Restaurants for Valentine's Day in London

When Gizzi Erskine says a restaurant serves 'extremely tasty bits and bobs', you immediately book a table and scurry on down to Well Street to try it for yourself. That's exactly how she described the food served at Shankeys, alongside calling it a 'really lovely place', and she's not wrong. There's no V-Day-specific menu, but everything is unique enough to spark up a riveting conversation, all inspired by the owners' Indian and Irish heritages, featuring seasonal dishes that change occasionally. It's charming and minimal inside, located in an old bookies, with candlelit tables and an impressive wine and Irish-inspired booze list.

No. Fifty Cheyne in Chelsea is designed to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, with its hanging crystal chandeliers, crisp white tablecloths and wandering waistcoat-wearing sommeliers. The flattering service instantly makes you feel at ease, as does the menu, which boasts classic British fare with a twist crafted with ingredients sourced from the finest British suppliers. It doesn't matter that there's no Valentine's menu when the place oozes enough romanticism to keep you topped up for an entire year. The menu changes based on the seasons, and there's an on-site sommelier to help pair your wines with your food.

Dine on a 118-year-old docked Dutch barge on the canal in Hackney Wick with views of the surrounding London skyline at the award-winning Barge East. The menu is unconventional in all the right ways, with stand-out seasonal dishes made with homegrown ingredients from their adjoining garden and sustainable suppliers. The floating dining room is as charming as ever, maintaining its 100-year-old historical grandeur and rustic decor paired with ambient dining to set a romantic tone. Although they haven't announced anything for V-day yet, in previous years, they've had dedicated tasting menus accompanied by live music and prosecco, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements. Either way, there's nothing more romantic than dining on an old barge.

Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill is a top pick come February 14th. They shuck over 1,000 oysters daily and have been serving champagne and shellfish from the British Isles since back in 1916. Their menu focuses on the finest quality seafood, with some seasonal meat and game staples, as well as menus for whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, martini and much more.

The restaurant at Madison is an ode to the exceptional dining scene in New York, inspired by the dynamic neighbourhoods across the state. For Valentine's Day this year, they're hosting a special three-course menu with the option to book a window seat for elevated views of London's skyline. The V-Day menu boasts dishes like confit duck leg, wild mushroom rags and passionfruit cheesecake for dessert, but that's just a taster of what's on offer.

You'll feel like you've been transported to an intimate Italian trattoria at Campania & Jones on Ezra Street in East London. This rustic restaurant's aesthetic is perfect for a cosy date night, kitted out with countryfied antique furniture and candlelit tables that are perfect for intimate tête-à-têtes. Their pasta is made by hand daily alongside a menu inspired by southern Italian regions. It's all about good quality seasonal produce, with ingredients sourced from local and small suppliers. They sometimes host a Valentine's Day menu, so keep your eyes peeled on their site for more info.

This trendy East End spot takes inspiration from Basque cooking methods, grilling everything to a smokey perfection. The menu is scrawled on a blackboard and includes huge pieces of meat and seafood cooked on their wood-fired grill. There's something romantic about the rustic indoor/outdoor set-up they've got going on. It's maybe a spot for those who prefer to steer away from set menus and don't fancy dressing to the nines to hit up Mayfair for the night.

J Sheekey has been one of London's favourite seafood restaurants since the 1890s. This classic dining spot in the heart of Covent Garden oozes sophistication with its wood-panelled interior and crisp white tablecloths. It's named after the founder Josef Sheekey, who first made a name for himself as an oyster trader in Mayfair in the late 1800s. Inside, you'll find an oyster bar (ahem, aphrodisiac) where you can feast on fresh shellfish accompanied by exquisite Moët and Chandon champagne. They usually host a Valentine's to remember, including a seafood feast with sophisticated wine pairings, all to the sound of a live jazz band, so keep your eyes open for announcements.

On the fifth floor of the historic Grade II-listed former courthouse building in Clerkenwell lies Sessions Arts Club, a chic restaurant serving seasonal, modern European dishes. When you eventually find the entrance, you'll be led through a velvet curtain into a room with triple-height ceilings and peeling shabby pastel walls adorned with colourful art. The menu is simple, but it's the setting that really stands out here. They don't usually host anything specifically for Valentine's Day, but you can't help but feel romantic here; there are hidden terraces, an art gallery and a rooftop pool table.

