The most romantic restaurants in London, England for the loveliest lovers on date night

As cliche as it sounds, London truly is a melting pot of culture. One-third of its residents come from outside the country. So it’s safe to say that these plates are packed with authenticity. Add to the fact that Central London and beyond is dotted with some seriously swanky districts, lined with restaurants for the perfect date night. Candlelight, shareable treats, and fine wines are just the icing. Here are the most romantic restaurants in London, across all budgets, for any occasion.

The best romantic restaurants in London

1. Cheneston’s | Kensington

Cheneston’s enchantment at every turn , with rich mahogany furniture, warm wood panelling, and Victorian leaded windows letting in the quaint sights of Kensington Court. Guests enjoy a menu of English classics, like Merryfield Farm Duck Liver Parfait and Dry-Aged Hereford Rib-Eye Steak, or you can always trust the double AA Rosette-awarded team on a tasting menu of the finest selections. As for the after party for two, secret gem the Stables Bar (named in homage to the original use of the building) is beautifully renovated and must be admired over a pour of the Milestone Old Fashioned. 

Find out more about Cheneston’s

2. LUNA Omakase | Liverpool Street

What’s your sign? If you’re into astrology, LUNA’s your most compatible spot. Hidden within Los Mochis, up to 12 star-crossed lovers tuck into Sosaku-style Edomae cuisine centred on the number 12. That’s in celebration of the 12 cycles of life and the moon’s eternal phases, capturing the essence of birth, growth, change, and renewal through flavours, artistry, and storytelling. You’re surrounded by 12 evocative paintings by artist Oms Rocha, each symbolising life’s perpetual rhythm…and of course, served 12 dishes (and perhaps a surprise or two along the way). 

Find out more about LUNA Omakase

3. Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay | The Strand

Restaurant 1890 within The Savoy Hotel was a coveted seat even before it rightfully earned its first Michelin star in 2024. With just 24-26 spots set for course after course of French showstoppers, perfectly curated wines to accompany, and a meticulous service you’re unlikely to ever forget; a visit marks any occasion that cannot be topped. These dishes are inspired by the legendary chef Georges Auguste Escoffier during his tenure at the hotel in 1890. Team Ramsay scoured the globe for the best on which to execute them. Items are seasonal and the wines unforgettable, particularly if you opt for a rare underwater find. 

Find out more about Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay

4. Zuaya | High Street Kensington

The vibrant flavours of Latin America can be savoured in Kensington thanks to Zuaya, a tropically verdant steakhaus perched within a quaint court just off the main road. It’s all about the grill here, with a variety of premium cuts cooked over an open flame for the perfect smoky finish. The Picanha rump is well portioned and beautifully marinated. Of course, the Peruvian and Brazilian treats don’t end there, and you’ll want to save room for the burrata and roasted peppers, or the artfully presented salads to balance out the protein. Afterwards, share the large-sliced cheesecake for two, or be piqued by a dulce de leche. 

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5. Brasserie of Light | Bond Street

If gifts are your partner’s love language, then a restaurant in the middle of Selfridges is the smart way to impress. Brasserie of Light serves in many ways. Walking in, guests are immediately in awe of a 24-foot-tall Damien Hirst sculpture called ‘Pegasus’, before they’re seated at mirrored tables to reflect the striking Art Deco interiors. Then there’s the food. From a beautifully presented Dorset Crab starter, to a flavourful Korean Boneless Half Chicken, and the cherry on top: a swoonsome Eton Cheesecake big enough for two. Of course, a bottle from under-the-radar French region Languedoc-Roussillon must join in the fun, before the journey home with those famous yellow boutique bags.

Find out more about Brasserie of Light

6. Sea Containers Restaurant | Southwark

Ahoy! If you’re partial to yacht life, hop aboard the Sea Containers Restaurant for the evening.  This casual yet chic riverside restaurant along the River Thames is all about seasonal and locally sourced ingredients with a touch of British quirk. You’ll enjoy the views, both out on the walk and of the boutique interiors. We love the fresh catch, such as the yellowtail crudo and the Atlantic cod, and the sticky toffee pudding is generous enough to share. The wine list is impressive, boasting a nice balance of European greats and new worlds. Best of all, it’s fairly priced.

Find out more about Sea Containers Restaurant

7. Sale e Pepe | Knightsbridge

A stalwart on the London dining scene, Sale e Pepe has been serving guests an authentic slice of Italian hospitality since 1974. You have two options to woo your beloved here: stay inside for a dark and moody dining experience or head outdoors to enjoy late summer meals complete with blooming flower boxes.

