33 of London's best first date restaurants and bars

If you want to go big for your date, it’s pretty hard to beat the views from Aqua Shard. It’s not a case of style over substance either, thanks to an accomplished seasonal British menu.

Two-floor German Gymnasium is a striking space in the hubbub of King’s Cross. For date night, opt for the more casual ‘grand café’ on the ground floor and tuck into the likes of veal schnitzel.

Paternoster Chophouse doesn’t just rely on its TV fame to draw in diners (it’s the setting for Channel 4’s First Dates). Hearty, good-quality steaks impress, while the heated terrace is great for a cheeky kiss.

Minnow is a relaxed all-day joint. If you’re enjoying a daytime date, the pastel-splashed ground floor is where to enjoy the charming Modern European menu, while the seductive basement is better suited to evening rendezvous.

Dating a reality TV super fan? Made in Chelsea favourite Bluebird is sure to impress with its colourful accents and please-all international menu. Bag a spot on the popular outdoor terrace for maximum cool points.

Low-lit and intimate, Brick Lane’s Cocktail Trading Co deals in gimmicky cocktails that actually have some substance. False teeth served in cocktail glasses will guarantee some laughs, while staff are always up for a chat should the company fall flat. 

If your date loves wine, it’s hard to go wrong at Noble Rot. Low lighting, a stellar wine list, and simple food are all part of the allure, while fair prices add to its attractiveness.

Probably one of the most Instagrammed date spots in the capital, high-flying Hakkasan has gained legendary status thanks to divine dim sum and other Chinese classics. Be prepared for a hefty bill come the meal’s end.  

The brainchild of cocktail maestro Ryan Chetiyawardana, Lyaness serves a mind-bogglingly good ingredient-led cocktail list, while the bar’s views of the South Bank come alive in all their twinkling glory once the sun has set.

This two-floor Soho bar makes for a great first date venue. The seductive basement boasts the best seats in the house, where you can sip on inventive cocktails that favour intriguing flavours over throwaway gimmicks.

This cutesy restaurant serves a menu of Burmese cuisine, which is largely underrepresented in London. Desserts are perfectly sized for sharing, while the booths that line the restaurant’s walls are great for getting cosy in.

Keep things casual with a breakfast date at Granger & Co. The ricotta hotcakes are a must-order, while the pastel colour scheme and convivial atmosphere will help to ease any first date nerves.

With Londoners' increasingly busy schedules, sometimes lunch dates are easier to pull off. Small but mighty Titu is great for these, serving a list of specialist gyozas at bargain prices, at least by Mayfair standards.

The original Ivy still boasts an ineffable charm that perhaps its now-many spin-offs lack. Impossibly glamorous and with oodles of charm, the menu of upscale comfort food is beaten only by the five-star hospitality.  

Themed around a London house share, quirky Little Blue Door is tonnes of fun. Feast on an international menu while sipping on the likes of sharing cocktails which arrive disguised as a vase of flowers.

It’s a Londoner’s rite of passage to abuse the ‘press for Champagne’ button at glitzy Bob Bob on a date, while the discreet booths mean you can indulge in some PDA without fear of judgement.

Zany Thai restaurant Greyhound Café boasts luminous cocktails, a menu which looks like a glossy fashion magazine and a dessert called ‘Happy Toast’. In short, there’s plenty here to keep the dinner table conversation lively.

Sexy, low-lit La Bodega Negra sits behind a faux sex shop frontage. It’s lots of fun inside too, serving up a menu of Mexican classics, as well as a healthy dose of Tequila and party vibes.

Often thought of as London’s archetypal tapas bar, the original Barrafina serves up plates that are perfect for sharing. Looking to impress? Order the fail-safe likes of the tomato bread, sizzling garlic prawns and made-to-order tortilla.

Effortlessly pretty with its pastel colour palette, Lorne is a welcome addition to restaurant starved Pimlico. It’s also perfect for a relaxed date night, serving unfussy modern European sharing plates alongside a wide-ranging wine list.

Small plates are a great idea on a date (unless like Joey Tribbiani, your date doesn’t share food). Kricket does small plates extremely well – think okra fries, Keralan fried chicken and plenty of veggie options.

If all-out glamour is your way of impressing on a date, Park Chinois is a must visit. Unashamedly opulent interiors are matched with a menu of luxe riffs on Chinese classics, including delicious dim sum.

Activity dates can feel a lot less pressurised than sit-down dinners, and Flight Club is a great alternative to traditional first dates. The fun here involves throwing darts while munching on pizza and sinking beers.

Hide’s achingly cool basement bar is found at the bottom of an oak corkscrew staircase. Mayfair prices come as standard, but you’ll find pretty much any wine you could want, as well as ultra-charming staff.

This tiny Hoxton basement bar has gained fame around the world and all without gimmicks or fuss. The ever-changing list of top-quality cocktails and superb service here will show your date that you have great taste.

Parquet flooring, plush upholstery and drinks served in antique glasses all add to the romantic atmosphere at Cora Pearl. Dating suitability aside, the ham and cheese toastie and thick-cut pressed chips are both must orders.

Although other locations have opened, the original Bao still draws the crowds. The steamed buns are perfect casual date food, while the no-bookings policy means there’s an opportunity for pre-date drinks to calm those nerves while you wait for a table.

Whiskey and rotisserie chicken? Sounds like a pretty good date to us. Bull specialises in both, with over 100 Japanese and Scottish whiskies to sample, alongside 24-hour marinated chicken slicked with a Nikka whisky glaze.

If your date knows their stuff when it comes to booze, take them to Tayer + Elementary to show off your cool bar knowledge. Expect truly marvellous sips and a pork katsu sando that’s achieved Insta fame.  

Quirky and colourful mismatched décor and a list of cocktails with delightfully silly names help Callooh Callay to be one of the most fun date spots in the capital – put simply, we can’t get enough.

Worried about awkward silences on your first date? Tech-heavy Inamo, with its interactive tables and cameras that let you peep into the kitchen, should provide plenty of conversation topics. The well-executed Pan-Asian menu impresses too.