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15 Most Romantic London Restaurants

Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell

Valentine's day is almost here and we're ready to amp up the romance! Whether you're celebrating Valentine's day with a partner or best pal - a bit of romance in mid-February is something we can all get behind.

 

That's why we've rounded up a few of our favourite, romantic restaurants for a date night or a dreamy catch-up. Settle into a snug booth or perch at the bar and enjoy some delicious food & drinks at these amazing London dining spots.


P.S. these are must-visits any day of the week so save this for later visits too.


Luca

~ 1. Luca | Clerkenwell

Pasta and romance go together like pasta and anything else; really really well! At Luca you'll find more than just great pasta though. "The best of British ingredients through an Italian lense", that's what Luca is all about and we're very much here for it. Beautiful interiors, featuring leather upholstered seating, dimmed lighting and a brick-walled terrace with an open fireplace, make this a gorgeous dining destination. Seasonal fish, meat and veg are expertly prepared, and you might start feeling quite far away from Clerkenwell as you peruse the wine list starring choices from all regions of Italy.


Address: 88 St John St, London EC1M 4EH | Open Tue - Sat | Website here


Palomar

~ 2. Palomar | Soho

With a menu drawing inspiration from the wonderful flavours of the Levant, Palomar is always an absolute treat. Pull aside the curtain around the entrance and you're instantly greeted by the bustling open kitchen, and a busy maître d. Settle in to any great seats (corner booth in the back is always a favourite of ours) and delve into the menu. Split into Snacks, Bread & Dips, Raw, Fire and Sweets, we recommend getting something from all sections, paying extra attention to the breads, dips and fire. You won't be disappointed.


Address: 34 Rupert St, London W1D 6DN | Open daily | Website here 


Jolene

~ 3. Jolene | Dalston

A dreamy spot for a day-time feast or dinner rendezvous. Jolene is an industrial-chic neighbourhood restaurant and bakery, with a wide offering of natural wines and divine small plates. Working closely with small producers and regenerative food growers, Jolene's menu changes daily and seasonally to prioritise landcare and wellfare, creating magical dishes in the process. Whatever is on today's menu is bound to make your day.


Address: 21 Newington Grn, Mayville Estate, London N16 9PU | Open daily | Website here 


Kudu Grill

~ 4. Kudu Grill | Nunhead

One of several great outposts by the Kudu Collective, but this one focuses on open fire braai (grilling over wood/ charcoal), serving up everything from prime rib to poussin. Exposed brick walls, dark teal seating and mahogany accents, set the tone for a refined, yet down-to-earth, experience in an old Truman's pub turned South African barbecue haunt. General tip: head down on a Friday lunch for a good deal: 2 or 3 course set menus with 1 side from £28-32.


Address: 57 Nunhead Ln, London SE15 3TR | Open Wed - Sun | Website here 


Evelyn's Table

~ 5. Evelyn's Table | Soho

It doesn't get much more intimate than this. With only 12 seats, Evelyn's Table is a hidden gem, just a block away from Piccadilly Circus. Enter through The Blue Post, an 18th Century pub, and head down the unassuming stairs in the back. Settle in for a Michelin-starred, five-course meal (£125 p/p) prepared by five chefs behind the counter. This is a hot ticket, so make sure to book in advance. It'll be well worth the wait.


Address: 28 Rupert St, London W1D 6DJ | Open Mon - Sat | Website here


Sessions House

~ 6. Sessions Arts Club | Clerkenwell

A Grade II-listed gem with serious character, Sessions House in Clerkenwell is a dining spot like no other. Housed in a former judges' dining room, it’s a place where history meets effortless style. Start with a cocktail by the open fireplace, on one of the terraces or in the grand, main dining room. Colour-washed walls and crisp white tablecloths set the scene for an atmosphere that’s both warmly familiar and quietly glamorous - a perfect blend of intimacy, charm, and just the right touch of old-world romance.


Address: 4th Floor, Farringdon, 24 Clerkenwell Grn, London EC1R 0NA| Open Mon - Sat | Website here


Dalloway Terrace at Bloomsbury Hotel

~ 7. The Dalloway Terrace | Bloomsbury

Situated in the Bloomsbury Hotel, the Dalloway Terrace is a beautiful haven that's always stunningly decorated according to the seasons. Settle in on the serene terrace, just a few minutes away from bustling Oxford Street. Enjoy a great lunch, brunch on the weekends, or go all in with the special 6-course Valentine's day menu (£85 per person). No matter the weather outside, this is such a cosy spot with a luxury flair.