Sanjugo is the ideal date spot, cosy, intimate and simpering romanticism in all the right ways. Counters showcase chunky slabs of the finest grade-A sashimi next to a bar lined with intricately decorated sake bottles. The head chef here clocked up an impressive twenty years as the head chef at Sushisamba and has crafted a menu of expertly executed Japanese dishes. When you're done filling your faces, roll yourself upstairs for a late-night soirée at the dimly-lit whisky and sake bar.

Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden has been voted London's most romantic restaurant on many occasions, and it's easy to see why. It's all about high-end modern European cuisine with a contemporary twist. The decor and atmosphere are inspired by the sophisticated inns of the South of France and Tuscany, with dark wood paired with florals and walls of glass-filled cabinets. The Valentine's Day menu comes with a glass of champagne rosé followed by a variety of mouthwatering dishes, like oven-roasted herbed smoked Wagyu beef and goat's cheese and truffle wrapped in crispy vermicelli. You can add wine pairing for a supplement.

You'll find Kitty Fisher's on a street corner in Mayfair, where they serve modern British fare with a Spanish twist. The building has Georgian heritage, further complemented by elegant decor, period paintings and dim candlelight spanning its two quaint dining rooms. The menu is chock full of sophisticated, award-winning dishes, with grilling as the main focus. The Valentine's Day menu is enough to stir up feelings of adoration, with dishes like roasted beetroot with candied walnuts, best enjoyed with a glass of Esterlin champagne.

You could visit Galvin La Chapelle solely for its architecture since it's located in a stunning former chapel with large arched windows, high stone ceilings and a decor dripping in elegance. The traditional yet modern French menu boasts a Michelin star, made using the freshest seasonal produce, meaning the menus change regularly. They'll be hosting a sharing celebration dinner with a selection of starters, mains and desserts, all washed down with champagne. Their regular menu includes native lobster ravioli with squid, smoked ricotta and barbecued monkfish with Jerusalem artichoke, chanterelle and clam velouté, so you're right to expect big things. The wine list is as impressive as the food.

Casse-Croûte is a Bermondsey Street bistro oozing quintessential French vibes; think red-checked tablecloths juxtaposed against black and white tiled flooring and mustard yellow walls. There isn't a dedicated Valentine's menu, but dishes are scrawled on a daily changing blackboard, which is hella romantic.

On arrival, Colonel Saab's romantic five-course Valentine's Tasting Menu, available at their Holborn and new Trafalgar Square restaurants, includes a glass of rosé champagne and roses. The menu includes tempting dishes like fruit chaat tart, grilled lamb chop or Paniyaram, and Dagi de kebab or crispy kataifi prawn. Make sure you leave room for dessert, a Shikanji rose tart, and Valentine's chocolates served with tea or coffee. Voted the UK's Best Asian restaurant at the Asian Curry Awards, Colonel Saab's intimate atmosphere, decked out with Indian art and family heirlooms, provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic Valentine's meal.

Seabird is perched high up fourteen floors at the top of the Hoxton Hotel. It's all about the views here, best enjoyed with a glass of bubbling champagne on the long, glamorous terrace (it's got a retractable roof for chillier days). The restaurant offers the longest oyster list in the city, with a raw-ice counter stacked high with (usually) eight different varieties and an oyster happy hour. Did somebody say aphrodisiac?  They sometimes host a special Valentine's Day set menu with wine pairing.

Is there anything more romantic than a dimly-lit Italian dinner? Probably not, and Brutto knows that. This award-winning (Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022) restaurant specialises in Florentine cuisine in a homey environment with red-checked tablecloths and ambient music. Although there's no Valentine's-specific menu per se, it changes regularly anyway with a focus on Tuscan classics. There's also an all-day bar serving a range of refreshing cocktails.

There's a reason London foodies gush about Noble Rot, not just for its impeccable ability to pour a smashing glass of wine, but it's also one of the best restaurants in the city. It used to be a Hungarian restaurant which closed in 2018, but thankfully Noble Rot took its place and kept much of its old-world charm, which makes for the perfect Valentine's setting. The wine list isn't the only reason people visit; the food has subtle references to the restaurant's Hungarian history, chock full of meat and seafood dishes cooked to perfection. Who needs a dedicated Valentine's menu when you've got more than 30 pages of wines? It's the perfect spot for a romantic rendezvous.

