The 17 best Valentine's Day restaurants and events including pint glass painting and skyline dining

London is brimming with special deals, offers and experiences to celebrate Valentine's Day with your other half
-Credit:Getty Images


Je t'aime! Je t'adore! Mon pantalon est en feu! Voulez vous coucher avec... oh, alright, I'll stop! There's a reason I'm banging out French love phrases like a graduate of a rank charm school and it's because Valentine's Day is almost here. Whatever your favourite restaurant is, you have a little over two weeks to book, as walk-ins on Friday, February 14, will be a dangerous game of pot luck. You can also expect to be labelled the worst partner or spouse if you find yourselves getting turned away like Mary and Joseph from the inn more than once...

Whether you're rolling your eyes or not, there's no getting away from the fact that Valentine's Day means big business in the UK. Researchers at the University of Loughborough estimate the annual value of Valentine's Day to the economy at £650 million, with wining and dining the biggest subcategory of spending at £120 million. That's a big deal for the hospitality trade and aside from the month leading up to Christmas, Valentine's Day itself might just be the single most important date in the restaurateur's calendar.

From fine dining to cinema to art to some pampered luxury in a renowned hotel, London is brimming with special deals, offers and experiences to celebrate Valentine's Day with your other half. Here, we've rounded up a large selection of them.

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Valentine's Day | Paint and Date at The Ox in Clapham

Create your own pint glass masterpiece with Paint & Date at the Ox in Clapham
Create your own pint glass masterpiece with Paint & Date at the Ox in Clapham -Credit:The Ox

Paintbrushes at the ready for an artistic twist on Valentine’s Day at recently opened Clapham gastropub, The Ox. Taking place on February 14 from 6pm, you can come together with a mate or date by painting a design on a pint glass, priced at £15 per person. Using the pub’s signature glassware as a base, show-off your artistic talents to create the ultimate Valentine’s gift... or not!

After painting, a shared menu priced at £58 per person begins with a glass of Sophie Baron Champagne, before tucking into dishes including a potato and onion Tartiflette, Rare Breed British rib eye steak on the bone with creamed spinach, farmhouse mash and a beef jus. Finish off with an earl grey and stout Sticky Toffee Pudding with clotted cream ice cream.

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You can reserve your date night spot this Valentine’s Day on The Ox's website. For pint painting, email manager@theoxclapham.com.

Sky-High Romance | Bōkan 37

Bōkan is one of the most sought-after Valentine’s dining spots
Bōkan is one of the most sought-after Valentine’s dining spots -Credit:Bōkan

With floor-to-ceiling windows providing a mesmerising vista of London’s skyline, Bōkan is one of the most sought-after Valentine’s dining spots. Indulge in a spectacular five-course dinner alongside live music. Highlights include oysters with coconut custard and sea foam; John Dory, fennel, fish soup, homemade brioche and rouille; and a stunning ‘pillow of love’ sharing dessert of roses and berries.

Prices start from £150pp for the five-course tasting menu plus amuse bouche, available February 14 only. For more information and bookings, visit the Bōkan website.

Showstopping Sky High Dining | Fenchurch

Create a Valentine's Day memory like no other 37 storeys up at Kerth Gumbs' fine-dining Fenchurch restaurant
Create a Valentine's Day memory like no other 37 storeys up at Kerth Gumbs' fine-dining Fenchurch restaurant -Credit:Fenchurch

Pull out all the stops with a five-course tasting dinner 37 storeys up at Kerth Gumbs' fine-dining Fenchurch restaurant. Combining British ingredients with Caribbean flavours, this unforgettable menu starts with a glass of champagne and an array of snacks, including an elevated truffle cheese and ham toastie, before a starter of cured salmon with beetroot, pressed Asian pear and dashi pearls. The star of the show is a peppered lamb loin with pickled cucumber, black garlic and pilau rice, while the meal ends on a sweet note of heavenly red velvet cake.

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Fenchurch Five-course Tasting Menu, from £175 per person, available February 14 and 15 only. For more information and bookings, visit the Fenchurch website.

