table for two, please: romantic (but reasonably priced!) restaurants in london

affordable places you could still propose, aka, there are HOW many french bistros in this city???

author note: i’m close to the end of putting out a series about affordable eating in london (affordable meaning under £15), with just two posts to go, but i wanted to branch out slightly - specifically romantic high-end-feeling dinner date spots, which do clock in more expensive - think special birthday dinner for two, meet the parents, ‘you could propose here’ (this is also a bit of a precursor to a shortish series i’ve got brewing about getting married in london - so if that’s something you care about even a bit, keep your eyes peeled. if you don’t at all, no worries! stick to the regular programming.)

it’s easy to find somewhere to eat in london, but much harder to find somewhere that feels special without also feeling overpriced, overbooked, unimpressive for ambience, or full of kids playing bogeys and waving balloons (sorry for using the word ‘bogeys’ in this article about fancy restaurants, i recently came across some kids playing it on the tube and i was like…but you guys don’t have a designated adult? isn’t the point of this game to undercut your shared authority figure? i’m rambling). i’m talking about the kind of place where you could propose without feeling weird about it - somewhere low-lit, a little romantic, where the staff won’t blink if you linger for hours.

here’s a list of the places that are trying: spots that feel a bit magical, won’t TOTALLY rinse your bank account (some more than others - i’ve tried to keep it to under £35 a head, but i’ve definitely gone over in some places in case you’re working with three pound signs here, mr nouveau riche), and might just make you fall in love.

a quick note to say: look. i know a lot of these places are french. it isn’t my fault that people associate france with romance. i don’t make the rules, okay?

but first, an ode to first table…

let me introduce you to first table if you’re not already acquainted. you two are about to become pretty good friends (full disclosure, that is a referral link, but join up with or without me). first table is a restaurant discovery app/site where you get 50% off the bill in exchange for booking ahead, putting down a small reservation fee of £4-8, and committing to the discount rules (usually things like ‘both parties must purchase a main’). this works for a table of 2-4 people. you will not get cheap drinks.

it’s win/win: restaurants fill their tables at non-peak hours, and you, reader, get a cheap meal. i’ve covered other money saving apps in another article, but first table is the one i’m using most right now.

but without further ado, here is a list of restaurants where you could slip a ring into the champagne without anyone batting an eye (and you might even get a smattering of light applause for it). no mcweddings for this crowd!

brasserie zedel

20 sherwood st, w1f 7ed

brasserie zedel is a top date spot for good reason - it’s got an extremely grand vibe. tucked just off the chaos of piccadilly, brasserie zedel is all marble columns, and mirrored walls. right next to leicester square so you can take your date to the theatre straight after if you’re interested in dropping another £60. their prix fixé menu is a good deal - you can get two courses for £17.50, or three for £21.50. get the steak haché, linger over a mousse, and bask in the glow of the chandeliers. you’ll feel fancy.

la poule au pot

231 ebury st, sw1w 8ut

i find it deeply comforting and a little romantic to sink into a candlelit booth at this long‑running bistro. inside, you’ll find red velvet banquettes, ivy-draped walls, and enough french farmhouse nostalgia to make you forget you’re a stone’s throw from victoria station.

the set-menu value is solid. three courses: think cassoulet, confit duck, or a proper coq au vin - land at just under £50 per person, and the food is everything you want it to be: classically french, comforting, buttery (of course). this is a place to linger over buttery vegetables and a velvety beef bourguignon. service can be a bit brisk, but the overall vibe is so warm and classic! a little trick if you’re saving: if you’re feeling strategic you can graze for around £20–30pp by ordering a la carte or sharing a starter and a glass of wine instead of the full menu.

soutine

60 st john’s wood high st, nw8 7sh

this place feels like someone let you walk into french luxury without warning (and if you can bag a table, the outside area is classic paris and walk in only). velvet banquettes, mirrors everywhere. that £19.75 two‑course prix fixé menu is the superstar here, and if you’re feeling fancy you can stretch to a three course at under £25. mains generally land between £17-£40, with steak taking you to the higher end - but the money feels well spent.

