34 of the best Valentine's Day restaurants in London serving up special menus

Love is (almost) in the air in London as the most romantic night of the year draws ever closer. Widespread panic is sweeping the capital as partners lament the empty square in the calendar on the 14 February - the one day of the year where public displays of affection are compulsory and couples are expected to flaunt their undying love for the whole world to see.

If you fall into this category and you still haven’t planned anything beyond a Valentine’s Day card for your loved one this year, then it’s time to get a shift on and check out London’s romantic restaurants. Regardless of our views on this annual lovefest, if there is one thing we can all agree on here at SquareMeal it’s this; the way to the heart is undoubtedly via the stomach. Where better to take on some of that love than at a special Valentine’s Day restaurant in London?

So, whatever your ambitions are for celebrating on 14 February we recommend incorporating some good food and drink. But why add to the stress by cooking up a fancy Valentine's menu yourself, when you could sit back and let someone do all the work for you with better results and no washing up afterwards? For us, it’s a no brainer.

If you’re not a fan of big flouncy gestures, heart shaped puds, and rose petals in your cocktail, no problem. From the discreet to the decadent, we've rounded up the top spots for couples looking to indulge in a special meal out in London this Valentine's Day. So, quit the panicking, take a deep breath and dive in. We’re confident that there will be something here to impress your loved one whatever their ideals.

The Pem, Westminster

What: Sally Abe was crowned SquareMeal’s Female Chef of the Year in 2021, and The Pem is one of London's most striking restaurants, bedecked in dazzling scarlet and pink with chequerboard floors. Sally and team pull out all the stops on Valentine's Day - this year's six-course menu includes raw Jersey rock oysters in citrus, a 45-day aged Angus beef tartare, honey-glazed celeriac with pickled shimeji and hazelnuts, hand-dived Orkney scallops with cauliflower mushroom, and Champagne granita with Yorkshire rhubarb. 
Where: 22-28 Broadway, SW1H 0BH
How much: Six-course tasting menu for £140 per person
Book now: The Pem

Wild Honey, St James's

What: Modern European, French-influenced, Michelin-starred, and cooked by Anthony Demetre, what more could we ask for on the most romantic day of the year? Though it might be set within the Sofitel Hotel just off Pall Mall, Wild Honey is a destination in its own right. The seasonal menu this year covers three courses and a glass of Champagne with snacks, mignardises, and coffee all part of the package. Formed with the highest quality ingredients, this is the kind of place that'll put you in a romantic mood.
Where: 8 Pall Mall, SW1& 5NG
How much: Three-course set menu for £145
Book now: Wild Honey

Helix at The Gherkin, City of London

What: Set in the famous Gherkin building in the heart of the City, Helix stands tall as one of the most enviable locations for a Valentine’s Day meal. This year, the team behind Searcys at The Gherkin is putting on a very special four-course menu, with canapes and a glass of Veuve Clicquot included. Think starters of coronation chicken terrine, seared albacore tuna, and Norfolk asparagus soldiers to start followed by plates of Lake District venison loin, spinach and parmesan ravioli, and Devonshire baked haddock. We’ve got eyes on the strawberry and white chocolate mousse for dessert. Divine.
Where: 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8EP
How much: Set menus for £100 per person
Book now: Helix at The Gherkin

Petrus, Knightsbridge

What: If you really want to pull out all the stops for your other half this Valentine's Day, Gordon Ramsay’s Petrus in Knightsbridge offers top-class cookery across its Valentine's Day menu. Plates on this year's menu include tempura oyster with chawanmushi, duck liver terrine with black truffle, and a beef and chicken liver Wellington. To finish, expect rhubarb and Champagne sorbet and a chocolate heart with hazelnut. Petrus lives up to its name with a choice of wine pairings as well, the most expensive of which serves up some incredibly rare wines for the best part of a grand.
Where: 1 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8EA
How much: Seven courses for £225 per person
Book now: Petrus

