No one needs an excuse to go out for dinner and drinks, but, as it’s nice to invest in trying new things, tantalising your tastebuds provides the perfect one. Australia’s cities offer a multitude of dining experiences, from quirky interiors to innovative menus by internationally acclaimed chefs.

Australia’s cities offer a multitude of dining experiences
1. Titanic Theatre Restaurant, Melbourne
All aboard the Titanic Theatre Restaurant, for an onshore experience of the high seas. Here, you can choose to dine first class in the Grand Dining Room, or live it up in Lower Deck Steerage. On your ‘voyage’ through the disastrous story of the Titanic, you’ll enjoy a three-course, set menu. To quote the company, “contrary to belief, you will not drown or get wet, unless you spill a drink”.

© Billy Kwong
2. Billy Kwong, Sydney
Kylie Kwong’s passion for sustainable food and ethical eating is at the heart of celebrated Pott’s Point restaurant, Billy Kwong. The author, TV presenter and chef has owned the establishment since 2000, which now opens its doors to the community in the style of a Chinese eating house. The flavours, however, aren’t your typical Chinses fare. Try Crispy Salt Bush Cakes, Red-braised Caramelised Wallaby Tail and Sichuan Duck.

© Bombay Bicycle Club
3. The Bombay Bicycle Club, Adelaide
Bicycles hanging from the ceiling, a $7.00 curry menu and elaborate, Indian inspired décor makes the Bombay Bicycle Club a favourite, in Adelaide. Two dining areas, Kipling’s Restaurant and the Rajabar, plus the Brazilian and Churrasco Grill in the beer garden means a wealth of experience awaits, in one quirky venue. Treat your tastebuds to everything from Royal Butter Chicken to Vegan Chickpea Curry and a strawberry-filled Eton Mess for dessert.

Greenhouse Perth
Fancy dining in a cube-shaped, eco-friendly restaurant with ivy and terracotta pots for walls?
4. Greenhouse Perth
Fancy dining in a cube-shaped, eco-friendly restaurant with ivy and terracotta pots for walls? Striking and innovative, Greenhouse St. Georges Terrace is all about sustainability and much of the fresh produce comes from the roof-top garden. Buzz words for the menu are ‘tasty’ and ‘honest’, with a morning goodness breakfast selection, lunch and dinner options like white cut chicken with Chinese cabbage, sesame, sweet soy and Szechuan.
5. Absinthesalon, Sydney
Time for a nightcap? If you’ve always wanted to step back in Parisian time to Montmartre and bohemian-era decadence, Absinthesalon is for you. The Surry Hills establishment is all lush, dark décor with gold accents, perfect for an authentic absinthe ritual to follow in the footsteps of artists, writers and poets of the past. Other than a selection of the finest French and Swiss versions of ‘The Green Muse’, what else is on the menu? Brieoche and chocolates, of course.

The Author
Nicole Leigh West
Nicole Leigh West is the author of fiction novel, 'The Gypsy Trail' and an internationally recognised travel and lifestyle writer.