think escargots, coq au riesling, buttery mushrooms on toasted brioche - and dessert you can share even if only to stretch the night a bit longer. it’s romantic, elevated, and still somehow under the radar. a perfect affordable indulgence if you want to feel like you’re on a date without going overboard.

trullo

300-302 st paul's rd, n1 2lh

a north london gem and something of a rite of passage for pasta lovers: trullo has the perfect balance of understated charm and food that makes you shut up mid-conversation. their handmade pasta (think rich beef shin ragu or silk sheets of pappardelle) is usually under £18, and while mains like fish or steak take you into pricier territory, you could easily build a lovely dinner without venturing there. trullo is also a favourite among british celebs trying to be low key, which is fun for people watching. this is very much where you go to impress someone without trying too hard. trullo has the kind of dimly lit intimacy that suits both a second date and an intimate proposal very well.

flour & grape

63 bermondsey st, se1 3tt

flour & grape is a bermondsey favourite that nails the art of casual italian romance without breaking the bank. the vibe is relaxed and thoughtfully stylish, but the real draw here is the pasta: every dish is under £15.50, making it a rare find where affordable meets genuinely excellent. they have a really rich lamb ragu, and imo a standout prawn linguine. their friendly service and vibrant atmosphere make it a fantastic spot to settle in, share plates, and soak up some genuine italian warmth.

clos maggiore

33 king st, wc2e 8jd

clos maggiore has a well-earned reputation as london’s most romantic restaurant. it’s a fairy-lit hideaway with blossom-draped ceilings, soft candlelight, and an atmosphere that practically begs for a grand gesture. the weekday lunch set menu is pretty tempting at two courses for £29.50 or three for £34.50, both including a glass of bubbles or a non-alcoholic cocktail, so you can toast without feeling too guilty. the food is classic, leaning french and italian.

now, the honest bit: i’m not clos maggiore’s biggest fan - my last visit ended with an allergic reaction that sent me flying from the table (not the kind of exit anyone wants). the food was delicious on the way in, but unfortunately, it didn’t taste so great on the way out. i’m hoping your luck is better than mine. if you don’t have allergies or sensitivities, this place truly nails the intimate, romantic setting you’re after.

blanchette soho

9 d’arblay st, w1f 8dr

blanchette is one of those charming little french spots that feels like a secret. slap bang in the middle of central, it still manages to keep a cosy, rustic (classically french, sigh) vibe - exposed brick, mismatched chairs, and soft lighting.

their lunch and pre-theatre set menu is a steal if you want to impress without going wild: two courses for £19.50, or three for £23. it’s the kind of place where you can lean in, swap bites, and soak up that old-school parisian bistro feeling - perfect for a low-key but still special date night. just make sure you leave room for that french toast.

noci

4-6 islington green, n1 2xa
207 old st, ec1v 9nr
the one in battersea isn’t a great date vibe, please don’t make a grand gesture inside a mall

noci is a cozy italian spot that manages to feel both laid-back and a little special. it’s perfect if you want a date that’s relaxed but still feels like an occasion. the focus here is fresh, seasonal italian dishes that won’t break the bank. handmade pasta is the star, landing around £14-£16, but if you feel like splashing out there’s a sea bream at under £25. well within reach for a romantic dinner that feels indulgent but not self-destructive.

noci’s unpretentious charm and solid, honest food make it a great pick if you want somewhere to linger.

café tabac

45 exmouth market, ec1r 4ql

café tabac is all cheese and wine, all smeared lipstick and red velvet with candlelit brick walls and a tiny terrace out front. inside, it’s moody and atmospheric in all the right ways: small tables, soft lighting.

