The Most Romantic Restaurants in London

by The OpenTable Team

Updated 09 November 2023

London is hailed as the most romantic city in the United Kingdom. Full of iconic places to take a date like the London Eye and St. Paul’s Cathedral, London is a city of art, history, culture—and, of course, amazing food. Romance is always in the air, and when it comes to wooing a loved one, it’s true what they say: the way to the heart really is through the stomach. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. You’ll find everything from neighborhood gems to British classics, rustic Italian spots to white table-clothed fine dining—all vetted by the types of tastemakers who know the best spots around the city. Impress your date and score a table.

Trinity

4.9

4.9 (3560)

£41 and over

European

Clapham

About the restaurant

Recommended by diners for immaculate service and imaginative cuisine, Trinity is one of London’s fine dining hot spots. The staff are charming and helpful, and though the food is Michelin-starred level, reviews comment on the lack of pretention. Couples on a date night might want to ask about the house tarte tatin. They only make seven every day, and it’s a sublime sharing dessert to round off your four-course meal. Remember to ask ahead of your visit to avoid missing out!

Top review

Lucy

Dined 6 days ago

A wonderful evening to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Food was fantastic as was the wine and the staff were all friendly, helpful and engaged

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Experience

New Year's Eve at Trinity

Hawksmoor Seven Dials

4.6

4.6 (13005)

£26 to £40

Steakhouse

Covent Garden

About the restaurant

Steak is a great meal that is both decadent and simple, but doing it well is almost an art form. Hawksmoor Seven Dials gets it just right at their restaurant just around the corner from the famous Covent Garden area of London. Diners regularly comment on how perfectly cooked the meat is, and how well the sides, sauces, and even wine complement the delicious mains. A must for meat lovers and a sure way to impress your date.

Top review

Allison

Dined 6 days ago

Consistently excellent food. Great cocktails too. Always a pleasure to go back.

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4.2

4.2 (18650)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Covent Garden

About the restaurant

Executive Chef Sean Burbridge prides himself on offering “an eclectic mix of modern British comfort food and international dishes.” So, this is a great place to take a date if neither of you is sure what cuisine you’re in the mood for. Start with a classic prawn cocktail, or make it more exotic and go for the wasabi prawns with salt and pepper squid. A melting chocolate bombe might be a sweet sharing moment at the end of your meal. Lots of choice in an elegantly presented venue.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Great atmosphere, good food and service. Not cheap but very enjoyable lunch in a top location.

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4.7

4.7 (5914)

£25 and under

Steak

Soho

About the restaurant

The City branch of this restaurant is set in an old electricity substation in the basement of a Grade II listed building. The industrial touches this lends to the décor are fun and a great talking point. Staff write the specials in chalk on the pillars, and brickwork archways provide nooks for supplies for the wait staff. Amongst this intriguing paraphernalia, you and your date can enjoy some of the finest cooked meat in London. Skinny chops, big chops, and off-the-bone meat are the core of this menu, with a mouthwatering range of sauces and sides. A carnivore’s paradise.

Top review

Willem

Dined 3 days ago

Just great cannot fault service or food, had a great meal

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4.9

4.9 (2211)

£41 and over

British

Marylebone

About the restaurant

A relatively recent addition to London’s dining scene, Portland opened in 2015 and won a Michelin star in their very first year. Famous for rare and esoteric additions to the wine list, this is a great place to take any budding sommeliers. The food is just as enticing. There’s a tasting menu and an a la carte dinner menu, and a very well-priced lunch menu. Mains include thornback ray with mussels and lovage, or shorthorn beef with black garlic. If you go for a birthday or anniversary, tell the staff; you might just get a little treat!

Top review

Paolo

Dined 6 days ago

Enjoyed the food and the wine. Expected a cozier and quieter place, maybe expected too much from the star

Hakkasan - Hanway Place

4.5

4.5 (6354)

£41 and over

Chinese

Fitzrovia

About the restaurant

The original Hakkasan, Hanway Place opened in 2001 and is a designer paradise of modern wooden lattice and beautiful Chinoiserie decadence. A thoroughly contemporary interior contrasts with some traditional Eastern flavors such as crispy duck, hot and sour soup, satay chicken, and fragrant jasmine rice. Guests comment on how the restaurant manages to combine elegance with comfort, and of course, great taste. Bright colors and stunning presentation make this a surprising and exciting restaurant to take a date or loved one.

Top review

Monica

Dined 3 days ago

Service was a bit random and slower than in Mayfair

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Experience

The Devil Wears Prada - 3 courses & cocktail

Experience

Weekend Brunch

Experience

New Year's Eve Lost in Shanghai £178pp

The Ledbury

4.9

4.9 (2807)

£41 and over

British

Notting Hill

About the restaurant

Listed as one of the world’s top 50 restaurants, Brett Graham’s multiple award-winning Ledbury is a Notting Hill treasure. A friendly atmosphere and quirky yet elegant décor accompany delicious food matched with wines from small and exclusive estates. The menu includes such delights as frozen English wasabi, clay baked white beetroot, hen of the woods, and brown sugar tart with stem ginger ice cream. The Ledbury manages to achieve that elusive state of being high end without being pretentious. A date night to remember.

Top review

Seiko

Dined 5 days ago

Each dish was superb and beautifully presented.The service was wonderful, professional yet friendly. The sommelier was very knowledgeable and helpful Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (2736)

£41 and over

Seafood

Mayfair

About the restaurant

A London establishment since 1916, Bentley’s has over a century of serving fantastic British fish to hungry customers wanting a break from shopping and sightseeing. The patron chef is Richard Corrigan, who has cooked for the Queen, so you'll dine on food appreciated by royalty. A great conversation starter for any date! Enjoy a wide range of oysters, all individually priced, or have something a bit heartier like Cornish fish soup. The royal sharing platter is sure to be a big hit with seafood fans.

Top review

JaswinderVIP

Dined 4 days ago

I’ve been to Bentleys several times in the last year. It’s very good well presented food. I like the menu - particularly the range of starters. The seafood is as good as it should be. Service is very good, attentive but not intrusive. I like the traditional ambience. I’ve only ever eaten upstairs but the bar area has banquette seating and you can sit outside too.

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Experience

Best of Bentley's 3 Course Set Menu

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

4.6

4.6 (6625)

£41 and over

British

Knightsbridge

About the restaurant

Date night should be fun, and few restaurants are more fun and quirky than Heston Blumenthal’s signature venue. The celebrity chef is famous for his quest to perfect familiar dishes by reinventing them in weird and wonderful ways. Dinner comes from a love of gastronomic history, which is evident in dishes such as Plum Meat Fruit, with spiced red wine and chicken liver, or Roast Venison with the classic combination of meat and cherries. The presentation is what makes Dinner fun, so look out for oranges that aren’t really oranges or dry ice rising from the table.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 8 Aug 2022

Amazing experience! Outstanding service, and provides excellent detail about thought process behind each dish. Excellent taste. Could use a texture. The duck was outstanding. The steak could’ve been a bit more moist and juicy, but was cooked perfectly otherwise. The triple cooked chips were fantastic, especially with the mushroom ketchup.