The 32 most romantic restaurants in London
Right on cue, the lights dim, the candles spark and smooth jazz rings in the background… romantic restaurants in London are easy to find but which ones are the best for date night? Many of London's best restaurants are prime spots for a memorable meal, you just have to know where to look. Whether you want a classic candlelit supper, a private booth or some steamy sharing plates, these are London's most romantic restaurants for wining and dining long into the night. Or if you'd rather impress a date with dinner at home, here are the best Valentine's Day meal delivery boxes.
What makes a restaurant romantic?
The definition of romance is subjective but the general consensus is that ambience is key. The restaurant should be beautifully decorated without being overloaded with clichés. London's most romantic restaurants are intimate, dimly lit (but not too dark, we'd like to be able to see our date), and just buzzy enough to still hear yourself speak.
What to order on a first date?
There’s no right or wrong answer. There are two ways to approach this: play it safe or take the risk. The former means you order what you know and will enjoy. This may ease those first-date jitters and help you feel more comfortable. The latter throws caution to the wind, whether that’s going with the chef’s recommendations or trying new ingredients and combinations so it might spark some great conversations. At the end of the day, just have fun (and maybe avoid anything that’ll give you garlic breath).
Where can I celebrate my anniversary in London?
Luckily, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to eateries for the special day. If it’s a daytime occasion, check out a new brunch spot or explore the many food markets. At night, tables at hotel-restaurants are a guaranteed win – then you can cap things off at one of the capital’s best bars.
Simon Upton1. NoMad London, Covent Garden
Best for: drama and decadence
With velvet cushions, lush hanging greenery, dangling low-lit lanterns and a vast glass ceiling, this hotel restaurant is about as theatrical as it gets. On the lower level of Covent Garden’s NoMad hotel, an evening stroll through the square, a drink in the Royal Opera House opposite and then a long, leisurely supper here sounds as dreamy as can be. Executive chef Michael Yates has reinvented the menu, letting the interiors do the seducing with stripped-back dishes that focus on simple, seasonally led ingredients. Start with oysters topped with frozen amontillado sherry and drizzled with olive oil before digging into the blue lobster tempura, prettily served with herbs and edible flowers. For mains, the sharing options are the ones to go for – the grilled Devonshire lamb neck falls apart and goes perfectly with a side dish of crispy potato rosti with Ogleshield raclette and black truffle aioli. Olivia Morelli
Address: NoMad London, 28 Bow St, WC2E 7AW, United Kingdom
Website: thenomadhotel.com
2. Claridge's Restaurant, Mayfair
Best for: Art Deco glamour
Claridge's Restaurant has been brought back in-house at the iconic grande-dame hotel and restored to its old-money-interiors glory. The dining room is undeniably handsome filled with Art Deco details, mosaic tiles and glossy tortoiseshell under arches lined with dramatic chandeliers. All is softly candlelit and refined without leaning into girly or chintzy. Highlights of the menu include pillowy agnolotti, plump scallops and perfectly prepared Dorset lamb, as well as twinkly Rathfinny sparkling wine from Sussex and punchy Negronis, whipped up in one of the sexiest bars in London. Sarah James
Address: Claridge's Restaurant, Claridge's, Brook St, London W1K 4HR
Website: claridges.co.uk
3. At Sloane, Chelsea
Best for: privacy
