Whether you’re nervously planning a first date, Valentine's Day meal or a special anniversary dinner; or even setting the scene for a proposal in London (we're certain they'll say "yes"), check out our guide to the most romantic restaurants in London.
We've picked the best intimate restaurants London has to offer for wining and dining that special someone. From enchanting settings to panoramic rooftop views, cosy hideaways to unique bustling spots, you're sure to find the perfect romantic venue.
Romantic restaurants in London
1. The Dining Room at The Goring
Make your other half feel like a king or queen at The Dining Room at The Goring, a Michelin-starred restaurant with a classic British menu and an extensive fine wine list. Housed within The Goring hotel – where Kate Middleton stayed before her wedding day – this exceptional eatery lives up to British elegance, with silver service and opulent interiors.
Where: Belgravia (15 Beeston Place, SW1W 0JW)
2. Berners Tavern
Take your date’s breath away as you walk into the opulent surroundings of Berners Tavern. This legendary restaurant, led by Jason Atherton, features the very best cuisine and a menu bursting with seasonal, innovative dishes. Order a creative cocktail to boot and you’ll surely be guaranteed a second date.
Where: Fitzrovia (10 Berners Street, W1T 3NP)
3. Hawksmoor Air Street
Enjoy fine cuts of steak and the latest catch from the ocean at Hawksmoor Air Street, which mixes art deco style with seductive lighting and an upscale feel. Enjoy classy cocktails and sustainable British produce from the very best suppliers. Just outside, you’ll find the famous statue of Eros, the Greek god of love. The perfect spot for a romantic selfie.
Where: Piccadilly Circus (5A Air Street, W1J 0AD)
4. Gauthier Soho
Impress your date with plant-based fine dining at Gauthier Soho, one of London's most luxurious vegan restaurants. Tucked away in an intimate Regency townhouse, an evening at this stylish hangout is a surefire way to woo the person of your dreams.
Where: Soho (21 Romilly Street, W1D 5AF)
5. Balthazar
Keep the conversation flowing at elegant yet informal eatery, Balthazar. The menu includes Brasserie classics such as steak tartare, through to decadent oysters and lobster. The classic surroundings of Covent Garden is sure to add an extra shimmer of romance.
Where: Covent Garden (4-6 Russell Street, WC2B 5HZ)
6. Fazenda
For a date with sizzle, indulge in the romance of Brazilian Churrasco at Fazenda - where succulent meats are carved at your table and shared plates, fine wines, and South American-inspired cocktails set the mood in elegant, candlelit surrounds.
Where: City of London (100 Bishopsgate, EC2M 1GT)
7. Scott's
If you’re looking for timeless elegance, Scott’s in Mayfair has got you covered. Choose from an extensive menu of seafood, British classics and inventive vegetarian dishes, with an enviable wine list and an inviting selection of cocktails. Oysters and caviar are on the menu too, if you want to splash out on that special someone.
Where: Mayfair (20 Mount Street, W1K 2HE)
Romantic restaurants in London with a view
8. Sky Garden restaurants
Dine among the ferns and palms of Sky Garden, London's highest public garden and one of the coolest places to eat in London. Perched at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street (nicknamed the “Walkie Talkie”), the elegant Fenchurch Restaurant and more laidback all-day Darwin Brasserie serve contemporary British fare.
Where: City of London – Fenchurch Restaurant (Level 37, 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF) and Darwin Brasserie (Level 36, 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF)
9. Hutong at The Shard
For one of the best romantic restaurants with a view, make your way to Hutong at The Shard, a sophisticated Chinese restaurant housed on the 33rd floor of London's tallest building. Devour its signature dumplings and enjoy the roast Peking duck, before finishing your evening off with cocktails in the stylish Shanghai Bar with panoramic views of London.
Where: London Bridge (Level 33, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY)
Romantic rooftop restaurants in London
10. OXO Tower Restaurant
Up on the eighth floor of the unmistakable OXO Tower, you’ll find the OXO Tower Restaurant. Here are all the ingredients you’ll need for a romantic rendezvous: alluring views of the city and the river Thames, a menu of modern British classics and an intimate atmosphere. Bon appétit!
Where: South Bank (Barge House Street, SE1 9PH)
11. 14 Hills
With views stretching across London to the hills beyond, 14 Hills is a chic restaurant housed on the 14th floor of 120 Fenchurch. Step into the lush interiors to enjoy modern European food where every detail has been thought about and all diets are catered for. The views from the restaurant are pretty special – but if you want even more, head up to the free roof garden, The Garden at 120.
Where: City of London (14th floor, 120 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 5BA)
Romantic restaurants in London with live music
12. 58th Street London
Dress up in New York glitz and glam at The Lost Estate's 58th Street London, where the intimate venue transports you to a past moment in time. Let the live band serenade you as each course is bought to your table – where everyone from the doorman to your waiter is in character.
Where: Peckham (133 Rye Lane, SE15 3SN)
13. The Ritz Restaurant
If you’re looking for a place to propose, it doesn’t get much better than The Ritz Restaurant. Rightly known as one of the top restaurants in London, The Ritz Restaurant boasts two Michelin stars for its exceptional cuisine. If you want a night to remember, book a table in the magnificent dining room, adorned with frescoes and chandeliers, with live piano music or – on Friday and Saturday evenings – a live swing band with time to dance the night away. There’s no doubt this is a magical place to pop the question.
