Whether you’re looking for a special place to celebrate your recent engagement, a big birthday or simply a Friday night supper – our editors have got you covered. We have reviewed restaurants all over town to bring you the best date night restaurants in London.
Tried, Tested and Reviewed by TWE
Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond
By Isabella Foulger, Co-Founder & Editor
Nestled on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond, this boutique hotel is the one to add to your list for a romantic lunch or dinner. Once nicknamed the Ritz of Richmond, it was refurbished in 2019 and is a masterclass in laid back luxury. The restaurant is curated by Masterchef: The Professionals winner, Steven Edwards, each plate is neat, sexy and satisfying. Located in the library, it’s an intimate setting where books and modern artwork line the teal blue walls. Dining here is a spoiling experience with a number of amuse bouche to start – think micro truffle donuts and marmite bread with seaweed butter. Delight in the lobster and crab tart or refreshing beetroot tartar to begin, followed by line caught sea bass with all the trimmings. Puddings are not to be missed, indulge in the Valrhona chocolate delice, with salted caramel and cocoa nib. For real foodies, at weekends there is the option to experience the 7 course tasting menu.
Hot Tip: if the sun is shining, beckon the Champagne trolly to the balcony and enjoy the view.
Website: www.binghamriverhouse.com/
Le Comptoir Robuchon
By Isabella Foulger, Co-Founder & Editor
For a dose of Parisian magic, look no further than Le Comptoir Robbuchon. This new restaurant opened its doors for the first time in 2019 and the energy of the young team is electric. James Thurstan Waterworth was the interior mastermind behind the design – there’s gold hues throughout, a marble bar with live DJ in the evenings and rich finishings, think burnt orange velvet sofa seating and copper pans on show. On arrival, enjoy a glass of bubbles from the Champagne trolley (which features bottles from less trampled vineyards as well as the big names) wheeled over to your table by the Sommelier. Nibble on little entrees and delight in the artistry of the bread basket, in both presentation and taste. To start, order the Lobster Spaghetti served in a light bisque. This dish is a personal favourite of mine – and they take it to the next level here. Next, share the Cote De Boeuf served with the signature Robuchon mouth-wateringly creamy mash, bone marrow and classic Béarnaise sauce. Puddings are not to be missed, classic French plates are served in a theatrical manner. As my husband correctly said, booking a table here is the way to show someone you really love them.
Hot tip: book a table for two at the counter, soak up the vibes of the open kitchen watching the masters at work.
Website: www.robuchonlondon.co.uk/
Eldr Roof Garden at Pantechnicon
By Isabella Foulger
Located on the top floor of the very smart Pantechnicon building, newly appointed head chef Jenny Warner has got everyone talking about this rooftop restaurant. Jenny hails from Finland and she’s created a seasonal menu that’s inspired by the homely classics of her childhood along with the produce, methods and traditions of her homeland. The atmosphere is cool and casual, flooded with natural light and jungle-esque plants mixed with pared-back Nordic interiors. There’s an outdoor terrace with gorgeous views over Chelsea. Dishes are uber-fresh, start with the beef tartare served with Icelandic wasabi followed by the whole crumbed lemon sole to share. Pudding plates are equally as innovative, chocoholics must try the chocolate, blood orange and almond tart. The contemporary cocktail menu features unique house infusions and botanicals designed to wow. And there’s also Danish and Japanese beer on tap as well as a curated international wine list.
Hot Tip: book a table for a long lazy lunch.
Website: www.pantechnicon.com/roof-garden
Madera at Treehouse London
By Isabella Foulger, Co-Founder & Editor
Up in the sky but down to earth, Madera is a vibey Mexican restaurant with panoramic city views. The lifts transport you up the tree trunk, into the canopy, which is Madera on the 15th floor. Plants and greenery hang from an industrial warehouse ceiling and combine with rustic bird boxes and rattan lampshades to complete the treehouse aesthetic. The music is upbeat, with a DJ at weekends, making it a really fun and lively setting for a date. Food is experimental and served from an open kitchen – which always excites my taste buds. Start with a few small plates to share; try the tacos (which are a petite, canapé size) and the ceviche from the raw bar is a must. For the main course, try one of the the signature Rocks dishes, where a ribeye of beef is served over hot lava stones with all the Mexicano zingy trimmings. To finish, it has to be the finger-licking chocolatey churros. Madera also has an extensive vegan menu. To continue the date, head upstairs to The Nest bar for a nightcap.