Sitting with a 19th-century Arts and Crafts townhouse. Chelsea hotel At Sloane’s ethos is an ardent marriage between Parisian chic and Chelsea charm, which culminates in the top floor restaurant. The whispered approach sets the tone with only 48 seats spread (or squeezed) across four jewel box-esque rooms, plus a cupola – a private octagonal space that forms one of the most private and romantic dining rooms in all of London. The intimate space is inspired by architect Thomas Jeckyll’s Peacock Room, with over 500 vases and just as many candles covering the white lacquered shelved walls. Every detail, from the delicate lattice work to the stained-glass windows, has been impressively recreated by ateliers to appear original. Adding to the syrupy candle light are a mix of original and reproduction Benson chandeliers and lamps – there are more than 700 found throughout the hotel. With so much to admire, the menu is thankfully unfussy. French dishes with simple single-word English translations like ‘artichokes’, ‘sea bass’, ‘caviar’ (with a £200 price tag). Champagne is the natural tipple of choice and it’s also the only restaurant in the area that does proper foie gras. Lauren Burvill
Address: At Sloane, 1 Sloane Gardens, London SW1W 8EA
Website: Atsloane.com
Philipvile4. Il Pampero, Belgravia
Best for: a cosy rendezvous
If ever there was a table for curling up and losing track of time, it’s the snug round leather booths at Il Pampero, one of the best Italian restaurants in London. The location may be Belgravia – within beloved London hotel The Hari – but between head chef Angelo Albera’s authentic menu, the glossy Vespa-green walls, the bistro-esque geometric tiled floors, the sharply dressed Italian staff, and even Italian speaking patrons, the atmosphere feels distinctly Milano. Start the night with a Negroni and the razor-thin smoked swordfish, then follow it with the slow cooked pork belly porchetta style or live lavishly with the two-course white Alba truffle menu. If carbs are your love language, expect to be seduced by some of the sexiest homemade pasta in town – the Dorset crab linguine is a highlight. For pudding, the only acceptable order is the Tiramisu, for the theatrics of it – made bespoke table side in a chic little dessert cart – and for easily the best Tiramisu to be found in London. Lauren Burvill
Address: The Hari, 20 Chesham Pl, London SW1X 8HQ
Website: ilpampero.com
James McDonald5. KOYN, Mayfair
Best for: opposites that attract
Light and dark. You get two sides of the same coin (or Koyn) at Grosvenor Square’s refined Japanese restaurant. Spanning two floors, the ground floor is named Midori and the lower ground is known as Magma. Midori is a tasteful ode to decadence. Soft pastel tones, sprinklings of cherry blossom and plush chairs are arranged to depict a zen garden. By contrast, terracotta tiles cast a firey, orange hue against the dark wood finish at Magma – an intimate and sexy space. Whether it’s a calm catch-up you’re after or something more personal, Koyn offers the best of both worlds. Plus, the dishes are equally impressive. Classic and innovative takes on sushi and robatas are helmed by ex-Nobu chef Rhys Cattermoul.
Read our full review of KOYN.
Address: 38 Grosvenor St, London W1K 4QA, United Kingdom
Website: koynrestaurants.com
6. Bardo, St James's
Best for: a buzzy atmosphere
The dining room at Bardo St James is dark and sultry. Live musicians pluck away, so you can hear the music and your date perfectly, but can't catch a peep from the tables around you – making it the perfect spot for an intimate date night. You won't hear a peep about small plates, sharing, or dishes “arriving when they're ready” – this is a good, old-fashioned menu. Antipasti of gooey polenta with truffle, plump scallop with berlotti bean puree, or burrata kick things off before pasta and secondi – perhaps roasted seabass, caramelised black cod or, our favourite, the veal Milanese. If you don't want the evening to end, order another cocktail (or three) and spend a few hours chatting to the live soundtrack. Sarah James
Address: Bardo St James's, 4 Suffolk Pl, London SW1Y 4HX
Website: bardostjames.com
Bronia Stewart7. The Tent (at the End of the Universe), Fitzrovia
Best for: mystery
With a no-picture policy, it's hard to find an image that captures the romance of this place – so you'll have to trust us on this one. The cosy dark space is draped in bedouin cloth with a moon sculpture and twinkly stars illuminating over a sexy red glow. With only eight tables, Middle Eastern small plates are concocted by ex-Noma chef John Javier. Think spiced lamb shish, fresh tiger prawns and smokey saganaki cheese served with sweet pomegranate molasses glaze. There’s only one pudding – baklava doused in sweet honey – but that's all you'll want. Sophie Knight
