Where to Dine in London This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and while London may not be short on restaurants promising candlelight and caviar, finding one that truly captures the right atmosphere is another story. The city has no shortage of spots claiming to be romantic, but the best ones blend intimacy, charm, and a hint of surprise. Whether you are planning an elegant dinner for two, or simply looking for somewhere that feels a little more special than your usual date-night spot, there are plenty of options that go beyond the obvious.
We have gathered a selection of restaurants that deliver on both food and feeling. From the timeless glamour of The Dining Room at The Goring to the sultry sophistication of Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, each brings its own sense of occasion. Whether you are drawn to the dramatic skyline views at Hutong, the playful artistry of Sketch, or the warm intimacy of Clos Maggiore, these are the places designed to make Valentine’s night feel unforgettable.
The Dining Room at The Goring
If you want Valentine’s Day to feel genuinely memorable, few places do romance quite like The Dining Room at The Goring. This Michelin‑starred restaurant in Belgravia has long been a favourite for special occasions, with a seasonal British menu that combines classic dishes like the famed Eggs Drumkilbo with refined, ingredient‑led cooking under executive chef Graham Squire. The room itself was recently beautifully refreshed with interiors that marry tradition and warmth, and its reputation for smart, attentive service and an extensive wine list means the experience feels as special as the occasion. The Goring is also one of the capital’s most storied hotels — famously hosting the Princess of Wales the night before her wedding — and that sense of history only adds to the magic of a dinner here.
Colonel Saab
For a Valentine’s dinner that feels truly romantic, Colonel Saab in Holborn and Trafalgar Square is hard to beat. The five-course tasting menu, available from 12 to 14 February for £140 per couple, begins with a glass of rosé champagne and a complimentary rose, before moving through starters like Kadak Seekh Kebab or Black Pepper Paneer Tikka and mains such as Malabar Chicken Curry or Makhmali Palak Paneer with layered paratha and rice. Desserts include the viral Thandai Crumble with vanilla ice cream or a Shikanji Rose Tart with red wine-poached figs, finished with chocolate petit fours and tea or coffee. The restaurants themselves are filled with Indian art, family heirlooms and love letters, creating an atmosphere that feels intimate, storied and utterly special.
Balthazar
At Balthazar this Valentine’s weekend you can step into something that feels very much like timeless French romance with a special three‑course set menu priced at £49 per person. Available from 7pm on Friday 13 February and from midday until late on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February, it begins with Balthazar classics such as baked Camembert and gravlax before a show‑stopping main course of 28‑day aged côte de boeuf paired with Madagascan prawns that feels elegant and indulgent all at once. To finish, a sharing dessert of raspberry and milk chocolate mousse is served alongside a mini espresso martini, making it a Valentine’s meal that feels both celebratory and thoroughly delicious.
Aqua Kyoto
At Aqua Kyoto this Valentine’s you can celebrate in a way that feels both intimate and a little playful with an experience that blends contemporary Japanese elegance and the venue’s signature energy. From 9 to 15 February the restaurant invites couples to take part in its romantic padlock installation where you can unlock surprises and have the chance to win prizes such as brunch for two, all adding a sense of occasion beyond your meal. The setting itself feels warm and stylish with sushi and sharing plates designed to be savoured together, making it a memorable way to spend Valentine’s week in London.
Berners Tavern
At Berners Tavern you can take your Valentine’s date somewhere that feels truly unforgettable. Jason Atherton’s legendary restaurant pairs opulent, gallery-like interiors with a menu of seasonal, inventive dishes that showcase the very best of contemporary British cuisine. Add a creative cocktail or two and the evening feels effortlessly special, making it the kind of place that could easily guarantee a second date.
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
At Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Valentine’s feels effortlessly elegant with interiors in calming greens and greys that reflect the nearby Hyde Park and walls studded with thousands of silk buttons adding a playful, unexpected touch. The Michelin-starred restaurant pairs this stylish setting with contemporary French haute cuisine, from native lobster with artichoke, shiso and Perigord truffle to the indulgent rum baba dessert “Baba like in Monte-Carlo,” all complemented by a wide-ranging wine list drawn from the generously stocked cellar. Every detail combines to make a dinner here feel as refined as it is memorable.
58th Street London
Step into 58th Street London for a Valentine’s evening that feels like a glamorous journey back to the 1930s. The Lost Estate’s intimate venue captures the spirit of a New York speakeasy, with every detail from the doorman to the waitstaff in character, while a live band serenades diners throughout the meal. Dressing up in glitz and sparkle only adds to the fun, making it a night where romance meets theatrical flair in equal measure.
