The 10 Best Restaurants for a Romantic Dinner Date in London in 2025

When it comes to date nights in London, the bar is high. We're talking rose-lit tables, whispered “I love yous” over truffle-laced risottos, and just the right kind of playlist humming in the background. Whether you’re out with someone new or marking your tenth anniversary, choosing the right place to wine and dine is half the magic. Luckily, London in 2025 is overflowing with venues that practically scream (or rather, sultrily murmur), “This is the one.”

From candlelit hideaways to open kitchens dripping with theatre, here are the 10 best restaurants for a romantic dinner date in London in 2025. We’ve eaten our way through the city’s most heart-fluttering spots, so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.

1. Delamina Townhouse, Covent Garden

Romance level: Pomegranate seeds and spice trails

You know when a restaurant just feels like a love story waiting to happen? Delamina Townhouse, a beautiful restaurant in Covent Garden is that place. Tucked away on a quiet street just a few cobbles from the buzz of Seven Dials, it’s effortlessly seductive. The glow from the filament bulbs, the rustic wood interiors, the Eastern Mediterranean menu—everything about it whispers intimacy.

"We created Delamina to feel like a warm home, filled with nourishing dishes that bring people together," says Amir, the co-owner. That homey-but-glam vibe translates to dishes like charred aubergine dripping with tahini, grilled lamb cutlets with jewel-like freekeh, and cocktails that sneak up on you in the best way.

It's romantic, but not in the white-tablecloth, awkward-silence sort of way. More like you’re two characters in a Middle Eastern rom-com, sharing a mezze platter under the softest lighting in London.

2. The River Café, Hammersmith

Romance level: Old-school elegance with a riverside glow

Since 1987, The River Café has been serving lovers—and food lovers—with equal dedication. If you’ve ever dreamed of being in a Nancy Meyers film, this is your chance. Crisp white interiors, splashes of colour from modern art, and that golden hour glow off the Thames? You’d be mad not to fall a little in love here.

Don’t skip the tagliatelle with lemon, butter, and parmesan—it’s deceptively simple but pure poetry on a plate. And if your date’s going well? Order the chocolate nemesis cake and two spoons. You’ll thank us later.

3. Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell

Romance level: Decadent, dramatic, and kind of addictive

Sessions Arts Club isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Housed in an old courthouse with faded grandeur, open fires, and murals peeling just so, it’s got serious “let’s escape to Paris” energy without ever leaving Zone 1.

Food-wise, it’s elevated British with Italian leanings—think quail with wild garlic, handmade pastas, and puddings that practically seduce you off the menu. If you score a table by the windows or near the fire, congratulations: you’ve won date night.

4. Luca, Clerkenwell

Romance level: Italian love letter meets East London cool

At Luca, the mood is intimate, the lighting is warm, and the pasta? Out-of-this-world good. Their tagline is “British seasonal ingredients through an Italian lens,” but what that really means is: cacio e pepe with Lincolnshire parmesan, and Cornish fish baked in Umbrian olive oil.

Pro tip: Ask to sit in the semi-open garden room. Twinkling lights, olive trees, and that low hum of conversation—it’s peak romance without the cheese (well, except on your ravioli).

5. Muse by Tom Aikens, Belgravia

Romance level: Boutique, bespoke, and borderline magical

If your idea of romance includes a bit of drama, Muse by Tom Aikens delivers. This two-storey townhouse is a playground of storytelling through food. Each dish is based on a moment from Aikens’ life—making your dinner feel a bit like reading someone’s diary. But you know, tastier.

The tasting menu is a commitment (around 2.5 hours), but one that pays off. Think wagyu beef with fermented grains, langoustines so fresh they might blink, and theatrical plating that’s all smoke, mirrors, and Michelin-starred flair.

6. Claude Bosi at Bibendum, Chelsea

Romance level: Art Deco splendour with oysters on ice

Bibendum is housed in the old Michelin building on Fulham Road, and yes—it’s as glamorous as it sounds. The stained-glass windows alone are worth the reservation. But the food? It’s up there with the best in the world. Literally.

Claude Bosi’s double-Michelin-starred menu leans French, with modern spins and a sense of fun. Start with the caviar and end with the soufflé. Between, let conversation and wine flow like you’re starring in a French noir.

7. Dorian, Notting Hill

Romance level: Chic, candlelit, and effortlessly West London

Notting Hill’s gone through many restaurant phases, but Dorian has staying power. It’s one of those places that’s always just full enough, the kind of spot where the waiter remembers your favourite wine and the menu never fails.

Their signature beef tartare is punchy and playful. The sea bream crudo is razor-sharp fresh. But it’s the atmosphere that wins: relaxed, glowing, and just fancy enough to make you feel like you’re both doing something special.

8. Hide Above, Piccadilly

Romance level: Glitzy skyline views with Michelin-level finesse

Perched above Green Park, Hide Above is all about big romance moments. You’ll arrive via a twisting oak staircase (already dramatic), then be shown to a table with views over Hyde Park, glass of champagne in hand.

This is where you go to impress. The tasting menu reads like a love letter to modern British cuisine—venison with smoked beetroot, truffle-laced celeriac, and desserts that feel like edible art. Bring your A-game and maybe even a ring—this is proposal territory.

9. The Midland Grand Dining Room, King’s Cross

Romance level: Lavish nostalgia meets sexy French flair

Designed by the brilliant Victor Garvey (of Sola fame), The Midland Grand is a new-but-old-school marvel. Inside the beautifully restored St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, it’s full of plush banquettes, vaulted ceilings, and chandeliers that could light a ballroom.

“I wanted to channel the opulence of Belle Époque Paris, but with a London twist,” Garvey told The Evening Standard earlier this year. Mission accomplished. From the duck à l’orange to the soufflé topped with Earl Grey foam, it’s indulgence with intent. Bonus: you can hop straight on the Eurostar after dinner, if you’re feeling impulsive.

10. Bambi, London Fields

Romance level: Low-key, wine-heavy, vinyl-spinning charm

For those who prefer a little funk with their fondue, Bambi hits the spot. Part wine bar, part dinner party, part DJ set—this east London newcomer is cooler than your ex’s Instagram feed.

With a vinyl collection that leans ‘90s R&B, a menu filled with clever small plates (anchovy toast with brown butter is a standout), and a candlelit vibe that’s more "let's flirt over pét-nat" than "white roses and foie gras," Bambi offers a very 2025 kind of romance.

So, where’s your love story heading?

Whether you’re all about plush booths and white glove service or natural wine and sharing plates, London’s restaurant scene in 2025 is ready to play Cupid. From the theatrical to the understated, the Michelin-starred to the vinyl-spinning, these ten spots prove that romance is alive and well—and plated beautifully.

Just don’t forget to book ahead. Love waits for no one, especially not in this city.