Address: 17 Little Portland St, London W1W 8BP, United Kingdom
Website: little-portland.com
8. Trullo, Islington
Best for: an Italian affair
This little neighbourhood favourite is popular with Islington locals and those in the know. Famed for its fresh pasta and open grilled meats, Trullo is headed up by Tim Siadatan (also Padella) and Conor Gadd. Tables can be hard to come by so it's best to book in advance. The cosy ground floor and brick-lined basement are filled with wooden rickety tables dressed in crisp white linen and candlelit at dusk. Plates are small as it's made to be shared. Menus change daily depending on seasonal offerings but stick to Italian roots so expect different renditions of bruschetta and pappardelle ragu. Luckily, the house favourite Pici Cacio e Pepe is a permanent staple. Sophie Knight
Address: 300-302 St Paul's Rd, London N1 2LH, United Kingdom
Website: trullorestaurant.com
9. Zēphyr, Notting Hill
Best for: sophisticated romance
Though not named after the Greek god of love, but instead the Greek god of the West wind, Zēphyr is quickly becoming a Notting Hill favourite. The space oozes romance; dimly lit and outfitted in neutral tableware with touches of colourful eclectic trinkets and art. Dishes are generously portioned and taste best when shared with your date. A big bowl of plump tomatoes and tangy salsa refreshingly cuts the richness of the mushroom truffle orzo. If you’re in the mood for fish, go for the whole grilled sea bass smothered in spiced butter – it’s the perfect smoky, melt-in-your-mouth kind. As for meats, the charred lamb is marinated in a cinnamon-spice blend and pairs nicely with crispy potato stacks topped with gooey cheese custard. Tables are hard to snag so reserve ahead. Zahra Surya Darma
Address: 100 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QB, United Kingdom
Website: zephyr.london
10. Inca, Soho
Best for: pazzaz
This isn’t your typical romantic restaurant. Yes, the lights are kept dimmed and the tables are set far enough that the next table can’t eavesdrop on your intimate conversations but the entertainment sets this place apart. From singers and dancers to acrobats, an eclectic list of performers will entertain you while you indulge in Latin American cuisine. The menu is adorned with ceviches, tacos and large dishes like A5 grade wagyu beef in a miso-mustard emulsion and black cod with tangy curd and hajikimi. This might not be a first date spot, but it is the spot for when you want to spice up date nights.
Address: 8-9 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF, United Kingdom
Website: incalondon.com
11. Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell
Best for: a fairy tale romance
One of the most talked-about restaurant openings of recent years (book now and you might get a table in time for next year's Valentine's Day), Sessions Arts Club hails the return of acclaimed chef Florence Knight. She's back in London and gifting us one of the most elegant restaurants in the capital. Set in a Grade II-listed former courthouse in Clerkenwell, flowing staircases, arched windows, stripped-down walls, ornate fireplaces and velvet furnishings make SAC seem ethereal, albeit in a very effortless way. Along with the interior, the eclectic, seasonal food is also exceptional. This is a venue fit for a fairy tale: let the romance commence…
Address: Sessions Arts Club, Old Sessions House, 24 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0NA
Website: sessionsartsclub.com
Paul Winch-Furness12. Brutto, Farringdon
Best for: pretending you're on holiday
Bringing the atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria to Farringdon, everything about Brutto screams romance, whether that's the strategically dim lighting, the cosy, linen-covered tables, or the sheer love and attention the bar staff give to each (perfect) negroni they mix. Food-wise, everything is tempting – anchovies with butter and sourdough, tomato and vodka penne, Tuscan beef shin stew, apple pie a la mode – so we recommend sharing lots of different dishes between two. The service is efficient and warm, and the atmosphere utterly charming. Brutto is about to become your new favourite date night spot, trust us.
