London, a city that dances between the old and the new, the grand and the intimate, offers a dazzling array of romantic dining experiences. From candlelit Mayfair hideaways to opulent rooftop settings with sweeping skyline views, the capital is an ode to love itself—if you know where to look. Whether you’re looking to impress on a first date or reignite the flame in a long-term love affair, these are the most swoon-worthy restaurants where romance is always on the menu.
Clos Maggiore: The Enchanted Oasis
It is impossible to talk about romantic dining in London without mentioning Clos Maggiore. Tucked away in Covent Garden, this French-inspired haven is often dubbed the most romantic restaurant in the city—and with good reason. Step inside, and you are instantly transported into an ethereal fairy tale, where the low hum of whispered conversations is set against a backdrop of twinkling fairy lights and ceiling-hung cherry blossoms. The menu is a sophisticated ode to contemporary French cuisine, with dishes that feel indulgent but never overwrought. The wine list, an encyclopaedic selection of Old World vintages, ensures that love is well and truly in the air. And if you manage to secure a table in the conservatory? Well, then you’ve truly hit the jackpot.
Kitty Fisher’s: Candlelit Intimacy in Mayfair
For those who prefer their romance to be accompanied by a little old-world British charm, Kitty Fisher’s is the place to be. A tiny yet perfectly formed bolthole in Shepherd Market, this dimly lit restaurant offers a dining experience that is as much about atmosphere as it is about its menu of impeccably executed wood-grilled dishes. Named after an 18th-century courtesan, Kitty Fisher’s is a love letter to clandestine rendezvous and whispered confessions over plates of buttery Galician beef. The candlelit tables, flickering against dark wood interiors, add to its irresistible allure—ideal for those who prefer their romance with a side of intrigue.
Petersham Nurseries Café: Rustic Romance in Richmond
For an entirely different kind of romance—the one that finds beauty in nature and the unassuming grace of rusticity—there is Petersham Nurseries Café. Hidden away in Richmond, this restaurant is quite literally housed within a greenhouse, where fragrant flowers and verdant foliage surround diners in an atmosphere of unstudied elegance. The food is as poetic as the surroundings, with a menu that revolves around seasonal ingredients and simple, thoughtful execution. It’s a place that feels far from the chaos of the city—a secret garden where love can bloom at its own unhurried pace.
Bob Bob Ricard: A Champagne-Fuelled Affair
Some lovers want subtlety, others want drama. For the latter, there is Bob Bob Ricard. Located in Soho, this unapologetically flamboyant restaurant is famed for its decadent décor—think plush booths, art deco flourishes, and an all-encompassing sense of Gatsby-esque glamour. But the real star of the show? The iconic ‘Press for Champagne’ button at every table, ensuring that romance flows as freely as the bubbly itself. The menu is a decadent mix of British and Russian-inspired dishes, from beef Wellington to caviar-laden delights. If you’re looking to impress with a touch of ostentation, this is where you do it.
Hutong: Love at 33 Floors High
Some romances are larger than life, and for those, only Hutong will do. Perched on the 33rd floor of The Shard, this Northern Chinese restaurant is all about spectacle. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking panorama of London’s skyline—best enjoyed at sunset, when the city is bathed in gold and pink hues. The menu is a bold, spice-laden journey through Northern China, featuring dishes such as Peking duck carved tableside. It’s the kind of place where romance feels cinematic, where every glance across the table is set against a backdrop of twinkling city lights.
Andrew Edmunds: An 18th-Century Love Story
There’s something irresistibly charming about Andrew Edmunds, a restaurant that has quietly remained one of London’s most beloved date spots for decades. Tucked away in Soho, this 18th-century townhouse-turned-restaurant is candlelit, cosy, and unashamedly romantic. The menu is unpretentious yet refined, with a focus on classic European dishes and an impressive wine list that leans heavily on old vintages. It’s the kind of place that feels untouched by time, a setting that seems to invite long, lingering dinners filled with meaningful glances and stolen kisses.
La Poule au Pot: A Slice of Paris in Belgravia
If your idea of romance is a weekend in Paris but logistics aren’t quite on your side, La Poule au Pot is the next best thing. This Belgravia institution has been serving up rustic French fare for decades, and its candlelit, artfully cluttered interiors feel as though they’ve been lifted straight from a Montmartre bistro. The menu is unapologetically traditional—expect rich, slow-cooked cassoulets, velvety foie gras, and coq au vin that practically melts in your mouth. It’s a little slice of France in the heart of London, perfect for those who believe that love is best served with a side of red wine and Edith Piaf.
J Sheekey: Old-School Glamour and Seafood Seduction
For lovers who bond over a shared appreciation of seafood, there is J Sheekey, a Covent Garden institution that has been serving oysters, lobster, and caviar to London’s elite for over a century. The wood-paneled walls, intimate booths, and old-Hollywood charm make it a setting straight out of a 1940s romance film. Start with a platter of oysters—because nothing says romance quite like the indulgence of fresh shellfish—and let the evening unravel at its own leisurely pace.
The River Café: Riverside Romance
Few places in London offer the kind of effortless romance that The River Café does. Overlooking the Thames, this Michelin-starred Italian restaurant is a haven of simplicity and quality. The open kitchen, the expansive terrace, the menu that changes daily—it all feels like an homage to the joy of eating well. The food, as one would expect, is spectacular, with an emphasis on pristine ingredients and unfussy preparation. It’s a place where romance is in the details: the warmth of the service, the gentle hum of conversation, the way the light catches the ripples of the river outside.
Galvin La Chapelle: Grand and Glorious Love
For those who believe that romance should be grand, there is Galvin La Chapelle. Housed in a former Victorian chapel, this Michelin-starred French restaurant is as breathtaking as it is delicious. The soaring ceilings, the intricate architectural details, the sense of history that lingers in the air—it all adds to an atmosphere of dramatic romance. The food, a masterclass in refined French cuisine, is as memorable as the setting, making this a place where love stories feel larger than life.
Final Thoughts: Love, London, and the Art of Dining Well
Romance is as much about setting as it is about sentiment, and London offers no shortage of places where love can truly flourish. Whether you favour intimate candlelit dinners or sky-high spectacles, there’s a restaurant in this city that’s perfectly suited to your personal love story. Because in London, romance isn’t just reserved for Valentine’s Day—it’s served up every single night, one exquisite plate at a time.