Most romantic restaurants in London: Andrew Edmunds
46 Lexington Street W1
Dark and discreet, this long-time Soho stalwart is a seductive spot for contemporary cuisine. The crowd-pleasing food embraces the classics, such as a perfect lamb steak with flageolet beans. Seating is a bit cramped, and the room can be noisy, but the service is breezly relaxed.
Most romantic restaurants in London: J Sheekey
28-32 St Martin’s Court, WC2
If you despair of ever getting a table at The Ivy, fear not: its sister restaurant offers just as seductive a setting, sublime food and lovely serice. The emphasis is on fish, and the ethos is to keep it simple. You won’t find a finer fish pie in London.
Most romantic restaurants in London: Odette’s
130 Regent’s Park Road, NW1
One of North London’s best-loved restaurants, Odette’s is a prime spot for a romantic dinner à deux. Though it was given a sensitive renovation in 2003, it retains all the old-fashioned idiosyncrasy that has long endeared it to the moneyed media folk of Primrose Hill. Scores of gilded mirrors refley candlelight around the intimate dining rooms, providing a seductive setting for adventurous but not over-fussy contemporary cooking.
Pithivier of rabbit with white bean cream would be a typical starter; for mains, chargrilled leg of lamb with Italian seasoning, roasted artichokes and fondant potatoes, or loin of veal with herb gnocchi and fresh peas. The wine list is also notable, and features and impressively international spread of vintages. Service can be a touch uneven, but overall Odette’s is a North London jewel.
Most romantic restaurants in London: Oxo Tower
Top floor, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, SE1
There are few locations in London as spectacular as the top floor of the Oxo Tower. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a 250-ft (90-m) long terrace allow uninterrupted views over the Thames. It’s stunning, and yours to admire for the price of a drink at the sleek bar.
Eating here will make a greater dent in your wallet, though the cost is justified by the consistently high standard of the creative modern European food served at the relaxed Brasserie and more formal Restaurant. Lunch at the Brasserie might consist of chilli crab with egg linguine, followed by sea bass and warm halloumi, and finishing with coconut parfait with passion fruit. The refinement of the menu (and prices) rise in the Restaurant, with such delicacies as warm salad of quail with foie gras and truffle, monkfish with oxtail or pink grapefruit with Campari sorbet. Both venues serve more affordable set lunches.