Address: Brutto, 35-37 Greenhill Rents, EC1M 6BN
Website: msha.ke/brutto
13. Brasserie Zedel, Soho
Best for: glamour on a budget
A short amble from Piccadilly Circus is where you'll find Brasserie Zedel, a 1930s-inspired Parisian-style brasserie that's been a Soho favourite since it opened in 2012. Located below street level, the restaurant fills an expansive Art Deco-style dining room, which is bedazzled with a gold gilded ceiling, imposing marble columns and red velvet banquette seating. Tables are draped in pretty pink cloths and the staff wear formal attire. Unsurprisingly, the menu comprises of French classics (steak tartare, snails with garlic butter, crème brulée), with the four-course Menu Formule, which includes a glass of wine, proving a steal at less than £25. Having not blown your entire budget on dinner, head next door to the moodily lit, chic American Bar for a post-dinner tipple.Address: Brasserie Zedel, 20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED
Website: brasseriezedel.com
Joann Pai14. Gloria Trattoria, Shoreditch
Best for: fun, flirty food
Part of the Big Mamma group, who also boasts Circolo Popolare, Ave Mario and Jacuzzi as part of their stable, Gloria is glorious fun on any occasion but is absolutely guaranteed to score you plenty of brownie points on date night. Set across two floors, the upstairs is light, airy and reminiscent of an Amalfi Coast conservatory. Downstairs, however, is glamorous and oh-so sultry. The lights are lower, red and rust-coloured velvet adorns the walls and chairs, and curtained booths line the edges of the dining room – think underground disco club meets West End theatre auditorium. Romance won't fail to unfold here, especially when you're knocking back spritzes and Malfy G&Ts and feasting on the epic, two-person La Gran Carbonara, where spaghetti, guanciale and egg yolks are mixed in a giant wheel of pecorino cheese and served at your table.Address: Gloria Trattoria, 54-56 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3QR
Website: bigmammagroup.com
Trujillo Andrades15. Noble Rot, Bloomsbury
Best for: impressing a wine buff
Cosy, dark nooks: check. Golden candlelight: check. Dinky tables perfect for intimate chats: check. It's almost as though Noble Rot, a stylish but snug wine bar and restaurant in Bloomsbury, was made for a romantic rendezvous. If your date's partial to a bit of vino, then the wine list (sorry, wine dossier) is a big draw here, although the simple seasonal food on offer sure holds its own, too. Share appetisers of Ortiz anchovies or comté beignets with pickled walnut ketchup, then move onto mains such as roast venison, puy lentils and mustard, or turbot braised in white wine. Heads up: if you're planning on impressing with your wine knowledge, you'll need to do a lot of homework before visiting.
Address: Noble Rot, 51 Lamb's Conduit St, WC1N 3NB
Website: noblerot.co.uk.jpg)
Nikolas Koenig16. Berners Tavern, Fitzrovia
Best for: va-va-voom
Gilded ceilings, ginormous chandeliers, a designated Champagne trolley – Berners Tavern has some serious swag. Part of The London Edition hotel, just a short stroll from Tottenham Court Road tube, this elegant dining room is overseen by Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton. Modern British classics dominate the menu here, with waitstaff in white shirts and waistcoats delivering plates of pork and pistachio pie, Herdwick lamb rump and mash, and a signature mac and cheese worth every penny of its £25 price tag. Berners Tavern is the ideal booking for a hot date or milestone anniversary or a fast-track route out of the doghouse. And if you can bag one of the intimate curved booths, even better.
Address: Berners Tavern, 10 Berners St, W1T 3NP
Website: bernerstavern.com
17. Andrew Edmunds, Soho
Best for: old school charm
Enter through the door of this mysterious-looking black townhouse on Lexington Street and you'll find a narrow dining room that oozes classic romance, with dark wooden cladding, white linen tablecloths and flickering candles. A Soho stalwart that's been serving excellent seasonal dishes for more than 30 years, Andrew Edmunds is a fail-safe date spot. Its relaxed service, reasonably priced wine list (a glass of Champagne costs £9) and brilliant mains, such as roasted pork chop or hand-rolled gnocchi, make this a crowd pleaser. Be sure to leave room for the likes of rum baba and sticky date pudding from the pudding menu, and don't be polite either – they're way too good to share.Address: Andrew Edmunds, 46 Lexington Street, W1F 0LP
Website: andrewedmunds.com
18. Darby's, Vauxhall
Best for: romance around the clock