food leans french-ish, wine-forward. baked camembert, truffle fries, maybe a charcuterie board to split. prices are flexible depending on how you play it - you could absolutely linger for under £20pp with a couple of small plates and a glass of something. it’s the kind of place where the food might take a while but you won’t really mind, because you’re half a bottle deep.

sessions arts club

24 clerkenwell green, ec1r 0na

sessions arts club is what happens when someone builds a restaurant (previously the kinda creepily named doll’s house!) inside a faded palazzo and then quietly tells all everyone stylish in the city to come by. hidden inside an old courthouse, it’s all soaring ceilings, peeling plaster, flickering candles and giant velvet sofas. it feels like a combination of a renaissance painting and a wes anderson film. the food is elegant and unexpected without being annoying: brown shrimp croquettes, tomato-drenched pasta.

it’s not the cheapest on this list (sadface). expect to spend £45+ per person even if you’re careful. plates are on the small side, so it’s one of those eat slowly and savour every bite jobs. it’s worth it for a night that feels like a moment. book ahead, wear something swishy, and take the stairs like you’ve snuck in.

added note: sessions is the kind of place you can eat a couple of small plates, but if you want a real sized main, it will run you about £30 and wine will take you higher. tread with caution! thanks to claire for making this point - as someone who just orders a couple small plates and grazes, and also someone who doesn’t drink, i’ve gotten away lightly here.

andrew edmunds

46 lexington street, w1f  0lw

picture an 18th century townhouse in the heart of soho, lit by candles and lined with peeling georgian plaster, crowded so intimately it makes you lean in. andrew edmunds is old‑school romance: tiny tables, low flicker, handwritten menus, and a gigantic wine list. the food is mixed in terms of offerings, but good and well sized: whipped cod’s roe, pork cheek confit. honest, seasonal, and reliably tasty; you’re paying about £30–50pp including wine, but the atmosphere is the draw. it’s the kind of place that feels like your own secret corner of soho, perfect for quiet conversation - but also, go at night! this place makes no sense to me at all in the day.

petersham nurseries

church lane, off petersham rd, richmond, tw10 7ab

petersham nurseries is a daydream. it’s set inside a greenhouse surrounded by gardens, terracotta floors underfoot, trailing jasmine overhead, antique furniture and soft natural light all around.

this is the upper end of the budget (three courses for £75), but the food is thoughtful and plated in that elegant way you can’t recreate at home. go for lunch and stay long enough that the sun shifts through the glass. a good spot for very good pannacotta.

oriole

7–9 slingsby place, wc2e 9ab

oriole is a two-floor speakeasy-style treasure hidden in covent garden’s yards. it is covered in hand-painted jungle murals and there is literally a stage for nightly jazz, blues and cabaret. the ground floor is light and airy, with aperitivo cocktails on tap, while downstairs is basement-cozy, moody and built for sipping fancy pants drinks and lingering over fusion dishes.

the food here runs the gamut through a bunch of things i’ve never seen anywhere else, blending latin american aguachile and huacatay with more european staples like beurre blanc and lamp rump. it is unexpected and honestly delightful. i don’t drink anymore, but i’ve heard the cocktails are incredible. they are also an incredible £13-16. standard. the food is closer to £25 for a main - so you may want to jump on their three course dinner and a show deal (£60 + £6-12 music fee).

circolo popolare

40–41 rathbone place, w1t 1hx

i know what you’re thinking: omg, ANOTHER italian place? she’s banging on about these italian places a lot…and big mamma group no less? okay, but hear me out. circolo popolare is what happens when a sicilian trattoria gets the hollywood treatment (and second big mamma joint, gloria, is what happens when wes anderson designs your nonna’s holiday home and it gets repurposed as a restaurant) - walls stacked with thousands of bottles, festoon lights crawling across a ceiling of foliage. it is theatrical to the point of farce. it’s perfect for sharing oversized pastas like the truffle mafaldine or the wheel-served gran carbonara - you can get pizza or pasta for under £20.

