Our Top 5 Restaurant Picks for Valentine’s Day
It’s the big day for love, so we’ve done the hard work for you and checked out the best places for romance and food.
The one that comes highly recommended: HKK
If HKK was our boyfriend, we’d never leave – we’d put a ring on that finger. In fact, we’re struggling to find any faults with this Michelin-star restaurant. Perfectly lit with a relaxed atmosphere, you’ll be blown away by the attention to detail. From the sublime Chinese cuisine – the chef even cuts the duck for you at the table – to the umbrella offered on departure if it’s raining outside – HKK exceeds expectations at every turn. The team are as caring as I wish my future husband to be, and the drinks quirky with a twist, sprinkled with actual gold. Yes, it’s pricey but worth every pound. A perfect spot for Valentine’s and especially for vegetarians, as HKK offers a completely separate menu dedicated to veggie eaters.
Food: Chinese cuisine cooked by head chef Tong and his team
Price: £93.88 for the Chinese New Year Menu
Closest tube station: Liverpool Street
The new kid on the block: The Aviary
This is the most important thing we’ll tell you about the Aviary, so pay attention: BRING. A. TOOTHBRUSH. Before you ask if we’ve enjoyed happy hour a little too much (that’s a yes by the way), let us explain. London’s new luxury rooftop bar and restaurant is celebrating Valentine’s with a very special treat for one lucky couple. All those who present their toothbrushes ahead of their meal are in with a chance to have their dinner bill paid for and to win a night’s stay in the Montcalm Royal London House hotel below. Don’t bring a first date or a new Tinder crush unless they’ve been pre-warned, as you’ll be whisked away to the room straight after dinner. Breakfast and spa access included in the prize!
Food: Four-course Valentine’s menu, a glass of champagne included in the price.
Price: £95 / person
Closest tube station: Moorgate or Liverpool Street
The quirky one: The Holy Birds
What do you get when you combine Mad Men, poultry and cocktails? Say hello to The Holy Birds, one of the latest additions to Spitalfield’s foodie scene. If you’re looking for a quirky outing with good food and even better drinks, you’ve found it. The restaurant is themed after the swinging 60s and the interior is as impressive as its cocktail list, which was created by one of the world’s most talented bartenders – Salvatore Calabrese. London’s first poultry dining experience, it’s guaranteed to impress your bird. Sneak downstairs to the basement Mule Bar after dinner and lounge with the rest of the City crowd. Top tip: Dress up in your best 60s outfit to make your date extra memorable!
Food: Poultry of all kinds. I recommend the spit-roast chicken with chips and gravy.
Price: Valentine’s offer: £30 for three courses and a glass of bubbly
Closest tube station: Liverpool Street
The alternative to dinner one: Fortnum & Mason
If you want an experience that stands out from the usual Valentine’s dinner date, book yourself and your sweetheart in for an afternoon tea at the Diamond Jubilee Salon in Fortnum & Mason. Feast on sweet patisseries such as pistachio financiers, rose éclairs, Morello cherry macaroons, buttery scones or choose a treat from the bottomless cake trolley (also known as the trolley of heavenly goodness). There are plenty of bundles to, the most exclusive includes the whole package– afternoon tea for two, a personalised bottle of Fortnum & Mason Rose Champagne, a heart chocolate box and a red rose.
Food: See above – sweet treats galore
Price: £135 – £160
Closest tube station: Piccadilly Circus
The luxurious one: The Hari Hotel
Dinner under the stars – doesn’t get more romantic than that, does it? Take your Valentine to The Hari for an evening of lavish food in the heated garden terrace. The four-course menu has several aphrodisiac ingredients bound to get you in the mood, including oysters, mussels and heart-shaped chocolate mousse. Cuddle up and make it an all-nighter, book a room in the hotel where you’ll find homemade chocolates and rose petals strewn on the bed.
Food: Four-course Valentine’s menu with three options of entrées and mains to choose from.
Price: Knightsbridge or Sloane Square
Closest tube station: Knightsbridge or Sloane Square
