After the OpenTable top 50 list was revealed, ahead of Valentine’s Day, Glasshouse Restaurant owner Simon Haggarty said: “That’s great, that’s what we’re here for.”

”We didn’t get out there with the purpose to get this particular accolade, but we do actively try to be known as a romantic place to go; somewhere to celebrate,” Mr Haggarty said.

“We’ve had a number of people who’ve been engaged here – we had a proposal last weekend in the middle of the restaurant – and at least one couple we know of have been engaged here and are due to be married here as well, which is pretty cool.”

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Mr Haggarty said the staff “love it” and were always happy to help set the scene.

“As you can imagine, being in hospitality the bulk of our staff are between 22 and 30, so they find it extremely exciting when they're in on it and get to help.”

He said the rural location, outlook, mix of historic and modern architecture, and “attentive and unobtrusive” service were key to the venue’s romantic vibe.

“And the building itself: a lot of focus was put into the acoustics,” he said.

“Particularly at nighttime when it’s dim, you feel like you’re on own; you don’t hear other people’s conversations and they don’t hear yours.”

OpenTable is a leading online restaurant reservations platform.

Spokesman Tim Domelow said the list “demonstrate[s] the rich culinary scene Australia has to offer and is a practical tool for diners looking to choose from a wide selection of high-calibre restaurants when planning the perfect romantic occasion”.