10 Romantic Restaurants for a Perfect Date Night in London

They say “Marry someone who can cook, because looks fade but hunger doesn’t.” However, if the kitchen is outside of your partner’s comfort zone, let’s hope they at least take you somewhere nice and feed you well. As someone who dines out more often than she eats in, I consider myself a pretty good authority when it comes to recommending places to eat in London, especially given that reviewing restaurants is part of my job.

There are many factors that go into making a restaurant “romantic”. Romance in itself is also very subjective, but in my opinion the ambiance plays the biggest part. Set the mood, dim the lights and pour yourself a glass of wine as you read on to find out which restaurants made it to my top 10.

In no particular order:

Orasay (Notting Hill)

Nestled in the charming neighbourhood of Notting Hill, Orasay has been on my radar for quite some time. It is elegant and cosy, with a menu that changes daily. 

Expect a delectable selection of seafood and other seasonal goodness. My favourite dish was the Fried Shrimp & Potato Cake, which has a peculiar resemblance to the Hong Kong style prawn toast that I grew up with.

The dim lighting paired with a table of good food and expertly chosen wine selection make Orasay a delightful place for an intimate dinner.

Address: 31 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2EU

Website: https://orasay.london/

Claridge’s Restaurant (Mayfair)

It’s Claridge’s, need I say more?

This quintessentially British hotel opened the doors to its newly revamped restaurant at the end of 2023. A luxury eatery that is the perfect blend between classic and contemporary British. 

Claridge’s Restaurant’s interior is beautifully adorned in art deco style and the all-day menu is filled with classic British dishes. Why not start your date on the right note by ordering some aphrodisiacal fine de claire oysters to share? A bottle of rosé pairs very well too with the grilled native lobster!

Address: Claridge's, Brook St, London W1K 4HR

Website:https://www.claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/claridges-restaurant/ 

DUCKSOUP (Soho)

Record player, vinyl, a blackboard menu and a shelf full of wines. DUCKSOUP is Soho’s natural wine bar and restaurant and it is here to serve up seasonal dishes. It is cosy and intimate, with little tea lights on the table to set the mood and a selection of fascinating wines to impress your date.

With a menu that changes weekly, you best believe the food is fresh and varied. Everything is made to share but I would recommend having your own dessert simply because of how good they are! 

Address: 41 Dean Street, London W1D 4PY

Website: https://www.ducksoupsoho.co.uk/ 

Paradise Soho

Just a few steps away from DUCKSOUP is Paradise Soho. Similar vibes to the last but more dimly lit and comes with a spice warning.

Paradise Soho serves up some amazing Sri Lankan dishes with a contemporary twist. Their menu changes regularly and is designed to be shared. But whatever you end up getting, make sure to add a portion of egg hopper to your order. The restaurant is pretty narrow so if you're going for a more casual vibe, counter dining is the way to go. But if you want the cosiest spot in the house, make sure to reserve the booth for maximum privacy.

Address: 61 Rupert Street, London W1D 7PW

Website: https://paradisesoho.com/ 

Hutong (London Bridge)

I could be biassed but there’s nothing quite like spending time with your favourite person over some scrumptious chinese food with a view of London’s skyline. 

Located on 33/F of The Shard, Hutong is not your day-to-day Chinese restaurant but one that is very much reserved for special occasions. Try and request a table by the window for an unobstructed view of the city. 

The food here is sichuan-style, so be prepared for some spice. Their Waygu Beef Millefeuille and Roasted Peking Duck are not to be missed.

Be sure to also check out the Shanghai Bar to test your compatibility over some expertly crafted zodiac cocktails.

Address: 31 St. Thomas Street, Level 33, The Shard, London SE1 9RY

Website: https://hutong.co.uk/

Popolo (Shoreditch)

Popolo is an unassuming restaurant tucked away on Rivington Street in the heart of Shoreditch. Inspired by the many regions of Italy, the restaurant offers seasonal sharing plates in a comfortably cosy setting.

There’s a separate dining area upstairs but we went for the counter seat at the open kitchen bar. I loved seeing our food prepared in front of us and conversing with the chefs as they performed magic on each dish. 

Everything here is prepared with sustainably sourced produce. Paired with a bottle from the carefully curated list of wines (all from independent producers), you have yourself a memorable dining experience. 

Address: 26 Rivington St, London EC2A 3DU

Website: https://popoloshoreditch.com/ 

L'Oscar Restaurant (Holborn)

My boyfriend and I still reminisce about our staycation at L’Oscar almost half a year ago. Whilst the room and hospitality were excellent, we were most surprised by how outstanding the restaurant was. 

Let me set the scene for you: an illuminated Onyx bar, plush velvet sofas and a mirrored ceiling. The restaurant in itself is seductive. Paired with a truffle-filled menu… stop! You must try the black cod miso and the hamachi sashimi. If this is not alluring enough for you, I don’t know what will do it.

Address: 2-6 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AA

Website: https://www.loscarlondon.com/restaurants-bars/loscar-restaurant/

Jeru (Mayfair)

Some might say it’s the sun, sea and sand that make the Mediterranean sexy. However this pan-Mediterranean restaurant, situated right in the heart of Mayfair (with little sea or sand - sun on a good day), certainly suggests the food could be what does it.

From freshly baked bread to chargrilled aubergine and seabass, every dish is rich in flavour and texture. Don’t underestimate the wood-fired potato bread. It comes with truffled honey and a chickpea miso butter that is out of this world. Be sure to also leave room for their baklava ice cream, one of the best there is in London.

Address: 11 Berkeley St, London W1J 8DS

Website: https://jeru.co.uk/

Cornerstone (Hackney Wick)

The only time I’ve ever experienced love at first bite was at Cornerstone, and that was even before the starter arrived. 

This three-time Michelin-awarded restaurant is unlike any other Michelin-star restaurant I’ve been to. It is relaxed and casual. The restaurant is set up around an industrial-style open kitchen, where you can observe the chefs at work. 

Cornerstone is a produce-led restaurant, meaning the menu changes depending on what is in season. Having said that, if you see it on the menu you cannot leave without trying the hake kyiv and crab XO bun. I couldn’t tell you how it’s done but they are absolutely insane.

Instead of mulling over the menu, why not let the chef work their magic by opting for the chef’s menu? Your choices are taken care of, allowing you to spend more time romancing your other half whilst enjoying 8 of the restaurant’s signature dishes. If you want to go all out, opt for the wine/ cocktail pairing!

Address: 3 Prince Edward Rd, London E9 5NP

Website: https://cornerstonehackney.com/ 

45 Jermyn St. (Piccadilly Circus)

If you are looking for old-school glamour, look no further than 45 Jermyn Street. Think Marilyn Monroe sipping champagne in a booth, or Audrey Hapburn twirling her plate of pasta by the window. 

45 Jermyn St. is a fashionable contemporary restaurant on the street most famous for selling gentlemen's apparel in London. As soon as you walk through the curtained doorway, you’ll be greeted by rows of luscious orange booths and a beautiful marble-topped bar.

Things to look out for on the menu include the Roast Bone Marrow and Celeriac Remoulade and the Cumbrian Beef Steak Tartare. For a more theatrical (and delicious) experience, order the lobster spaghetti for the table and watch it expertly flambé in front of you.

Address: 45 Jermyn St, St. James's, London SW1Y 6DN

Website: https://45jermynst.com/ 

As I said, romance is subjective. I hope you have the most memorable meal in whichever restaurant you end up choosing. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know in the comments below.