Hot Tip: book a table by the window and it’s a great place for cocktail lovers – order the fiery Los Muertos.
Website: treehousehotels.com/london/eat-drink/madera
Ducksoup
By Alexandra Dudley, Lifestyle Editor
A tiny restaurant in the heart of Soho, with a weekly changing menu that follows the tune of the seasons, and a vinyl player that hums from the corner, Ducksoup has an energy to it that is perfect for a date night. The best seats are at the bar where you can rub shoulders with each other as you enjoy sharing plates of fettuccine with rosemary, lemon and parmesan; spiced yellow bean fritters with garlic yogurt and curry leaves; or roast poussin with braised artichoke and coco beans. Dishes arrive in a relaxed fashion, ordered as and when they are best enjoyed, which I have always found creates a wonderful rhythm to the evening. Whenever people ask me what the food is like at Ducksoup, I describe it as ‘food you really want to eat’. It’s the sort of food that makes you ‘ooh’ and ‘mmm’ and is near impossible not to talk about. The menu takes inspiration from all over the world, paying particular attention to the Mediterranean and Middle East. It’s worth noting the wine too. A wonderful and well-researched list of organic and biodynamic wines are available by the bottle, but also by the glass. If you are new to low-intervention wines it is a wonderful opportunity to experience something new.
Hot Tip: if there are fritters on the menu, order them immediately! And always ask for an extra plate of bread to mop up the wonderful juices and sauces.
Website: www.ducksoupsoho.co.uk/
Shangri-La: Ting
By Kendra Leaver-Rylah, Co-Founder & Editor
As the door pings open at The Shangri-La London, your date night starts: greeted by 360-degree vistas of the capital, with a split-level, marble-clad lobby that sings with the overawed delight of guests poring over the floor-to-ceiling widescreen panoramas. Kickstart the night at Gong, on the 52nd floor, which offers an impressive rotating menu of themed cocktails. We suggest The Yuza cocktails with Tanqueray Ten and cedarwood notes it makes for the zesty’s kick-start to your evening. Then it’s off to the restaurant, Ting, which is European fine dining with an Asian twist; we love the beef Tataki or Seared King Scallops onto dishes like mouth-wateringly yummy Hainanese Chicken Rice and to finish Coconut Sesame Choux with staff are discreet but on the ball. This place is extreme luxury high up in the clouds.
Hot Tip: The lounge is also ideal for reclining in with a nightcap after dinner at its adjoining restaurant, which has a grand piano at its centre.
Website: www.shangri-la.com/london/shangrila/
Annabels
By Kendra Leaver-Rylah, Co-Founder & Editor
We all know London’s great and glamorous flock to Annabel’s when the sun goes down, but it’s during the day that you see the club’s beating heart. Pass a winged unicorn alighted on the stairs flying on a hot-air balloon to get into the Palladian-style townhouse garden, which is covered by a one-of-a-kind retractable glass roof. There, you’ll find all the glamour and sense of escapism that Annabel’s is known for. Opt for the Classic Beef Tartare to start – it pairs perfectly with a glass of champagne rosé, followed by the Côte de Boeuf (to share) with a bottle of Malbec. And remember, the delights do not end in The Garden, for Annabel’s is still home to the world’s most dazzling and Instagram-famous loos….
Hot Tip: you can never be overdressed in Annabel’s.
Website: www.annabels.co.uk/
The Riding House Cafe
By Jade Beer, Editor-at-Large
Nothing takes the pressure off a date night quite like a rowdy dining room where you can sit at the long sharing table under a canopy of trailing foliage and not-so-discreetly eavesdrop on everyone around you. Or elevate yourselves on a couple of the high blue velvet chairs that line the bar for speedy service and instant access to an imaginative cocktail menu that includes the vodka-based Mankini Martini – and where all the listed wines can be served by the glass – so there’s no fear of looking tight for ordering a bottle of the house white. Always packed with excitable media types that spill in from Soho (last time we dined here we saw Dermot O’Leary and Joe Wicks) the menu is as laid-back as the ambience. Linger over a selection of shared small plates including yellowfin tuna tartare, squid and chorizo salad or salt cod fritters. Or fully indulge with the lobster lasagne, beef wellington or the forty-day aged rib-eye steak. Desserts are fun too – warm cinnamon donuts, a hot fudge sundae or chocolate brûlée. Sign us up as regulars!