Want to shake things up? Instead of booking a romantic supper, do lunch. Or brunch. Or even (whisper it) breakfast. Whichever you go for, Nine Elms’s new arrival Darby’s has you covered. Robin Gill’s swish all-day restaurant-and-bakery next to the American Embassy is broadly Irish-American with respectful nods to Europe: truffle arancini; Cornish lobster brioche; Jersey milk ricotta agnolotti; Galloway beef steaks from the grill; and gildas lollipops made with smoked eel instead of the usual anchovy. Oyster fans, opt for an early slot: you can get six of them and a pint of Guinness for £10 between 5pm and 7pm. Emma Hughes
Address: Darby’s, 3 Viaduct Gardens, Nine Elms, London SW11 7AY
Website: darbys-london.com
19. Quo Vadis, Soho
Best for: sauciness in central London
When it comes to romantic restaurants in London, the grande dame of Dean Street ticks all the boxes. Candles? Check. Cosy corners? Check. Swish staff, a cosmopolitan crowd and a general air of anything-goes? Check, check, check. Cocktails are strong here, and set the tone nicely for what’s to come – kick things off with a QV Boulevardier, with Hudson Baby bourbon, Martini Rubino and Campari. When it’s time for supper, head chef Jeremy Lee, a Soho restaurant institution himself, has a knack for writing menus that stay just the right side of wicked: oysters; poached chicken with leeks, aioli and a side of rich mashed potato; sticky-toffee pudding with custard and cream. Emma Hughes
Address: Quo Vadis, 26-29 Dean Street, London W1D 3LL
Website: quovadissoho.co.uk
20. Jikoni, Marylebone
Best for: a romantic retreat
Is this central London’s most beautiful restaurant? Very possibly. And Jikoni – which means kitchen in Swahili – matches its good looks with food that’s cooked with imagination, thoughtfulness and, more than anything, love. Ask for the corner table, with its nest of cushions, and order the prawn-toast scotch eggs while perusing a menu that dances affectionately around Asia, the Middle East, east Africa and the UK. Roasted scallops are paired with congee rice porridge and warming Szechuan chilli oil, while kuku paka, a Kenyan chicken curry rich with coconut milk, arrives with perfect saffron rice. The rhubarb, pink peppercorn and rose Bellinis, meanwhile, have Valentine’s Day written all over them. Emma Hughes
Address: Jikoni, 19-21 Blandford Street, London W1U 3DG
Website: jikonilondon.com
Steven Joyce21. Bibendum, South Kensington
Best for: shopping and shucking in South Ken
There’s the famous stained-glass windows, depicting the Michelin man smoking a cigar while riding a bicycle – look no hands! – and the white-clad tables, floating like swans on a carpet of Ullswater blue. The building itself is an Art Deco palace seemingly conjured by genie in South Kensington, with a florist handily outside and oyster bar just inside. You could just sidle into the bar for lobster mayonnaise or moules frites. But under chef Claude Bosi, the actual restaurant menu is more fun than it’s ever been. Little olive trees arrive, bearing bursts of olive tapenade, and cornettos of foie gras. As for signature dishes, tripe and cuttlefish gratin aren’t words you hear very often on a romantic dinner, so start the habit here. And then cycle home together puffing on a cigar. Rick Jordan
Address: Bibendum, Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, London SW3 6RD
Website: bibendum.co.uk
22. Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields
Best for: Michelin-star dining in a striking, repurposed chapel
Walk down the aisle without walking down the aisle at Galvin La Chapelle, where classic French food is served under the gabled roof of a former chapel. The lofty space has been modernised with touches of glass, metal and leather, while sprinklings of low-lit bulbs and foliage keep things pretty. Tuck into dishes that feel like a real treat, such as hand-dived scallops with caviar and pigeon with confit lemon and soak up the striking surroundings. This is one of the few places in London where you can dress up without feeling over-dressed. Olivia Holborow
Address: Galvin, La Chapelle, 35 Spital Square, London E1 6DY
Website: galvinrestaurants.com
23. Spring, the Strand
Best for: fresh feminine charm at Somerset House
Skye Gyngell won a Michelin star at Petersham Nurseries, and these days her talents are shining brightly at historic Somerset House (as well as at Heckfield Place in Hampshire). An imposing wing of the Grade II-listed embankment building has been transformed into an airy, elegant dining room, framed by white columns and with a leafy covered courtyard, too. There's more to Spring than charm and good looks though. Love is present in every single dish, where Skye shows off impeccably sourced British produce including seasonal heritage veg. Fall for dishes like fresh tuna tartare with chilli and smoked crème fraîche or juicy lamb cutlets with celeriac and black garlic butter.