Address: 16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN | Open Mon - Sat | Website here 


The Barbary Next Door

~ 8. Barbary Next Door | Soho

This is the little sister to the Barbary, located (guess where?) next door. A distressed antique mirror and lime washed walls with large windows (that open fully in warmer months) set the tone at this relaxed neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar. Taking inspiration from Moroccan courtyards and Andalusian bars, the food & drinks here are a true treat. Expect to squeeze in at the zinc counter or narrow seats along the wall.


Address: 16A Neal's Yard, London WC2H 9DP | Open Daily | Website here


Berenjak

~ 9. Berenjak | London Bridge

We've been Berenjak fans since they opened the doors to their first venue back in 2018. The Iranian Soho restaurant quickly gained renown for their reinterpretation of Tehran's classic hole-in-the-wall kabab houses. Their second London site, on Bedale St in Borough Market, spans two floors but retains an intimate atmosphere, perfect for a date night by the tall window, sharing a Zereshk Polow Ba Morgh (rotisserie chicken with saffron sauce, barberries, tahdig and salad) with a liberal order of hummus and Mast o Musir (a wonderful yoghurt dip).


Address: 1 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL| Open Mon - Sat | Website here


Darby's

~ 10. Darby's | Nine Elms

This New York inspired oyster bar in Nine Elms is one of our favourite places to head over to for a dressier drink and nibble at a beautiful counter. Grab a dry martini or sparkling wine and some of the delicious bits from the open grill, or make the most of the Oyster Happy Hour (Wed-Fri 5-7pm + Saturday 3-6pm & 9-11pm). The food is one delicious reason to visit Darby's again and again, another is the live music. Settle in for some Late Night Blues on Saturday nights or enjoy an array of live music at their Sunday Sessions.


Address: 3 Viaduct Gardens, London SW11 7AY | Open Tue - Sun | Website here


Dorian

~ 11. Dorian | Notting Hill

Steak and great nights out go hand in hand, and Dorian does both with effortless style. This chef-led bistro in Notting Hill is all about exceptional ingredients, expertly cooked, with a menu that champions top-quality meat, fresh seafood, and standout seasonal veg. The vibe? Intimate, a little moody, and just the right amount of buzzy. With counter seating for front-row dining action and a wine list that leans heavily (and deliciously) into Burgundy, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger long after the last bite.


Address: 105, 107 Talbot Rd, London W11 2AT | Open Daily | Website here


Andrew Edmunds

~ 12. Andrew Edmunds | Soho

Candlelight and classic bistro charm with a wine list to get properly lost in - Andrew Edmunds is the kind of place that never goes out of style. Set inside an 18th-century townhouse in Soho, it’s intimate, effortlessly romantic, and just the right level of old-school. The menu changes daily, always showcasing seasonal British ingredients with simple, confident cooking. Whether it’s a long lunch, a cosy date, or a catch-up over a well-aged bottle, this place just gets it right - every time.


Address: 46 Lexington St, London W1F 0LP | Open Daily | Website here


Jose Bermondsey

~ 13. José | Bermondsey

Small space but big flavours - José is the tapas bar that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into a little corner of Andalusia. Perched on Bermondsey Street, this no-reservations spot is all about counter dining, excellent sherry, and small plates packed with serious flavour. Think jamón carved to order, sizzling gambas, and tortilla so perfectly soft it’s almost indecent. The buzz spills onto the pavement, the wine flows easily, and before you know it, you’re ordering just one more plate. Or maybe two.


Address: 104 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3UB| Open Daily | Website here


Canton Arms

~ 14. Canton Arms | Stockwell

Pub grub, but make it exceptional. Canton Arms in Stockwell is a proper bistro pub with a kitchen that takes things up a notch, serving up rustic, flavour-packed dishes with serious skill. Whether it’s their legendary slow-cooked lamb shoulder to share, a perfectly crisp pie, or something off the blackboard specials, everything here is hearty, generous, and deeply satisfying. The wine list is thoughtful, the atmosphere is always lively, and if you time it right, you might just bag a fireside seat with a pint in hand.


Address: 177 S Lambeth Rd, London SW8 1XP| Open Daily | Website here


Ploussard

~ 15. Ploussard | Battersea

Low-intervention wines, playful small plates, and a laid-back, effortlessly cool vibe - Ploussard is the kind of neighbourhood spot you wish was on your doorstep. And lucky for us in Battersea, it is! Tucked away, a few minutes from Clapham Junction Station, this wine bar-meets-bistro serves up a constantly changing menu that leans seasonal, a little French, and always delicious. Think silky chicken liver parfait, crisp golden rösti, and seafood dishes that let the ingredients do the talking. The wine list is all about minimal intervention, with plenty of fun options to keep things interesting. Come for a quick drink, stay for a feast - it’s that kind of place.


Address: 97 St John's Rd, London SW11 1QY | Open Mon - Sat | Website here

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