Hot Stone on Islington's Chapel Street is the perfect bolthole for a luxurious and interactive Japanese meal. Their Valentine’s Day menu has been thoughtfully created for sharing with your loved one. Enjoy a range of the restaurant’s best dishes, like maki rolls, sashimi and a Kobe meat platter cooked on their 400-degree hot stone. you can also add premium wine and sake pairings for a surcharge. It's not just the food that makes this a memorable experience; the interior is classic minimalist with an open bar and compact dining area.

Dine in the clouds on level 37 of Sky Garden at Fenchurch, a rooftop restaurant serving a menu of contemporary British fare. They have a range of Valentine’s Day events, like their table for two, which comes with an artisan sharing board and a bottle of Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne. The in-house DJ will be spinning chilled tracks which you can enjoy while you stroll through the idyllic rooftop garden with London’s epic skyline as your backdrop.

Indulge in exquisite Michelin-starred Indian dishes at Benares, made with high-quality British produce and authentic Indian spices and techniques. The interior is romantic, opulent and sophisticated, with water features and hand-crafted furniture. Their dedicated Valentine's menu lets you savour the highlights alongside wine pairings for an additional cost.

This contemporary and vibrant restaurant on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia embodies the food and culture of Sicily and old-school Italian hospitality. The first two floors of the restaurant are dedicated to dining, where you'll get to experience their special five-course Valentine's menu. It includes a variety of snacks, antipasti, main dishes and desserts. Make sure you leave room for their sumptuous desserts.

Ormer Mayfair is a classy restaurant located at the Flemings Mayfair Hotel, decked out with a wood-panelled interior, funky flooring and tables with crisp white tablecloths. They tend to announce Valentine's Day menus, so keep an eye on their website for that, but they also have a selection of consistent multiple-course tasting menus, including vegetarian varieties.

Valentine's Day falls on a Wednesday this year, and it just so happens that Balthazar also hosts live jazz performances every Wednesday. This romantic French restaurant in Covent Garden is ideal for a V-Day date night, further enhanced by the music. The menu features classics like duck liver parfait and escargots and even has a small separate oyster menu.

Consider spending Valentine's Day at The Ritz, where you can enjoy a fantastic four-course dinner by Executive Chef John Williams MBE. Each course comes with a glass of Barons de Rothschild 'Ritz Reserve' Rose Champagne. Live entertainment adds to the experience, and the candlelit vibe in the beautiful dining room makes it a special place for February 14th.

Celebrate Valentine's Day at Babur with a special three-course menu on February 14th. This smart Indian restaurant in Forest Hill is the perfect place to enjoy a low-key V-Day meal. Enjoy a welcome cocktail, share Indian starters, and feast on mains like seared butter fish, organic chicken supreme, or herb-crusted cannon of lamb. End on a sweet note with Babur's heart-shaped dark chocolate and strawberry torte or makhana and fig rice pudding. Wine pairings are available for each dish at an additional cost.

Chef Alexis Gauthier's plant-based fine dining experience in Soho has put together an exclusive vegan Valentine's tasting menu with nine courses. Dishes include the likes of Plant Caviar and Golden Turnips Marseillaise, with a pair of sumptuous puddings to round things off. Whether you're vegan lifers, just looking to continue Veganuary, or on the hunt for something different, Gauthier Soho is an excellent choice for plant-based romance.

Andrew Edmunds Restaurant is a Soho bastion of candlelit romance and unpretentious European cuisine – famous actor Stanley Tucci even proclaimed it the most romantic restaurant in London. Their Valentine's Day dinner menu features a selection of contemporary dishes, starting you off with oysters or other tantalising starters before continuing on to mains such as wild bass, porchetta, or aged beef wing rib. An impressive array of international fine wines provides the ideal accompaniment.

Celebrate Valentine's at Yaatra, an Indian restaurant in the Old Westminster Fire Station. From Feb 12-17, enjoy a romantic five-course meal by Chefs Amit Bagyal and Velino Goes, including a Love Potion cocktail and 'Lick n Bite' amuse-bouche. Highlights: crab croquettes, langoustine momos, and grilled Welsh lamb. For vegetarians, the Tandoori roast cauliflower steak is a great choice. Finish it all with a rose panna cotta. Proposing? Yaatra adds magic - hide the ring in a chocolate globe or Champagne cocktail.

Megan's, some of the most romantic restaurants around, offer a Mediterranean-inspired menu perfect for date nights, featuring a range of dishes like Turkish cheese fondue and mezze bowls. Their Cupid's Dough dessert, a decadent treat with Nutella, ice cream, and honey, returns to the menu just in time for Valentine's Day. Additionally, Megan's provides great value on drinks with their happy hour.