Address: Spring, Somerset House, Lancaster Place, London WC2
Website: springrestaurant.co.uk
24. Kudu, Peckham
Best for: sexy South African-inspired small plates
The teal velvet banquettes here are inviting, but for a high-octane supper get ringside seats at the kitchen counter, where you can watch South African chef Patrick Williams working his magic on braai, or barbecue, onion squash and scorched steak tartare. Much of the menu is made to be shared: start with the Kudu bread with melted seafood butter for dunking, before moving onto blush-pink onglet, enoki mushrooms and potato mousse for two and salted-chocolate ganache with sesame ice cream (plus two spoons). For those who don’t want the evening to end, Smokey Kudu, the restaurant’s vibrant new cocktail bar, is just down the road, under the arches by Queens Road station. Emma Hughes
Address: Kudu, 119 Queens Road, London SE15 2EZ
Website: kuducollective.com
25. Hutong, London Bridge
Best for: killer views and chilli heat
It’s a tourist trap for a reason: the views from The Shard never fail to make the heart soar, especially after dark. Happily, the food at Hutong has the same effect – skip the so-so bistro fare at Aqua Shard below and head up to floor 33 for northern Chinese dishes served with a flourish (and plenty of top-notch Champagne) in opulent surroundings. The dim-sum selection, including XO sauce crystal-prawn dumplings and scallop wontons, is magnificent, while Sichuan-style deep-fried lobster with chilli, black beans and crisp slivers of garlic is worth dialling down the romance to focus on. Every table has a view, but it’s worth putting in a request for one right by the glass when you book. Emma Hughes
Address: Hutong, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
Website: hutong.co.uk
Paul Winch-Furness26. Bob Bob Ricard, Soho
Best for: for devilishly decadent Deco date nights
With its famous 'Press for Champagne' button and a Russian-inspired menu that starts with sub-zero shots of vodka, you'll party like an oligarch at Bob Bob Ricard. Electric-blue booths, marbled walls, Art Deco detailing, mirrored ceilings and a shiny gold bar are the hallmarks of a classic David Collins design that whisks you miles away from the everyday. Anglo-Russian dishes range from beef Wellington (for two) to classic pelmeni dumplings, on a menu that's bursting with luxe ingredients. Caviar, truffles, lobster oysters... You did press for that champagne, right?
Address: Bob Bob Ricard, 1 Upper James Street, Soho, London W1
Website: bobbobricard.com
27. Frenchie, Covent Garden
Best for: Paris meets New York in London
'A Parisian in New York' is the name of the signature cocktail here, and it sums up the place perfectly. With its multitude of dangling pendant lights, ]solo seats at the Twenties-style bar and generally discreet use of space (bottles of water are stored in the girder-like pillars; sliding doors and clever high shelving make the most of the Covent Garden restaurant space), Frenchie is at once wonderfully Gallic and chic, but also Manhattanite cool and urban. The banquette seating allows knees to casually knock under the table, every excellent waiter and waitress has a thick French accent and the food and drink itself is so fine you're both likely to leave the restaurant in a very good mood indeed. Begin with the so-great-it's-actually-shocking sweet bacon scones to set proceedings off to the best possible start. Follow with the surprisingly sexy brussels sprouts tempura (trust us), then the duck breast risotto and finally the Paris brest for pudding, a traditional French sweet shaped like a wheel in ode to the Paris–Brest–Paris cycling race (a gambit you can toss into conversation to impress – on us). Becky Lucas
Address: Frenchie, 16 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8QH London
Website: frenchiecoventgarden.com
Carol Sachs28. Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden
Best for: dreamy romance with French savoir faire in Covent Garden
Is this the most romantic restaurant in London? It's simply impossible not to be seduced by Clos Maggiore's gorgeous courtyard conservatory, where you'll eat, drink and make eyes over the candles below a shimmering canopy of white blossom and twinkling fairy lights, an open fire crackling in the stone fireplace. Even if you don't bag a table out here, there are plenty of cosy nooks in the main room of the restaurant for an intimate dinner à deux. Meanwhile, the French menu is a culinary work of art: beautiful plates of food that blend contemporary flavours with just the right amount of indulgence. Silky-smooth service only adds to the appeal of this timeless classic.
