At Gourmet Traveller, we know the best way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. With Valentine’s Day coming up on Saturday 14 February 2026, it’s time to plan the menu for your loved one — so we’ve done the hard part, and gathered our most impressive (but still achievable) recipes to set their heart aflutter.
From oyster dressings to set the mood through to lots of saucy pasta, show-stopping lobster, beautiful seasonal figs and melty cheese dishes, these are our best Valentine’s Day recipes.
- Valentine’s Day snack and entrée recipes
- Valentine’s Day dinner recipes
- Valentine’s Day dessert recipes
Valentine’s Day snack and entrée recipes
Oysters with pomegranate dressing
An oyster combination that tastes as good as it looks.
Salt and vinegar 15 hour potato bites
These trendy taters are best started a day in advance, but the crispy deliciousness as a result is well worth the wait.
Three-cheese fondue with chorizo oil and crudités
If you can’t get enough cheese, then this is the dish for you.
Scallops with Champagne and pea sauce
Sweet Australian scallops pair perfectly with this vibrant Champagne and pea sauce, topped with nuggets of chorizo and texture.
Woodcut’s crusted giant green olives with ’nduja
This starter is set to wow a crowd.
Twice-baked goat’s cheese soufflé with Manchego and chive
A cheesy riff on a French classic.
Lobster mousse
Was the ’60s the high-watermark of the savoury mousse? We’ve taken inspiration from parties of the past for our lobster mousse, served with golden oily Melba toast for dipping.
Fig leaf-baked brie with pickled figs and fennel seed fougasse
There’s nothing much better than oozey, gooey brie, fresh-baked fougasse and a pickled fig or two.
Raes on Wategos’ oysters with lemon-aspen vinegar, anise-myrtle oil and finger lime
For oysters with personality.
Blistered shishito with queso fundido (Mexican cheese dip)
This Mexican cheese dip is the ultimate party starter.
Valentine’s Day dinner recipes
France-Soir’s Onglet À l’échalote: Hanger steak with eschallots
A classic French main rooted in tradition, bringing the charm of Parisian dining to your table.
Fig, pomegranate and burrata with Sherry vinaigrette
Sherry vinegar adds brightness and depth to the winning combination of figs, pomegranate and burrata.
Grilled lobster with beurre blanc and chives
Lobster is the ultimate show-stopping centrepiece, always.
Spaghetti alla carbonara
Traditional Italian spaghetti carbonara recipe is made with pasta, eggs, cheese and salty guanciale.
Sean Moran’s famous roast chicken with bread sauce
Leave your other roast chicken recipes at the door. This is the best recipe for the perfect roast chook.
Tachin with caramelised onion, pomegranate and pistachios
Pomegranate makes for a vibrant addition to this Tachin.
Swordfish and chorizo skewers with macadamia romesco
Grilled fish with romesco is a classic tapas.
Roast onion tarte Tatin with apple and Comté salad
A quick and easy tart recipe for an impressive vegetarian lunch.
Ouzo, saffron and garlic mussels
Garlic and saffron are the spice stars in this summer seafood dish.
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Proscuitto-wrapped chicken with fig and goat’s cheese stuffing
Chicken involtini gets an upgrade in this impressive chicken dish.
Spaghetti with clams and butter
The spaghetti alle vongole con burro from London’s River Café doesn’t skimp on indulgence.
Sean Moran’s pork belly roasted with fennel, radicchio and figs
A pork roast enhanced with sweet, salty and sharp flavours.
Marameo’s squid-ink spaghetti with crab, chilli and tomato
The type of pasta dish we’d happily eat year-round.
Shawarma-spiced roasted lamb rack
Lamb doesn’t have to be a long drawn out cook. These roasted lamb racks are ready for the plate within 30 minutes, salad and all.
Thai-style barbecued lobster with lemongrass, makrut lime and palm sugar
A vibrant take on a classic seafood Christmas dish.
Pumpkin ravioli with sage brown butter
A combination that’s a classic for good reason.
