From decadent tasting menus to sky-high rides above London’s skyline, we’ve rounded up the best Valentine’s Day date ideas around London for those in need of last-minute inspiration (thank us later).
The best Valentine’s Day restaurants
Try the world’s highest-grade beef
Nothing says I love you like sharing a romantic moment over champagne and wagyu steak, and luckily, that’s M Restaurants forte. The restaurant group, with three locations across London, is offering couples the chance to indulge in its luxurious, six-course tasting menu, showcasing the world’s highest-grade wagyu and kobe beef, with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne. The team have also crafted a limited edition Valentine’s Day cocktail, too, if you wanted something to sweeten the deal.
Dine with a view of London’s skyline
Head down to London’s wildest skyline restaurant this Valentine’s Day at Savage Garden. Loved-up diners can enjoy 360-degree views of the capital, as well as opulent interiors and menu based off the restaurants All’s Fair In Love and War theme. Share a number of popular small plate,s including the citrus buttermilk chicken sliders or the sesame prawn toast with bacon jam, before washing down with the specially made bloody roses Valentine’s Day cocktail, crafted with French vodka, chambord, lychee liquor, rose essence, grapefruit and garnished with rose petals.
Nab three courses for £24.95
A great, affordable Valentine’s Day date option, high-street favourite Ask Italian is offering a three-course Valentine’s Day option for just £24.95 across all its UK restaurants. Dishes include the delicious luganica sausage and ‘nduja frilly tagliatelle, butterfly king prawns and the incredible biscoff cheesecake. Of course, guests can also order from the standard menu, but expect to see the usual favourites, such as the chocolate etna, presented with a special twist. To top it all off, a select number of cocktails, including strawberry daiquiri and passionfruit martini, will be available for just £5 when ordering alongside the Valentine’s Day menu.
Enjoy British cuisine with a view of The Gherkin
Another sky-high dining experience overlooking The Gherkin, Michelin-starred City Social is the ultimate spot to watch the sun go down — and what could be more romantic than that? Chef Patron Jason Atherton has been busy creating a tasting menu for two, featuring six courses that have been designed to celebrate the very best in British produce. Feast on dishes including fresh Devon crab and Scottish Orkney scallops, as well as Lake District beef fillet. Dessert is an indulgent Manjari chocolate mousse with Sicilian blood orange sorbet and stem ginger sable, followed by petit fours to round off the evening.
Visit the perfect date night spot
What do you get when you combine dimly lit lighting, Nikkei cuisine and eclectic interiors? The perfect date night spot, that’s what. With locations in Soho and Marylebone, Chotto Matte showcases Japanese and Peruvian flavours, in a space designed alongside fashion designers, artists and creatives. Embark on a culinary journey alongside live entertainment, plus, just in time for Valentine’s Day, the restaurant has launched the Daisuki sushi platter and El Cariño cocktail, perfect for sharing with your special someone.
The best Valentine’s Day activities
Relive everyone’s favourite romantic comedy
It would be a big mistake, big, huge, to miss out on Pretty Woman at the Savoy Theatre. See the hit romantic comedy on the West End stage with choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, with lead performances by Aimie Atkinson (Six, In The Heights) and Danny Mac (White Christmas). With an evening showing on the 14th, this is the perfect romantic Valentine’s Day watch.
See London from a new perspective
Take to the skies with your loved one courtesy of the London Eye’s Cupid’s Pod package. Admire the London skyline from above in the comfort of your very own private pod, while enjoying a bottle of Pommery Rosé Champagne and Hotel Chocolat Pink Champagne Truffles served by your very own personal host. The perfect backdrop for proposals, anniversaries or simply a lavish Valentine’s Day date, couples will benefit from priority boarding on their 30-minute journey through the clouds.
Treat the science lover in your life
Explore one of London’s most famous museums after hours with Valentine’s at the Natural History Museum. Animal lovers can join the museum’s scientists on a weird and wonderful lesson on how animals mate, before taking advantage of the fully stocked bar, salsa classes, live harpist and science stations for a truly memorable Valentine’s Day date.
