
Love is (very nearly) in the air, folks. Which means that it’s almost time to make the annual dash to Clinton’s to snap up the soppiest card you can find, and start trawling through the depths of the internet to seek out somewhere decent for a Valentine’s Day dinner. But I come bearing some wonderful news for you loved-up Londoners. No, I can’t help you out on the card front, I’m afraid – you’re on our own there. I can, however, point you in the direction of some oh-so romantic restaurants. Because just like the perfect bouquet of roses, we’ve hand-picked a bunch of blooming lovely London spots – each of which are serving up a delicious Valentine’s Day set menu.
So, for those of you who won’t be spending your Valentine’s Day watching the new Bridget Jones movie, and sobbing silently into your share-bag of chocolate buttons as you do so (good for you, I unfortunately can’t relate); here are some of the best Valentine’s Day set menus in London for the perfect date night in the capital.
1. Kolamba, Shoreditch
Cupid is sprinkling some love dust over Kolamba this Valentine’s Day. They’re serving up a selection of sensational Sri Lankan dishes at their shiny new Shoreditch spot (blimey, try saying that sentence after a glass of celebratory champers). The five-course set menu will cost £75 and include the rather delicious likes of hand-dived scallops, spiced grilled lobster, and seared duck breast with coconut curry.
You’ll find Kolamba at 12 Blossom Street, E1 6PL.
Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
2. Gymkhana, Mayfair
A spot you’re bound to fall head over heels in love with is the first Indian restaurant in London to boast two shiny Michelin stars. Gymkhana is utterly beloved in the capital city, and is also serving up a set menu this Valentine’s Day. For £120 per person, you could be feasting on Amritsari lobster, lasooni tiger prawns, and Gymkhana favourite: chicken butter masala. For an additional £95 per person, each dish can come perfectly paired with a carefully selected wine. I mean, it is Valentine’s Day, after all.
You’ll find Gymkhana at 42 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JH.
Nearest station is Green Park.
3. Marceline, Canary Wharf
Over in Canary Wharf, ultra-romantic dining destination, Marceline, will be filling both hearts and stomachs on Valentine’s Day with a set menu and a soundtrack of live music. Their set-menu of Parisian-inspired dishes will cost £70 per person and will feature cheese soufflé to start, a choice of steak frites entrecôte, half-grilled lobster, or aubergine provencal for the main event, and a special ‘Mon Amour’ dessert (think tempered chocolate, strawberry mousse, meringue, biscuit crumb, and a whole lotta love).
You’ll find Marceline at 10 Water Street, E14 5GX.
Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
4. Gallio, Canary Wharf
Credit: @gallio.uk via IG
Another Canary Wharf spot to make our list of the best Valentine’s Day set menus in London is Gallio, a Mediterranean restaurant that prides themselves on serving up super fresh, feel good food. And nothing makes Londoners feel better than a bargain, and that’s exactly what Gallio’s set menu is. For just £36 per person, they’ll be offering diners a three-course meal, with options including halloumi and lamb meatballs, seafood stew, an exclusive Valentine’s pizza, and a luxurious chocolate cake.
You’ll find Gallio at Upper Level, 2 Cabot Square, E14 4QT.
Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
5. Nessa, Soho
Beloved British bar and restaurant, Nessa, will also be getting in on the Valentine’s Day action. They’ll be serving up a feasting menu within their gorgeous dining room for just £60 per person. The mouthwatering menu has been carefully created by Executive Chef, Tom Cenci, and will feature sharing dishes to start, main course options in the form of lamb rump au poivre and poached cod, and a sharing apple tarte tatin for dessert. It certainly all sounds pretty scrumptious to me.
You’ll find Nessa at 86 Brewer Street, W1F 9UB.
Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
6. Aqua Kyoto, Soho
Super chic Japanese restaurant, Aqua Kyoto, are serving up an indulgent multi-course menu, filled to the brim with innovative Japanese dishes to mark the most romantic day of the year. Menu highlights include a wagyu beef gyoza, an omakase sushi platter, miso black cod, and a raspberry, yuzu and white chocolate heart. It’s a menu that you certainly won’t want to mis(o).
