Kiss and Eat Up at These 6 Valentine’s Day Restaurants…

When it comes to Valentine’s Day, it’s not just love in the air. The aroma of creamy carbonara, oozing chocolate cakes, freshly baked carbs and burnt butter sauces waft down every street in the kingdom. And whether you’re smitten with a new fling or in a committed relationship with your dog, there’s no escaping the sensory overload that arrives on February 14th – we say embrace it.

For a day that’s supposed to be all about Lady and the Tramp spaghetti moments and Say Anything boombox reenactments, romance can quickly turn to stress. While we don’t have all the answers to your romantic queries (you’re going to have to ask another friend about Tinder pick-up lines, sorry) we can help in other ways on your journey to someone’s heart… With a delicious detour through the stomach, obviously.

We wouldn’t dare dismiss the romantic gesture of a home-cooked meal, but the pressure of coming up with an impressive yet achievable dish (somewhere between a ‘rustic’ spag bol and sous vide duck confit) paired with anxiety-inducing thoughts of potential kitchen disasters can quickly extinguish the flame.

There’s only one solution. This year, we’re giving you permission to ditch the apron and don your best threads. You’re going out!

From the bright lights of London and Brighton’s charming seaside town all the way to Edinburgh Castle, we’ve collated a hot list of romantic restaurants turning up the heat this Valentine’s Day.

Eat your heart out this Valentine’s Day in London, Brighton and Edinburgh…

London

So, you’ve managed to get yourself a smokin’ hot date in the big smoke, have you? Nicely played. After having spent the day walking hand in hand through the bustling Borough Market, soaring to new heights at the London Eye or cosied up on a boat floating along the Thames, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. If a streetside hotdog sends sparks flying for you and your significant other, no judgement. However, if your heart desires something a little more gourmet, lend us your ears…

Ginza Onodera

Elegant and sophisticated sums this Japanese fine dining establishment up in a nut – or rather edamame – shell. Located in a dark and intimate restaurant in St James’s, Ginza Onodera has everyone swooning over its take on traditional Japanese cooking styles and flavours. The Bury Street joint also boasts London’s largest Sake list and – unsurprisingly – has a Michelin star to its name.

From Monday 10th February until Sunday 16th February, Ginza’s special Valentine’s Day menu will be available for all lovebirds. We’re talking five courses of beautifully presented dishes, featuring lush ingredients like snow crab, lobster, wagyu beef and more. Book here for guaranteed brownie points.

Price: £120ppLocation: 15 Bury Street, St James’s, LondonSpecial Valentine’s Day MenuBook now via Quandoo

Frolicking around the rest of Europe for Valentine’s Day?Don’t miss out on these romantic restaurants in Italy and swoon-worthy date spots in Germany.

Hush in Mayfair

There’s no denying it. We’ve got a crush on Hush. Home to one of London’s best courtyard dining spaces (check out their Instagram if you don’t believe us) as well as a plush cocktail lounge and restaurant inside, Hush is a no-brainer Valentine’s Day destination.

The candles will be lit on Valentine’s Day as a three-course set menu (including a dreamy cocktail to start) is rolled out until the following Sunday. The menu spells romance with a capital R, with fanciful creations including sea bass ceviche, rich Highland venison and decadent chocolate fondant on offer. Even love’s greatest cynics have no chance here.

Price: £60ppLocation: 8 Lancashire Ct, Brook St, Mayfair, LondonSpecial Valentine’s Day Menu Book now via Quandoo

Brighton

There’s nothing like the salty sea breezes of Brighton to stir up some romance – and an appetite too, come to think of it. With its colourful boatsheds, ferris wheel silhouette and royal monuments making up the town’s architecture, good luck dodging Cupid’s arrow. A restaurant scene abundant with fresh seafood from Brighton’s very own shores only adds to its charm. So, pop your parasol and stroll along the shore to these top Valentine’s Day dining destinations…

The Little Fish Market

Duncan Ray has a very impressive CV, having worked under the likes of Marco Pierre White and Heston Blumenthal. As a result, the cooking performance at his award-winning restaurant in Hove is nothing short of exceptional. The Little Fish Market has been recognised as Brighton’s best restaurant for two years running now. If you’re someone who loves great food without the pretension, The Little Fish is a real catch.

Relax in a comfortable laid-back setting and dine on a five-course menu featuring a range of high quality and sustainable seafood straight from the British Isles. Scallops, mussels, plankton, seaweed potato… There may be plenty of fish in the sea, but we can promise the best are found on the plate at The Little Fish.

Price: £69ppLocation: 10 Upper Market Street, HoveView Example Set MenuBook now via Quandoo 

Third Avenue

Offering a whole night’s worth of experiences under one roof, Third Avenue on Church Road is made up of two exceptional dining areas: The Grill Room, an elegant European-inspired restaurant, and 72, a sophisticated sushi bar and cocktail lounge. We recommend starting your evening at the first, and booking in for the happily affordable three-course Valentine’s Day menu. From charcuterie plates to lamb mains and spiced dark rum desserts, hold on to that heart of yours… Third Avenue might just run away with it.

Price: £39.50ppLocation: 70 – 72 Church Road, HoveSpecial Valentine’s Day MenuBook now via Quandoo

Edinburgh

Fall into the postcard-perfect city that is Edinburgh. Giving Paris and Verona a run for their money, couples flock to this Scottish gem for its medieval fairytale backdrop. Play out your Romeo and Juliet fantasies down the beautifully haunted cobbled alleyways, stargaze at the Royal Observatory or hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat before finally rolling down into one of the city’s finest restaurants. In fact, we’re so infatuated with this place, we wrote a whole a whole article about Edinburgh’s best romantic restaurants.

Gaucho

When love’s at stake, head to an Argentinian steakhouse. More specifically, head to Gaucho – the finest of them all in Edinburgh. This high-end restaurant group first opened in London in 1994 with a dream to bring the world’s best beef to England’s capital. And what a dream come true.

Making itself at home in St Andrew Square, the Edinburgh branch is full of passion, serving the very same grass-fed Aberdeen Angus beef and big Latin flavours that made them famous. As well as an enticing food offering, an enchanting interior inspired by the wild forests of Argentina will get hearts racing.

Price: £40 – £60ppLocation: 4a St Andrew Square, Edinburgh Discover Gaucho’s MenusBook now via Quandoo

East Pizzas

This is for all you cool, casual and cheap cats out there. If you’re wanting to ditch cheesy gestures this Valentine’s Day, we say replace them with cheesy pizza at one of Scotland’s greatest sourdough pizza joints.

In a hip hole-in-the-wall down Commercial Street in Leith, East Pizzas is all about serving up honest homemade slices of the good stuff. With all toppings carefully selected from local producers in the hood, be it organic cheese or specialty vegan alternatives, these pizza chefs know how to roll. Sure, one can be showered in all the souffles and deconstructed desserts – but at the end of the day, you can’t out-romance this OG Valentine’s Day classic.

Price: £8 – £12 per pizzaLocation: 7 Commercial Street, LeithView menuBook now via Quandoo