Romantic Restaurants in London

The city that exudes history and culture follows a wide variety of food staples. This rich and diverse variety makes it easier for a visitor or a native to plan ahead. Here, we look at the best places to eat in London on occasions of a romantic encounter. Be it the first date or for a seasoned couple, we bring to your table a good mix of restaurants that will create the perfect environment:

Clos Maggiore: It doesn’t get any better than Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden. It could also pass off as a tad over the top. You have your pick from the wood-panelled restaurant or the atmospheric conservatory, bedecked in a forest of fake white blossoms that seem to extend into eternity as they bounce off the restaurant’s mirrors. Fairy lights, candles and a fireplace add to the soft focus vibe. It’s a Provençal-inspired menu, and although à la carte choices are pegged at the sharp end, the pre-theatre menu offering is a bargain

Opera Tavern: Another lovely affair in Covent Garden, the Opera Tavern remains one of the best dining options and among London’s top tapas restaurants. Formerly a pub, it’s split into a slightly charmless upstairs restaurant and a cosy, mirror-backed bar at street level. The latter has been stylishly updated with chocolate leather bar stools, copper spotlights and an open grill; the main kitchen is in the beer cellar. The Spanish-Italian menu is kept fresh with regular specials.

Andrew Edmunds: Traditional, but not stuffy, this intimate French bistro in an 18th Century townhouse considers itself one of the last bastions of old Soho and has been welcoming couples in search of low-key romance to its wax-splattered wooden tables for years. The menu changes regularly but expect dishes such as dressed crab and Rose veal chop. Good news for those who can't bear to leave their furry friends at home, it's a dog-friendly restaurant.

Osteria Basilico: A neighbourhood institution for Notting Hill locals, Osteria Basilico offers unfussy, home Italian cooking at very reasonable prices. Just down Kensington Park Road, the cosy, rustic decor and warm lighting make for a romantic (in the best way) setting. Go for the burrata with prosciutto and seafood linguine. Book ahead — it's busy every night, let alone a Valentine's Day that falls on a Saturday

15/25 Asian Dining Room: Located on London Premier Kensington Hogarth Road and a few minutes from Premier Inn London Kensington, The 15/25 Asian Dining Room experience is worth the visit. The service is faultless and the food is simple and reasonable priced. Serving mostly Indian fare, the restaurant staff also pays extra attention to the decor. Needless to say, this is the perfect for a regular, hassle-free night out for the two.