You’ll find Aqua Kyoto at 30 Argyll Street, W1F 7EB.
Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
7. Inko Nito, Soho
Another of the capital’s sensational Japanese restaurants, Inko Nito, is also serving up an exclusive Valentine’s Day tasting menu. For £59.50 per person, diners can enjoy a whole host of dishes, including tempura wagyu maki, crispy baby squid, and salmon with ruby grapefruit. Each visitor will also be treated to a complimentary glass of bubbles and music from a live DJ. Sounds like a pretty perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day, as far as I’m concerned.
You’ll find Inko Nito at 55 Broadwick Street, W1F 9QS.
Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
8. Farang, Highbury
Tasty Thai restaurant, Farang, is spreading the love with a six-course Valentine’s menu from chef, Sebby Holmes. Costing £70 per person, the menu includes a whole host of Farang favourites, and will be topped off with a complimentary glass of prosecco. How lovely?
You’ll find Farang at 72 Highbury Park, N5 2XE.
Nearest station is Highbury & Islington.
9. The Ninth, Fitzrovia
Credit: @theninthlondon
Another Michelin-starred restaurant to make the list is The Ninth. The contemporary Fitzrovia spot will be serving up a six-course menu of Mediterranean-style dishes for £120 per person. Visitors can expect to gorge on the likes of crispy artichokes, spaghetti with winter truffles, chargrilled dover sole, and choux au craquelin with pistachio ice cream. My mouth is watering at the thought.
You’ll find The Ninth at 22 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NB.
Nearest station is Goodge Street.
10. The Portrait Restaurant, Trafalgar Square
On the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery, you’ll find a restaurant that’s offering a Valentine’s Day set menu as delicious as its sweeping views across London. For £89 per person, visitors can tuck into the likes of lobster ravioli and chicken liver parfait to start, a sharing dish of beef wellington or seabass for the main event, and a mouthwatering trio of desserts to finish. Across the Valentine’s weekend, The Portrait Restaurant will also be hosting a ‘Celebration for Love’ which will offer guests the chance to tour the gallery after-hours and enjoy a Champagne masterclass. How utterly romantic, hey?
You’ll find The Portrait Restaurant at National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, WC2H 0HE.
Nearest stations are Charing Cross and Leicester Square.
11. Kioku by Endo, Whitehall
Next up on our list of the best Valentine’s Day set menus in London is Kioku by Endo. Perched proudly on the 6th floor of the OWO, this unique Japanese restaurant combines traditional Japanese dishes with the tastes and flavours of the Mediterranean. And on Valentine’s Day, they are serving up a delicious menu for £145 per person. Starters include bluefin tuna tartare, a selection of nigiri and wagyu temaki, whilst the main course features seafood carbonara and wasabi pomme purée. The meal will end with a pre-dessert (which I believe every meal should include) and an actual dessert: a delicate rhubarb mille feuille. Sounds pretty perfect to me.
You’ll find Kioku by Endo at 6th Floor, The OWO, 2 Whitehall Place, SW1A 2BD.
Nearest station is Charing Cross.
12. La Poule au Pot, Belgravia
The final offering on our roundup of the best Valentine’s Day set menus comes from La Poule au Pot. This undeniably romantic Belgravia stalwart has been charming Londoners since 1962, and will be serving up a special Saint Valentin menu for Valentine’s Day. The menu will cost £80 per person and include a variety of French classics. We’re talking escargot, coquilles Saint-Jacques, confit de canard, pintade au Cavados, tart tatin, and mousse au chocolat. So that’s snails, scallops, duck leg, guinea fowl, apple tart, and chocolate mousse for those of you who haven’t got a French A-Level to brag about.
You’ll find La Poule au Pot at 231 Ebury Street, SW1W 8UT.
Nearest station is Victoria.
So, there you have it – some of the very best Valentine’s Day set menus being served up in London this year. I hope you enjoy your romantic dinners, and if you need me – I’ll be in the cinema, blubbering away with Bridget…