Ah, romance. London isn’t quite the City of Love when it comes to amorous pursuits, but when date night rolls around, you won’t be left outside in the rain. Whether you’re planning a momentous occasion, gearing up for a first date or looking to spice up your relationship, you’ll find plenty of cosy nooks and intimate hideaways for a memorable evening. Our guide to the most romantic restaurants in London has the best spots for present- or future-day couples, so read on!
The most romantic restaurants in London
In this guide
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Romantic restaurants in London
- Clos Maggiore – Top spot for a romantic get-together
- Sketch – Fit for any occasion
- Noble Rot – For sharing a bottle or two of fine wine
- Brutto – Summer holiday in Italy
- Union Social – Elegant and versatile hotel eatery
- Ember Yard – Lush and romantic
- Trullo & Padella – Pasta makes the heart beat fasta
- The Barbary Next Door – North African adventure
- La Poule Au Pot – Quaint charm and beautiful settings
- No. Fifty Cheyne – Cosy Chelsea hideout
- Sessions Arts Club – Creativity and community
- Bubala – Vegetarian love feast
- The Port House – Cosy wine bar and restaurant
- Megan's – Citywide brunching
- Gloria – Amore, glorious amore
- Andrew Edmunds – Stanley Tucci's choice
- The Ritz Restaurant – Dial up the lavishness
- J Sheekey – For that speshell shellebration
- Minnow – Parisian flirtation
- Brasserie Zédel – Parisian romance
- Gauthier Soho – Plant-based love
- Duck & Waffle – Dinner with a view
- House of Ming – Joy at the press of a button
- Como Garden – Sharing in a romantic setting
- Gold – Romance in Notting Hill
Romantic restaurants in London
Romantic date night restaurants in London
Top spot for a romantic get-together
When it comes to romance, Clos Maggiore regularly tops the list. How could it not, with its intimate fireplace setting beneath cherry blossoms seemingly tailor-made for gazing into your loved one’s eyes. The stunning surroundings are complemented by a menu that speaks the language of love as well, with the full range of contemporary French-inspired cuisine on display. The wine cellar is quite impressive as well.
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33 King St, Covent Garden
- Website • 020-458 011 74
- Read more on Thatsup
Fit for any occasion
When it comes to Sketch, it’s not just the beautiful, opulent surroundings that make it suited for romantic purposes – it’s also that the townhouse’s spaces are sure to fit the occasion, whatever it may be. A light first date lunch? Head for the enchanting Glade. Anniversary celebration? The Michelin-starred Lecture Room & Library will make for an unforgettable night. Keeping it casual? Cocktails in The Parlour. In desperate need of a conversation topic? Check out the toilets.
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9 Conduit St, Mayfair 9 Conduit St, Mayfair 9 Conduit St, Westminster 9 Conduit St, Mayfair 9 Conduit St, MayfairSketch (The Glade)
9 Conduit St, MayfairSketch (The Gallery)
9 Conduit St, MayfairSketch (The East Bar & Pods)
9 Conduit St, WestminsterSketch (The Lecture Room & Library)
9 Conduit St, MayfairSketch (The Parlour)
9 Conduit St, Mayfair -
Sketch (The Gallery)
sketch.london/the-gallerySketch (The Glade)
sketch.london/the-gladeSketch (The East Bar & Pods)
sketch.london/the-east-barSketch (The Lecture Room & Library)
sketch.london/the-lecture-roomSketch (The Parlour)
sketch.london/the-parlourSketch (The Gallery)
020-765 945 00Sketch (The Glade)
020-765 945 00Sketch (The East Bar & Pods)
020-765 945 00Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library)
020-765 945 00Sketch (The Parlour)
020-765 945 00 -
Sketch (The Gallery) Sketch (The Glade) Sketch (The East Bar & Pods) Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library) Sketch (The Parlour)
For sharing a bottle or two of fine wine
If you’re in need of a little liquid courage or looking to bond over a shared fondness for a fine vintage, Noble Rot is a sure-fire hit. This wine bar and restaurant feels like a private club and boasts a huge choice of wines to pair with your meal or just enjoy on their own. If you don’t want to risk embarrassing yourself, the staff will smoothly point you in the direction of the right bottle. There’s also a full menu of classic European cuisine to choose from.
