The TOP 10 Romantic Restaurants in London

What is it? The Dover is a restaurant on Dover Street in London, located an eight-minute walk from the Royal Academy of Arts. It holds the Cocktail List of the Year award from the 2024 National Restaurant Awards.

Why we love it? This is a destination for those who prioritize a rigorous drinks program alongside a menu that shifts between contemporary, modern, and classic techniques. Its placement within a ten-minute walk of both Green Park and Bond Street makes it an accessible, upscale choice for a dinner that demands a smart and elegant dress code.

Good to Know: The Dover is popular enough to hold a 4.70 guest rating from over a hundred reviews, so requesting a table on the terrace allows you to take advantage of the space's view while navigating the higher price tier of the menu.

What is it? Doppo is a modern Italian restaurant located at 33 Dean Street. It sits a six-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus and roughly eight minutes from Regent Street. The venue holds a Wine Spectator Excellence Award and won best value wine list at The World’s Best Wine List Awards.

Why we love it: While many Dean Street spots prioritize volume over nuance, Doppo pairs its contemporary Italian menu with an award-winning cellar that defies the usual Soho markups. Its 4.91 rating across nearly 700 reviews speaks to a consistency that is rare in such a high-traffic corner of London, making it a reliable destination for those seeking a fine dining experience that feels intimate rather than performative.

Good to Know: The terrace provides an outdoor vantage point for the bustling streetscape, though you will need to adhere to the smart and elegant dress code to match the interior’s polished, romantic tone.

What is it? Dorian is a contemporary restaurant located at 105, 107 Talbot Rd. It holds a Michelin star and is ranked 26th on the list of The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants.

Why we love it: This Talbot Road spot offers a sophisticated, fine-dining experience that prioritizes modern techniques without relying on excess. Its placement among the top 20 UK restaurants in the National Restaurant Awards reflects a consistency that justifies its price point for those seeking a deliberate, high-end meal.

Good to Know: The dining room at Dorian enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casualwear for your stroll through the nearby Portobello Road Market.

What is it? Bardo St James sits at 4 Suffolk Pl, a six-minute walk from Trafalgar Square and four minutes from Piccadilly Circus. It serves a contemporary, fusion-leaning take on Italian cuisine within a fine dining setting.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a high guest rating—4.79 from 555 reviews—which rarely happens in this corner of London without substance. It effectively bridges the gap between the formal expectation of a St. James address and a more spirited, contemporary approach to Italian cooking.

Good to Know: Bardo St James keeps a strictly smart and elegant dress code; choose your attire to match the terrace setting, which offers a rare outdoor vantage point for this specific London district.

What is it? The IVY sits at 1-5 West St, a five-minute walk from the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square. It functions as a fine dining destination for classic, traditional, and international cuisine.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a loyal following, reflected in its 4.69 rating from over 4,600 reviews. It strikes a balance between formal fine dining and a romantic atmosphere, making it a reliable choice for those prioritizing a traditional setting near the cultural pulse of Covent Garden.

Good to Know: The IVY requires a smart and elegant dress code, so trade the sneakers for something more polished before stepping onto the terrace.

What is it? Florattica sits at 11-15 Minories, a short walk from both Leadenhall Market and the elevated vantage point of the Sky Garden. This restaurant offers a blend of French, contemporary, and international influences in a space built for fine dining.

Why we love it: It manages the rare feat of being a destination for a romantic dinner while remaining less than a ten-minute walk from the tourist density of Tower Bridge. With a guest rating that reflects consistency, it proves that you can secure a quiet, luxury-leaning meal in a district usually defined by its office-heavy commute.

Good to Know: The dress code at Florattica is smart and elegant, so choose an outfit that fits the room’s polished aesthetic before heading to the terrace.

What is it? Core by Clare Smyth sits on Kensington Park Road, a ten-minute walk from the Portobello Road Market. It holds three Michelin stars and ranks as number 96 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a position as one of the few places in London to hold three Michelin stars, moving beyond standard fine dining through a focus on creative, contemporary cooking. It justifies the expensive price tag by pairing a high-calibre kitchen with an atmosphere that manages to be both luxury and undeniably romantic.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Core by Clare Smyth defines its modern, creative approach by elevating humble ingredients to the standard expected of a top-tier contemporary establishment.

What is it? Trullo is a restaurant on St Paul's Rd, positioned a ten-minute walk from the Regent's Canal. It sits within 400 metres of Islington Green and is an eight-minute stroll from the Sadler's Wells Theatre.

Why we love it: While many establishments rely on grand gestures, Trullo succeeds by focusing on traditional Italian cooking. With a guest rating of 4.60 from 1,383 reviews, it earns its reputation for consistency rather than trend-chasing. The price point remains high-end, but it avoids the performative nature of other fine dining spots in London.

Good to Know: Trullo maintains a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual attire for your walk along the nearby canal.

What is it? Gaia Mayfair sits at 50 Dover St, a ten-minute walk from the Royal Academy of Arts. This restaurant offers a blend of Japanese and Asian cuisines in a setting that leans into fine dining.

Why we love it: It manages a 4.79 guest rating from 700 reviews, a rare consistency for a high-end Mayfair destination. Unlike many of its neighbors on Dover Street, the layout balances a romantic, intimate interior with an outdoor terrace that makes the most of the central location.

Good to Know: The kitchen focuses on refined Japanese sushi, so plan your visit for a time when you can focus on the nuance of the raw fish menu rather than a rushed lunch.

What is it? Helix by Searcys sits inside The Gherkin at 30 St Mary Axe. It is a modern, contemporary, and seafood-focused restaurant that draws diners looking for a fine dining experience roughly 300 meters from Sky Garden and a short walk from Leadenhall Market.

Why we love it: It earns a 4.66 rating from over 5,600 diners by pairing its contemporary menu with an elevated vantage point few other London dining rooms offer. While the location puts you near the city’s dense business district, the restaurant’s primary appeal is the contrast between the surrounding architecture and the intimacy of the dining room.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Helix by Searcys is best served by formal business attire, which feels at home against the backdrop of the building’s glass-clad design.