Hot Tip: the loved-up might prefer one of the red velvet sofas in the main dining room where you can slide back and make the meal last hours.
Website: ridinghouse.cafe/
The Connaught + LPM Bar & Restaurant
By Alessandra Frame, Contributing Fashion Editor
I’ve always thought that pulling up outside The Connaught and being helped out of your taxi by the doorman makes you feel like you’re in a movie. Enveloped by clouds of mist erupting from the large granite-edged water feature in front, there is an air of magic outside the hotel that is especially palpable in the cooler months. Inside, the Connaught Bar with its low lighting and old-world charm is an incredible place to begin a date night. After a couple of cocktails, my husband and I love to take the beautiful ten-minute stroll to one of our favourite places to eat in London; LPM Bar & Restaurant (formerly La Petite Maison). Whilst The Connaught is all about quintessential British charm, LPM feels like spending a night in France. Located at the end of a Mayfair cul-de-sac the French Mediterranean cuisine is absolutely exceptional. From their famous whole-roast, black-leg chicken (pre-order essential), to their simple yet mouthwatering warm prawns with olive oil, here it’s all about good food, good wine and of course… good company.
Hot Tip: when walking along Carlos Place on your way to dinner make sure to peek inside The Row’s flagship store, they have a James Turrell Elliptical Glass (2017) installation in the entryway!
Website: www.the-connaught.co.uk/ & lpmrestaurants.com/london/
Jolene, Westerns Laundry, Primeur (Holloway)
By Serena Knight (née Chambers), Lifestyle Director
If I’m looking for a date night in North London the restaurateur duo (Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim and chef David Gingell) behind this trio have got me covered. All three restaurants are located within the Holloway neighbourhood of Stoke Newington. There is a definite theme – industrial, laid back interiors with open kitchens, each has a sharing plate concept and a list of natural wines. Menus are written on blackboards and regularly updated depending on the season but expect delicious, fresh food all year round. Despite the similarities, each restaurant has its own character and point of difference. Westerns Laundry is the place if I’m after seafood. Primeur for French inspired dishes. But the hero and my personal favourite is Jolene. Think delicate lemon sole with capers and bottarga or leg of lamb so soft it can be eaten from a spoon, served with zingy salsa verde. All finished off with a slice of their orange, almond and olive oil cake.
Hot Tip: Jolene’s joker is that it is also a bakery in the day. Flour is milled on-site, so if it’s a breakfast date you can expect nduja honey buns or a more traditional cinnamon bun to accompany your flat white!
Website: www.jolenen16.com/
Nobu Portman Square
By Kendra Leaver-Rylah, Co-Founder & Editor
Nobu holds the mantle for London’s sexiest new hotel, with the restaurant (naturally) taking centre stage. Head chef Joao Alegria leads the kitchen with everyone’s favourite miso black-cod making an appearance alongside a selection of theatrical Japanese plates on an open sushi counter. The evening atmosphere is funky London-meets-Tokyo with Japanese arts and crafts referenced throughout. Not only is an evening here perfect for people watching, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump to London’s West End.
Hot Tip: order either sake or Veuve Clicquot Rosé to go with your plates.
Website: london-portman.nobuhotels.com/dining/
Annie’s
By Kendra Leaver-Rylah, Co-Founder & Editor
There’s this cute little place I know, on Strand on the Green, which is the most discrete yet scene-iest place in W4. Royals and rockstars all frequent this cool little neighbourhood hangout, where it’s very easy to settle in for a long Saturday lunch that lets you skip dinner and move on to endless bellinis and Aperol spritzes until the moon pokes up across the river. Inside, the tables are shabby-chic, with velvet chairs offset against the plant-stencilled wall paper in the cocktail bar. Buzzing with kids and families, it’s a vibey place with owner Lorraine taking centre stage – she has an ability to make everyone who comes for their date night here feel like family.
Hot Tip: opt for table 20 outside – even in the rain it shines while you’ll enjoy delightful chats with the locals.