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2 Greek St, Soho 51 Lamb's Conduit Street, Bloomsbury 5 Trebeck Street, Shepherd Market, MayfairNoble Rot Soho
2 Greek St, SohoNoble Rot Lamb's Conduit
51 Lamb's Conduit Street, BloomsburyNoble Rot Mayfair
5 Trebeck Street, Shepherd Market, Mayfair -
Noble Rot Lamb's Conduit
noblerot.co.uk/restaurant/lambs-conduitNoble Rot Soho
noblerot.co.uk/restaurant/sohoNoble Rot Mayfair
noblerot.co.uk/restaurant/mayfairNoble Rot Lamb's Conduit
020-724 289 63Noble Rot Soho
020-718 381 90Noble Rot Mayfair
020-710 167 70 -
Noble Rot Lamb's Conduit Noble Rot Soho Noble Rot Mayfair
Summer holiday in Italy
A passionate getaway to the Italian countryside is a romcom cliché for a reason. The award-winning Brutto has a soft taverna-like atmosphere and a warm, cosy feel. The regularly changing menu features traditional Florentine cuisine such as pasta and steak, and the bar serves classic cocktails throughout the day.
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35-37 Greenhill Rents
- Website • 020-453 709 28
- Read more on Thatsup
Lush and romantic
One of the Salt Yard Group's exquisite restaurants, Ember Yard specialises in the grilled delicacies found in Spain in Italy. Perched on a bar stool behind one of the tall tables in the moody setting, sharing a plate of croquettes or grass-fed rib-eye and sipping on wine, you’ll feel like you're in a world of your own. You can even continue the conversation in the cocktail bar downstairs.
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60 Berwick St, Soho
- Website • 020-743 980 57
- Read more on Thatsup
Pasta makes the heart beat fasta
Hoping to go all Lady and the Tramp over a plate of primo pasta? Trullo has been a North London institution for more than a decade, serving classic Italian cuisine featuring freshly prepared, handmade pasta, grilled specialities and other delicacies made with sustainable and seasonal produce. The setting is clean, contemporary and elegant, bestowing a touch of class on your special evening. For a more casual affair, check out the sibling Padella restaurants.
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300-302 St Paul's Road 6 Southwark Street, Southwark 1 Phipp St, ShoreditchTrullo
300-302 St Paul's RoadPadella Borough
6 Southwark Street, SouthwarkPadella Shoreditch
1 Phipp St, Shoreditch -
Trullo
trullorestaurant.comPadella Borough
padella.coPadella Shoreditch
padella.co -
Trullo Padella Borough Padella Shoreditch
North African adventure
This exotic Neal's Yard getaway is inspired by Morocco and Andalusia, serving sharing plates to patrons seated around a horseshoe bar – a pleasant alternative to the usual face-to-face dating showdowns. The dishes are packed full of North African flavours and intriguing ingredients that are sure to get the convo going, and there are plenty of Moroccan, French, and Spanish vintages to choose from on the wine list.
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16A Neal's Yard, Covent Garden
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
Quaint charm and beautiful settings
La Poule Au Pot and Maggie Jones's share a fondness for rustic decor and hearty, comforting food that makes you feel snug on sight. If you have to make a choice, however, La Poule a Pot might get the edge over its British-inspired sister due to highlighting French cuisine, traditionally considered the more romantic of the two. You can't miss with either, though, as they're both exceedingly charming.
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231 Ebury St, Chelsea/Belgravia
- Website • 020-773 077 63
- Read more on Thatsup
Cosy Chelsea hideout
An all-time local favourite in Chelsea, No. Fifty Cheyne is tucked away down a leafy street and makes a strong first impression with its baby blue, floral-embellished façade. It’s all about the food and drink here, however, with head chef Iain Smith giving British classic a twist with seasonal produce from the country’s finest suppliers, and an in-house sommelier providing the wine pairing while you do the, er, life pairing.
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50 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea
- Website • 020-737 687 87
- Read more on Thatsup
Creativity and community
Booking a date at the award-winning Sessions Arts Club, one of the buzziest meal tickets in town, will immediately establish you as a person of fine taste and with a finger on the beating pulse of the city – that is, a reader of Thatsup. This Grade II-listed building combines stripped-down decor with a sophisticated international menu and performances, offering a unique dining experience focused on creativity.
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Old Sessions House, Clerkenwell Green
- Website • 020-279 340 25
- Read more on Thatsup
Vegetarian love feast
The Spitalfields branch of the Bubala restaurants is a cosy candlelit venue that's highly acclaimed for its vegetarian Middle Eastern feasts. The snug setting means it's easy to lose track of time as you gaze lovingly into your partner's eyes, the food is designed for sharing, and the Bubala Knows Best set menu pre-empts any conflict over what to order.
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65 Commercial St, Shoreditch/Tower Hamlets
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
Cosy wine bar and restaurant
This snug Covent Garden eatery is perfect for flirtatious body contact, with an intimate candlelit ambiance created by wood panelling and low lighting. The welcoming and attentive staff will help the evening go smoothly with an extensive choice of tapas, from olives and Padron peppers to cheese, croquettes, patatas bravas and more. A lengthy list of fine Portuguese and Spanish wines can’t hurt, either.
