Romantic restaurants in London

The short answer

The most romantic restaurants in London are Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden, Andrew Edmunds in Soho and Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell, with La Poule au Pot in Pimlico as a much-loved French alternative. None of them relies on luxury alone. What makes each one special is the light, the closeness of the tables and the sense that the rest of the city has been left outside.

Romance also means different things to different people. For some it is candles and a corner table, for others a grand room with white linen and a trolley of something expensive, or a skyline at sunset. This guide is organised by mood, so you can match the restaurant to the evening you have in mind. Please check menus, prices and any dress code directly with the restaurant, as they can all change, and check whether a set menu applies on busy dates.

Candlelit and intimate

Clos Maggiore on King Street is the name that comes up most often on lists of London's most romantic restaurants. Its conservatory dining room, dressed with blossom and with a fireplace, has earned its reputation, and it has a long and serious wine list. It is also very close to the theatres, so it works for a show as well. Ask about the conservatory when you book, since it is usually the most requested part of the room, and be prepared to book a long way ahead.

Andrew Edmunds on Lexington Street is the opposite of a showpiece. It is a tiny Soho townhouse with old-fashioned tables, handwritten menus and a wine list known for its fair prices, and it was named among OpenTable's most romantic places to dine in 2026. Tables are close, the light is low and the atmosphere is easy. It suits a couple who would rather talk than be impressed.

La Poule au Pot in Pimlico has been serving rustic French cooking in a candlelit, farmhouse-style setting for decades, with tables that feel tucked away from one another. Maggie Jones's in Kensington has a similar cosy, rambling charm, with booths and old country furniture. Both feel pleasantly removed from fashion.

Beautiful rooms

Sessions Arts Club sits above an old courthouse in Clerkenwell, with high ceilings, peeling plaster and large windows, and it is one of the most atmospheric dining rooms in the capital. It feels discovered rather than designed, which is much of the appeal. It is also a lovely place for a weekend lunch that drifts on through the afternoon.

Kettner's in Soho has a long history as a place for romantic assignations, and today offers French cooking in a room of velvet booths and candlelight. Fischers on Marylebone High Street, by contrast, looks like a grand Viennese café, with schnitzel and strudel. Balthazar in Covent Garden has the red banquettes and mirrors of a big French brasserie and a welcome buzz, which helps if you are nervous about silences.

Bob Bob Ricard in Soho is a good choice when you want drama and fun. Its booths and the button at each table for summoning Champagne have made it famous, and it is still drawing warm reviews in 2026. It is not a quiet evening, but it is a memorable one, and it does a fine job of making an anniversary feel like an event. Do check the dress code before you go.

Grand occasions

When only a very special night will do, The Ritz Restaurant remains hard to beat for sheer romance, with its painted ceilings and gilded mirrors, and two Michelin stars in the 2026 guide. Formal dress is expected, so read the current dress code carefully and allow plenty of time for your booking. Scott's on Mount Street offers a smarter, more clubby kind of glamour, with shellfish and Dover sole in a polished Mayfair room.

Rules on Maiden Lane has been serving since 1798 and calls itself London's oldest restaurant. Its red plush, game and old-world service make it a very British kind of romantic. In autumn 2026 its building passed into the care of the National Trust, so it should remain part of the city's life for a long time yet. For Michelin-level cooking with a sense of occasion, our guide to Michelin star restaurants has more choices.

Noble Rot in Mayfair is a smart option for wine lovers, with a serious list, a good terrace in warmer weather and an easygoing manner. It is the sort of place that suits a couple who want grown-up food and an excellent bottle without any starchiness at all.

Tables with a view

A view does some of the talking for you, which is useful on a first date. Oblix on level 32 of The Shard and Aqua Shard on level 31 both look over the city, and a window table is the thing to ask for, although it may not be guaranteed. Duck & Waffle sits high up in the City's Heron Tower and has long been a late-night choice for people who want to watch the lights.

Coq d'Argent has served French food on its rooftop at No 1 Poultry for many years, but it has announced a move to a new riverside rooftop at One Millennium Bridge in early 2027, so check the address before you book. Time your table for sunset if you can, and remember that the city looks just as good from a good bar. Our rooftop bars guide has more ideas for a drink first.

Getting the booking right

The best tables in this guide can go weeks in advance, and a Friday or Saturday night can take longer still. If your date is flexible, try a weeknight or an early or late sitting, as the room is often quieter and more relaxed. Mention an anniversary or proposal when you book, because restaurants will often do what they can for you, though they cannot promise it. Tell them about any allergies, and check their cancellation terms, as many take card details for peak dates.

If you would enjoy the company, dinner dates are listed on many of our ladies' profiles, and you can call us with her name and a time so we can check she is free and arrange the rest.