The best date-night restaurants in London

If you can get a table at this charming Lyonnais-style Bouchon above a pub in buzzy Farringdon, then you’re in for a treat. This is crowdpleasing French food from chef Henry Harris, faultlessly executed – think coarse, rich pâtés, escargots, rabbit in mustard sauce and classic desserts. To up the romance, try and nab a seat at the tables on the indoor ‘terrace’ overlooking the street below.

This cosy French restaurant on the edge of Borough Market, with an intimate candlelit dining space, is the perfect date-night spot. The vibe whispers cosy and charming bistro stumbled upon on a jaunt through the French countryside, with chef Elliot Hashtroudi and team turning out bistro classics through a more modern lens than say Bouchon Racine, washed down with wines from a highly respected list.

The experience at Michelin-starred Cycene at the Blue Mountain School in Shoreditch unfolds across different rooms and floors of a converted London townhouse. Start at the ground-floor counter with bread and broth, then head to the kitchen, where chef Taz Sarhane will personally serve you more snacks. The main meal is then enjoyed by candlelight next door in what is surely one of London’s most romantic and intimate dining rooms. 

The original Noble Rot in Bloomsbury – they have spread to Soho and Mayfair – remains one of London’s most romantic restaurants and a wine drinkers’ paradise, with big hitters often found by the glass. The menu from Executive Chef Stephen Harris leans into that Franglais style of cooking popular at the likes of The French House, and if you have dinner plans elsewhere, Nobel Rot also makes a great stop for a glass and snack on the way, to show off your foodie credentials. 

Neil Borthwick is doing amazing things upstairs at this famous Soho pub. Fluffy beignets are a thing of beauty, zingy salads cut through the punchy saucing, and the meat and fish are cooked to perfection. The cosy dining room is decorated with photographs depicting Old Soho and the pub’s storied past (and famous patrons), and up there, away from the din of the street and the always busy public bar below, you feel like you’ve stumbled on a secret space. 

Chef Aaron Potter and interior stylist Laura Hart’s Pimlico restaurant might be in a brand-spanking-new development, but there’s a warm, old-world charm to the hospitality here. Wildflowers is all things to all people. A raucous meal with friends? Check. Sunday with the in-laws? Check. A sophisticated working lunch? Check again. Importantly, despite the buzzy vibe and open-plan dining room, it still feels intimate and romantic. The Mediterranean-inspired food from Potter, formerly of Trinity and Elystan Street, is generous in flavour and sustenance.