Ayllu, Paddington

What: Prized for its exquisite Peruvian and Nikkei inspired tasting menus, Ayllu is hosting a night of romance for 14 and 15 February, complete with a whopping nine-course menu. After indulging in a glass of bubbles, the menu moves from oysters and guacamole to Nikkei and Lubina ceviche, crab tacos, special hamachi rolls, and yucas bravas. Guests can also expect live violin and Spanish guitar performances, as well as a personalisable Valentine’s heart dessert - make sure you send your custom message to the restaurant by 12 February!
Where: 25 Sheldon Square, W2 6EY
How much: Nine-course set menu for £80 per person.
Book now: Ayllu

The English Grill, Victoria

What: The sophisticated English Grill is offering a brilliant seasonal Valentine’s Day feast. Things kick off with oysters Rockefeller before continuing with a choice of starters like venison ragu, beetroot gravel roulade, or hispi cabbage caesar salad. After a rose Champagne sorbet to cleanse the palate, you’ll have your choice of mains. Whole butter-poached halibut and mushroom-stuffed butternut squash are tempting but we’re sold on the iconic The Rubens beef Wellington, complete with thyme and garlic infused fondant potato and Madeira sauce. 
Where: The Rubens at the Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, SW1W 0PS
How much: Three-course set menu for £124.50 per person
Book now: The English Grill

Oblix at The Shard, London Bridge

What: Classy high-rise restaurant Oblix offers not one, not two, but three different Valentine’s menus come February, all with awe-inspiring skyline views from the 32nd floor of The Shard. Mark the occasion at sophisticated Oblix West and choose from the signature or premium Valentine's set menus, or head to the more relaxed Oblix East for a selection of dishes for the whole table to share. We've got our eye on the West premium menu, not only does it include a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne but the main course offers a whole lobster with lemon verbena and garlic butter.
Where: Level 32, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY
How much: Oblix West signature menu £135, premium menu for £195 per person; Oblix East three course menu for £99 per person
Book now: Oblix at The Shard

Gouqi, St James’s

What: Chinese restaurants in London are ten a penny, but those offering a Valentine’s feast led by a seven-time Michelin-starred chef are not. With Tong Chee Hwee at the helm, diners can enjoy seven impressive courses to share along with a complimentary glass of rose Champagne. To start, expect a special Valentine's dim sum trio and Wagyu steak tartare with black truffle. The main course comprises of honey bee pollen chicken and live Scottish lobster among other dishes while the dessert, the ‘Isle of Rose’ comes complete with strawberry pink peppercorn, raspberry and jasmine tea.
Where: 25-34 Cockspur Street, SW1Y 5BN
How much: Three-course sharing menu for £150 per person
Book now: Gouqi

Kitty Hawk, Charing Cross

What: Set in the heart of the West End, atop the gorgeous Page 8 Hotel, Kitty Hawk is making all the right romantic moves this Valentine’s Day. Naturally, you’ll first be treated to a glass of Joseph Perrier Champagne, followed by starters like truffled mushrooms on sourdough, smoked salmon with keta caviar, or Hereford steak tartare. Then it’s onto mains like monkfish with borlotti beans and romesco, and a classy Champagne sorbet to finish - now that’s our idea of romance.
Where: 8 St Martin’s Place, WC2N 4JH
How much: Three-course set menu from £70 per person
Book now: Kitty Hawk

SUSHISAMBA, City of London and Covent Garden

What: Whether sat high above in Heron Tower or perched in Covent Garden, Sushisamba is putting on a proper feast this year. For both the 14 and 15 February, guests can indulge in a beautifully curated Valentine’s Day sharing menu that includes ten South American Japanese fusion dishes and a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne on arrival. Think crispy beef taquitos, lobster tempura with caviar, premium nigiri, and robata grilled Wagyu. It comes in at £150, but the a la carte menu is also available.
Where: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate; Opera Terrace, The Piazza, WC2E 8RF
How much: Tasting menu for £150 per person
Book now: SUSHISAMBA Heron Tower; SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

