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[Updated 2020]
London is the perfect place to celebrate Valentines Day, with its wide selection of beautiful restaurants, cosy bars and sure-to-impress romantic activities.
Here are a few ideas for how to plan the perfect Valentines Day in London…
Best Valentines Day Restaurants in London
It wouldn’t be Valentines Day in London without making the most of one of the city’s most stunning and romantic restaurants.
Searcys at the Gherkin
For a refined dining experience that’s sure to impress your date try Searcys at the Gherkin, a luxury restaurant in the dome at the top of 30 St Mary Axe (or The Gherkin as it is better known).
Their delicious dishes by Michelin Star Executive Chef Barry Tonks, combined with the wide selection of wines and cocktails and breathtaking 360-degree views across London make this restaurant the perfect place for a valentines dinner.
Read my full review of Searcys at the Gherkin here.
The Sky Garden Restaurants
Just a short walk away from the Gherkin lies another one of London’s iconic towers, 20 Fenchurch Street, or as it is otherwise known The Walkie Talkie.
At the top, there are two luxury restaurants, Fenchurch Restaurant and Darwin Brassiere, as well as two bars, City Garden Bar and The Sky Pod Bar.
What makes this building extra romantic is that after your meal or drinks you can take a wander around the beautiful Sky Garden, the highest public roof garden in Europe, with its stunning sunset views out across London.
Check out my experience of the 3 course Set Brunch at Darwin Brasserie here.
Winter Garden at the Landmark Hotel
If you want to celebrate Valentines Day in London with a romantic valentines brunch or lunch rather than dinner, there’s no spot more bright and beautiful than the Winter Garden at the Landmark Hotel.
The grand 2 AA rosette holding restaurant is set inside of the spacious glass-roofed atrium in the middle of the 5* Marylebone Landmark Hotel.
The unique Winter Garden restaurant is filled with towering palm trees and serves up high-end British and Mediterranean dishes. A truly unusual yet extremely elegant place to surprise your other half with one of their special set menu breakfast or lunch deals.
Check out my full article about the set menu lunch at Winter Garden at the Landmark here.
Beach Blanket Babylon
If you’re looking for somewhere a little more low key and relaxed than the top of a skyscraper or 5* hotel, Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill might be more up your street.
The Rocco style interior design inside an old English townhouse gives the place a cosy yet elegant atmosphere, with intimate tables for two sitting in front of large open fireplaces.
The restaurant serves a menu of modern European cuisine at night as well as a great weekend brunch, or if you’re not going for food BBB is still ideal for a few date night cocktails.
See my review of Sunday Brunch at BBB here.
Valentines Day Cinema in London
If you’re a living cliche and are heading to the cinema for your Valentines Day date (hey no judgement!), why not do it in style? Instead of the back row at your local Cineworld, try one of London’s more unique cinemas for a change.
Electric Cinema
How do you get your date into bed early in the night…? (wink wink) Take them to Electric Cinema Portobello of course!
Photo from Yahoo Movies
Electric is located on Portobello Road in Notting Hill and has just the one screen showcasing new releases. There are 6 double beds in the front row, single armchairs with foot stalls and several double sofas in the back row.
Snuggle up under a cashmere blanket and enjoy the film with some nibbles and a few glasses of wine, just please remember there are other people in the room too!
Everyman Cinema
If you’re not ready to jump into bed quite yet you can opt for comfy sofas instead. Try one of Everyman Cinema‘s several London locations, including Canary Wharf, Kings Cross, Baker Street, Hampstead (the original) and Belsize Park.
Photo from Everyman Cinemas
The cinemas have luxurious sofas and armchairs covered in pillows and a side table for drinks and snacks from the bar.
Plus keep an eye out for special Valentines Day events at London’s cinemas. A few years ago Everyman cinema hosted a special masquerade party viewing for the opening night of 50 Shade’s Darker! The dress code was evening attire and there was food and drink as well as live music and entertainment all included in the ticket price.
Valentines Day Chocolates
Rather than picking up a last-minute box of chocolates from the local supermarket, try something a little bit more personal this Valentines Day in London.
M&M World
M&M World in Leicester Square loves to go Valentine’s Day crazy with romantic gifts and personalised M&M’s which you write special messages to your other half on.
They even recently opened a new photobooth where you can get a photo of yourself, your date or maybe the pair of you together printed onto the M&Ms.
Chocolate-Making Class
Alternatively, you could bring your partner along with you and try making the chocolate yourselves at one of MyChocolate‘s events.
Their romantic Valentines Chocolate Indulgence courses start with a glass of prosecco and chocolate-dipped strawberries before you begin making your own truffles, fudge and infused chocolate slabs.
Flirty Brownies
Or, instead of chocolates, you could pick up some delicious chocolate brownies from Bad Brownie.
They have a wide variety of flavours, which change month to month and have previously included Jaffa Cake, Ferrero Rocher and Amaretto and Cranberry, however, their classic Triple Chocolate is definitely my favourite!
Plus keep an eye out for their Valentines Day special Brownie Sweet Hearts…
“At the heart of each heart is raspberry compote encased in white chocolate, packed into a rose brownie, smothered with dark chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate, raspberry flakes and crushed pistachio nuts.”
– Product Description from Website
Bad Brownie has street food stalls at various London locations throughout the week and can be found in the fresh bakery counter at Selfridges Food Hall. You can also order on their website for home delivery service or through Amazon Fresh and Uber Eats.
Valentines Day Flowers
One of the things I love about London is that the florists can be just as beautiful as the flowers themselves. Try taking your Valentine’s date along with you to pick out some flowers.
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The photo above is of Wild at Heart’s turquoise island shop in Notting Hill (222 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RJ) – one of my favourites.
For more inspiration check out one my of favourite London Instagram accounts @prettycitylondon, who can point you in the direction of plenty of beautiful London florists.
Emily is a born and raised London girl, starting life in the north of the capital then moving down to Fulham in the southwest. She has a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London and now works full-time running this blog and as a freelance travel writer, splitting her life between London and travelling the world as a digital nomad.
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