Six-Course Flame-Kissed Tasting Menu | Ekstedt at The Yard

Michelin-starred Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt will heat things up at Ekstedt at The Yard with a six-course Valentine's menu
Michelin-starred Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt will heat things up at Ekstedt at The Yard with a six-course Valentine's menu -Credit:eduard_pretsi

Add a Scandi twist to Valentine’s with a feast from Michelin-starred Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt at Ekstedt at The Yard. Heat things up with a six-course menu, cooked exclusively over an open fire including the perfect aphrodisiac: the restaurant’s signature Flambadou Oyster. Continue with dishes including hay smoked cuttlefish and juniper-smoked sirloin, plus, there’s a duo of sweet desserts followed by traditional Swedish ‘Fika’ to round off the meal with coffee and cinnamon buns.

Eight course menu, £125 per person, available February 14 only. For more information and bookings, visit the Ekstedt website.

Valentine's Day Menu | Michelin-Starred Pavyllon London

Four Seasons Hotel's Pavyllon restaurant is hosting a special Valentine's Day menu
Four Seasons Hotel's Pavyllon restaurant is hosting a special Valentine's Day menu -Credit:Four Seasons Hotel / Pavyllon

Spoil loved ones at Pavyllon London (Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane) this Valentine's Day. Multi-Michelin starred Chef Yannick Alléno has created an indulgent six-course menu that is a tribute to love, British produce and French culinary artistry. Highlights include a steamed Comté cheese soufflé; Orkney Scallop with celeriac extraction and Prunier caviar; and a chocolate and cardamom dessert.

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Six-course menu, £190 per person, available February 14 only. For more information and bookings, visit the Pavyllon website.

Dinner & Movies | The Brush Grand Café

Enjoy a Hoxton love affair at The Brush with a special four-course set menu
Enjoy a Hoxton love affair at The Brush with a special four-course set menu -Credit:The Brush

Lights, camera, action at The Brush Grand Café. Enjoy a Hoxton love affair at The Brush with a special four-course set menu, two Valentine’s cocktails and romantic screening in the downstairs movie theatre with gourmet popcorn. Screenings available from February 14 and 15 feature a line-up of cult classics including Lost In Translation; When Harry Met Sally; and Romeo + Juliet.

Dinner & Movie Package (£110). Available February 14 and 15 only, screenings times are 7pm (with dinner sittings at 8:45pm or 9pm) and 10pm (with dinner sittings at 6:45pm or 7pm). For more information and bookings, visit the Pavyllon website.

Koibito Menu for Two | Sticks′n′Sushi

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a four-course meal at Sticks’n’Sushi
Celebrate Valentine's Day with a four-course meal at Sticks’n’Sushi -Credit:Sticks’n’Sushi

Say it with sushi! Celebrate the person you love ‘koibito’ this Valentine’s Day with a four-course meal at Sticks’n’Sushi. Bringing together freshly prepared sushi and hot-off-the-grill sticks, enjoy a selection of signature appetisers, nigiri, house rolls, and sticks of Aka Ebi and Wagyu Yaki followed by an indulgent dark chocolate fondant with a matcha core, vanilla ice cream and a matcha cookie crumble. Don't pass up the limited-edition 'For the Sake of Love' cocktail blending sake with Hibiscus Mezcal and raspberry cordial for a sweet and smooth finish.

Four-course Koibito Menu, £150 per person, available from 13th - 16th February. For more information and bookings, visit the Sticks'n'Sushi

Romance, Dinner and Jazz | RAILS Restaurant

RAILS' three-course menu marries fine British ingredients with a little French je ne sais quoi
RAILS' three-course menu marries fine British ingredients with a little French je ne sais quoi -Credit:RAILS

Spend the most romantic night of the year at RAILS Restaurant against a soundtrack courtesy of the Rocca Brothers Jazz Trio. The three-course menu marries fine British ingredients with a French je ne sais quoi, with dishes such as lobster gâteau with rainbow tomatoes and dill cassoulet; chargrilled fillet steak with Vitelotte potato purée, carrot gratin and Bordelaise sauce and a decadent triple chocolate mousse.