Duck & Waffle, The City

What: Duck & Waffle takes Valentine's dining to new heights (sorry) thanks to its signature views of stunning London vistas and some fun modern European food. Kick off with cheese and truffle gougeres, then cruise onto oxtail and ricotta ravioli, braised veal cheek with potato puree, roasted mushroom risotto, and a dark chocolate hazelnut Paris-Brest for pud. If you're planning a long one, you could always rock up in the wee hours and tuck into the late-night menu before winding your way home.
Where: 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
How much: Four-course set menu £150 per person
Book now: Duck & Waffle

Ormer, Mayfair

What: Known for brilliant, technical cooking and celebrating hyper-seasonal produce from its own kitchen garden in Essex, this Michelin-starred Mayfair spot is one of our favourites. It’s great all times of year, but for 14 and 15 February Ormer is putting on a whopping 7-course tasting menu. Naturally, things start off with a series of canapes, offering duck liver with preserved fig and wild seabass tartare with N25 oscietra caviar. Then it’s onto a selection of plates starting off with semolina and barley brioche, warm Iberico ham jelly, cured Cornish mackerel, and a heart-melting fricassee of Scottish langoustine. Go on, treat yourselves.
Where: Flemings Mayfair Hotel, Half Moon Street, W1J 7BH
How much: Seven-course tasting menu for £140 per person
Book now: Ormer

Cantinetta Antinori, Knightsbridge

What: Italian food is the food of love, so where better to spoil your Valentine than Cantinetta Antinori - an elegant Tuscan restaurant just a hop, skip and jump from Knightsbridge. The menu is wall-to-wall authentic Tuscan cookery of the highest order, and the wine list is truly exceptional - one of the deepest selections of Italian wine in London. We're not suggesting you go full-on lady and the tramp slurping spaghetti, this candlelit Valentine's Day restaurant is romantic enough already, and just as indulgent.
Where: 4 Harriet Street, SW1X 9JR
How much: A la carte prices vary
Book now: Cantinetta Antinori

JOIA, Battersea

What: If Valentine’s with a view is what you’re after, look no further than JOIA and JOIA Bar, which both offer gorgeous, unmatched views of the nearby Battersea Power Station and glittering London skyline. The special Valentine’s Day set menu includes a selection of the best signature JOIA dishes and a complimentary glass of Champagne. Expect a choice of petiscos like scallops with black aioli and glazed aubergine followed by mains like Txuleton Angus sirloin and Balfego tuna cheeks with cauliflower puree. Top it off with white chocolate mousse, and it's unmatched.
Where: 1 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ
How much: Three-course signature set menu for £125 per person
Book now: JOIA

OXO Tower, Southwark

What: What’s more romantic than dinner with a view? OXO Tower always runs Valentine’s menus in the Restaurant and the Brasserie, both of which come with iconic skyline views and live music throughout the evening. The restaurant is a little more formal, whilst OXO Tower Brasserie is perfect if you fancy something a little more low-key. Both are offering three courses from the full a la carte menus and all the while, you and your date will be serenaded with live music as you look out across the river.
Where: OXO Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, SE1 9PH
How much: OXO Tower Restaurant three-course set menu £100 per person; OXO Tower Brasserie three-course set menu £80 per person
Book now: OXO Tower Restaurant; OXO Tower Brasserie

The Curry Room, Victoria

What: Set within The Rubens Hotel, The Curry Room has a journey through South Asian aromatics in store for us this Valentine’s weekend. Starters include lamb shami kebab and classic onion bhaji, while mains cover all the favourite curries you could imagine each elevated with refined techniques and top grade ingredients. There’s also the chance to go for chef Kumar’s Thali, which allows you to pick three curries to enjoy, proving you can have your Bengal fish curry, spicy beef vindaloo, and vegetable korma and eat them too. Finishing off with a chocolate fondant dessert or crepe Suzette, you’re in for a treat.
Where: The Rubens at the Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0PS
How much: Three-course set menu for £95 per person
Book now: The Curry Room

