First Date Restaurants In London

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 Scarlett Welch

Last updated on 9th June 2025




Amazing Grace

Happy Hour Tues - Fri 4pm - 7pm

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.

Sabine Rooftop Bar

Happy Hour : and 2 other offers

Looking for a dining destination that's guaranteed to impress your date? Then check out Sabine Rooftop Bar, the stunning spot that promises amazing views of St Paul's Cathedral. You can enjoy this from the rooftop terrace, as well as from the floor-to-ceiling windows in their gorgeous conservatory, filled with plants.

They offer a wide range of signature cocktails, as well as a delicious a la carte menu. Tuck into the likes of wagyu beef burgers, burrata and black truffle tortellini or spiced lamb cutlets, followed by a chocolate mousse sundae.

Flight Club

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. 

64 Old Compton Street

Located in the heart of Soho, 64 Old Compton Street is an intimate Italian restaurant that makes for a great first date spot. Sister restaurant to the popular 40 Dean Street, you can expect top quality food at an affordable price here.

Take a seat in the stylish, deep blue interiors to enjoy carefully crafted cocktails, paired with scrumptious dishes such as tiger prawn linguine, goat's cheese and beetroot pizza or potato gnocchi with slow-cooked beef ragu.

Busaba - Restaurants

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.

Portobello Ristorante Pizzeria

Found in London's most-known neighbourhood for romance, thanks to that iconic rom-com, Notting Hill's Portobello Ristorante Pizzeria oozes first date vibes with an equally relaxed and romantic ambience. Think a cosy spot with exposed brick walls and an outdoor terrace for soaking up any sun in the warmer months.

You and your date can tuck into wood-fired pizzas alongside the likes of wood oven-roasted monkfish wrapped in pancetta and charcoal-grilled sirloin steak. Accompanying is a varied wine list.

El Pirata

Off a peaceful, little street in Mayfair, El Pirata is a bustling tapas bar and eatery that could easily be mistaken for a hidden gem in Madrid rather than London. With a focus on 'la familia', the venue has been offering Mediterranean fare and a carefully curated list of 100 wines for 30 years.

Dine inside or outside for a vibrant Spanish feel, for equal part romantic and laid-back vibes.

Ayllu

Samba Brunch: Bottomless Food and Drinks. and 5 other offers

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.

BÓHA London

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.

40 Dean Street

A hidden gem in the heart of Soho, 40 Dean Street is an intimate spot for first dates. Expect dimly lit interiors filled with dark wooden furniture and comfy seating, with a small outdoor terrace that's ideal for summer dates.

They showcase the very best of Italian cuisine, inspired by different regions. We're talking lobster spaghetti, wild mushroom and prosciutto pizzas or ricotta and truffle ravioli, washed down with delicious cocktails.

Penny Squares

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.

Vagabond - Various Sites

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. 

PIRAÑA

Nestled in the heart of St James, PIRAÑA is more than just a restaurant - it's the ultimate destination for a first date with a difference. Crafted by Strongarm Hospitality Group, this seductive spot takes you on an unforgettable journey into the mysterious allure of the deep sea. When you walk through the doors, you're immersed in a bold, aquatic dreamscape, spanning two breathtaking rooms and an exclusive private dining space. With textured, ocean-inspired walls, soaring ceilings in mesmerising shades of blue, and flowing, wave-like details, the setting is perfect for breaking the ice and sparking conversation.

PIRAÑA's menu is a sensory adventure designed to impress, starting with an exceptional raw selection that's ideal for sharing. Think seabass ceviche with aji amarillo leche de tigre, sweet potato, and choclo corn; hamachi in yuzu ponzu with jalapeño and coriander; and crispy rice topped with spicy salmon - all vibrant dishes to set the mood.

Kricket Soho

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.

Lahpet

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.

Ekstedt at The Yard

Looking to impress on a first date? Ekstedt at The Yard sets the scene for a night to remember. Tucked inside the elegant Great Scotland Yard Hotel in Westminster, this Michelin-starred spot offers an unforgettable dining experience where fire is the star of the show. Forget gas and electric - everything here is cooked over open flames, from smoky ember-baked leeks to reindeer with smoked celeriac.

The setting is warm, intimate, and full of Nordic charm, with an open kitchen that adds a spark of theatre to your evening. Whether you opt for the tasting menu or snag seats at the Chef's Table, it's the kind of restaurant where conversation flows, sparks fly, and the food steals the show.