Twenty8 Nomad
For a Valentine’s dinner that feels stylishly different, Twenty8 NoMad in Covent Garden brings the nostalgia of old New York and the elegance of a French brasserie to London’s theatre district. Set inside the historic NoMad London hotel on Bow Street, this buzzy restaurant serves reimagined classics such as prawn cocktail, seafood towers and grilled flatbreads alongside a meticulously curated cocktail list inspired by Manhattan’s bar culture, all within interiors of lush greenery, earthy tones and a glowing wood burning hearth. The effect is a destination where romance feels lively and warm, perfect for couples who want a dinner that feels both chic and memorable.
Brasserie Zedel
At Brasserie Zedel you can bring a bit of Parisian flair to your Valentine’s dinner with its grand, Art Deco Piccadilly setting and lively brasserie atmosphere that feels fun and festive rather than formal. Revered as one of London’s most authentic Parisian brasseries, it serves classic French dishes from French onion soup and steak haché to rich boeuf bourguignon, all complemented by a good selection of wines, cocktails and even live music that fills the room as the evening unfolds.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
At Hélène Darroze at The Connaught you can make Valentine’s feel like a moment to remember with refined French haute cuisine from one of the city’s most celebrated chefs. The Michelin‑three‑star restaurant in Mayfair serves seasonally inspired tasting menus that showcase the very best produce with creative precision, from delicate seafood and garden‑fresh vegetables to Hélène’s legendary rum baba, while an expert sommelier team pairs each course with wines drawn from an extraordinary cellar of over 30,000 bottles. The elegant yet warm dining room with its soft tones and bespoke interiors creates an intimate setting that feels both luxurious and quietly romantic, perfect for a milestone date or a truly special night out in London.
Brunswick House
At Brunswick House you can spend Valentine’s evening in a setting that feels like a piece of London history come to life. Set inside a Grade II* listed Georgian mansion in Vauxhall, this restaurant and bar is filled with vintage chandeliers, antique curios and characterful rooms that feel at once elegant and slightly unpredictable, making it perfect for a couple who want something a bit different from the usual dinner date. The modern British menu from chef Jackson Boxer focuses on thoughtful, produce‑led dishes that pair beautifully with the interesting wine list and creative cocktails, while the relaxed yet stylish atmosphere makes it a romantic choice for a cosy dinner or a lively night out with live jazz and surprises in the cellar bar.
Hutong at The Shard
At Hutong at The Shard you can elevate Valentine’s with dramatic skyline views from level 33 of The Shard and a dining experience that feels both stylish and atmospheric. This acclaimed Northern Chinese restaurant serves dishes inspired by the imperial palaces of old Peking, from delicate dim sum and Rosé Champagne shrimp dumplings to standout mains such as sweet chilli‑glazed cod or Ma La beef tenderloin, all perfect for sharing and savouring together while you gaze out over London’s twinkling lights. The interior’s warm, lantern‑lit decor and hand‑carved wooden features create a romantic, intimate setting that feels ideal for a date night with a twist, and you can enhance the evening with indulgent touches like a Half Roast Peking Duck with pancakes or a glass of Champagne from their curated list.
Kioku by Endo
At Kioku by Endo you can take Valentine’s somewhere that feels both refined and memorable with contemporary Japanese cooking drawn from chef Endo Kazutoshi’s heritage and life in London, Japan and Spain. Perched atop The OWO with panoramic views across Whitehall and Westminster, this restaurant celebrates its name - kioku, meaning memory, with plates such as pristine nigiri, cuttlefish with nori pesto and signature tuna prepared tableside from a bespoke trolley, making every course feel like a discovery rooted in tradition and creativity. The elegant rooftop dining room, terrace and intimate spaces such as the chef’s table or turret room make it an ideal choice for food lovers seeking an elevated experience together against one of the city’s most dramatic backdrops.
Clos Maggiore
At Clos Maggiore you can make Valentine’s feel truly enchanting in a way few places in London manage with its award‑winning reputation as one of the city’s most romantic restaurants. Tucked away in Covent Garden, the restaurant’s Provençal‑inspired conservatory, twinkling with fairy lights and blossom and warmed by candles and a crackling fire in winter, feels like a secret world of candlelight and intimacy that suits celebratory dinners perfectly. The refined menu blends modern European and classic French influences with seasonal British produce while an extensive wine list offers perfect pairings for every course, creating an evening that feels both special and deeply memorable.
Sketch
At Sketch Valentine’s feels delightfully playful and indulgent in equal measure. The iconic Mayfair venue is as much about theatre as it is about food, from the whimsical interiors of the Gallery adorned in pink velvet and David Shrigley art to the ethereal Lecture Room & Library with its Michelin‑starred fine dining. Dishes blend creativity and precision, while inventive cocktails and a decadent afternoon tea add layers of fun and surprise, making it the perfect spot for couples who want a Valentine’s evening that is visually stunning, memorable and utterly Instagram-worthy.