Aragawa, Mayfair

What: If a good steak is your idea of luxury, Aragawa is one of the few places in the country that serves world-famous Tajima beef; these Japanese cattle are raised on spring water and grain, resulting in incredible marbling and texture. You can bet your bottom dollar that Valentine’s Day at this iconic Japanese institution will involve plenty of melt-in-the-mouth, high-grade beef. Rose petals on the tables and the flicker of candles help to set the mood.
Where: 38 Clarges Street, W1J 7EN
How much: A la carte pricing
Book now: Aragawa

The Colony Grill, Mayfair

What: Led by executive chef Brendan Fyldes - formerly of Michelin star restaurant L’Escargot - The Colony Grill menu this year covers four luxurious courses in a classic New York inspired dining room. From canapes like cashew nut parfait and beef tartare in soy mayonnaise to starters of scallop ceviche and foie gras, each dish has been laboured over and refined. As for the main course, the Valentine’s set menu offers pure indulgence in the form of monkfish Wellington with fondant potato and shellfish bearnaise, venison pithivier with celeriac and roasted hazelnuts, and a grilled tomahawk with truffle fries. We’re sold.
Where: 8 Balderton Street, W1K 6TF
How much: Four-course set menu for £90 per person
Book now: The Colony Grill

The Ninth, Fitzrovia

What: The Ninth has settled happily into veteran status, widely regarded as one of London’s most reliably delicious restaurants. That makes it a fantastic choice for Valentine’s Day - chef Jun Tanaka’s cooking treads neatly between ingenuity and uncomplicated, tasty comfort food. The six-course menu follows a Mediterranean theme this Valentine's Day, offering the likes of spaghetti with winter black truffles and aged Parmesan, crispy artichokes with wild garlic aioli, chargrilled Dover sole with seaweed butter, and a gorgeous choux au craquelin with pistachio ice cream to finish. 
Where: 22 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NB
How much: Six-course menu for £120 per person
Book now: The Ninth

Norma's, Fitzrovia

What: Offering a taste of Sicily on the most romantic day of the year, Norma offers a set menu packed with an exclusive selection of premium dishes designed to be shared. Antipasto include oysters with a fig leaf balsamic dressing alongside swordfish crudo with cherry molasses and charred tomato salsa followed by a primo course featuring prawn carpaccio with beetroot risotto. Elsewhere, the menu offers up the likes of baked lobster, truffle dauphinoise potatoes, and charred broccoli with spiced winter salsa verde. As for dessert, the team at Norma have a showstopping Valentine’s dessert platter in store.
Where: 8 Charlotte Street, W1T 2LS
How much: Five courses for £80 per person
Book now: Norma

L'oscar, Holborn

What: If you’re looking for something with glitz, you won’t find many restaurants more glamorous than L’oscar in Holborn. Sporting a rich purple and gold colour palette and Baroque design, L’oscar is opulent at every turn. The L'oscar menu is just as classy, taking inspiration from the Mediterranean with the occasional Japanese and Asian influences. If you're celebrating in the day, L'oscar is also laying on a special Valentine's Day afternoon tea. 
Where: 2-6 Southampton Row, WC1B 4AA
How much: A la carte prices vary
Book now: L'oscar

Mallow, Canary Wharf

What: Drawing inspiration from the rich romance of Venice and Rome, Mallow’s Valentine’s Day tasting menu offers iconic bold flavours and the incredible vibrancy we’ve come to expect from menus at Mallow. Sipping on a welcome Hugo Spritz, the six-course plant-based menu starts off with focaccia drizzled with citrus almond pesto and asparagus in a creamy citrus and caper mayonnaise dressing. Then, it’s on to wild mushroom ravioli and a course of semolina artichoke with her pangrattato. Finished with an elderflower and rhubarb pannacotta and Mallow’s iconic tiramisu in miniature form, we’re sold.
Where: 12 Park Drive, Wood Wharf, E14 9ZW
How much: Six-course tasting menu for £60 per person
Book now: Mallow Canary Wharf

