As one of the busiest days in the restaurant calendar, most of London's top chefs are usually slaving away in the kitchens serving others, rather than romancing their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. However that didn’t stop us asking some of them, as well as some of our favourite food writers where they’d choose to eat on 14th February.
Le Gavroche Pierre Koffmann
Koffmann’s at The Berkeley Hotel
"Le Gavroche is at the top of my list. The food is good and the room is romantic, particularly if you get a table on the side, as it's quite tucked away."
Jason Atherton
Opening Pollen Street Social in March
"I’d rather go out the day before or the day after – a top restaurant really Le Gavroche is great. When we went Silvano treated us like royalty."
Simon Majumdar
Food writer and one half of blogging brothers Dos Hermanos
"My most romantic restaurant in London remains Andrew Edmunds in Soho, which has been the scene of any number of dates over the years. The food is not half bad, the service friendly and the wine list contains some of the best bargains in town. The atmosphere is intimate and perfect for a romantic meal, be it a first date or a Valentine's supper."
Niamh Shields
Eat like a girl food blogger and New Voices author at Quadrille
"My favourite romantic restaurant in London has got to be Andrew Edmunds. Gorgeous, petite and intimate with soft candlelight, it also serves great food and has a very accessible wine list. I love it and I need to go more often. Otherwise, a warm Paris Bistro or Lyonnaise Bouchon like Le Garet will do me fine, thank you very much!"
Mark Sergeant
Former head chef at Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, now opening new restaurant in Folkestone
"I would say Rules as it's the oldest restaurant in London and you're still in time for the fabulous game they do..."
Valentina Harris
Italian food writer and chef
"It would have to be La Famiglia, Langton Street. Old fashioned romance and chivalry, delectable yet familiar menu, discreet service and elegantly Italian. There is even an Italian song about St. Valentine, who is of course my patron saint, so this is also my Name Day."
Ben Greeno
Former Noma chef now Head Chef at Momufuku in Sydney.
"I was going to go down the route of saying how Valentine's Day is the worst day for going out and I would rather eat my own arm, but I don't think that's what you were really looking for. So, Hereford Foad, the cooking here is always good, they are a solid team. Ask for one of the booths opposite the kitchen and order a main courses for two like the braised shoulder of roe deer."
Fergus Henderson
St John
"It’s a good night to avoid restaurants. I find it bizarre that everyone has to be told to take their loved one out for supper on one night. It doesn’t work for me – I’m an old, unromantic chap."
Sam Hart
Co-owner Quo Vadis, Barrafina and Fino
"Dinner at home is the only way for Valentine's Day. Restaurants have their most depressing night of the year."
And don't forget to check out Hot Dinners' top five restaurants for Valentine's Day
