‘Making someone think of love; suitable for romance’: the definition of romantic itself is vague, making a definitive list of what constitutes a romantic restaurant rather tricky. However, we think there are a few essential boxes that should always be ticked.

Great food – the most obvious, and important. Great lighting that flatters both the décor of the restaurant and the diners themselves. Great music that you notice for being well-chosen. Staff who are just the right mix of friendly, efficient and invisible. Décor that makes you feel at home, in the comfort sense, but very far away from the home in which you prepare (and wash up) all meals. Read on for dinner inspiration for every type of romantic meal out in London: we’ve honed in on the best Valentine’s Day set menus, but these spots are also great for a big anniversary, a special occasion or just because. And, to make things even easier, we’ve split them up into location – because nothing spoils the mood like a long tube ride home.

Central London

Straits Kitchen at Pan Pacific London, The City

There are few chicer places to spend 14 February than at Straits Kitchen – Pan Pacific London’s signature restaurant that fuses Southeast Asian cuisine with modern European techniques. Curated by head chef Adam Bateman, the new five-course Valentine’s Day menu is available for one night only and begins with a glass of Taittinger Brut Réserve. Start with an amuse-bouche of parsnip and curried laksa velouté before beetroot-cured salmon gravlax with yuzu gel and pickled cucumber, before larger plates of pan-fried Orkney scallop with a hint of spice and satay, and indulgent dry-aged sirloin with mac and cheese and truffle jus. Finish with matcha mousse with strawberry vanilla consommé and pine nut brittle and you have a fine-dining affair to remember.

Courses: Five
Price: £79 per person, including a welcome glass of Taittinger Brut Réserve
Served: 14 February 2026

80 Houndsditch, EC3A 7AB, visit panpacific.com

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Mayfair

With three Michelin stars to its name, it’s unsurprising that Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester is one of our top picks for a romantic occasion. Expect impeccable service, modern but not outlandish decor and exquisite food. The à la carte menu has a degree of French flair and takes full advantage of the delicious produce from both French and British suppliers. Curated by chef patron Jean-Philippe Blondet, who has reimagined Ducasse’s cooking, stand-out dishes include hand-dived scallops with caviar, beef fillet with Périgord truffle, and seasonal Yorkshire rhubarb.

For Valentine’s Day, the restaurant is offering couples a delectable five-course menu including dishes using the best seasonal produce, from poached langoustine through to beef fillet and Cornish turbot with confit celeriac. For an even more enchanting evening, guests can book the Table Lumière Experience and dine surrounded by 4,500 shimmering optics in a semi-private space. It’s made all the better with a glass of rosé champagne in hand.

Courses: Five
Price: £350 per person including a glass of champagne, or £830 for two people including a bottle of champagne; Table Lumière package from £1,835 for two people including a bottle of Cristal Brut Rosé 2016 Vintage
Served: 14 February 2026

53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA, alainducasse-dorchester.com

Hide, Mayfair

Offering sweeping views across Green Park, the Hide dining room is a peaceful haven set away from the hustle and bustle of city life below — the perfect culinary escape for date night. You won’t be let down in the gastronomic department: the restaurant has a Michelin star to its name and serves delicious light plates with experimental flavours. The culinary offering here abides by the seasons and changes on a regular basis, with the current five-course tasting menu including steamed Cornish cod with artichoke and Aynhoe Park venison with quince miso and red wine jus.

This Valentine’s Day, head chef Ollie Dabbous has curated a special four-course menu starting with ‘bread and broth’ and ending with a decadent dessert of rhubarb and hibiscus cheesecake tart. Highlights also include lobster lasagne with coconut bisque, roast lamb hogget with feta, red pepper chutney and pistachio, and Lake District ribeye with confit potatoes and glazed Roscoff onions.

Courses: Four
Price: £150 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

85 Piccadilly, W1J 7NB, hide.co.uk

Twenty8 Nomad, Covent Garden, Soho

Image: Mark Anthony Fox

Image: Cristian Barnett

Tucked away within Covent Garden's NoMad hotel, upscale NYC-inspired bistro Twenty8 serves classic fare inspired by the city's tradition of steakhouses and brasseries. Set within a gorgeous covered courtyard - think abundant natural light, greenery and plush floral upholstery - it's the perfect setting to get cosy with your partner over some crowd-pleasing plates.

Its Valentine's Day menu is a celebration of timeless cooking. Start with oysters Rockefeller before moving on to mains of braised short rib with bone marrow, carrots and truffle, and saffron risotto with langoustine, mussels and red snapper. For dessert, there's a tower of profiteroles with strawberries and chocolate to share.

Courses: Four
Price: £95 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

28 Bow Street, WC2E 7AW, hilton.com

Aqua Kyoto, Soho

If you're a couple who can't get enough of all things sushi and sashimi, make Aqua Kyoto your date night go-to. Tucked away just off Regent Street (and mere seconds from Liberty should you have forgotten to pick up the flowers and chocolates), it boasts both a sleek indoor restaurant and a beautiful year-round terrace which is decked out in ever-changing seasonal flora and foliage.

Its Valentine's Day menu is offered as both omnivore and vegtarian variations, each promising a journey through the span of Japanese cuisine, including an omakase sushi and sashimi platter, Wagyu steak tartare, enoki tempura with motodare mayonnaise, marinated Chilean sea bass and a diamond heart dessert of white chocolate miso and champagne gel. There's also a special cocktail to toast the occasion in style.

Courses: Eight small plates
Price: From £85 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

240 Regent Street, W1B 3BR, aquakyoto.co.uk

Trishna, Marylebone

If Indian cuisine is the way to your heart, look no further than Michelin-starred Trishna in Marylebone. Led by executive chef Sajeev Nair, the menus combine fine British ingredients with unique and innovative modern Indian cooking techniques to create a selection of unforgettable dishes, including nandu varuval (masala soft shell crab with tomato chutney), cashew and pepper chicken, and tandoori venison haunch.

Trishna's Valentine's Day offering includes an five-course tasting menu that has been expertly curated to make the romantic evening one to remember. Tuck into hearty dishes inspired by the Indian coastline, from malabar crab cutlets and duck gilafi seekh to tandoori prawns balchao and beef short rib coconut fry. Elevate your evening with the restaurant's expert wine pairings, before ending the evening with a nightcap from the innovative Aamchi Mumbai cocktail menu.

Courses: Five
Price: £130 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

15-17 Blandford Street, W1U 3DG, trishnalondon.com

Kitty Hawk, Covent Garden

With a elevated position overlooking the rooftops of Covent Garden, refined modern British restaurant Kitty Hawk offers the perfect backdrop for any intimate date night. Nothing says romance quite like sampling an array of cocktails and authentic dishes in the gorgeous dining room framed by picture windows.

14 February will see the restaurant offer a Valentine's Day menu of three- or five-courses served to a soundtrack of live music, before a DJ takes over to keep the vibes going late into the evening. Linger over scallops woth squash, plum and apple marigold, beef Wellington with truffle mash, and halibut with mussels, broccoli and almonds, before desserts of chocolate fondant or baked Alaska to share. Guests can also splash out on the exquisite wine list and expertly curated cocktail menu for the perfect toast.

Courses: Three or five
Price: From £55
Served: 14 February 2026

8 St. Martin’s Place, WC2N 4JH, etmcollection.co.uk

Mr Porter, Mayfair

Named for the meat cut (not the online menswear retailer), Mr Porter is one of the newer additions to London's stellar roster of steakhouses and boasts a menu that puts a modern spin on the classics. With a chic dimly-lit dining room, impressive bar and an extensive wine menu, Mr Porter excels in making every meal feel like a special occasion, so if you're looking to impress there are few better options.

The menu is filled with decadent dishes, such as a whole section dedicated to carpaccios, chopped salads, and a vast array of meat options ranging from tomahawk steaks and Japanese wagyu to lamb ossobucco and grilled lobster, while Mr Porter will also be serving up a special tasting menu for Valentine's Day 2026. Highlights from the six-course menu include sharing snacks of focaccia, scallops, oyster and sashimi followed by avocado carpaccio with caviar and jumbo prawn salad. Mains of chateaubriand with foie gras and grilled langoustines come accompanied by fries and creamy spinach before an indulgent dessert of profiteroles with caramel, chocolate and vanilla cream. Plus, for one night only, guests can sip on an exclusive Valentine's cocktail of strawberry-infused Grey Goose, rose petals, cranberry juice and Chambord.

Courses: Five
Price: £110 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

22 Park Lane, W1K 1BD, mrportersteakhouse.com

Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden

Inspired by the romance of Tuscan and Provençal inns, Clos Maggiore is an intimate oasis of calm in the heart of Covent Garden. Offering up a contemporary take on classic European fare, locally sourced, well-balanced menus change regularly to reflect the seasons. For Valentine's Day it will be offering a one-off three-course lunch set menu, as well as a special six-course evening tasting menu, with highlights including confit duck with Roscoff onion and beetroot, lobster ravioli with Asian-scented bisque, butter poached halibut with black truffle and cauliflower, and chocolate and pecan delice.

Elsewhere, a world-renowned wine cellar boasts an impressive selection of over 2,500 bottles that have been carefully curated by the restaurant’s sommeliers. But it’s the restaurant’s airy conservatory, trimmed with flourishing cherry blossom, that truly steals the show: opened up to the elements throughout the warmer months, in winter the space becomes a cosy retreat illuminated by candles, starlight, and a crackling wood fire.

