Our perfect Valentine’s Day recipe – pick up a gift and card, enjoy a fabulous lunch, have a walk along the beach, enjoy an afternoon treat and caffeine fix, watch a classic love story at the cinemas and then find a restaurant for a romantic dinner.

And even better, everything but the beach can all be done in Byron Bay’s own Mercato on Byron – for the beach you need to step outside, walk a few hundred metres down the street and cross the road.

 The shopping and dining precinct that is Mercato on Byron, includes speciality shops Bed Bath and Table, Byron Photo Magic and crystal collection and shop The Cosmic Collection which offer a great range of Valentine’s Day presents.

Taking in some movie romance

Palace Cinemas will host one screening of what is famously one of the saddest, most romantic movies of all time – in short, one of the greatest ‘chick flicks’ ever made – Romeo and Juliet.

A glass of prosecco is included in the price of $18 for Palace Movie Club members or $24 for general admission. The screening starts at 6.30pm and reserved ticketing is advised.

The 1996 Baz Luhrmann adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, featuring a very youthful Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, won a swathe of awards including BAFTA Awards for best film soundtrack, best direction, best adapted screenplay and best costume production.

A visually stunning experience, Romeo and Juliet recreates the story of the star-crossed lovers, caught in a family feud in a post-modern Verona Beach. All original dialogue is used but filmed in a way as to be largely self-explanatory so no struggling with understanding ye olde English.

A romantic meal for two or a nightcap perhaps?

Whether it’s lunch or dinner, Mercato on Byron has an impressive range of dining venues to choose from, including casual and cafe dining to high end a la carte restaurants.

You may opt for a light lunch from Bay Sushi, a fresh juice from Raw Espresso Bar or a weekend brunch at El Camino Cantina.

Dinner options could be a steak at beef+beach, fine dining at The Italian Byron Bay or even a cheeky late-night kebab from Otto Kebabs.

Mercato on Byron is located at 108 Jonson St, Byron Bay and has plenty of underground car parking with the first three hours free.