Food and the art of love. It's a tricky double-act to get right in the early stages. But as fraught as the relationship may be, there's really only one rule for first dates or if you're on the pull: never order the spaghetti. It'll end up down your top/ across your face... plus, you'll probably make that slurpy noise which, let's face it, is a bit of a passion-killer.
After that though, it's plain sailing.
Although your choice of venue will actually give you an advantage when it comes to meeting someone eligible... So we've put together a list of buzzy places which will increase your chances of striking up a bit of repartee with fellow diners. And who knows, you could be sharing a tiramisu before you know it.
Our pick of restaurants to go to if you're single in London
The tapas at Copita are very good, as is the selection of wine and sherry. It gets very busy and raucous of an evening, which makes it easier to strike up conversation with your neighbours.
This incredibly over the top Pan-Asian restaurant has hand-carved reliefs, gilded furniture and a 40 foot high ceiling. It’s also popular with girls and gals dressed up to the nines who arrive for dinner and drinks before having a boogie on the dancefloor.
This restaurant is the first stop on a night out for many of its diners, as you can tell by the noise levels on any given night. Customers are dressed up and tables are placed close together so “ooh, what’s that dish you’ve ordered?” is the standard ice breaker here.
Floripa has Brazilian food, but after 9 pm the furniture is moved to one side for punters to take to the dancefloor fuelled by plenty of cachaça. People dancing on tables is not an uncommon sight.
If you like Latin music and a little bump and grind you’ll love Guanabara. The circular dancefloor is positioned in the centre of the restaurant, around which punters stand around and eye up potential partners for dancing and (ahem!) possibly more.
With its clubby appearance and late night bar Ling Ling, Hakkasan is the luxurious option for singletons on the pull.
Inspired by colonial-era gentlemen’s clubs, there are robust “Empire” cocktails to accompany the hearty food served in the stunning candle-lit conservatory. After a few Henry Rifle martinis everyone gets very chatty.
Loud music, impossibly good looking staff, great pizza and good wine; it’s not a hip East End bar, it’s the hip East End pizzeria owned by Soho House. Once you’ve spotted the object of your affection take them downstairs to nightclub Concrete.
This gastro pub by day turns the music up in the evenings, leading to much inebriated dancing and flirting. Paradise has become a favourite Friday night haunt among West Londoners.