Romantic things to do in London
A tall tower, countless art galleries and museums, a river winding through the heart of the city – if you squint London could just about be Paris, the City of Love. Admittedly, it doesn’t boast a poetic epithet that appeals to couples but when you’re in love (almost) anywhere is romantic.
Whilst everybody’s idea of romance will be slightly different, some things are universally romantic, and, while London isn’t Paris – no matter how much you cross your eyes – there are still many romantic things to do in London.
Ice cream & coffee (or wine!)
For first dates and casual dates.
The Dreamery
Committing to dinner on a first date can be a bit risky. For something with a little less pressure, opt for ice cream and wine at The Dreamery. This whimsical spot was inspired by Paris’ Folderol and features an equally whimsical ceiling painted in the style patrons of Goodbye Horses wine and listening bar will recognise (The Dreamery is the little sibling to the De Beauvoir Town date spot).
The Dreamery is a cosy little establishment, so if you can't grab a seat you can take your scoops to go and stroll through leafy green neighbourhoods to nearby Islington or De Beauvoir Town.
As far as romantic things to do in London, an ice cream date is a little retro but pear sorbet with orange wine definitely brings it into the 21st century.
Islington, N1 | Instagram
Queen's Wood Café
If your ideal date is simply grabbing coffee, Queen's Wood Café is a unique coffee spot in a setting that’s both serene and romantic. Tucked away in the Queen's Wood, it's hard to believe this café surrounded by nature is only a few minutes away from Highgate Station.
If the date's going well and you're not ready to say goodbye, the café also serves pastries and light lunch or you can take your coffees for a stroll through the woods.
Highgate, N10 | queenswoodcafe.org
A table for two
The classic dinner date. There are many intimate and romantic restaurants at every price point across London (this blog recommends a few). For classic candlelit ambience, here are three standout romantic restaurants.
Cloth
Art-laden walls in a cosy rustic dining room complete with candle-topped tables. Cloth’s elegant contemporary British menu has won over critics and customers alike and ensures a special dining experience for a date night.
It’s hard not to swoon over plates of comforting classics made with the finest produce, presented with a delicate, modern hand. Enjoy the likes of roast scallop with Nduja and Jerusalem artichoke or beef ragu with casarecce pasta, and pair your meal with wine from a devoted collection.
Farringdon, EC1A | clothrestaurants.com
Cadet
A little cave à manger (a wine shop for eating) right on Newington Green, Cadet’s simple décor marries a Parisian wine shop with a cosy North London restaurant, with wine bottles lining the shelves and candles nearly as elbow-to-elbow as the diners.
It’s not Paris but the City of Love’s influence, seen in the occurrence of cave à manger eateries, makes for even more romantic things to do in London, namely sipping wine and indulging in oysters.
Newington Green, N16 | cadetlondon.com
Sessions Arts Club
Set in the old judges’ dining room in the Grade II listed Sessions House in Clerkenwell Green, this restaurant, bar, and art and performance space offers dining by candlelight in what feels like the romantic ruins of an 18th-century mansion designed in the classical style.
It’s a dreamy space with paint-chipped walls, candelabra-adorned fireplaces, and – in the warmer months – a rooftop bar and garden. The menu is created with the finest seasonal ingredients that will leave you swooning as you admire them in the candlelight. Sessions Arts Club may just be one of London’s most atmospheric and cinematic dining experiences.
Clerkenwell, EC1R | sessionsartsclub.com
Love & music
Elevate the classic dinner date with live music or a selection of vinyl at an intimate listening bar.
Mu
Mu’s interior is moody with dark wood tones and soft lighting, with a touch of living room comfort. Enjoy live music Wednesday through Sunday whilst indulging in a menu of Japanese dishes with a focus on robata grill cooking, and saké, cocktails, and wine. Mu is relaxed and cool with a touch of ambience that lends itself very well to a date experience.
Dalston, E8 | mu-ldn.com
Hausu
For the foodies, love is sharing an exquisite meal. For the music lovers, it’s candlelight and a vintage hi-fi sound system. When you’re both a foodie and an audiophile, date night comes in the form of delectable small plates, mood lighting, and vinyl records. Hausu brings a love of food and tunes centre stage and its resident selectors can set the mood way, way better than an algorithm.
Peckham, SE15 | hausulondon.co.uk
Jazz Sundays at Charlie’s
For a truly special date, bring a little romance to a Sunday at Charlie’s in Mayfair. Located within the five-star Brown’s Hotel, experience live jazz in classically traditional surroundings with little touches of understated modern elegance. And if it’s raining outside, even better. There’s something timeless about being seduced by jazz in a lowlit swish atmosphere.
Mayfair, W1S | roccofortehotels.com
Create something together
Romantic things to do in London beyond dinner for two – although wine may still be involved.
Hand-rolled pasta & focaccia workshop
Bread Ahead in Borough Market has a monthly workshop where you can roll your sleeves up and create hand-rolled pasta and bake focaccia bread. When the workshop is done, you and your partner can purchase a bottle of wine (or a couple!) and some cheese from Borough Market and take your date somewhere a little more private.
Borough, SE1 | breadahead.com
Pottery Studio 1 - Date Night Class
It’s been more than thirty years since the world witnessed Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze getting romantic in a pottery studio and it’s now a universally romantic thing to do. Whilst everybody else in the studio wouldn’t appreciate a make-out session, you can safely create something with your partner and laugh at each other’s attempts. And if your hands touch a few times, nobody else will notice.
Central London | pottery-london.co.uk
Paint & Sip
Perhaps the tactile nature of moulding clay isn’t your thing but you still want to get creative with your partner. Paint & Sip nights offer the chance for creativity, conversation, and a drink of your choice. There’s no requisite to be good at painting, and just like with pottery, you’re well within the right to take the piss out of each other’s paintings because teasing your partner will forever be a love language.
Various locations | classbento.co.uk
Sunset strolls & views
In other cities, you’ll find couples stealing kisses on grandiose bridges. In London, you’re more likely to spot scavengers digging in the Thames’ muddy banks at low tide.
The fact remains that walking hand in hand at sunset will always feel sweet and special. Stroll along the Queen’s Walk towards the majestic Tower Bridge or walk through Brockwell Park to the Walled Garden. Hampstead Heath offers stunning city views, Richmond offers deer spotting, and a stroll through Greenwich Park can end with a date at the Royal Observatory.
A boat on the Thames
Why walk along the Thames when you can sail down it? City Cruises offers formal dining, an open deck, and viewing windows allowing you to wine and dine whilst looking out at the city skyline.
Iconic romantic things to do in London
The View from the Shard
For truly remarkable views of the cityscape, treat your date to The View from the Shard at sunset. It’s the most romantic movie thing you can do in London.
London Bridge SE1 | the-shard.co.uk
Horizon 22
The highest free viewing platform in London – it’s free so you’re more likely to encounter a crowd, but when you only have eyes for the person you’re with, will you even care?
City of London, EC2N | horizon-22.co.uk
The classic cinema date
This is definitely not for the early dating stage – unless you’re both cinephiles – but for the established couple who don’t mind sitting in silence for the better part of two hours, there’s something quintessentially timeless about the classic cinema date.
The Electric Cinema
This is a little more special than a movie date at a massive chain cinema. The Electric Cinema offers a luxurious movie-going experience, with lush, cosy seating and a full dinner menu, making it the perfect place to see the latest film with your date.
Notting Hill, W11 | electriccinema.co.uk
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