Three-course set menu £75pp inclusive of a glass of Simpsons Canterbury Rosé sparkling wine, available February 14 only from 7pm. For more information and bookings, visit the Rails website.

Italian Four-Course Menu | TOZI Restaurant & Bar Victoria

Celebrate love Italian-style with TOZI’s curated four-course Valentine’s menu
Celebrate love Italian-style with TOZI’s curated four-course Valentine’s menu -Credit:Rebecca Hope

Celebrate love Italian-style with TOZI’s curated four-course Valentine’s menu. Begin with a glass of Franciacorta before enjoying Sicilian red prawn carpaccio, creamy burrata or black truffle salad followed by handmade pasta dishes like buffalo ricotta ravioli and paccheri with fresh Devon crab. For mains, indulge in pan-fried cod or 31-day aged rib of beef. Finish with a tempting pistachio tiramisù.

Valentine’s Menu £65pp (minimum of 2 people) is available on February 14. For more information and bookings, visit the Tozi website.

Clueless Eat What You See Movie Experience | The Refinery City Point Drake & Morgan x Taste Film

90s cult classic Clueless is the theme of The Refinery City Point's Valentine's Day celebration
90s cult classic Clueless is the theme of The Refinery City Point's Valentine's Day celebration -Credit:tastefilm.co.uk

As if! Grab your girlfriends for the most like, totally important Valentine's celebration with an immersive five-course 'eat what you see' experience of the 90s cult-classic, Clueless. Hosted at The Refinery City Point by Drake & Morgan on select dates from 7th – 16th February, step into Cher's charming world with a dining experience inspired by the film's most iconic moments - trust us, it's totally buggin'.

Tickets start from £77.50pp for the movie, five courses and cocktail. Afternoon showings (13.45) and evening showings (18.45). For more information and bookings, visit the The Refinery City Point by Drake & Morgan website.

Galentine’s Girl Dinner | UBA

It’s all about picky bits with UBA’s special Girl Dinner menu
It’s all about picky bits with UBA’s special Girl Dinner menu -Credit:UBA

It’s all about picky bits with UBA’s special Girl Dinner menu. Perfect for celebrating with groups, gals and pals, enjoy a selection of Pan-Asian small plates and cocktails from the special Girl Dinner menu. The menu features three classic cocktails, including a Spicy Margarita and Paloma, plus crowd-pleasing plates like rock shrimp tempura and the special salmon lover roll.

Girl Dinner menu available February 13 to 16. Menu items individually priced. To book, visit Uba's website.

Afternoon Tea & Ballerinas at Winter Garden Restaurant | The Landmark London

The Winter Garden Restaurant is serving picture-perfect patisserie with its new Valentine’s Afternoon Tea
The Winter Garden Restaurant is serving picture-perfect patisserie with its new Valentine’s Afternoon Tea -Credit:Winter Garden Restaurant

The Winter Garden Restaurant is serving picture-perfect patisserie with its new Valentine’s Afternoon Tea, served under palm trees in its large atrium. Enjoy petite sandwiches and curated sweet treats, alongside freshly baked scones, fizz and a variety of house tea blends. What’s more, on February 14, ballerinas will grace the atrium with live performances for a unique afternoon tea experience.

The Valentine’s Afternoon Tea (£102 per person) is available from February 8 to 15, and includes a glass of Champagne Palmer & Co Rosé Reserve or Wild Idol Alcohol Free Sparkling Rose each. For more information and bookings, visit The Landmark's website.

‘Chaat Your Heart Out’ | Cinnamon Bazaar Covent Garden and Richmond

Enjoy unlimited bubbles this Valentine's Day at Cinnamon Bazaar
Enjoy unlimited bubbles this Valentine's Day at Cinnamon Bazaar -Credit:Cinnamon Bazaar

Celebrate love and friendship at Vivek Singh’s Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden and Richmond with its irresistible ‘Chaat Your Heart Out’. Dive into a feast of unlimited chaat, the vibrant Indian street food, alongside unlimited bubbles.