Where: Mayfair (150 Piccadilly, St James's, W1J 9BR)
14. Thames Jazz Dinner Cruise
Pass London’s iconic landmarks on a Thames Jazz Dinner Cruise with City Cruises. As you make your way along the river you'll tuck into a delightful three-course meal while being serenaded by the ChiJazz band. It will certainly be a night to remember. Book your dinner cruise.
Where: Westminster Pier (SW1A 2JH)
Cosy romantic restaurants in London
15. Clos Maggiore
Let the enchanting interior of Clos Maggiore set the scene for a memorable evening. Widely known as one of London’s most romantic restaurants, this Covent Garden hideaway is the perfect place to celebrate your romance, or even propose, in its atmospheric courtyard draped in blossom.
Where: Covent Garden (33 King Street, WC2E 8JD)
16. Bob Bob Ricard City
If you’re looking for a stylish eatery, book a cosy booth at the futuristic Bob Bob Ricard City, a traditional brasserie with a 21st-century feel. You can even order some bubbly with the single touch of a button… The menu is a delectable selection of modern takes on French classics.
Where: City of London (Level 3, 122 Leadenhall Street, EC3V 4AB)
17. Circolo Popolare
Break the ice with a classy cocktail at Circolo Popolare, one of London's most Insta-worthy restaurants. Gaze at walls lined with wine bottles, look up at foliage hanging from the ceilings and pick from the all-day Sicilian menu featuring homemade pasta, pizzas and grilled dishes.
Where: Fitzrovia (40-41 Rathbone Place, W1T 1HX)
18. La Poule au Pot
Add some je ne sais quoi to your date night at La Poule au Pot, a long-running restaurant that brings Gallic flavours to Belgravia. The rustic decor and vintage tableware are good talking points, even before you discuss the merits (or not) of ordering snails.
Where: Victoria (231 Ebury Street, SW1W 8UT)
19. Sketch
Surprise your partner with a special meal at one of the most Instagrammable and quirky restaurants in London, Sketch. Choose from the collection of unusual restaurants and bars housed within one building: enjoy a cocktail in the fairytale setting of The Glade or the cosy Parlour, before trying modern dishes and gazing at art in The Gallery or the three Michelin-starred Lecture Room & Library.
Where: Mayfair (9 Conduit Street, W1S 2XG)
20. Andrew Edmunds
Step into candlelit Andrew Edmunds for a beautifully romantic evening in London. A Soho institution since 1985, this seductive hangout serves up French classics matched with a wide-ranging wine list. With few tables and a loyal following, make sure to book well ahead, especially for Valentine's Day.
Where: Soho (46 Lexington Street, W1F 0LP)
21. The Colony Grill
Be transported back to the 1920s at The Colony Grill, part of the art deco-inspired hotel The Beaumont in Mayfair. Enjoy a drink in the cosy cocktail bar adorned with vintage snaps, before settling down to an intimate meal at this classy hangout, modelled on traditional American grills.
Where: Mayfair (8 Balderton Street, Brown Hart Gardens, W1K 6TF)
Affordable romantic restaurants in London
22. The Wolseley
Pop into legendary hotel The Wolseley in Piccadilly for its famous brunch – or enjoy lunch, dinner and a great-value afternoon tea. The light-filled restaurant is influenced by the historic European "grand cafes", mixing opulence with a relaxed feel that's perfect for a classy but laidback celebration.
Where: Mayfair (160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB)
23. J Sheekey
An iconic seafood restaurant in the heart of the West End, J Sheekey is perfect for a first date with a seafood lover. Don't be shellfish and share a platter or to really impress, ask for the off-menu dessert (frozen berries and white chocolate). J Sheekey has more than 100 years of history to its name and some very famous patrons, whose portraits adorn the walls. It’s a delightful place to settle in for a romantic evening.
Where: Covent Garden (28-32 St Martin's Court, WC2N 4AL)
24. Petersham Nurseries Cafe
For nature lovers, there’s nothing better than dining among the elegant greenery of Petersham Nurseries Cafe in Richmond. This tucked-away gem in south-west London delivers seasonal dishes inspired by the kitchen garden, all served in its beautiful glasshouse.
Where: Richmond (Off Church Lane, Petersham Road, TW10 7AB)
Best Michelin-star restaurants in London
Show the love of your life how important they are with a special visit to a Michelin-starred restaurant in London.
25. Three-star restaurants
Book a table at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, CORE by Claire Smyth, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, which boast three Michelin stars each.
26. Worldwide cuisine
Enjoy boundary-pushing modern British dishes at Clove Club and Lyle's, top-notch Chinese dishes at Hakkasan or Kai, and a West African-inspired tasting menu at Ikoyi – which many coin one of the best restaurants in the capital right now.
27. Michelin stars with panoramic views
For a side order of City views with your exceptional cuisine, grab a window spot at Angler or City Social.
More ways to ramp up the romance
Start your evening with a drink at one of London's top champagne bars, sip a creation from a star mixologist at a luxurious cocktail bar, or chat over a fine vintage at a one of the city's specialist wine bars. If you're looking for something a little more unusual, book into one of London's quirky restaurants.
Plan a romantic break in London with our top tips on romantic activities and book into a loved-up romantic hotel. Don't miss our top places for proposing in London or be inspired by these date ideas.