Humble Grape, Various Locations

What: There’s nothing better than sharing a few glasses of great quality wines on Valentine’s Day, and though the name suggests modesty we should be totally clear: Humble Grape knows its stuff. For Valentine’s Day this year, Humble Grape is putting on a five-course set menu across all restaurants between 14 and 15 February. Things kick off with parmesan madeleines and truffle butter, followed by starters like beetroot tartare, lamb croquettes, and smoked salmon carpaccio. Main courses meanwhile, include steak and chips, cauliflower steaks, and seared seabass. Desserts and petit fours are just as impressive, and don’t forget to ask for the staff's wine recommendations!
Where: 18 - 20 Mackenzie Walk, E14 4PH; 2 Battersea Rise, SW11 1ED; 11 Theberton Street, N1 0QY; 1 St Bride's Passage, EC4Y 8EJ
How much: Five-course set menu for £50 per person
Book now: Humble Grape Canary Wharf; Humble Grape Battersea; Humble Grape Islington; Humble Grape Fleet Street

Megan’s, Various Locations

What: Considered to be one of London’s warmest most gorgeous restaurants, Megan’s London restaurants are putting on a romantic evening with magical fairy-lit interiors. The menu here is one of the most affordable when it comes to dining out on 14 February. For just £35 per person, you'll be in for starters like hot honey halloumi and buttermilk fried chicken, shish kebab and open kebab mains, and a half-baked cookie dough dessert. Plus, you'll be able to grab a complimentary welcome drink on arrival. So if summery Mediterranean romance sounds like your thing, this is the place to book.
Where: 55-57 The Pavement, SW4 0JQ; 6 Esther Anne Place, N1 1WF; 204 Kensington High Street, W8 7RG
How much: Three-course set menu for £35 per person
Book now: Megan’s Clapham Old Town; Megan’s at the Sorting Office Islington; Megan’s on the High Street Kensington

28-50 By Night, Marylebone

What: 28-50 already has a reputation for fantastic wine and high-quality cooking, but next door to the Marylebone site you’ll find 28-50 By Night, which adds live music and dancing to the equation. Tuck into some slick European cookery and peruse the bar’s impressive collection of rare wines, before dancing the night away to live jazz. The food is indulgent and traditional, offering set menu dishes like Rockefeller oysters, scallops with kohlrabi, beef tartare, beef fillet with pomme puree, roasted cod with fennel and mussels and classic desserts including a hazelnut eclair.
Where: 76 Wigmore Street, W1U 2SJ
How much: Four-course set menu for £85 per person
Book now: 28-50 By Night

Como Garden, Kensington

What: If you dream of a slice of Italian romance this February, Como Garden’s serene Mediterranean dining room might be the next best thing. A little more low-key but no less lovely, Como Garden is a tranquil little spot surrounded by greenery, prints, and warm lighting to emulate the iconic shores of Lake Como. sip on a special Valentine’s ‘Fall in Love’ cocktail (of amaretto, Bacardi bianco, wild strawberry, lemon and egg white) and share a heart-shaped raspberry panna cotta with your other half.
Where: 37-45 Kensington High Street, W8 5ED
How much: A la carte prices vary
Book now: Como Garden

Hans' Bar & Grill, Chelsea

What: Love is in the air at this stylish all-day bar and grill, and not just because the team here has put a lovey-dovey twist on the menu. At all times of year the dining room at Hans Bar & Grill exudes the kind of effortless calm and comfort we all want in a relationship. This extends to the Valentine’s Day set menu, offering up nduja arancini to whet the appetite before continuing onto a choice of starters like pan-fried scallops with cauliflower and truffle alongside a chicken and chorizo ballotine. For mains, the grass-fed fillet steak with confit potato has our attention, though the glazed salmon and wild mushroom tortellini are just as tempting. The best part? It comes with prices that are just as lovable.
Where: 164 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0BP
How much: Two-course set menu for £55, three-course set menu for £65
Book now: Hans' Bar & Grill

