27 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. 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. 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 Ritz, St James’s

What: Forgive us for pointing out the obvious - that The Ritz might be a nice place to spend Valentine’s Day - but there really is nothing else like this spellbinding dining room and the pure hedonism within. Your money gets you a magnificent four-course dinner crafted by executive chef John Williams MBE, with a glass of Barons de Rothschild ‘Ritz Reserve’ Rose Champagne with each course. With live entertainment accompanying, and the joy of seeing the magnificent dining room lit by candlelight, The Ritz pulls out all the stops come February 14.
Where: The Ritz Hotel, 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR
How much: Tasting menu £395 per person
Book now: The Ritz

The Midland Grand Dining Room, King’s Cross

What: One of our favourite new openings of 2023, The Midland Grand Dining Room just delivers on all fronts. Inside you’ll find a truly mesmerising dining room, with ornate plasterwork ceilings held aloft by marble columns. The food is wonderful too, tweaking romantic French brasserie classics with a touch of modernity - the snail bourguignon for example, which is just one of many must-orders across a delightful menu. The Valentine's Day menu also lays on oysters, Comte gougeres, lobster pain perdu and a gorgeous sirloin on the bone to share. 
Where: St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 2AR
How much: Tasting menu £125 per person
Book now: The Midland Grand Dining Room

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.
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. A special Valentine’s Day menu includes crab salad with samphire, grilled leeks with romesco rocket and hazelnuts, and chocolate and passion fruit mousse.
Where: 1 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ
How much: Tasting menu £110 per person
Book now: JOIA

Luca, Farringdon

What: Few restaurants in London match Luca for aesthetics - each part of the restaurant has a distinct style, from the stylish restaurant to the romantic terrace. The latter is a dream Valentine’s destination, but the menu impresses wherever you are the the restaurant - it includes Luca’s famous Parmesan fries, as well as agnolotti of artichokes and hazelnuts, roast duck with Yorkshire rhubarb, and a chocolate delice with Mascarpone ice cream.
Where: 88 St John Street, EC1M 4EH
How much: Tasting menu £125 per person
Book now: Luca

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, delicious comfort food. The set menu includes spaghetti with winter black truffles and aged Parmesan, duck with cime di rapa and radish, and chocolate cremeux.
Where: 22 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NB
How much: Tasting menu £125 per person
Book now: The Ninth

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, L’oscar is opulent at every turn, and boasts a classy menu to match that takes inspiration from the Mediterranean. If you're celebrating in the day, L'oscar is also laying on a special Valentine's Day afternoon tea themed around Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. 
Where: 2-6 Southampton Row, WC1B 4AA
How much: A la carte prices vary
Book now: L'oscar

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, with a three course set menu that includes baked goat's cheese with poached pears, beef fillet in Perigueux sauce and Eton Mess.
Where: 76 Wigmore Street, W1U 2SJ
How much: Tasting menu £79.95 per person
Book now: 28-50 By Night

Azzurra, Chelsea

What: Aqua knows a few things about romantic restaurants and the latest addition to this restaurant group is no different. Azzurra’s remit is dedicated to all things seafood, and the restaurant goes to great lengths to source the very best produce from all over the country, blending fantastic British seafood with Italian cookery. It’s a beautiful restaurant too, more than suitable if you’re treating your other half to something special this Valentine’s Day.
Where: 127-128 Sloane Street, SW1X 9AS
How much: A la carte prices vary
Book now: Azzurra

Kanishka, Mayfair

What: Atul Kochhar's slick, sophisticated Mayfair restaurant is perfect for couples that love Indian cooking. Come Valentine's Day, Kochhar and team roll out some celebratory dishes, including rara chicken supreme with tenderstem broccoli, partridge masala, and a luxurious dish of scallops, tiger prawns and caviar. You can pair all the courses with wines for an extra £75 too, if you really want to push the boat out.
Where: 17-19 Maddox Street, W1S 2QH
How much: Tasting menu £105 per person
Book now: Kanishka

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 to 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

St Pancras Brasserie & Champagne Bar by Searcys, King's Cross

What: Smart food in a smart location, St Pancras Brasserie & Champagne Bar by Searcys is the perfect spot to wine and dine your beau before whisking them off to Paris for a spontaneous trip. The Champagne Bar is running a trio of Laurent-Perrier Champagnes for £30 over Valentine's week, and in the Brasserie you'll find a three course menu that includes house-made terrine of pork and duck foie gras with pistachio, black truffle and mushroom ravioli, and grilled lamb chop with creamy polenta confit.
Where: Grand Terrace, Upper Concourse, St Pancras International Station, N1C 4QL
How much: Three course set menu for £48 per person
Book now: St Pancras Brasserie & Champagne Bar by Searcys

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. Dishes include native oyster with watermelon, chilli and buttermilk, Hereford beef with short rib croquette and red wine jus, and 60% Manjari chocolate mousse with blood orange to finish. 
Where: 1 Kensington Court, W8 5DL
How much: £140 per person
Book now: Cheneston's Restaurant

