by Chris Johnson
From candlelit settings to panoramic views, here are London’s most seductive dining spots to celebrate love and romance.
Often hailed as one of the most romantic restaurants in London, Clos Maggiore is a haven of intimacy. Located right in the heart of Covent Garden, it features a dreamy conservatory adorned with fairy lights and blossoms. The French-inspired menu offers exquisite dishes such as roast monkfish with Cornish cockles and slow-cooked Herefordshire beef ‘Daube’, simmered in red wine.
For an exquisitely crafted meal full of culinary delight, look no further than The Connaught, where you’ll experience culinary creativity at its very best at the three Michelin-starred restaurant, Helene Darroze. The historical, dark oak-panelled walls set the perfect tone for this intimate dining experience, while the menu showcases Darroze’s unparalleled ability to combine seasonality and technique. Choose dishes based on the provenance of key ingredients, such as crab and lamb, and let the maestro do her work.
Famous for its “Press for Champagne” button, Bob Bob Ricard is synonymous with luxury and fun. The Art Deco-inspired interiors, with plush booths and soft lighting, set the mood for a glamorous romantic dinner. The menu showcases reinvented British and French classics, from caviar to chicken Kyiv and beef Wellington. Comfort food fit for a special occasion.
For a quirky yet romantic experience, Sketch is unmatched. Known for its whimsical decor and art installations, its Gallery dining room is a pastel-pink paradise. Couples can enjoy modern European dishes such as black truffle risotto or a Wagyu tomahawk in a playful, dreamlike atmosphere.
If music be the food of love, play on, and marking the occasion of Shakespeare plays returning to Theatre Royal Drury Lane since 1957, this is the only theatre in the West End to offer a three-course menu at its restaurant The Lane. Served in the beautiful surroundings of the Grand Saloon,
a marble-lined Regency room with twinkling chandeliers and a fine art collection, feast on ox cheek bourguignon or a classic British fish pie with salmon, smoked haddock and pollock topped with a brioche crumb.
Spring at Somerset House is a warm and elegant dining spot in the New Wing of the iconic Somerset House. The food here is heartfelt and produce-driven, with plates including sea bass carpaccio, fillet of beef with potato and girolle gratin, and brill served with spiced carrot puree, pak choi and vadouvan butter.
Finally, if sweeping city views ignite romance, Duck & Waffle is an excellent choice. Situated on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, this iconic restaurant combines stunning vistas with creative cuisine. The menu includes its famous duck and waffle dish and other indulgent options such as whole roasted chicken or wild mushroom polenta.