Address: Clos Maggiore, 33 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2
Website: closmaggiore.com
Chiron Cole29. Ducksoup, Soho
Best for: a no-fuss wine bar
Ducksoup is simplicity at its best. With mismatched bottles covering the white-washed walls, a few rickety tables and dangling globular lights, the 2011 Soho restaurant mixes Scandinavian design with the warmth of an Italian restaurant. The wine list is impeccable and experimental, as is the weekly changing menu of small sharing plates. It can get noisy as the night goes on but book a table on the earlier side, listen to whichever vinyl is spinning, grab a drink at the bar or post up at an oil-lit table to taste what the kitchen is cooking up that day. It could be the braised beef shin with farro and capers or the fresh fettuccini with winter cavolo nero and bright orange egg yolk. It's a great spot to know about – whether for a first date, or a tenth. Katharine Sohn
Address: Ducksoup, 41 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 4PY
Website: ducksoupsoho.co.uk
30. Kitty Fisher's, Mayfair
Best for: a cosy Mayfair corner
Draw back the velvet curtain to reveal cute wooden tables for two with wild-flower posies in glass jars. There are no pretensions at this Shepherd Market restaurant – the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Which is wonderful, given that the menu by George Barson is brilliant. To start, share plates of large roasted almonds, mini Welsh rarebits and rich ham croquettes. The rest of the dishes aren’t for sharing, but are hearty and refined: Devon beef fillet served with onions and ale; Iberico pork presa with golden, crispy potatoes on the side. And while this spot isn’t a perfect choice for vegetarians, sides such as the broccoli with smoked yogurt and hispi cabbage with mustard seeds will certainly satisfy most. Tabitha Joyce
Address: Kitty Fisher’s, 10 Shepherd Market, London W1J 7QF
Website: kittyfishers.com
Helen Cathcart31. The Palomar, Soho
Best for: a Soho hotspot that’s always buzzing
There are no quiet corners at The Palomar, meaning there’s not much risk of awkward silence. And the whole menu – inspired by the fringes of the Mediterranean – is designed for sharing. Book a table in the deep-blue boothed dining room, or join the queue for one of the stools at the busy open kitchen. Then, start with the kubaneh, a light and fluffy Yemeni brioche-type knotted loaf served with a fierce tahini and a silky tomato dip (avoid the tzatziki on date night - it packs a hefty punch of garlic). A cured-beetroot carpaccio, served with burnt goat's cheese and a hazelnut brittle is a must-order. As are the tender chicken thighs marinated in sumac and served with orange and braised fennel. To finish, order the reverse chocolate fondue: a moist banana sponge spotted with marshmallows and peanut brittle, then heaped with molten chocolate before your eyes – perfect for sharing. Tabitha Joyce
Address: The Palomar, 34 Rupert St, London W1D 6DN
Website: thepalomar.co.uk
Johnny Stephens32. Bacchanalia, Mayfair
Best for: a Greek getaway in the heart of London
Rumoured to have cost upwards of £25 million, Richard Caring's (of similarly sultry Annabel's and Sexy Fish) latest gallery-esque restaurant sets the perfect tone. Interiors were done by Martin Brudnizki, who was also behind The Dorchester revamp, where golden hues shine a spotlight at the Damien Hirst sculptures above. Staying true to the theme, the menu is Greco-Roman with a hint of Italian. The keftedes – seasoned meatballs on a tangy yoghurt base – alongside the Greek salad and house favourite truffle taglioni are must-tries. For pudding, we recommend sharing the tiramisu and the rich walnut cake with dollops of greek yoghurt ice cream.
Address: 1-3 Mount St, London W1K 3NA, United Kingdom
Website: bacchanalia.co.uk