Unleash your inner Regina George
One for the girls — or perhaps one to drag your unknowing boyfriend to, Taste Film is hosting an immersive Mean Girls dining experience at The Refinery City Point, with screenings on 11, 12, 18 and 19 February. The event will showcase dishes inspired by the cult film, including chicken kiev with potato dauphinoise and thyme butter broccoli (unfortunately, butter is most definitely a carb), as well as a decadent peanut butter fudge brownie dessert inspired by Regina’s famous Kalteen bars. This is definitely a fetch date idea.
Get competitive at a mini-golf course
Unleash your competitive side this Valentine’s Day at Swingers. The venue has gone all out for the big day, with food options, including heart shaped pizzas from Pizza Pilgrims, limited-edition treats from Crosstown Doughnuts and a super-sweet exclusive cocktail, The New Romantic. After getting snap happy with the heart shaped treats, challenge your loved one to a game of mini golf on one of the two nine-hole courses. Who will be the first to get a hole in one?
Book tickets to the best West End show of all time
This Valentine’s Day, book tickets for you and your loved one to see the West End’s most haunting love story. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit features iconic music, including All I Ask Of You, Music Of The Night and Masquerade. Portrayed by double Oliver Award nominee Killian Donnelly as The Phantom, Holly-Anne Hull as Christine Daaé and Matt Blaker as Raoul, it’s no surprise that the production has been dubbed ‘The Best West End Show Of All Time’.
The best Valentine’s Day getaways
Soothe aching muscles
Take a moment to properly relax this Valentine’s Day at Montcalm East in Shoreditch. The Lovers Retreat Spa Day includes everything you need to leave you and your lucky date feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Enjoy four hours use of the spa facilities, as well as an hour-long, bespoke, full-body massage to help relieve any tight muscles and knots. After a relaxing day, enjoy a two-course meal at the hotel’s restaurant, Moor & Mead, as well as a complimentary glass of fizz.
Stay in South Kensington
Enjoy the ultimate Valentine’s Day staycation, courtesy of 100 Queen’s Gate. Tucked away in South Kensington, the hotel is offering a romantic one-night stay package, packed full of Valentine’s Day treats. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted with a chilled bottle of Champagne before being shown to their room, which will be tastefully decorated with rose petals and home to a complimentary hamper of chocolates and massage oils. After enjoying all the hotel has to offer, dinner will be served in the atmospheric ESQ Bar, where a range of Asian-inspired small plates and innovative cocktails will be served.
Escape to East London
Another loved up staycation, Town Hall Hotel has launched its Romance Package, just in time for Valentine’s Day. When you’re done exploring east London, relax together in the 15-metre indoor swimming pool. Afterwards, enjoy a romantic couples massage by beauty concierge Ruuby, before devouring delicious in-suite treats such as Land Chocolates and other assorted snacks. In the evening, book a table at Da Terra, a two-Michelin-star fine-dining concept serving South American-style dishes.
Visit this iconic hotel
Give your Valentine’s Day celebrations a luxury upgrade at Pan Pacific. Stay in the lavish Walbrook Suite as part of the Suite Celebration package, and enjoy stunning views of London’s most iconic buildings, as well as decadent patisseries and a chilled bottle of sparkling English wine upon arrival. You’ll also receive a complimentary breakfast in the hotel’s Straits Kitchen, as well as £200 hotel credit redeemable at any of the hotel’s restaurants, bars or spa floor. This one’s the one to book if you want to pull out all the stops.
Experience pure luxury
Arrive at Flemings Mayfair for the Valentine’s Dinner, Overnight Stay & Facial experience and be greeted with a bouquet of Moyses Stevens flowers, luxury Swiss chocolates and a bottle of Delavenne Grand Cru Original Champagne. In the evening, head for a decadent eight-course tasting meal at the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, Ormer Mayfair by Sofian, and, after a rejuvenating night’s sleep, enjoy a delicious breakfast followed by a Renewing Cotton Thread Revitalising Facial for two at the world-renowned Pietro Simone Skincare Clinic.
