CHEZ ELLE’S BISTROQUET
Snug tables, softly clinking glasses and plates of unapologetically indulgent French comfort food. Start with escargots or cheese soufflé, move on to steak frites or duck confit, and absolutely leave room for dessert (the crème brûlée is non-negotiable). Pair it all with a bottle from the French-leaning wine list and linger. Perfect for: traditional romantics, second dates that need sealing, and anyone who believes Valentine’s should be about great food, great wine and nowhere else to be. @chezellesbistro
45 Brick Lane, London E1 6pu
PASSIONE VINO
Dive into a cosy, candlelit hideaway where bottles line every wall and knowledgeable sommeliers guide you through personal selections of Italian wines – there’s no printed list, just recommendations tailored to your palate. Pair your glasses with house-made pastas, charcuterie and seasonal small plates for a dinner that feels both relaxed and special. @passionevino
85 Leonard St, London EC2A 4QS
BISTRO FREDDIE
Bistro Freddie nails that effortlessly romantic, Paris-by-way-of-Hackney vibe. Candlelit tables, handwritten menus and beautifully executed French-leaning dishes make it perfect for date nights that feel special without being showy. Add a well-chosen wine list and you’ve got a spot built for lingering. @bistrofreddie
74 Luke St, Greater, London EC2A 4PY
NOISY OYSTER
Sexy, playful and just the right amount of chaotic, Noisy Oyster is all about seafood, natural wine and a buzzy, low-lit atmosphere. Come for oysters and snacks, stay for cocktails and the feeling that the night could go absolutely anywhere. Ideal for first dates with chemistry. @noisyoyster
2, Nicholls Clarke Yard, London E1 6SH
ALL’S WELL
Hackney’s eco-friendly restaurant offers a hyper-seasonal menu that hasn’t failed to make its mark on the East London dining scene. Vegetables are made the star of the show in flavour-packed dishes such as roasted wonky carrots served with cashew cream, addictive deep-fried Brussels sprouts and roasted kuri squash tempura. The attention to sustainability goes beyond the dishes – there’s an imaginative cocktail menu, including our favourite, the Fig-leaf Martini. The bar also offers an array of organic wines including bottles from local wine heroes Renegade. @whereallswell
171 Mare Street, Hackney, London E8 3RH
BARGE EAST
Really want to push the (love) boat out – on board and below deck of this 120 year old Dutch barge, you’ll find a cosy and intimate saloon with a fine dining menu that is faultless and has seasonality at its core. Service at Barge East is super warm and welcoming – the food is top notch without the stuffiness and the vibe is as cool as the crowd who come to dine. @bargeeast
River Lea, Sweetwater Mooring, White Post Lane, London E9 5EN
Given the thumbs up by The Guardian’s Jay Rayner, this Lebanese-inspired restaurant and wine bar hits all the spots, with a divine menu and a generous social heart. Just a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street stations, its cool, laid-back and stylish interior makes for a casual and intimate dinner. @sohailarestaurant
232 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6PJ
CRISPIN
Set within the lush surroundings of Spitalfields’ pavilion, Crispin offers modern European cooking in a light-filled, design-led space. The food is precise yet relaxed, the wine list is exceptional, and the setting feels quietly romantic — especially as the sun goes down. @crispinlondon
Pavilion on The Corner, White’s Row, London E1 7NF
Small but perfectly formed on Dalston Lane. Framed with linen curtains and rows of wine bottles, Little Duck the Picklery invites you in to their fermented wonderland. An open kitchen, combined with a cosy corners by the window create a scene that is both intimate and inspiring. The menu is listed on a chalkboard, but everything looks so tempting. @littleduckthepicklery
68 Dalston Lane, London E8 3AH
This family-run East London restaurant woos both the foodie crowd and locals with its innovative Japanese-Italian fusion. The vibe is cool west village New York meets modern neighbourhood trattoria. The space is shallow and small, framed by vast windows and decorated simply with large fig trees and mellow, lanterned lighting. @angelina.dalston
56 Dalston Lane, London E8 3AH
Galvin La Chapelle
Immerse yourself in the epitome of fine dining at the acclaimed Galvin La Chapelle, Sptialfields. Enjoy an exquisite three-course meal from a Michelin-starred set menu, crafted by renowned chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin. Bask in the stunning ambiance of this Grade II listed building in East London while sipping on chilled bubbles. @galvinlachapelle
35 Spital Square, London E1 6DY
Swoon with a view
Solaya
Perched 25 floors above Shoreditch in art’otel London Hoxton, Solaya is Kenny Atkinson’s first London restaurant – a French-Mediterranean rooftop destination built for shared plates, sunsets and skyline views. The menu draws from the sun-drenched flavours of Southern France and the Mediterranean with a contemporary twist and beautifully executed seasonal dishes designed to be shared. Signature moments span bouillabaisse and côte de boeuf to vibrant small plates, all matched with an elegant wine list and expertly crafted cocktails. The circular dining room and terrace offer panoramic vistas that make it ideal for a romantic date night or special celebration.
25th Floor Art’Otel London, Hoxton, 1-3 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3DT
City Social Restaurant & Bar
Start off the evening with THE best ever dirty martini and be seduced by the incredible views of some of London’s most iconic and historic buildings at City Social. With its smart interior and inviting leather booths, it has all the old school charm you’d expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant. Its modern British menu is equally compelling, created by chef Jason Atherton. @citysocial_london
Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1HQ
Pocket Square Bar & Terrace
Whisper sweet nothings while sipping on Pocket Square’s special ‘St. Valentine’ cloud of candy floss cocktail and take in the bar’s unbeatable views across East London. The generous and filling Sicilian small plates are ideal for sharing in this friendly and relaxed spot with your loved one this Valentine’s day. @pocketsquarelondon
9th Floor, Hyatt Place London City East, 45 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DU
Searcys at The Gherkin
Indulge in three mouth-watering courses of traditional British cuisine, accompanied by delightful sides and celebratory cocktails, all while enjoying the breathtaking view from this iconic skyscraper. @searcysgherkin
The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BF
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