So, you’ve worked up the courage to ask out your crush and now you’re looking for a show-stopper of a spot. Discover some of the best restaurants for a first date in London with our curated list of romantic tapas bars, interactive dining experiences and intimate eateries that are sure to impress. And if all goes well? We've got you covered with even more swoon-worthy date night spots around town.
Last edited by Kiera Chapman
Last updated on 19th November 2024
Break the ice at Penny Squares housed within Canopy by Hilton London City hotel. This restaurant is an ideal romantic spot for its laid-back vibes, alongside its crackin' menu. Delve into a succulent steak or some Cornish hake while getting to know your date.
A French-inspired date night haunt in Waterloo, Auberge offers stunning views of The Shard. With European plates, wine, and craft beer on tap, it's the perfect spot to cosy up with your boo. Whether you're in the mood for deep-fried camembert, moules mariniere or some good ol' steak frites, this charming joint has got you covered.
Located in Hackney, Mare Street Market is a seriously cool venue, touting a bar, open kitchen, café, vinyl shop and florist. But, it's not just a pretty face; it also has your date covered with its menu of pizzas, brunch dishes and light bites alongside a wide choice of bevvies.
After somewhere with the wow factor? Make your way to this romantic restaurant where you'll be greeted by dazzling interiors and plush seating for you to get cosy in. The food and drink are just as good as the space, so you'll be guaranteed a pretty feast.
Ping Pong is an all-round winner when it comes to date nights. Not only does this Southbank restaurant serve stunning dim sum in a charming setting, but it promises to leave a little extra room in the wallet for drinks afterwards if all goes to plan.
A fantastic shout if you're looking for date spots in London, Benares Restaurant & Bar is sure to impress your potential flame. Enjoy fancy Indian fare, alongside a wide range of vino, or for a really cool experience, try their £123 tasting menus.
Unlimited Asian tapas & sushi with free-flowing wine or beer £54.95 per person and 2 other offers
Perfect for a playful first date meal in London, Inamo's interactive tables are brilliant ice-breakers. As well as watching the kitchen team do their thing via chef cam, you can also play games with each other while waiting for your delicious Pan-Asian feast to arrive.
No.197 Chiswick Fire Station has got to be one of the best restaurants for a first date in London. Alongside a signature cocktail menu, Antipodean-inspired dishes and seriously suave interiors, the West London bar and kitchen also has a stunning outdoor area for when things heat up.
If you're looking to impress a first date and fancy a casual vibe, Busaba's Thai restaurants are a great shout. You'll find these across the city, from Hoxton and Soho to Kingston and Stratford, offering an intimate, low-lit setting that's perfect for a little romancing.
You'll be able to delve into all kinds of delicious eats from their fantastic Thai menu - kickstart with a few small plates, like their signature wok-tossed calamari or chicken satay, then dig into spicy curries, flavoursome pad Thai and mussaman lamb shank hot off the grill.
There's a lot at stake on a first date, so make sure your night goes swimmingly by heading to Bleeding Heart. While in the intimate, atmospheric surrounds of this French Farringdon restaurant, chomp on upmarket eats and let the conversation flow.
The Breakfast Club is a top-notch first date restaurant in East London. With wall murals, colourful furniture and tasty brunch fare served all day long, it offers the perfect mix of fun and comfort food for you to get to know one another better.
Looking to impress a date and appreciate Latin culture at the same time? Then check out dreamy Sazon London in Islington. There's everything from gorg Colombian art on the walls to Dominican delicacies like prawn ceviche with rainbow peppers being delved out by the kitchen.
Lunch date restaurants in London are topped off by The Other Kitchen, a South Kensington spot that's got a slick look to match the amazing meals and cocktails. Think sandwiches, lamb kebab sharing plates, arancini and short rib sliders.
Do something a little different and head to Barge East for a dinner to remember. With its multi-course set menus that showcase the best in British cooking, this atmospheric restaurant puts you in prime position to land that all-important second date.
One of the best restaurants in London for a first date, 14 Hills is a foliage-adorned hideaway in the Square Mile. With an extensive range of high-end European fare on the menu, this place tops off its extraordinary dishes with impressive signature tipples.
One of the best restaurants for a first date in Central London, Whitcomb's is serving an elegant menu of French Mediterranean cuisine. Head here for a romantic dinner and drinks (there's even theatreland on your doorstep), and you're sure to swoon.
For food and drinks that really pack the wow factor, book a table for two over at Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai in Fitzrovia. Fill your boots with upmarket Indian fare before heading downstairs to the hidden cocktail bar for a romantic date.
Break the ice at Gaucho Covent Garden, a perfect spot for those all-important first date plans. Offering delicious brekkie, brunch, dinner plates and their classic steaks, this dining destination is a great choice from day to night. On top of that, there are also tasty cocktails and late-night entertainment.
When you want to impress your date with stunning interiors and British fare, check out E Eighteen. Not only are there cocktail happy hours and great wine to accompany your meal, but also everything from pan-seared scallops to charred hot and sour tofu or barbecue lamb ribs.
Situated on London Bridge, Pizarro is an ideal spot if you're looking for an intimate date night. Your evening comes complete with delicious wine and Spanish fare - think everything from squid stuffed with spicy rice to padron peppers and spicy mussels.
First date night restaurants in London don't get much better than Farzi, the gorgeous Indian eatery that's delving out sophisticated takes on crowd-pleasing favourites. Think lamb shank, biryani and more, with their signature cocktails to match - just remember to book 7 or more days in advance.
Amazing Grace is a gorgeous restaurant that's sure to make sure you get that all-important second date. This reformed church still boasts beautiful stained glassed windows and an altar, combined with cutting-edge audio-visual displays and a regular lineup of live music. Not only is this place gloriously pretty, but it's also bringing you a range of tasty East Asian bites like Korean potato bites, pulled beef brisket bao buns and Japanese fried chicken. To top it all off, there are delicious cocktails and bottomless brunches on site.
SHANGHAI NOIR SET MENU -3 Courses · £35 per perso and 1 other offer
Shanghai Noir is a stylish Indo-Chinese Brasserie that's inspired by the 1930s, situated in the Grade II listed old Westminster Fire Station. Their luxurious decor features dark wallpaper, decadent chandeliers and Asian-style artwork, where you can enjoy theatrical cocktails and delicious small plates - we're talking chilli pepper paneer, dry-aged short rib beef or hot and sour soup.
Break the ice on your first date with Obicà Mozzarella Bar in Canary Wharf. This venue is ideal for ogling your date, all while taking in the stunning glass atrium interiors and digging into authentic pizza or pasta. Want more? Check out the St Paul's location.
Treat your partner to an unforgettable night at BÓHA London, where sophistication and style combine for the ultimate date experience. With its contemporary yet cosy decor and an impressive cocktail list in its 1920s-style speakeasy, you'll find the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy each other's company.
Share a bottle of wine, nibble on delicious dishes from the menu, and let the expertly crafted tipples set the mood for the evening.
Looking for somewhere luxurious to impress your date? Then take them to Ayllu. This stunning space flaunts a sultry emerald green interior with cosy leather booths for intimate meals, alongside an equally impressive menu of Japanese-Peruvian fusion dishes. You'll find this place beneath Paddington Central cooking up everything from salmon and avocado tacos to oyster mushroom ceviche or beef tataki. The cocktails here are just as enticing though - we recommend the raspberry and white lychee blend Pinku.
Add a dash of competition to your first outing with a trip to this quirky bar and restaurant. Flight Club will have you ditching stuffy restaurants and awkward small talk in favour of high-octane darts throwing, paddles of pizza and plenty of libations for a fun night out.
Looking for a cracking first date spot in London? Look no further than Iron Bloom in Shoreditch. You'll be smitten with their yummy seasonal small plates, tasty cocktails and bangin' live music that are sure to set the mood.
With a buzzy atmosphere and a massive selection of dishes and drinks, Mercato Metropolitano is a top first date idea. Share a pizza on the food hall's communal tables, slurp down ramen in the outdoor terrace or seek out the intimate den and turn on the charm over a bottle or two.
Stylish, relaxed and cool as hell: The Little Blue Door is your flat outside of your flat. With chilled vibes, great food and a mischievous party spirit, this Fulham beauty will keep you and your date chatting and dancing well after the sun goes down.
Need plans for that first date? Haxells Restaurant & Bar in Covent Garden has got you covered. Although this venue is very romantic, flaunting plenty of cosy corners, it still has laid-back vibes. Enjoy a glass of wine, alongside a fabulous range of British-inspired eats.
Looking like something that's just stepped out of the 70s, Coin Laundry is a cool first date restaurant in Central London. Offering more than just quirky surroundings, this place will have you scoffing vintage dishes such as ham, egg and chips, chicken Kiev and cauliflower cheese steak.
After a charming first date restaurant? Oozing rustic vibes, Maremma is the place for you. Named after the Tuscan region, this Brixton gem cooks up traditional delicacies and pasta made in-house daily, all topped off with delicious wine handpicked from small producers.
It's time for amazing Aussie brunches and world-fusion meals, as Lantana Cafe (in London Bridge, Fitzrovia and Shoreditch) is offering you a cool, contemporary spot for your first date. Pop along to indulge in anything from mezze boards to duck tacos.
Kibou is a Battersea restaurant serving classic Japanese dishes in a cool setting. Head here for a laid-back sushi lunch or dinner made up of slurping ramen with glasses of sake, all against a backdrop of colourful artwork and plush furnishings.
Vagabond's urban wineries are ideal for an evening of wining and dining over a bottle and sharing plates. Offering a stunning array of handpicked vinos in undoubtedly sleek surroundings, it's no surprise that this is one of the city's best places for a first date.
The perfect mix of casual and impressive thanks to its chic interiors, classic Portuguese menu and extensive wine list, Casa do Frango Shoreditch is ideal for a first date. Eye up your lucky other half from plush orange seats, all while tucking into piri-piri or sharing plates.
Eastern Mediterranean restaurant Gallio is making sure you can get your fix of everything from bottomless breakfasts, pizza brunches and shawarma to three-course set menus with a cocktail for just £40. Taking pride in their fresh mezze, bread baked in-house, halal meats and sustainable food, they're a destination that delivers value, ambience and quality all in one package - striking the perfect balance for a first date.
Cheese-filled tequenos, fried chicken cornbread and home infused old fashioned... sounds like a fun first date idea to us. If that wasn't enough, Venezuelan kitchen Arepa & Co has an outdoor terrace for the summer months and one of the best brunch menus in London.
If you're looking to impress on a first date, check out Sea Garden & Grill in Tooting. This fabulous joint has a laid-back dining setting, ideal for breaking the ice, alongside a crackin' menu to delve into. Think British plates, innovative drinks and plenty of oysters. Oh, yes.
One of the swishest romantic restaurants in London with a view, Aqua Kyoto is an elevated Japanese restaurant, terrace and bar. Head here if you fancy splashing the cash a little on a jaw-dropping dinner in a stunning setting.
If you really want to impress, then Gymkhana is a top choice of London restaurants for first dates. With interiors inspired by the members' clubs of India, twists on classic cocktails and tandoor or chatpatta dishes designed to share, this place is second to none.
Sparkling Thursdays - half price Champagne and sparkling wines and 1 other offer
With its huge, Parisian-style bar and intimate booth seating, Balans East in Stratford has date night written all over it. Head to the gothic restaurant for an evening of locally sourced global eats, including curries, burgers and tacos, alongside cocktails and fine wine.
Flaunting romantic features, Teatro Hall in Ealing is sure to upgrade those first date plans. On top of having a delicious variety of pizza, pasta and cocktails up for grabs, this stunning spot also boasts a range of activities; think wine tastings and drinks masterclasses.
Looking for summer date night ideas? Seabird is sure to wow with its picture-perfect rooftop terrace and gorgeous menu of fresh seafood (as well as one of London's best oyster menus). Make sure to head over just as the sun is setting for proper romantic vibes.
If you're looking for low pressure first date ideas, Minnow is a top choice. Found in the heart of Clapham, this light and airy all-day eatery is a fabulous place for a pitstop after a wander across the Common. Expect everything from wholesome brunches through to roast dinners on the menu.
Searching for the best first date ideas London has to offer? Found opposite Rich Mix Cinema, Lahpet is sure to round off your evening nicely. Head here for sharing plates inspired by Burmese cuisine, with dishes such as fritters, coconut noodles and king prawn curries.
You can never go wrong with small plates, as the folks at Kricket prove. Head on over to this Soho staple for the chance to graze on enticing eats that blend British ingredients and Mumbai-inspired flavours, topped off with a range of stunning cocktails.
The definition of eye candy, Circolo Popolare has garnered masses of social media attention for its amazing interiors and theatrical dishes. Opt for one of their show-stopping sharers (we're thinking le gran carbonara, served in a whole round of pecorino) for a memorable first date.