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417 Strand, Covent Garden
- Website • 020-783 677 64
- Read more on Thatsup
Citywide brunching
The Megan’s restaurants are a collection of photogenic eateries found all over the city, so they’re a reliable choice regardless which borough love takes you to. They’ve been voted the best brunch in London several times, with their Mediterranean-inspired menu packed with classics such as eggs benny or shakshuka, to be enjoyed surrounded by draped foliage, wooden furniture and hanging wicker lights.
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214 Chiswick High Rd., Hounslow 99-101 Lordship Ln 6 Esther Anne Pl, Islington Circus West Village, Vauxhall/Battersea 70 Parsons Green Ln, Fulham/Hammersmith and Fulham 25 Dulwich Village 539 Old York Rd, Wandsworth 86 High St, Wimbledon/Merton 55-57 The Pavement, Clapham 204 Kensington High St, Kensington 41 Bedford Hill 10 Rookery Rd, Clapham 13 Hill Street, Richmond 38 Victoria Road, Surbiton The Griffin Centre, 2 Market Place, Kingston upon Thames 25 King StMegan's at the Flower Market
214 Chiswick High Rd., HounslowMegan's on the Lordship
99-101 Lordship LnMegan's at the Sorting Office
6 Esther Anne Pl, IslingtonMegan's at the Power Station
Circus West Village, Vauxhall/BatterseaMegan's by the Green
70 Parsons Green Ln, Fulham/Hammersmith and FulhamMegan's in the Hamlet
25 Dulwich VillageMegan's in the Tonsleys
539 Old York Rd, WandsworthMegan's in the Village
86 High St, Wimbledon/MertonMegan's Old Town
55-57 The Pavement, ClaphamMegan's on the High Street
204 Kensington High St, KensingtonMegan's on the Hill
41 Bedford HillThe Terrace by Megan's
10 Rookery Rd, ClaphamMegan's at the Old Town Hall
13 Hill Street, RichmondMegan's at the Post Office
38 Victoria Road, SurbitonMegan's at the Griffin
The Griffin Centre, 2 Market Place, Kingston upon ThamesMegan's on King Street
25 King St -
Megan's at the Flower Market
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-at-the-flower-marketMegan's on the Lordship
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-on-the-lordshipMegan's at the Sorting Office
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-at-the-sorting-officeMegan's at the Power Station
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-battersea-power-stationMegan's by the Green
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-by-the-greenMegan's in the Hamlet
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-in-the-hamletMegan's in the Tonsleys
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-in-the-tonsleysMegan's in the Village
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-in-the-villageMegan's Old Town
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-clapham-old-townMegan's on the High Street
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-high-street-kensingtonMegan's on the Hill
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-on-the-hillThe Terrace by Megan's
megans.co.uk/locations/the-terrace-by-megansMegan's at the Old Town Hall
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-at-the-old-town-hallMegan's at the Post Office
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-at-the-post-officeMegan's at the Griffin
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-at-the-griffinMegan's on King Street
megans.co.uk/locations/megans-on-king-streetMegan's at the Flower Market
020-346 802 24Megan's on the Lordship
020-346 802 28Megan's at the Sorting Office
020-346 802 21Megan's at the Power Station
020-346 802 18Megan's by the Green
020-346 802 17Megan's in the Hamlet
020-346 802 26Megan's in the Tonsleys
020-346 802 25Megan's in the Village
020-341 155 50Megan's Old Town
020-346 802 15Megan's on the High Street
020-346 802 19Megan's on the Hill
020-346 802 16The Terrace by Megan's
020-346 802 23Megan's at the Post Office
020-346 802 22Megan's at the Griffin
020-346 802 27Megan's on King Street
020-458 014 12 -
Megan's at the Flower Market Megan's on the Lordship Megan's at the Sorting Office Megan's at the Power Station Megan's by the Green Megan's in the Hamlet Megan's in the Tonsleys Megan's in the Village Megan's Old Town Megan's on the High Street Megan's on the Hill The Terrace by Megan's Megan's at the Old Town Hall Megan's at the Post Office Megan's at the Griffin Megan's on King Street
Amore, glorious amore
Of the different Big Mamma Group outposts in London, Gloria is the oldest and perhaps the most suited for romantic purposes. The lush exterior, chic interior and explosive menu full of Italian favourites, such as the Le Gran Carbonara pasta, sensuously whirled around a huge wheel of pecorino, ensure amore is in the air. Seal the deal with a pair of spoons and a slice of the humongous meringue pie.
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54-56 Great Eastern St, Shoreditch
- Website • 020-309 576 90
- Read more on Thatsup
Stanley Tucci's choice
A quiet favourite among those in the know, Andrew Edmunds is a venerated Soho mainstay that dates back to 1985. The townhouse eatery is known for its tasty European fare and welcoming, candlelit setting that has established it as one of the most romantic spots in the city. You don’t have to take just our word for it – it’s Stanley Tucci’s choice for most romantic restaurant in London as well.