Prices start from £20pp for unlimited chaat and an additional £29pp for unlimited bubbles, available for a duration of 90 minutes from February 13 to 16 from 12pm to 4pm. For more information and bookings, click here.

Flirtations for Valentine’s | Kapara

Kapara can be a bustling party atmosphere or an intimate fine dining experience
Kapara can be a bustling party atmosphere or an intimate fine dining experience -Credit:Kapara

Impress your Valentine at Kapara - your one-stop-shop for dining, drinks and music. The queer-owned restaurant is offering a fabulous three-course Eastern Mediterranean sharing menu with the likes of twisted Jerusalem bagel; aubergine mess; and braised monkfish shank, alongside a choice of cocktails such as the Tutim Kiss and Whisky Whisper. A percentage of Valentine’s sales will be donated to LGBTQ+ charity London Friend.

Three-course set sharing menu £70pp including cocktail, available on February 13 or 14 (cocktail also available on February 15). Information and booking at Kapara's website.

Indulge in romance | Sea Container's restaurant

The Sea Containers Restaurant presents a five-course Valentine’s menu
The Sea Containers Restaurant presents a five-course Valentine’s menu -Credit:The Sea Containers Restaurant

For those who wish to indulge in a gourmet experience, the Sea Containers Restaurant presents a five-course Valentine’s menu. With dishes like beetroot and goat’s cheese salad, wild mushroom risotto with black truffle and a decadent chocolate tart, it’s a feast designed to delight every sense. Toast the evening with Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Rosé while taking in views of the River Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

To make your celebration even more special, Sea Containers London is offering pampering experiences to elevate the romance. Relax together at agua Spa with the Signature Couples Package, featuring side-by-side massages with Hedgerow products, Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Champagne, and strawberries and cream for the ultimate relaxation experience. To book, visit www.seacontainerslondon.com.

Valentine's Day dining | Pivot, Covent Garden

Pivot bistro is offering a menu 'filled with love' this Valentine's Day
Pivot bistro is offering a menu 'filled with love' this Valentine's Day -Credit:Pivot

Pivot in Covent Garden is celebrating the most romantic day of the year with a Valentine’s menu of romantic proportions masterminded by award-winning head chef Mark Greenaway on February 14 and 15. Filled with classics, you can cosy up with your loved one over asparagus with a poached hen egg and truffle hollandaise, chicken and pork liver pate, or seared scallops in shellfish butter served with gremolata, pine nuts and black tuile. For mains, meat lovers can enjoy a fillet of striploin or a pan seared sea bass with chives beurre blanc, while vegans can opt for salt baked celeriac with endive, raisin puree, vegan yoghurt and pistachios.

Bookings for the earlybird sitting from 6pm to 7.30pm will receive a complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival, or indulge in the later sitting for an intimate, romantic experience from 8pm - 9.30pm. Pivot Covent garden is located at 3 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8LU. To book, visit https://pivotbarandbistro.com.

Pahli Hill | the Indian restaurant in Fitzrovia

Pahli Hill is hosting a glamorous tequila party this Valentine's Day
Pahli Hill is hosting a glamorous tequila party this Valentine's Day -Credit:Pahli Hill

Pahli Hill is hosting the tequila party for singles, couples and pals alike with artisanal tequila brand Mijenta Tequila in Bandra Bhai, its downstairs speakeasy bar that evokes the underground glamour of the prohibition era. With a free miniature Blushing Paloma cocktail on arrival for all guests, Bandra Bhai will be serving up some special cocktails to get everyone in the party mood: The Blushing Paloma and Cupid’s Potion. Upstairs in the restaurant, chef Avi’s A La Carte Indian cuisine will be available all evening, serving a tequila infused, blood orange ice gola – the perfect sharing dessert to wrap up the romantic meal. To book, click here.

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