Cheneston's Restaurant at The Milestone, Kensington

What: How about a spot of retro-British luxury for Valentine's Day? Cheneston's Restaurant at The Milestone Hotel in Kensington is serving up a special tasting menu served in its traditional wood-panelled dining room. Executive chef Daniel Putz has devised the offering, using seasonal ingredients sourced from around the British Isles for the best possible flavour. Running alongside a vegetarian tasting menu, the Valentine's menu here covers eight courses, including smoked chicken 'Caesar' ravioli, Hereford beef with Jerusalem artichoke and braised short rib, and a 70% Guanaja chocolate and blood orange tart.
Where: 1 Kensington Court, W8 5DL
How much: Eight-course tasting menu for £145 per person, eight-course vegetarian tasting menu for £125 per person
Book now: Cheneston's Restaurant

Smith’s Bar & Grill, Paddington

What: To celebrate the day of love, whether you book for the 14 or 15 February, Smith’s Bar & Grill offers a 5-course menu paired with a glass of Champagne, thoughtful touches and romantic live music. Things kick off with a bang, starting with a ‘truffle explosion’ amuse-bouche before heading onto a choice of starter that includes scallops, oysters, and beef tartare. Then, expect a tuna tartare tart with caviar as a middle course, before tucking into mains like cod fillet, rib eye, or truffle tagliatelle. There are more surprises in store, including a Polaroid keepsake for each couple.
Where: 25 Sheldon Square, W2 6EY
How much: Five-course set menu for £70 per person
Book now: Smith’s Bar & Grill

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Mayfair

What: For those really looking to push the boat out this Valentine’s Day, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester promises an unforgettable dining experience to share with your loved one. Designed by executive chef Jean-Philippe Blondet, the five-course special menu is packed full of the highest quality luxury ingredients, and treated with the greatest care. If money is no object, request the Table Lumière, a semi-private table cocooned by 4,500 shimmering lights and guaranteed to make you swoon.
Where: The Dorchester, Park Lane, W1K 1QA
How much: Tasting menu for £345 per person
Book now: Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Mayfair

What: Bentley’s has been hosting Valentine’s merriment for many years, offering the finest oysters and seafood platters to couples to mark the occasion. It really is one of the best Valentine's restaurants in London for oysters and Champagne. And that's not all, both are available this year, but we expect to see other classics in the line up like fish pie, lobster spaghetti and creme caramel with Armagnac soaked D’Agen prunes. Bentley's also creates special cocktails for this day of romance, including a Valentine's whiskey sour with chilli.
Where: 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
How much: A la carte prices vary
Book now: Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill

Kahani, Belgravia

What: Peter Joseph’s classy Sloane Square restaurant makes a very elegant spot for a romantic evening. If you and your other half are both partial to a good curry and high quality Indian food, the five-course 2025 Valentine's Day has some treats in store for you. We're talking rock lobster with grilled asparagus and pineapple, stone bass tandoori with yellow tomatoes, chattinaad scallops with wild rice, and smoked lamb rump masala. There’s a delicious vegetarian menu and a wine pairing available too.
Where: 1 Wilbraham Place, SW1X 9AE
How much: Five-course set menu for £100 per person
Book now: Kahani

Sette, Knightsbridge

What: Sette is housed in the ever-stylish Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge, which is about as glamorous and swanky a venue as you could pick for a special date. The Italian restaurant within goes all out with luxurious Italian dishes and sky-high prices to match. Think canapes of cured salmon, chicken liver parfait, crab and caviar to start (with a glass of Ruinart Brut, of course), followed by antipasti like peppered beef fillet carpaccio, second of braised short rib with seasonal veggie risotto, and desserts like a passionfruit brownie with matcha cream.
Where: Ground Floor, 4 Knightsbridge Green, SW1X 7QA
How much: Four-course set menu for £135 per person
Book now: Sette

La Terrazza, Kensington

What: This classy all-day Italian has a prime spot on the corner of Lexham Gardens and serves some really creative Italian plates come Valentine's Day. After welcome canapes and Champagne to start, guests can choose from cheese souffle with black truffle and a tuna tartare with strawberry. To follow, choices include artichoke risotto with 24-month-old parmesan fondue and slow-cooked veal with crispy vegetables and red mullet with saffron leeks and fennel. To finish, it's a very fitting melting-heart chocolate cake.
Where: 160 Cromwell Road, SW5 0TL
How much: Tasting menu £79 per person
Book now: La Terrazza

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