among plant collections
Explore the plant collections at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne at your own pace. If the weather looks unsuitable, choose NGV International’s indoor collection before setting out.
See the plan ↗Federation Square
Screen culture at ACMI
Explore film, television, videogames and interactive displays together at ACMI’s free exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, in Federation Square.
See the plan ↗Carlton
Pizza for two at D.O.C Carlton
Meet for two pizzas at D.O.C on Drummond Street in Carlton. Choose dinner any day or lunch from Thursday to Sunday.
See the plan ↗Melbourne CBD
Pasta dinner at Tipo 00
Head to Tipo 00 for a pasta-focused Italian dinner in the CBD, with pumpkin tortelli, celeriac paccheri and chocolate-and-coffee Tipomisù among the choices.
See the plan ↗Melbourne CBD
A coffee-only date at Patricia
Meet for a short weekday coffee at Patricia Coffee Brewers in the CBD. It’s standing-room-only, so choose a seated alternative if either of you needs a chair.
See the plan ↗Melbourne CBD
Cocktails above the city at Lui Bar
Have a cocktail each at Lui Bar on Level 55 of the Rialto, with Melbourne’s skyline as the backdrop. Book ahead; window seats aren’t guaranteed.
See the plan ↗Melbourne CBD
Stand-up at Comedy Republic
Catch several comedians on one Main Stage bill at Comedy Republic in the CBD. Choose a performance and book ahead; the adults-only theatre is stairs-only.
See the plan ↗St Kilda
A daylight wander on St Kilda Pier
Take a free daylight walk along St Kilda Pier for views across Port Phillip towards Melbourne’s skyline. Check access alerts first; penguin viewing isn’t included.
See the plan ↗Melbourne
An afternoon of art at NGV International
Spend an afternoon browsing NGV International’s free art and design collection, following whatever catches your attention.
See the plan ↗Flemington
Laksa for two in Flemington
Meet for a bowl of laksa each at Laksa King Flemington—a simple lunch for a first or early date when you’d prefer a shorter catch-up.
See the plan ↗Richmond
Pub dinner at Union House
Meet for dinner at Union House in Richmond, choosing from pub mains such as burgers, chicken schnitzel, barramundi and sirloin.
See the plan ↗North Melbourne
Breakfast at Auction Rooms
Meet for breakfast or brunch and coffee at Auction Rooms, a heritage-listed café on Errol Street in North Melbourne. Tables for two are walk-in only.
See the plan ↗Fitzroy
A glass and a shared plate at Marion
Share a plate over a glass each at Marion on Gertrude Street. This Fitzroy wine bar also lists alcohol-free alternatives.
See the plan ↗Carlton
An independent film at Cinema Nova
Pick a film you both want to see at Cinema Nova on Lygon Street in Carlton, then book a session from the current programme.
See the plan ↗Studley Park picnic area
A riverside picnic at Studley Park
Bring a vegetarian picnic and alcohol-free drinks for a daylight lunch beside the Yarra at Studley Park’s picnic ground in Yarra Bend Park.
See the plan ↗Melbourne CBD
A date among the pages
Browse World of the Book at State Library Victoria, exploring book design, production and illustration through more than 300 collection items.
See the plan ↗Brunswick
Falafel and seasonal salads in Brunswick
Meet at Very Good Falafel on Sydney Road for falafel pitas and a shared vegan salad, with warm bread, pickles and seasonal vegetables.
See the plan ↗North Melbourne
Vegetarian Moroccan dinner in North Melbourne
Share an evening over wholly vegetarian Moroccan food at Moroccan Soup Bar’s North Melbourne home, where the food is made in-house from scratch.
See the plan ↗Footscray
Brunch at West 48
Meet for breakfast and coffee at West 48 in Footscray, with its industrial-style interior and bustling atmosphere. Confirm opening hours and breakfast service for your chosen day.
See the plan ↗Footscray
Western-themed drinks in Footscray
Meet for a beer, cocktail or alcohol-free drink at Moon Dog Wild West in Footscray, where the western theme gives a casual drinks date its character.
See the plan ↗Melbourne CBD
A little history at Old Treasury
Explore Melbourne history together at the Old Treasury Building, a small, free museum on Spring Street.
See the plan ↗Melbourne CBD
Thai noodles at Dodee Paidang Little Collins
Settle on a casual Thai lunch or dinner at Dodee Paidang’s Little Collins basement restaurant, with tom yum noodles, curries and sharing dishes to choose from.
See the plan ↗St Kilda
A seaside seafood dinner at Stokehouse
Book a seaside dinner at Stokehouse in St Kilda, with à la carte seafood and water views. A higher-budget choice for an evening worth making an occasion of.
See the plan ↗