Best Valentine's Day restaurants in London

V Day (or D Day for singles) is a time when we show love in abundance. We go mad for pinks and reds, heart-shaped chocolates, and Jellycat stuffed toys. We spoil our partners and gush words of affirmation across the dinner table.

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday, the sexiest day of the week, and these are the best restaurants in London where you and your [insert pet name] can celebrate your love.

For couples who want an intimate night

Bistro Freddie

Bistro Freddie sees chef Alexandre Reynold serve a menu inspired by classic British and French gastronomy. With just 45 covers, it’s an ideal date night spot to cosy up and go all out on the intimate offering. Expect seasonal starters, bold mains, and larger cuts of meat cooked over fire.

As its sample menu sets out, you can expect such romantic delights as cod schnitzel, house sausage, a dish of chips served with mayonnaise as standard, and your side salad comes dressed (there’s a joke in there somewhere). But it’s the pie for two that will make this Valentine’s a special one.

Shoreditch, EC2A | bistrofreddie.com

Jolene

Cue a passionate rendition of Dolly Parton’s classic. In contrast to the song’s story, Jolene's bakery and restaurant is another cosy affair, this one with a daily changing menu and a rustic, candlelit ambience.

Although I can’t say for certain what dishes will grace the chalkboard this Valentine’s, I do know they are bound to be delicious. And if the chocolate and almond cake makes the cut, it’s a must-order. So rich that you will feel truly spoilt.

Newington Green, N16 | jolene16.com

For the ‘no frills’ couples

HAKATA

All flavour, no fuss type of dinners are made to satisfy. And Bermondsey’s HAKATA Ramen + Bar is one of those. Slurp up its traditional Hakata Tonkotsu – a 12-hour pork broth, beni shoga, and slices of chashu pork – while staring into your lover’s eyes over the steaming bowl. And don’t skip on a glass of fruity HANA Plum Sake to finish with something sweet.

Bermondsey, SE1 | hakata.co.uk

Tamila

Next stop: Flavour Town, destination: Tamila. The second site by the Tamil Prince will soon be joined by a third as it opens a new location in King’s Cross, just in time for V Day. The dishes here are made for sharing – with bowls of curry, chargrilled Tandoori chicken, starters that are perfect for picking up with your hands, and heaps of aromatic coconut rice. If sharing is caring, then splitting a roti and dunking it into dhal is my new love language.

Various locations | tamila.uk

Giulia Restaurant

For pasta lovers who are looking to meet in the middle of the spaghetti strand, just like Lady and the Tramp, Giulia Restaurant is the place to go. Everything here is made in-house – from the sauces glistening over the pasta to the pasta itself. With authentic flavours like its cacio e pepe ravioli with butter and sage, or its fried artichoke sprinkled with pecorino and saffron, you’ll be transported to Italy from this West London love nest. For dessert? Two scoops of gelati, amore mio.

Shepherd’s Bush, W12 | giuliarestaurant.co.uk

For the foodie couples

104 Restaurant

The camera eats first in this relationship. 104 Restaurant by Richard Wilkins brings you delectable tasting menus featuring plates that will have you saying, “Remember that dish…” until next Valentine’s. The three-course tasting menu is available with wine pairing and features dishes such as the Sicilian tomato gazpacho, baby tomatoes, and A5 Kagoshima wagyu fillet

For afters, there’s passionfruit and herb sorbet, or 104’s 70% Valrhona Guanaja chocolate bar with Madagascan vanilla ice cream. The tasting menu also includes canapes, bread, and petit fours. Head here hungry.

Westbourne Park, W2 | 104restaurant.com

Frederick’s

Then there is Frederick’s in Islington, which was set up by Louis Segal in 1969 and has stayed in the family ever since. Throughout its history, it has focused on providing modern European food to hungry diners and maintaining quality service.

With small tweaks to be expected to the menu, even throughout service, highlights include Frederick’s chicken soup, Daphne’s Welsh lamb rump with roast Jerusalem artichokes, new potatoes, cavolo nero, and rosemary jus. There’s oozing chocolate fondant and pistachio ice cream to finish. As well as good food, wines are a big focus at Frederick’s – and the by-the-glass menu is pretty expansive. For me, it’ll be the Cabernet Merlot from the Meerlust Estate.

Islington, N1 | fredericks.co.uk

For the long distant couples

Whether you’re looking for a night away in the capital as a meet-in-the-middle couple or you fancy a staycation, arguably the most important part of the hotel is the restaurant attached to it.

Radio Rooftop at ME London

At ME London, start with dinner at the hotel’s restaurant Radio Rooftop, where you can look out over a lit-up London. It offers a range of sushi and Asian-inspired dishes. Dive into spicy tuna rolls or a sashimi selection – and be sure to get two Papaya Don’t Preach cocktails to sip on.

The Strand, WC2R | radiorooftop.com

BiBo

For another two-in-one, enjoy an Andalusian tapas feast at BiBo, located inside Mondrian Shoreditch. Plates include classics like padron peppers and patatas bravas, plus special BiBo brioches. Pair your feast with a glass of sherry or chocolate bitter. No Sex on the Beach here.

Shoreditch, EC2A | grupodanigarcia.com

For couples who love a boogie

Bambi

From dinner to dancing, all in one place. Bambi in London Fields combines an intimate, low-lit ambience, and small plates, with a sexy sound system. This Valentine’s, DJ Sun in Libra is taking to the decks from 9 p.m., with the tables pushed aside from 10:30 and a party that goes on until one in the morning.

London Fields, E8 | bambi-bar.com

Dalston Jazz Bar

Then there’s Dalston Jazz Bar, where the concept excludes prices for the dishes you order. They just ask that you make a donation for the plates, including the price of the live music. The concise but delicious seafood menu includes oysters and the fish of the day, and a burnt Basque cheesecake on the dessert menu, which is a no-questions order, right?

Dalston, N16 | dalstonjazzbar.co.uk

For the singles

Stay off social media if you don’t want to see endless reels of “another Valentine’s spent with this one x” and watch Babygirl in bed with fresh sheets after eating the M&S Dine In for Two, for one. That’s loving yourself.

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