Looking for a romantic spot to celebrate Valentine’s? These are our favourite restaurants in London
Ah, Valentine’s Day. Love it or hate it, there is no escaping it. Whether you’re planning ‘galentines’ celebration with your girlfriends or booking a romantic, intimate dinner for two – nothing quite says ‘Valentine's Day’ like splurging on a set menu (you probably can’t afford) at your favourite restaurant.
The only problem? The best places tend to get booked up fast. And no one wants to be left with the 5:45pm table. So if you’ve forgotten to book your favourite Valentine’s Day restaurant, and you want to treat your other half, don’t despair – these are the best places to book for an unforgettable evening in London...
The most romantic restaurants in London to celebrate Valentine’s Day
Clos Maggiore
Clos Maggiore is frequently at the top of every single ‘most romantic restaurant in London’ list, and it’s easy to see why. Set in the heart of Covent Garden, it’s the type of place made for exchanging wistful glances under a canopy of white blossom and fairy lights.
If you aren’t deterred by cliches, the French menu features fresh, seasonal produce – and on Valentine’s Day itself, has a five-course set menu (£160). And if you want to shake things up? Rather than booking a romantic supper, do lunch instead (and for a fraction of the price, at £50pp).
33 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2 closmaggiore.com
Spring at Somerset House
Led by Australian-born chef Skye Gyngell, formerly head chef at the Michelin-starred Petersham Nurseries, Spring is set within the iconic Grade II-listed Somerset House, and it’s quite the vibe. Elegant, airy, and lots of marble – for Valentine’s Spring will be serving their usual a la carte menu alongside Oysters Rockefeller, a Baked Alaska to share between two and Rhubarb Bellinis. (Nothing quite says V-Day like bellinis!)
The salon (private dining room) will be open to the public for bookings, as well as the main restaurant.
Somerset House, Lancaster Place, London WC2 springrestaurant.co.uk
Madera
For those looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a view, Madera has a special menu available from the 10th-17th of February in celebration of Valentine’s Day (alongside their usual main menu).
From the Catch Of the Day ‘A La Talla’ fish cooked over the josper, served with grilled red onion and seasonal leaves to a ‘Strawberry Kisses’ dessert – a strawberry and pistachio delice with lemon cream with tarragon and kumquat ice cream. The best part? You can dress up or dress down – either heels or trainers work.
14-15 Langham PlaceLondon W1B 2QS treehousehotels.com
The Mitre
When it comes to romantic London restaurants, few places can rival the riverside brasserie at The Mitre. Situated opposite the regal Hampton Court Palace, the 1665 Brasserie offers an intimate and timeless setting perfect for any date. Think: hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper, antiques and a relaxed, buzzy vibe.
This Valentine’s they’re offering a special five-course menu (£65pp, vegetarian menu £50pp) – with a sea bass main and pineapple tarte tatin to share for dessert. What could be lovelier?
Hampton Court Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9BN mitrehamptoncourt.com
Petersham Nurseries Restaurant
If dining in an impressive greenhouse filled with charmingly mismatching vintage chairs and tables is more your thing, then head west to Richmond and bag yourself a table at the beautiful Petersham Nurseries.
Their Valentine’s Menu is priced at £120 and is filled with simple, seasonal, classic dishes with a twist. Oh, and it’s Green Michelin Star approved.
Church Lane, Off Petersham Rd, Richmond, TW10 7AB petershamnurseries.com
Fallow
Open kitchen? Check. Seaweed hanging from the ceiling? Check. Bold dishes? Check. For those of you yet to venture into Fallow and try the nose-to-tail and root-to-stem ethos chefs Will Murray and Jack Croft are known for, you need to.
Perfect for those working in central and looking for a post-work date night – we’ll dive straight in and say the smoked cod’s head, with sriracha butter is the must-order item on the menu – or even a pre-work Valentine’s Day breakfast. Their signature croissant rolls are, in a word, *special*.
52 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4RP
fallowrestaurant.com
Rita's
If winding down Soho streets to stumble upon a small but perfectly formed restaurant serving tangy gildas and Pet Nat by the glass sounds like your idea of heaven, you’ll love Rita’s.
Helmed by chef Gabriel Pryce and Missy Flynn, Rita's is where American cuisine meets British produce, and the hidden-away, tiny candlelit tables make it the best Soho pick for Valentine’s Day.
49 Lexington St, Carnaby, London W1F 9AP
ritasdining.com
Trullo
Nothing says romance like a bowl of silky pasta, and Trullo has some of the best pasta dishes London has to offer.
It's a brilliant spot for date night, with plenty of great wine, low lighting, cosy corner booths and Italian classics cooked expertly by chef-owner Conor Gadd.
Think tagliarini with picked Dorset crab, Amalfi lemon and chilli followed by Trullo's famous tiramisu. Bellisima!
300-302 St Paul's Rd, London N1 2LH
trullorestaurant.com
Cadet
This Newington Green wine bar offers everything you could want from a Valentine's Day date night spot – wine, charcuterie and a daily changing menu with some of the tastiest small plates about.
Perch at the low-lit bar for a glass (or several) of juicy red, plates of cured meats, house-made focaccia and radicchio salad.
57 Newington Grn, Newington Green, London N16 9PX
cadetlondon.com
Perilla
Peer through Perilla’s expanse of curved windows and you’ll spy flickering pillar candles, natural interiors and plate upon plate of creative (and delicious) dishes.
The dining room is the perfect combination of special and relaxed, making it a great spot for a romantic dinner. The food is mainly classic European – think scallops with romesco sauce and calcot onion, celeriac with truffle, hazelnut and trumpet mushroom, and seaweed scones with clotted cream and blackcurrant.
1-3 Green Lanes, Newington Green, London N16 9BS
perilladining.co.uk
Nessa
This modern British bistro in Soho has interiors inspired by art deco, a creative cocktail menu, and a Valentine's special not to miss.
On 14th February, guests can enjoy a Valentine’s feast created by executive chef Tom Cenci for £60 per person. It's served to share for serious romantic vibes, and includes dishes like rock oysters with hibiscus mignonette and lemon verbena and grilled sirloin steak with a whole leaf salad and beef fat chips.
Plus, there's a special Valentine’s Viennessa, a play on the iconic 70s dessert made with a red velvet sponge, strawberry ice cream and macerated cherries.
86 Brewer St, London W1F 9UB
nessasoho.com
Pophams Pasta Restaurant
You might know Popham's better as a brilliant East London bakery, but Wednesday to Saturday this bakehouse turns into a pasta restaurant.
This year, Popham's Pasta Restaurant is offering a special set menu for Valentine's Day priced at £55 per person, featuring a selection of seasonal hand-crafted pastas. There's the option to add a wine pairing and even a cheese course - heaven.
197 Richmond Rd, London E8 3NJ
pophamsbakery.com
JOIA
Set across the 15th floor of art’otel Battersea, this Iberian restaurant is home to a special sharing menu for two, created by two Michelin-starred chef Henrique Sá Pessoa.
It’s a bit of a splurge – priced at £110 per person, you can start with crab samphire salad with Cava dressing, followed by duck breast with apple, turnip and Madeira sauce and obligatory patatas bravas, all rounded off with a chocolate passionfruit mousse.
15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ
joiabattersea.co.uk
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