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46 Lexington St, Soho
- Website • 020-743 757 08
- Read more on Thatsup
Dial up the lavishness
If you want to go all out on the splendour, The Ritz Restaurant offers the over-the-top lavishness you’re looking for. This Michelin-starred eatery is a full-on example of baroque opulence and one of the most magnificent venues in the world, all chandeliers, marble and gold. Accompanied by the tableside preparation of specialties such as Beef Wellington or Crepe Suzette, a meal at The Ritz Restaurant is a special occasion in itself.
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150 Piccadilly, Mayfair
- Website • 020-730 023 70
- Read more on Thatsup
For that speshell shellebration
Oysters are considered by many to be an integral part of a romantic meal, and J Sheekey is considered by many to be an integral part of London’s seafood dining. Seems like a match made in heaven, with this elegant wood-panelled establishment serving fresh delicacies from the sea, from the aforementioned shellfish to caviar, lobster thermidor and more. It’s even located in the West End to facilitate that classic combo of dinner and a show, another perfect pairing.
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28-32 St Martin's Ct, Covent Garden
- Website • 020-724 025 65
- Read more on Thatsup
Parisian flirtation
With a laidback Parisian ambiance, floral decoration and a park for hand-in-hand strolls right out front, Minnow is a classic Clapham couples’ choice. The all-day menu of classic European fare means you can pop in any time of day, and there’s a concise wine list and cocktail menu to get things started off on the right foot. For special occasions, consider booking the Cave, a snug, semi-private table in an alcove with a stained-glass window.
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21 The Pavement, Clapham
- Website • 020-772 041 05
- Read more on Thatsup
Parisian romance
There's something about 1930s Paris that's established that time and place as synonymous with peak romance, and Brasserie Zédel does its best to take you there. The Art Deco setting provides a glamorous setting, the French food sets the mood, and if things go well, you can check out a cabaret show at The Crazy Coqs afterwards. Or, if they don't, share your tales of romantic woe with the bartender at Bar Américain.
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20 Sherwood Street, Soho
- Website • 020-773 448 88
- Read more on Thatsup
Plant-based love
Chef Alexis Gauthier’s renowned Soho townhouse is at the very pinnacle of plant-based fine dining in the world, providing a ground-breaking experience for vegans and meat-eaters alike. The crisp and clean dining area encompasses three floors and offers a refined atmosphere throughout, but if you want to amp up the romance, book the Chefs’ Room, a discreet chamber that’s perfect for the most intimate of occasions.
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21 Romilly Street, Soho
- Website • 020-749 431 11
- Read more on Thatsup
Dinner with a view
Floor-to-ceiling windows and a 24/7 open time mean stunning views of the Big Smoke all day and all night at this 40th floor restaurant. A long-time fixture on the London culinary circuit, the upmarket Duck & Waffle plays around with traditional British cooking and is sure to impress on the culinary front. Between the food and that view, date night is sure to be success.
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110 Bishopsgate, The City/City of London
- Website • 020-364 073 10
- Read more on Thatsup
Joy at the press of a button
The opulent House of Ming in Westminster serves high-end Sichuan and Cantonese delicacies such as stir-fried lobster, or prawn truffle siu mai, but it's the sophisticated setting that really amps up the romance. Dim ambient lighting, handmade tapestries, velvet seating, and other elegant touches culminate in the intimate love seats, fitted with a special button of joy. Pressing it yields a delightful surprise for your and your special one.
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54 Buckingham Gate, Westminster
- Website • 020-783 466 55
- Read more on Thatsup
Sharing in a romantic setting
Como Garden has all the makings of a romantic meal - low lighting, elegant interiors full of plants, and a menu of Italian dishes made to share. Inspired by Lake Como, the restaurant setting is smart and the menu is all about small and medium-sized bites including pasta and antipasti. A broad choice of drinks including cocktails and prosecco are also on offer.
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37 Kensington High St, Kensington
- Website • 020-793 772 87
- Read more on Thatsup
Romance in Notting Hill
Many restaurants rely on dim, cosy settings and a sense of tradition for that romantic vibe, but Gold, one of Notting Hill's trendiest spots, goes in the other direction. Across four floors it offers different areas, all pleasant and welcoming. Find the one most suited to your needs, sit down, and enjoy contemporary European cuisine made with fresh, seasonal produce and unique culinary techniques. You'll be feeling like you've stolen away on a romantic getaway to the Mediterranean in no time.
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95-97 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill
- Website • 020-314 607 47
- Read more on Thatsup