Life & Style

Date-Night Dining

Sublime cuisine, seductive company and a mood that suggests anything might happen… Great restaurants are so often the starting point for our greatest romances, so we asked a few friends to share the date-night destination of their dreams.
Image: Park Chinois

Jonah Hauer-King, actor

Mountain

“My favourite date spot is probably Mountain in Soho. The food is out of this world and Tomos Parry and the whole team make it feel so special every time. I love sitting at the bar counter and watching the magic of the restaurant unfold!”

Image: Mountain
Image: Mountain
Jonah Hauer-King
Jonah Hauer-King

Candice Brathwaite, author

Park Chinois

“For a date night I would recommend Park Chinois. It has a moody vibe so if it’s early on in the relationship you get to feel less self-conscious. The customer service is impeccable and, of course, the food! Not only does it taste incredible, the portion sizes are healthy, so no need to stop at KFC on the way home.”

Image: Park Chinois
Image: Park Chinois
Candice Brathwaite, image: Amanda Akokhia
Candice Brathwaite, image: Amanda Akokhia

Rosemary Ferguson, wellness expert

Locanda Locatelli

“My all-time favourite place to eat with my husband Jake is Locanda Locatelli. It is super-intimate, the service is bloody brilliant and the food is stunning. We always have a good time when we visit – sometimes too good! It is where we go to celebrate and I love it.”

Rosemary Ferguson
Rosemary Ferguson
Image: Locanda Locatelli
Image: Locanda Locatelli

Imogen Kwok, food-based creative

Lisboeta

“This restaurant is home to tasty and wholesome Portuguese food, with a slight contemporary take on traditional dishes. Most of the mains are intended to share, which is perfect for two people. Either the bar downstairs or a banquette nook upstairs would be sweet for a date — the lighting has a flattering amber tone and the two floors are equally buzzy.”

Imogen Kwok, image: Ryan Rivers
Imogen Kwok, image: Ryan Rivers
Image: Lisboetan
Image: Lisboetan

Nicky Haslam, interior designer

Manzi’s

“I suggest dining at the romantically decorated Manzi’s in Soho and holding hands having ordered the fish pie (you only need one hand to eat it). After a lip-smacking peach melba, toddle up the road to Ronnie Scott’s and snuggle down in the upstairs bar where they play the coolest jazz.”

Image: Manzi’s
Image: Manzi’s
Nicky Haslam, image: Simon Upton
Nicky Haslam, image: Simon Upton

Henry Holland, designer and ceramicist

J Sheekey

“The low lights and the central location make this the perfect dinner destination. It’s where my husband and I went on our first date, so it’s extra special. Book a table in the back room.”

Henry Holland
Henry Holland
Image: J Sheekey
Image: J Sheekey

Pixie Geldof, musician

Campania

“I love Campania in East London. It’s small and completely cosy. The food is delicious and there are always great sharing plates. It’s also down a little cobbled street, which feels so romantic.”

Image: Campania
Image: Campania
Pixie Geldof
Pixie Geldof

Roksanda Ilinčić, fashion designer

Rita’s

“Regardless of whether it’s Valentine’s Day or any other occasion, a good restaurant is all about its food and atmosphere. Rita’s in Soho is top of my list of recommendations. I love it not just for its excellent food and even better cocktails (its signature margaritas are a personal favourite) but for its laid-back, artisan atmosphere, making it the perfect place for any date.”

Roksanda Ilinčić, image: Quentin Jones
Roksanda Ilinčić, image: Quentin Jones
Image: Rita's
Image: Rita's

Xanthe Ross, chef

Brutto

“An Italian trattoria is generally my favourite kind of restaurant. I visited Brutto recently for the first time and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The food, the wine, the atmosphere… it feels so informal at the same time as feeling really special, and the ambiance is so romantic. I went with friends and it was the perfect place to spend an evening catching up. I can’t wait to go back, and I’d definitely choose it for or a date night with anyone I love.”

Xanthe Ross
Xanthe Ross
Image: Brutto
Image: Brutto