First Date Restaurants in London

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. 

Cheese-filled tequenos, fried chicken cornbread and home infused old fashioneds... 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.

Darcie & May Green is one quirky date night restaurant, giving you and that special someone the chance to bond over Aussie plates on an actual narrowboat. Whether you're playing it cool with a boozy brunch or going all-out with a romantic dinner, this place is set to impress.

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.

Looking to keep things casual? You can't beat the classic combo of freshly baked pizza and craft beer that Fugitive Motel is offering. Head on over to the Bethnal Green restaurant for a chilled out experience topped off with quirky interiors and rounds of shuffleboard. 

Taking inspiration from New Orleans, Stillwater serves up unforgettable nights out to Wandsworth's crowds. Tuck into an enticing menu of Cajun food while sipping on a carefully created lineup of traditional concoctions that'll help dispel any of those first date nerves. 

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.

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.

Fancy showing off your wine knowledge? This unique Bank restaurant bar will do the job nicely. Tappit Hen stocks an extensive selection of beautiful wines, alongside a fantastic food menu that is sure to get hearts fluttering as you get to know one another. 

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. 

With its farm-to-table approach to cooking and stunning rotisserie chicken, Cocotte Shoreditch is one of the best first date restaurants in London. Round off your feast with sides of truffle mac 'n' cheese and ratatouille alongside a carefully curated drinks list.  

Searching for cheap romantic first date ideas? Nanban will have you both swooning after steaming bowls of ramen and handcrafted cocktails, without leaving a dent in your bank account. Head on over to the Brixton favourite to see why it's one of our faves. 

Hidden in the heart of Stoke Newington, Victory Mansion provides a gorgeous setting for meeting someone for the first time. Begin your evening with one of their world-class cocktails before tucking into a range of Asian-inspired tacos and small plates.

This eclectic Shoreditch eatery is a great first date restaurant in London. With seasonal small plates to dine on, delicious cocktails and even a spot or two of live music, Iron Bloom is a perfect way to impress a potential love interest.

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, the Fulham beauty will keep you and your date chatting and dancing well after the sun goes down.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

With its huge, Parisian-style bar and intimate booth seating, Balans Soho Society 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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' even theatreland on your doorstep), and you're sure to swoon. 

One of the best places to eat tacos in London, Corazon is a top first date idea in Soho. From the baja fish tacos through to beef tartare tostadas and duck mole, this pot will have you drooling over its Mexican delicacies and potent cocktails. 

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.

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. 

If you're looking for a brunch date near the water, then Marsha's in Southbank is the place for you. With a wide selection on their menu, including vegetarian friendly eats and a delicious selection of beer and wine, the restaurant offers a nice casual ambiance. 

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.

This brewpub, distillery and kitchen in Dalston is a top choice for relaxed first meet-ups. Check out Kraft's range of modern Middle Eastern bites, from gourmet kebabs to mixed mezze sharing platters, with a regular roster of live DJs adding to the overall atmosphere.

This sprawling restaurant in South Kensington is one of the best places for a first date, thanks to its tasty sharing dishes and pretty floral interiors. Pairing its plates with elegant cocktails and fine wines, this is sure to get hearts fluttering on your big night.

With venues across the city, Dirty Bones is one of the best first date restaurants in London. As well as boasting chic interiors, a great happy hour and delicious American-inspired eats, this NYC-themed bar and eatery also has a killer playlist to get you both grooving in your seats.

With aqua-blue walls and pop art pictures, Ceviche Soho is bringing the sunshine vibes of South America to Central London. Join them for a delicious menu, from fresh seafood to moreish tapas, accompanied by a range of pisco sours.

Searching for the best first date ideas London has to offer? Found opposite Rich Mix Cinema, Lahpet is sure to round off your evening off nicely. Head here for sharing plates inspired by Burmese cuisine, with dishes such as fritters, coconut noodles and king prawn curries.

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.

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.

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.

Located in the oh-so-trendy area of Farringdon, Firebrand Pizza promises to deliver on your first date. As well as toting some pretty impressive interiors, their affordable pizzas, pastas and other Italian dishes will sweep that special someone off their feet.

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.