It's fair to say that almost every restaurant in London will be doing something for Valentine's Day. So this year we've zeroed in on those that are putting on particularly interesting menus, special dishes or romantic events, all over the city.
Dining out
Larry's (Trafalgar Square) - the speakeasy bar underneath the National Portrait Gallery is serving up a three course menu with cocktails. There'll be live music and entertainment against a backdrop of candlelight and romance. It's £120 for three courses.
Maison Francois (St James) is having a two-day cheese-fest on 14 and 15 February with a £65 set menu that includes a welcome drink, fondue, tartiflette and more.
Andrew Edmunds (Soho) - Unquestionably one of London's most romantic restaurants is going to be a popular place on the big day. The special set menu for dinner is a belter, meringues with kumquat and Chantilly cream won our hearts. It's £75 per person.
Brutto (Farringdon) - it's all about the spur of the moment on Valentine's Day at Brutto which is going to be walk-ins only on the day. They're also very much welcoming in odd-numbered groups and solo diners too.
The Milestone Hotel & Residences
1-3 Kensington Ct, London W8 5DL
The Milestone Hotel & Residences in Kensington are going the extra mile for romance this Valentine's Day with a host of loved-up experiences. There's a Valentine's afternoon tea being served from 10-16 February and a very special tasting menu being laid on for the Valentine's Dinner at the hotel's Cheneston's restaurant. Best of all, if you're planning on popping the question you can book The Oratory Experience. It's a private dining space like no other, located in the building's former chapel, and could not be more romantic.
London Shell Co (Highgate) - The North London fishmongers meets restaurant is offering £2 oysters all day (from 12 to 6pm) for Valentine's Day. Perfect if you're after a seafood hit to get the day going.
Bokan (Canary Wharf) - for a view that'll be a great backdrop to any proposal, head to sky-high spot Bōkan 37. They're putting on a five-course dinner that ends with a ‘pillow of love’ sharing dessert, featuring a raspberry parfait, complimented by rose infused marmalade and a delicate hibiscus gel. Guests will be serenaded by international violinist, Valtie Nunn on the night. £150 per person.
Clos Maggiore (Covent Garden) - Festooned with flowers, this central London Italian is a five-star winner on Valentine's Day. They've got numerous options available including a valentine's three-course set lunch for £50 and a tasting and vegetarian tasting menu too.
Caviar House
161 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EA
Romance is in the air at Caviar House's flagship Piccadilly bar and restaurant. Their special-edition menu for Valentine's Day begins with the house amuse bouche, followed by 30g of caviar served with traditional accompaniments. Serve each other caviar, try it as a 'bump' or use it as a lavish garnish for a blini. That's followed with a choice of main course - Prawn Linguine or Lobster and Crayfish Caesar Salad (both topped with caviar, naturally) and there's an indulgent dessert of Mini White Chocolate Cheesecake served with tea or coffee. It's £95 per person and available from 10-16 February.
Poule au Pot (Belgravia) - super French, so obviously super romantic, this old-school spot is putting on a three-course set menu for 14 February with everything from onion soup to cassoulet on offer. Note - both of you need to be having the garlic options for this to work.
Sachi (Belgravia) - if sushi is your love language, then the six-course menu at SACHI will be just the ticket on Valentine's Day. The dinner is £120 per person and includes a chef's selection platter, lobster tempura and ends with an after-dinner cocktail downstairs in LUUM bar.
Petersham Nurseries (Richmond) - what better place to get a bouquet of flowers on Valentine's Day than in a garden nursery? Head to Petersham's cafe for dinner on Valentine's Day (or 13 and 15 February) and you can pre-order a floral bouquet for £65 to be waiting for you at your table.
The Coral Room (Bloomsbury) - Poet Luke Davis is back for a second year at one of our favourite bars, creating bespoke poems for guests to take home. He'll be there from 11:30am to 7:30pm on Valentine's Day.
Kitty Fisher's (Mayfair) - dark and snug, this is just the place to cosy up on Valentine's Day. They're doing a special set menu kicking off with oysters and truffled croquettes and with Swaledale beef or a Celeriac and Ticklemore tart for mains. It's £120 including a glass of Champagne or a Bad Kitty cocktail.
Joia (Battersea) - another high rise spot, Joia, is putting on a series of romantic movies at its rooftop cinema for Valentine's Day including The Notebook, Romeo & Juliet, Pretty Woman and Dirty Dancing. Start with a three-course meal in the restaurant downstairs before heading up to the roof for a movie complete with blankets and hot water bottles. £80 per person.
At LIMA Cantina in Covent Garden, they're bringing out all the favourites for Valentine's Day. On offer is a 7-course sharing menu with dishes like beef tartare causa, tuna tostada, and ribeye with truffle sauce, paired with a glass of bubbles (£70 per person).
Theo Randall at the InterContinental, Park Lane is serving up a four course Valentine's menu for oenophiles with courses accompanied by curated wine pairings. Think Scamone lamb rump with caponata paired with Chianti Rufina DOCG. (£89 per person).
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught is putting on a three Michelin-starred feast. The seven-course menu includes Duck Pithivier and XXL Scallops along with a glass of Billecart-Salmon Rosé. (£425 per person).
Dining in
Dishpatch, which is now part of Waitrose, has a number of restaurant kits from top chefs that are perfect for enjoying at home if you want a fancy meal with your loved one but don't much like the idea of dining in a restaurant surrounded by other couples. We tried Richard Corrigan's braised short rib offering which kicks off with scallops and pumpkin pesto, followed by the slow cooked beef with fondant potato and finishes with whiskey truffles (£95 for two).
Lina Stores has two Valentine's Day at home deliveries on offer, one for meat eaters, the other for vegetarians. They both start with everything you need for a great aperitivo board, followed by a pasta kit, pistachio cake and bottle of Prosecco. (£75 for two).
Something a bit different...
Art lovers will want to book the ‘Celebration for Love’ experience at the National Portrait Gallery. Taking place on 15 February guests are invited on an out-of-hours tour of the gallery exploring the great love stories and their varied connections to Champagne. Then they'll head up to The Portrait Restaurant where Martin Dibben, Head of Champagne for Searcys, will be hosting a masterclass and tasting in different cuvées. Tickets are £85 per person.
Wandering pop-up Carter's is heading over to The Museum of The Home In Hoxton for the night hosting a Valentine’s banquet for lovers, singles and hopeless romantics. Dinner includes oysters in walnut vinegar vinaigrette, steak in lobster sauce and a rhubarb and Sauternes jelly with custard for dessert. (£50)
The Khao Bird residency above The Globe Tavern in Borough Market is giving lovebirds the chance to dine in Bridget Jones's old flat. Their menu is being served up from 13-15 February and it's a sharing menu that includes mutton skewers grilled over charcoal, aged dry beef braised in marrow broth with toasted coconut and (in a nod to the movie) a very drinkable blue soup cocktail. (£55 per person).
And L’ETO in soho is having a Swipe Right event for those celebrating being single. There's a DJ set by Kruel Intentions and they'll be serving up a selection of signature cocktails, mocktails and milkshakes and food items from L'ETO's new menu. Entrance is free.
Lulu's in Herne Hill is having a speed dating night for the 30-40 somethings in advance of Valentine's on 11 February and there still a few tickets left for guys to join up. Tickets are £45 which includes 10 snacks and a welcome drink.
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners
