This is a post about Valentine’s Day in London.
If you, like me, are spending Valentine’s Day in London, you’re in luck! Things might cost a little more than they should, but there are endless options for all kinds of dates, all kinds of budgets. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner, a unique experience or a cosy night in, there’s something for every couple/throuple/etc.
My boyfriend and I are not too worried about V-day but we do like it as an excuse to do something different. To be honest, for us it’s a perfect excuse for yet another trip and make it a romantic one!
Last year we didn’t have that much time for a trip so we went for the next best thing.. We took the day off and went on a little day date exploring our city which we don’t always have time to. What’s the point of paying copious amounts to live in London if you can’t actually enjoy what it has to offer, right?! So we set out early, walked around The City, tried some nibbles at Spitalfields Market. We made our way to the Monet Experience (it was ok) and hung out there for a little while taking in the exhibition. We then finished it off with the most delicious momos from Tibet Kitchen just by the Truman Brewery!
Seriously, these momos are 100% worth the trip if you’re nowhere near Brick Lane…
But let’s look at some options for your Valentine’s Day in London this year!
Romantic Restaurants
This is going to be the longer one. If there’s one thing I’m interested in, especially in London, it’s food! If you’re looking for that classic date, London’s got a plethora of restaurants to choose from! You can go for iconic ones like The Sky Garden, which offers breathtaking views alongside fine dining. Or maybe you’re more into Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden which is actually famous for its romantic (/instagramable) ambiance. I mean, it’s a mix of Tuscany and Provence – could it be anymore classic romance?
Although those two spell romance at 100, they’ll also be super popular if not already booked up so here are some other options to consider:
- Duck & Waffle: Enjoy panoramic views and exquisite dishes at this famous London restaurant. Perfect for a romantic dinner with a view.
- Darcie & May Green: For a casual but chic option, dine aboard this colourful canal boat in Paddington.
- Peggy Jean: in the same style as above (same owners!), Peggy Jean is right on the river in beautiful Richmond AND, if you time it right and the weather cooperates, you might just catch a beautiful sunset!
- Hawksmoor: I love the vibe and decor! For me it’s a mix of old school NYC and British country manor. But the star of the show is definitely the food. It’s such an experience! Do yourself a favour and order the garlic mushrooms…or maybe go back for that on a regular night. For a more budget-friendly steak option, Côte never disappoints! It’s delicious, it looks fancy without the price tag and the menu has loads of different options.
- Thames Dinner Cruise: Combine sightseeing with romance on a dinner cruise along the Thames, complete with live music and stunning views.
This year we’ve got commitments that will keep us indoors with take out but, if we were going out, these are the two restaurants I’d be choosing between:
- Chet’s: in Shepherds Bush, this Thai-American spot offers breakfast, lunch and dinner (+ weekend brunch!) and I think one of these days I might just go for all 3 in one day. Think pineapple rice, papaya salad, sticky rice and mango…lobster noodles anyone?! All delicious AND pretty at the Shebu Hoxton.
- Grasso: classic Italian-American in the heart of Soho. Think chicken parm, pasta, pizza…well, chicken parm, that’s all I can think about, really. I don’t know about you. It’s central, it’s delicious and it’s so pretty and vintag-y. You’ll think you’re in NYC! Granted, not one to choose if you’re expecting a busy night…
Unique Experiences
Try something out of the ordinary, that you wouldn’t think of doing otherwise. Maybe a sunset boat cruise along the Thames or a chocolate-making workshop for couples. For something fancy, visit The Shard for panoramic views and champagne.
Cosy Options
- Romantic strolls: Hampstead Heath and Regent’s Park are perfect for quiet moments together. How about a cosy dinner at the iconic Holy Bush after a walk around the Heath? If the weather permits, Primrose Hill and Greenwich Park offer beautiful views of our bustling city!
If the cold and wind are not too cruel (you never know what the weather will be like here…), dare I suggest a picnic? Before you ask if I’ve lost my mind, ask yourself, isn’t the weather in England so unpredictable, there’s actually a chance for double digit temperatures? - Cinema: dinner + movie, the classic combo! Have you tried the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill? Nothing screams romance more than leather loveseats in a beautiful Edwardian-style building. And hey, they also cover the dinner part! (30% off after 9pm on a Friday if you book a movie) There’s also one in White City right across the road from Westfield. And would you look at that, not far from Chet’s, the restaurant I mentioned above!
Unique Events and Experiences
- Candlelight Concert: if one of you happens to be a Swiftie, you’re in luck as there’s a candlelight concert only playing Taylor Swift songs right on 14 Feb! And it’s central too, St Mary’s Church in Marylebone.
- Treasure Hunt: Create or join a scavenger hunt that takes you around London’s landmarks and hidden gems. Companies like Treasure Trails or City Days offer pre-planned routes. How about making it a double/triple date with other couples?
Exhibitions and Cultural Experiences
- Valentine’s Day Silent Disco: Head over to the Natural History Museum for some evening fun at their V-day Silent Disco. Imagine the ambience in that building after hours!
- London Opera House: Treat your partner to a cultural evening of opera or ballet at the Royal Opera House. You’ll be right in the middle of Covent Garden too so there will be plenty of options for some great food before AND after!
- Barbican Conservatory: If you hurry you can still book FREE tickets for the Barbican Conservatory! If you don’t know about it, it’s a sort of indoor, glass-roofed botanical gargen with tropical plants, birds and fish. It looks pretty cool!
Food and Drink Experiences
- Cocktail-Making Classes: Sign up for a mixology class at bars like TT Liquor, where you’ll learn to craft delicious cocktails together
- Food Tours: Explore London’s culinary scene with a guided food tour through Borough Market, Soho or Chinatown (I told you one of my favourite things about this town was the food…so many different cuisines to experiment!)
- Couple Baking Competition: Have you heard of the Big London Bake? You can grab some friends and bake against each other as couples!
Creative Classes for Couples
You can take all kinds of classes in this town! Gin-making, pottery, cooking…
- Chocolate-Making Workshop: Learn to create artisan chocolates together at Melt in Notting Hill
- Pottery Workshop: Try your hand at pottery at workshops like those offered by Turning Earth or Token Studio. Working together to create something tangible is both fun and romantic
- Painting and Wine Nights: Combine art and relaxation at PopUp Painting events where you can sip wine while recreating famous works of art
- Perfume-Making Class: Learn the art of perfume blending at a workshop like Experimental Perfume Club, where you and your partner can create your own signature scents
These unique Valentine’s Day ideas in London guarantee a mix of fun, romance and memorable moments. Let me know what you’re doing for Valentine’s Day in our capital, I’d love to hear it!