Website: www.anniesrestaurant.co.uk/
Al Mare, Knightsbridge
By Camilla Newman, Chief Innovation Officer
For a beside-the-sea vibe in the heart of central London, head to Al Mare, a newly installed modern Italian restaurant on the ground floor of The Carlton Jumeirah Knightsbridge. Choose between the outdoor stylish sun terrace with Italian riviera vibes overlooking a park, or the sophisticated interior of plush blue velvet banquets, muted neutral leather seats and crisp white table linen inside. The atmosphere is sophisticated and elegant with the greeting staff wearing stiff teal taffeta dresses making me thankful I put on heels! Meandre through a marble and gold fully stocked bar into a buzzing wide open plan restaurant with a great view of the chefs at work through rounded arches reminiscent of a cruise ship. A gentle bustle of clinking glasses and chatter from a young stylish crowd set the scene to our welcome drink complete with my initials embossed into a giant ice cube topped with the house negroni – such a surprising personal touch to start the evening. The menu reads straight out of fresh, modern Italy. Start with the seared tuna sang with ponzu and ginger followed by a melting Veal Milenese served with creamy potato puree mounted with truffle shavings. For dessert try their signature dish of Creme Brulee French Toast, a warming blend of breakfast brioche and crisp caramel base.
Hot Tip: Ask for a booth by the window to make the most of both the wonderful view of the park and the chefs at work in the kitchen.
Website: www.jumeirah.com/en/dine/london/carlton-tower-al-mare
Mazi, Notting Hill
By Serena Knight, Lifestyle Director
Mazi, meaning together in Greek, is Notting Hill’s favourite Greek haunt, celebrating a culture of sharing food. The menu is an imaginative spin on authentic Greek cuisine, whilst the interiors are low key and welcoming. Kick off with a cocktail; a dirty Halkidiki martini for vodka lovers, or a Tzatziki martini if you prefer gin – super refreshing and zingy with mastina, gin, cucumber and lemon. These pair perfectly with the ‘jars’, especially the smoked aubergine with tahini, thyme and honey. The signature standout dish is a beautifully crafted and deep-fried feta tempura with lemon marmalade and sweet caper meringue. As for the larger dishes, the braised beef cheek with small hilopites pasta and graviera cheese is wonderfully tender and rich in flavour. The seared monkfish, conwy mussels, marrows and kaffir lime oil was another stand out. Family owned Mazi is a must, and as the name suggests, is a perfect spot to share an evening with a special someone.
Hot tip: in the warmer months book yourself a table in the sun-speckled garden lined with olive trees.
Website: www.mazi.co.uk/
Millie’s at The Ned
By Isabella Foulger, Co-Founder & Editor
The Ned comes to life at night with a live band taking centre stage in the grand banking hall. Millie’s is a quintessentially British restaurant and bar, located perfectly on the ground floor to soak up the vibey atmosphere. It’s an exclusive spot – you can only dine here if you’re part of the Ned Club or a guest at the hotel. Start the night in style with a coupe of Champagne or one of the delicious seasonal cocktails. The menu features classic dishes we all love, like fish and chips, Shepherds pie and steaks. Opt for the shellfish platter or lobster from the grill for something truly impressive and delicious.
Hot Tip: for dinner reservations, ask for a table with stage views.
Website: www.thened.com/restaurants/millies-lounge
Ham Yard Hotel + The Palomar
By Tara Masi, Contributing Health Editor
A date night staple of mine is to start with a drink at Ham Yard Hotel. It’s a perfect spot all year round as you can sit in the courtyard in the summer or grab a seat at the bar in winter. The interiors are very cool. Unfussy but totally special for a date night. The wine list and cocktails are also exceptional. From here, you then have the whole of Soho on your doorstep. I really love small intimate restaurants that almost feel like you’re in the West Village in New York. The Palomar on Rupert Street has just 40 seats with the option to sit at the long zinc bar to watch the chefs at work, or in the oak and blue leather-clad dining room at the back. The food is contemporary Middle Eastern and plates are made for sharing.
Hot Tip: the owners also have a hidden wine bar accessible through Rupert Court – although it’s best to book this in advance!
Website: firmdalehotels.com/hotels/london/ham-yard-hotel/ & thepalomar.co.uk/