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 culminates with an enchanting and delicately-crafted heart shaped dessert which splits perfectly in two; rose flavoured on one side and chocolate, almond and caramel on the other. 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: Five-course set menu for £340 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. Both are available this year alongside classics like fish pie, lobster spaghetti and creme caramel with Armagnac soaked D’Agen prunes.
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, come here on Valentine’s and tuck into dishes like chicken kebabs smoked over sandalwood, lamb cannon seared in Punjabi spices, and a layered chocolate delight with malai saffron kulfi. There’s a delicious vegetarian menu on offer too.
Where: 1 Wilbraham Place, SW1X 9AE
How much: Five course set menu for £110 per person
Book now: Kahani

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 menu includes raw Orkney scallops with pumpkin seed puree, pan-fried halibut with black truffle, and a Yorkshire rhubarb mille-feuille with white chocolate and rose.
Where: 22-28 Broadway, SW1H 0BH
How much: Six course tasting menu for £140 per person
Book now: The Pem

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. Expect tuna carpaccio with strawberry, pink pepper and soy glaze, slow-cooked veal medallions, and melting heart chocolate cake with passionfruit coulis, all for the very reasonable price of £79 a head. Plus, you get a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rose to kick things off.
Where: 160 Cromwell Road, SW5 0TL
How much: Tasting menu £79 per person
Book now: La Terrazza 

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, but both come with those iconic skyline views and live music throughout the evening. The restaurant is a little more formal, running a menu that includes duck with red onion tart tatin and praline ganache with passionfruit, whilst OXO Tower Brasserie is perfect if you fancy something a little more low key. Your ticket also gets you half a bottle of Champagne to toast the evening.
Where: OXO Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, SE1 9PH
How much: OXO Tower Restaurant three course set menu £170 per person; OXO Tower Brasserie three course set menu £125 per person
Book now: OXO Tower Restaurant; OXO Tower Brasserie

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 - to give you an idea, this year's menu starts with oysters and Champagne, before embarking on a banquet that includes scallop crudo, ravioli cacio e pepe, and yoghurt and raspberry cremoso with lychee and rose.
Where: Ground Floor, 4 Knightsbridge Green, SW1X 7QA
How much: Five course tasting menu £135 per person
Book now: Sette

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, or the more relaxed Oblix East bar with a choice of delicious set menus and cocktails.
Where: Level 32, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY
How much: Oblix West tasting menu £170 or £130 per person; Oblix East three course menu £95 per person
Book now: Oblix at The Shard

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 snacks like crispy polenta and truffle mayo, then cruise into mini brioche lobster rolls, a signature crispy confit duck leg with a waffle and a fried egg, and a dark chocolate hazelnut bar 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 

La Poule au Pot, Belgravia

What: Quintessentially French restaurant La Poule au Pot is a classic Valentine's Day choice, so you'll have to get in quick with your booking. Decorated with festoons of dried herbs and flowers and bric-a-brac furniture, this rustic spot oozes charm and character - the perfect place to feast on the likes of duck leg confit, escargot, guinea fowl in Calvados sauce and tarte tatin. 
Where: 231 Ebury Street, SW1W 8UT 
How much: Three course menu £80 per person 
Book now: La Poule au Pot 

The Pelican, Notting Hill

What: Okay, so The Pelican isn't strictly serving a special Valentine's menu, but we thought it was worth a mention - not only is this pristine gastropub one of our favourite restaurants of 2023, it's also a delightful spot for a romantic candlelit dinner. If sharing a whole roasted brill and a bottle of Chassagne Montrachet 1er cru is your idea of romance, book yourself a table.  
Where: 16a Bedford Street, WC2E 9HE 
How much: A la carte prices vary  
Book now: The Pelican

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 Knightbridge offers top-class cookery across a luxury seven-course tasting menu (eight if you include the supplemental £95 caviar waffle). 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: Tasting menu £225 per person
Book now: Petrus 

Mount St. Restaurant, Mayfair

What: We’re big fans of Jamie Shears’ Mount St. Restaurant - not only is this bound to be a fantastic Valentine’s Day spread, it also delivers on setting, as one of London’s most interesting, beautiful dining rooms. Share a beef Wellington and a dark chocolate and praline mousse, whilst gazing lovingly at Warhol, Picasso and Matisse masterpieces on the walls.
Where: 41-43 Mount Street, W1K 2RX
How much: A la carte prices vary
Book now: Mount St. Restaurant

Yuu Kitchen, Spitalfields

What: For Valentine's with a difference head over to Yuu Kitchen - a little Spitalfields hidden gem that dishes up pan-Asian delights like bao buns, sticky Asian barbecue ribs and salt and pepper squid (you can even have your face printed on a bao bun if you give the team enough time and email them a mugshot). This year's Valentine's spread includes a host of special dishes, including a delicious sounding scallop with pork crackling and lemongrass teriyaki, roast ox tongue taco with yuzu kosho, and a special cocktail made with Champagne, Umeshu sake and rose syrup.
Where: 29 Commercial Street, E1 6NE
How much: A la carte prices vary
Book now: Yuu Kitchen

Love unique experiences? You might like one of these omakase restaurants in London.