And the food? We can confidently say that the team has refined each dish to ensure that whatever you order, you’ll be in culinary heaven. We indulged in an extravaganza where we ate our way through perfectly prepared polpo, Cornish crab and avocado (great if you’re after something light and fresh), and tried to tackle the Sea Bream, a delicate masterpiece served with butter dill sauce, and only defeated to leave room for dessert. We shared a tableside tiramisu, the perfect end to the perfect meal.

Learn more about Sale e Pepe

8. The Ninth | Fitzrovia

£35 for a three-course Michelin-starred lunch? Sounds too good to be true. Thankfully, The Ninth spins our daydreams into reality. Jun Tanaka’s award-winning restaurant highlights the best of the season, with a Monday to Saturday lunch set (recently) comprising Cured Sea Trout, Grilled Poussin, and Pain Perdu & Tonka Bean Ice Cream (add a glass of wine for just £10). The atmosphere is romantic yet approachable, so locals can easily make this a weekend ritual, staying in the same outfit they’ve had on for museum hopping. Handy, since this is right on Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia. 

Find out more about The Ninth

9. CLAP London | Knightsbridge

CLAP in Knightsbridge is a special destination for romance, a two-storey concept starting with a chic main restaurant, featuring live sushi and robata counters, and above it a rooftop bar, lounge and terrace boasting 180-degree views for your DJ soundtracked after-party. In terms of what to order at the Japanese restaurant, the couple’s go-to is the Omakase (meaning ‘I’ll leave it up to you’); however, those expert in the cuisine may want to order a la carte. We’re partial to traditional, like the brothy tofu miso soup and the large sashimi/nigiri/roll ‘saiko platter’, but were allured by menu items showcasing CLAP’s creative flair, such as shoryu sea bass, and the wildly addictive rock shrimp tempura. To finish? Heaven is a matcha cheesecake and a shot of sake. More than a clap, this is a standing ovation.

Find out more about CLAP London

10. Paper Moon | Whitehall

Whitehall or Milan? Paper Moon gives you a classic feel of the two thanks to authentic Italian flavours served within London’s iconic Raffles London at The OWO hotel. It first debuted in the boot’s fashion capital circa 1977, becoming a runaway success that has since expanded to multiple chic outposts, and now a British destination. Seasonal delights piquing Londoners span fried courgette flowers and creamy ricotta gnocchi with generous truffle shavings; best finished with the Madagascar vanilla pannacotta served in traditional style. 

Find out more about Paper Moon

11. Ormer Mayfair | Mayfair

Chef Sofian Msetfi’s seasonally changing tasting menus ensure every patron who makes it to the front will want to rejoin the queue right after. Opt for regular, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan five-course or seven-course tasting menus, each spotlighting the best of British, including signatures (you’ll maybe sample) such as warm Ibérico ham jelly with Parmesan, Bramley apple and nasturtium; and the cured Cornish mackerel with sesame, kombu and spiced nage. Exquisite wine pairings round off a perfect evening.

Find out more about Ormer Mayfair by Sofian

12. Jacuzzi | Kensington High Street

Romance bubbles at Jacuzzi, an unashamedly opulent and ostentatious display of an Italian restaurant (the website reads ‘crazy trattoria’ if you want the official description). Couples: you’re entering a fantasy Venetian villa, stacked floor on floor with climbing plants, chandeliers, statues, art, antiques and even swimwear. It’s easy to forget you’re on High Street Ken. Untangle yourselves out of the fresh handmade spaghetti, share a truffle-laden pizza, and end with the grandma-style tiramisu.

Find out more about Jacuzzi

13. Spring | The Strand

Guide your love back in time to a quaint 19th-century drawing room within Somerset House: Spring’s a fairytale from the outside in. The seasonal offerings are wholesome and produce-driven; great for sharing, and even better with a premium glass of Bordeaux. Think: Crab croquette with heirloom tomatoes, or monkfish and clams with tomato, almonds, and aïoli, to name but a few sample items. The romantic Thames River calls for a post-dinner stroll.

Find out more about Spring Restaurant

14. JW Steakhouse | Hyde Park

After a major makeover, the JW Steakhouse has transformed itself into one of Park Lane’s most alluring date night destinations. It’s inspired by the golden age of classic American steakhouses, with booths that nod to the 19th-century Prohibition era as a hideaway for indulgence and secrecy.

Couples tuck into items like the Tomahawk steak, Boston parker house rolls, and Maryland-style crab cakes, and just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, in comes dessert in the shape of JW cheesecake. It’s big enough to share, made with a tasty Graham cracker crust and lightly whipped cream cheese filling. We enjoyed ours with a concoction from the bourbon trolley (fact: the Bourbon bar has the largest collection of bourbons outside Kentucky).

Find out more about JW Steakhouse

But wait, there’s more…

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