Courses: Three at lunch/Six at dinner
Price: £70 per person at lunch, £160 per person at dinner, wine pairings from £80 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

33 King Street, WC2E 8JD, closmaggiore.com

Ormer, Mayfair

Set inside the luxe Fleming's Mayfair hotel, Michelin-starred Ormer is led by executive chef Sofian Msetfi, who blends his Moroccan and Irish roots across a series of tasting menus that offer a North African twist on classic seasonal dining. For Valentine's Day, the restaurant will be serving a one-sitting-only four-course lunch menu inspired by some of Msetfi's signature dishes.

Start with a moreish semonline andbarley sourdough with olive oil and honey butter before moving on to turbot Morocaine with green chilli and kohlrabi, and roast Yorkshire duck with zaalouk (a Moroccan dip made with aubergine, tomato, garlic and spices). For dessert there's an unusual sounding blend of English saffron, nadorcott (a fruit similar to a mandarin), chocolate and coriander, while a choice of two wine pairings promise to round off the experience nicely.

Courses: Four
Price: £100 per person
Served: 14 February 2026, lunch only

7-12 Half Moon Street, W1J 7BH, flemings-mayfair.co.uk

Coya, Mayfair

Specialising in small plates and big flavours, Coya has been serving up modern Peruvian dining across London for 14 years. From weekend brunch and Sunday lunch to pisco hour and seasonal flavours, there's a flavourful selection of authentic regional dishes for every time and occasion – including Valentine's Day. Designed for sharing, and including half a bottle of Veuve Clicquot rosé champagne per person, highlights from the extensive menu of small plates include baked oysters, sea bream ceviche, Chilean wagyu fillet with padron peppers, tuna akami croquette, and a special Strawberry Kiss cheesecake dessert.

Courses: Four
Price: £170 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

118 Piccadilly, W1J 7NW, coyarestaurant.com

Roka, across London

With five locations across the capital, Roka has become a go-to for reliably brilliant Japanese robata cooking accompanied by sophisticated cocktails. Founded by Rainer Becker, also behind the hugely popular Zuma restaurant group, fine seasonal ingredients are sourced from local suppliers and prepared in the restaurant’s theatrical open kitchen before an audience of hungry guests.

Highlights from the Valentine's Day menu, which will be available at Roka, Mayfair, Canary Wharf, Aldwych and Soho locations, include a selection of sashimi, sushi and gyoza, beef fillet with chilli, ginger and spring onion, seabream fillet with miso, and a beautifully presented dessert platter to share. With a complimentary glass of Bernard Remy champagne to begin proceedings, it promises to be a night to remember.

Courses: Three
Price: £71 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

Across London, rokarestaurant.com

34 Mayfair, Mayfair

Standing proud on Grosvenor Square, 34 Mayfair serves up classic grill fare in an elegant venue that exudes date night vibes. Dishes are simple ingredient-led, and full of rich flavours perfect for impressing a loved one. For Valentine's Day 2026, 34 Mayfair will be serving a three-course evening set menu of crowd pleasers. Begin with a choice of shellfish cocktail or burrate, followed by a surf and turf trivette of Black Angus chateaubriand and tiger prawn skewers, served with béarnaise sauce, fries and Italian leaf salad. For dessert, there's an exclusive 34 Valentine's Heart, paired with a mini espresso martini, while every couple will also be given a box of signature truffles to take home.

Courses: Three
Price: £85 per person
Served: 13-14 February 2026

34 Grosvenor Square, South Audley Street, W1K 2HD, 34-restaurant.co.uk

East London

14 Stories, The City

Aptly nicknamed ‘the forest in the sky’, 14 Stories sits high above Fenchurch Street, overlooking the city skyline and stuffed to the hilt with luscious greenery. Showcasing the best of British, head chef Liam Price has created an inspired range of menus for the restaurant, offering up seasonal produce with a touch of Mediterranean flair.

The Valentine's Day menu boasts an impressive choice of dishes, with everything from seafood platters of prawn carpaccio, caviar and lemon aioli, truffle gnocchi, and T-bone steak to share, to slow-cooked lamb ribs and pear cheesecake with miso caramel. On 14 February there will also be a live singer setting the mood for romance throughout the night.

Courses: Five
Price: From £140 per person
Served: 13-14 February 2026

120 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 5BA, 14stories.co.uk

Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields

Image: Patricia Niven

Nothing says romance like great food and incredible architecture and Galvin La Chapelle, the Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant from the Galvin Brothers, is your go-to for just that. For Valentine's Day, executive chef Arturo Granato has created a special menu riffing on the restaurant's refined, seasonal ethos. Begin your evening with delicate canapés and a glass of champagne before tucking into a celebratory menu featuring the likes of yellow tail crudo, crab ravioli, English Pekin duck a l'orange, and barbecued Cornish monkfish. For dessert, an extensive choice include indulgent options of rhum baba, Manjari chocolate tart, apple tarte tatin, and brie de Meaux with vanilla, pear and truffle.

