If you're in the mood for love, or even just some lovin', heading out for a romantic meal has surely gotta be one of the best ways to "pre-heat the oven"... if you know what we mean.
Candles, plush decor, a great view and backing music that isn't Metallica are all requisite when it comes to finding that perfect venue for a romantic meal out.
We've spent time wining and dining countless individuals in a bid to compose the ultimate list of London's Most Romantic Restaurants so that you can rest safe in the knowledge that the waiter won't come out carrying the breadsticks tucked into the waistband of his trousers... that's a real passion-killer.
London's most romantic restaurants - oooh-la-la!
Seriously stylish Blakes does fusion cooking inspired by the Far East and modern European flavours (that’s right, it’s not French). The sleek dining room merges Oriental and African décor to impressive effect, and alfresco dining is possible in the Japanese Garden.
Dishes inspired by Provençal cuisine are prepared in the exposed kitchen here, while diners benefit from intimate booths lit by candlelight, under a glass ceiling. It’s also ideal if you’re on a budget, as dinner can easily cost under £50 a head.
Despite the sinister name, inspired by the murder of Lady Hatton at the hands of her jealous lover, this French (what else) eatery was once voted the most romantic City restaurant by The Times. A hit with high fliers, critics and French foodies.
This French restaurant is on the 28th floor of the Hilton Park Lane, so you can imagine what the views are like. The food is exquisite – feast on things like seared scallops with oyster emulsion and poached chicken with onion tart and foie gras.
What could be more amorous than sharing a pot of fondue at this pretty little restaurant with log cabin décor? Yes, the whiff of cheese permeates the room, but that only adds to its decadent charm. They also have a very thoughtful wine list tailored to match the cheeses.
Quite aside from the fact that oysters are supposedly aphrodisiacs, Bentley’s has a romantic, yet casual aesthetic about it which reminds one of sitting in a Parisian café. Sit at the marble-topped bar or by the window at the Oyster Bar or grab a table at the quieter restaurant upstairs; either way the food is exceptional.
The brick walls and nooks and crannies at this French bistro have made it a favourite among couples, it has also been voted London’s most romantic restaurant nine years running. Expect retro Gallic dishes like coq au vin and ratatouille.
The reputation of the Roux family’s Michelin-starred restaurant alone will be enough to make an impression on your date. It's well deserved, as Michel Roux Jr. serves some of the most exquisitely prepared food in the capital. Let the sommelier take care of the wine, and ask them to wheel their tremendous cheese trolley over after your meal. One for splurging.
Its location in a 17th century mansion in picturesque Holland Park means that Belvedere is not short on bookings for wedding celebrations. The menu is French/British, and the opulent dining room is one that deserves dressing up for, appealing to those who love old-fashioned glamour.
Clos Maggiore has been voted the most romantic restaurant in London by Harden’s, and most romantic in the UK by users of Open Table. But just what makes it so conducive to love? Perhaps it’s the beautiful Tuscan-inspired country décor, the glass ceiling in the conservatory which means you can see the stars at night, the roaring fire, the candles... And the Michelin-starred chef helps.