Belvedere, Stefan Merriweather
A city built on candlelit corners and culinary experiences, London knows a thing or two about romance. Whether you're after artful interiors, dimly lit booths, or a menu made for lingering over, these restaurants offer the kind of atmosphere that turns dinner into a love story. From Mayfair to Marylebone, here are 12 of the most romantic date-night spots in London that do more than just set the mood—they make it unforgettable.
Sessions Arts Club
Hidden inside a former judge’s dining room in Clerkenwell, this landmark restaurant stands out amongst the London dining scene. Grand yet undone, Sessions Arts Club blends historic architecture with painterly elegance—faded walls, crackling fireplaces, and rooftop terraces included. The seasonal menu is a quiet triumph, best enjoyed slowly with someone you like across from you and a Negroni nearby.
Sessions Arts Club
Photography: Elliot Sheppard, Beth Evans
Lita
On a quiet Marylebone corner, Lita hums with low-lit energy and a buzz that starts early and lingers late. The interiors are polished but warm, filled with glowing wood, flickering candles, and the scent of open-fire cooking. The Mediterranean menu hits all the right notes, and the crowd—cool, well-dressed, always half in conversation—makes it feel like the place to be.
Belvedere
To call this next restaurant stunning would be an understatement. Nestled within the manicured grounds of Holland Park, Belvedere feels like a hidden villa plucked straight from the Italian countryside. The Tuscan-inspired interiors are rich and romantic, all frescoed ceilings, flickering candlelight, and soft music that hums in the background. The menu leans Mediterranean—think handmade pastas, crudo, and grilled fish—all prepared with the kind of ease that comes from serious skill. It’s glamorous, it’s intimate, and it’s quietly unforgettable.
Bottarga
In the heart of Chelsea, Bottarga is the latest hotspot from the team behind Zephyr, the beloved Greek restaurant in Notting Hill. It offers the kind of relaxed glamour that feels plucked from the Med—with a tiled terrace, curved banquettes, and an unfussy, seafood-forward menu. The vibe is transportive and effortlessly cool—dimly lit, subtly chic, and always filled with the kind of crowd that makes you want to stay for just one more glass.
Claridge’s Restaurant
Tucked within the storied Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair, this restaurant serves up old-world elegance with a modern hand. Art Deco details meet seasonal British plates, while the plush green velvet booths do the rest. After dinner, slip into the Red Room for a cocktail or vintage wine among contemporary art and sultry shadows—it’s like stumbling into a private collection with a bar cart.
Mount St.
A few floors above Mount St. in Mayfair, this restaurant is a love letter to both fine dining and fine art. With works by Matisse, Freud, and Warhol on the walls, it’s as much a cultural experience as it is a culinary one. Expect elegant takes on British classics in a space that feels part gallery, part private club—and entirely date-night worthy.
The NoMad
Set within a soaring atrium inside The NoMad Hotel in Covent Garden, this restaurant makes a serious case for architectural romance. Lush greenery climbs the walls, chandeliers float above, and the whole space glows like a secret garden after dusk. The menu is eclectic and whimsical, paired with one of the city’s best cocktail programs. Ideal for when you want dinner to turn into something a little more cinematic.
The NoMad London
Photography: Claire Menary
Josephine Bistro
Just off the Fulham Road in London’s buzzy Chelsea neighborhood sits a slice of France that feels plucked from the backstreets of Lyon. Josephine Bistro delivers charm in spades, from the red leather banquettes and globe lights to the vintage posters lining the walls. The menu is unapologetically French—steak frites, escargots, and slabs of pâté with crusty baguette—all served in a space that balances comfort and cool. It’s the kind of place where dinner turns into lingering conversation and maybe a second bottle. They’ve just opened a second outpost in Marylebone, bringing even more joie de vivre to the city.
At Sloane
Just off Sloane Square in Chelsea, At Sloane is the crown jewel of the newly restored Sloane hotel—an 1889 red-brick landmark now reimagined by the Cadogan Estate and the Costes Group (yes, as in the famous Paris Hotel Costes). The skylit top-floor dining room feels like stepping into a dream: porcelain-filled shelves, stained glass reflections, and views over Chelsea’s rooftops. The menu is a globe-trotting affair—escargot, dim sum, tom yum seabass—all delivered with signature Costes flair. It’s eclectic, elevated, and just theatrical enough to make any evening feel like an occasion.
At Sloane
Photography: Marina Germain
Saison
Tucked inside the ultra-luxurious Raffles London at The OWO, Saison is an intimate escape that feels more like a Riviera daydream than a hotel restaurant. The space is elegant and transportive—sun-drenched by day, softly aglow by night—with layered textures, sculptural lighting, and a certain cinematic stillness. The menu celebrates refined Mediterranean flavors with a British sensibility, each dish thoughtfully plated and deeply satisfying. It’s luxe without being loud, romantic without trying too hard—and ideal when you want a dinner that feels like a quiet kind of indulgence.
Raffles London
Photography: Justin de Suza
Canton Blue
Just off Hyde Park Corner, tucked inside the newly opened Peninsula London, Canton Blue delivers an immersive kind of luxury. Dramatic lighting, celestial ceiling panels, and porcelain-lined walls give the space the feel of a love letter to heritage and high design. The Cantonese menu is bold and expressive—dim sum, whole fish, tableside duck—all served with standout precision. After dinner, head upstairs to Brooklands Bar, the hotel’s rooftop spot, for a nightcap with a unmatched view.
Louie London
Set in a Covent Garden townhouse that feels more like a beautifully chaotic home than a restaurant, Louie is where Paris meets New Orleans, and every table comes with a side of live music. It’s theatrical, sexy, and a little unbuttoned in the best way. The rooms are layered with velvet, mirrors, and mood—and the Alligator Bar upstairs is perfect for candle lit cocktails, post-dessert.