Courses: Three
Price: £148 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

35 Spital Square, E1 6DY, galvinrestaurants.com

West London

Tom Brown at the Capital, Knightsbridge

Think Knightsbridge is only for shopping sprees? Think again. A hidden gem in one of London's most illustrious neighbourhoods, Tom Brown at the Capital is the flagship restaurant of the eponymous chef, formerly of Outlaw's and Cornerstone, tucked away within the Capital Hotel. With just 28 covers, this intimate spot serves up clean, precise and utterly delicious fine dining fare perfect for foodie date nights.

For Valentine's Day, the restaurant will be serving a six-course tasting menu of seasonal dishes designed to impress. Think small plates of lobster toast with nori, sea bream tartare with quail egg and radish, and crab custard with winter tomato before a main of Hereford beef with oyster, and chocolate tart for dessert. Delicious.

Courses: Six
Price: £125 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

22-24 Basil Street, SW3 1AT, tombrownatthecapital.com

Abc Kitchens, Belgravia

Image: Lateef Photography

Abc Kitchens, Jean-Georges Vongerichten's London flagship restaurant at the recently opened all-suite The Emory hotel, is a chic, all-day dining affair that takes its cues from both Vongerichten's French roots and his New York dining empire. With interiors by Rémi Tessier and adorned with artworks by Damien Hirst, if you're looking to impress this Valentine's Day, there are few better spots.

For 2026, Abc Kitchens will be serving a special four-course Valentine's menu of bright, light Mediterannean flavours. Start with a glass of Billecart-Salmon champagne and snacks of Dorset carb toast and heirloom beet carpaccio before moving onto a menu of delectable choices including grilled octopus with kohlrabi slaw, beef tenderloin with chimichurri, and coconut panna cotta.

Courses: Four
Price: £120 per person
Served: 14 February 2026

Old Barrack Yard, SW1X 7NP, the-emory.co.uk

Daphne's, South Kensington

A crowd-pleaser from Richard Caring, this Martin Brudnizki-designed restaurant in South Kensington draws on the elegance of Italy, with a gleaming marble-topped bar, lemon trees and Murano glass chandeliers. Day-to-day, lovebirds can enjoy upmarket Italian classics, including a shellfish risotto to share, tiger prawns with garlic, chilli and parsley, and Bannockburn ribeye steak but, for Valentine's Day itself, Daphne's has something special up its sleeve.

Book on 13 or 14 February to enjoy a sumptuous lunch or dinner brimming with romantic specials. Think shellfish risotto to share, a chocolate and blood orange heart dessert and an exclusive Amore Mio cocktails – strawberry purée, Lanique Rose Petal spirit and prosecco – that promise to turn the heat up.

Courses: A la carte
Price: From £17
Served: 13-14 February 2026

112 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AE, daphnes-restaurant.co.uk

Core by Clare Smyth, Kensington

Boasting no less than three Michelin stars, Core by Clare Smyth specialises in seasonal, sustainable food sourced directly from the UK’s most devoted farmers and producers. Two elegant set menus, as well as an a la carte offering, promise guests a taste of Smyth’s culinary genius, expertly paired with an eclectic range of wines. Dishes are as delicious as they are delightful, think Isle of Harris scallop tartare, roasted cod with Morecambe Bay shrimps and braised lamb with sheep's milk yogurt.

Courses: Seven
Price: From £255, £175 supplement for wine pairings
Served: Daily

92 Kensington Park Road, W11 2PN, corebyclaresmyth.com

Ixchel, Chelsea

A modern Mexican restaurant in the heart of Chelsea, Ixchel is the kind of foodie gem sure to inspire romance and impress your date. Dishes are contemporary, clean, and seasonal – and pair brilliantly with pours from the incredibly well stocked tequila bar. Across Valentine's weekend, Ixchel will be offering both a set lunch and dinner curated by head chef Ximena Gayosso González. Both menus begin with a glass of Grande Reserve Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne before a range of 'para picar' starters and mains including pink mole chicken or wagyu chuck eye at dinner or grilled achiote chicken at lunch. Finish with classic desserts such as tres leches cake, chocolate tamal, or chocolate covered strawberries.

Courses: Five
Price: £55 at lunch, £125 per person at dinner
Served: 13-15 February 2026

33H King's Road, SW3 4LX, ixchellondon.com

Read more: Shaken and stirred: The best cocktail bars in London