expect around £30pp depending on how many cocktails, pizzas, or giant desserts you dive into . service is friendly if sometimes rushed. it can be loud, but that’s part of the charm. if your vibe is ott, this will work for you.

bellanger

9 islington green, n1 2xh

bellanger is islington’s grand-café moment. there’s polished wood panelling, red-leather banquettes, vintage french posters and high ceilings (and occasionally live piano). this place was made to be in paris.

the menu sits nicely between classic alsatian and fritalian cuisine: tarte flambée, choucroute, schnitzels, steak frites, and seafood dishes like crab linguine or sea bream. mains typically land between £15–30, and you’ll spot ample small plates and cocktails in the £6–12 range. you can definitely also do the steakfrites and a bottle of wine for two - at a hearty £50. très chic (i’ve been waiting to say that somewhere in this article, because you’d legally have to shoot me if i didn’t).

sarastro

126 drury lane, wc2b 5su

sarastro is the kind of place where opulence and theatricality collide: think plush velvet booths, massive golden ornamental rococo details, opera boxes repurposed as tables, cascading lanterns and props that feel straight out of a West End backstage. it's flamboyant, extravagant, and utterly unforgettable. the menu leans mediterranean with strong turkish vibes: mezze plates, lamb shank, grilled sea bass, pan-fried mussels, all priced around £26–40pp. they have a good pre-theatre menu for £26.50-29.50.

nights are soundtracked by live opera, swing or latin sets thursday to sunday. perfect for when you want dinner to feel like a show - no entrance fee, just bring a sense of wonder.

brat

4 redchurch street, shoreditch, e1 6jl

this place. invented. onion butter. okay maybe they didn’t but i’ve never seen onion butter anywhere else and i LOVE onion butter, okay, and you can get onion butter on bread for £5 here. vibe wise, brat is all wood panelling and soft golden light, a bit smoky from the open fire kitchen. the menu has big basque energy, lots of grilled things, lots of sharer plates.

you don’t have to go for the big-ticket turbot (though it is kind of iconic), but you could just as easily build a very nice meal around the smaller dishes – anchovies on toast, smoked potatoes, that chopped egg salad with bottarga. and then there’s the burnt basque cheesecake, which is genuinely famous for good reason. it’s not cheap (expect £50pp depending how you play it), but it’s not fussy either.

dalloway terrace

16–22 great russell St, wc1b 3nn

imagine a secret garden in the heart of bloomsbury: walls dripping with flowers, fairy lights overhead, lanterns glowing, and heaters or blankets if it’s chilly. dalloway has an impossible hygge winter-wonderland vibe. menu-wise we’re looking at modern european comfort - seafood pasta, risotto, shrimp salad. brunch is lovely too (eggs florentine, burrata, crab on toast). expect to budget around £40 pp for a decent meal/wine combo. the decor really does steal the show.

cafe laville

453 edgware rd, w2 1th

if you’re after daytime charm, this one’s hard to beat. cafe laville is a dreamy canal‑side spot: half glasshouse, half cosy italian eatery, and in the summer they throw the doors open and you can embrace it in all its little venetian glory. menu-wise it's rustic italian, without the fuss: handmade pasta, pizzas from a proper deck oven, decent brunch, even tiramisu that people actually talk about. prices are genuinely accessible (£10–£20-ish for mains), and you’ll spend around £20–30pp including coffee or wine. perfect for a daytime date that feels special without stretching the purse.

bourne & hollingsworth buildings

42 charlotte street, ec1r 0jn

a greenhouse for grownups: all leafy palms, soft light, and whitewashed wood. bourne & hollingsworth is where you go when you want to feel like you're on a mini break without leaving zone 1, or like you’re in for a really fancy brunch (this place is hen do central). it’s casual but curated, pretty but not tooooo prissy.

they serve modern and upmarket british comfort food (slow-cooked lamb, truffled macaroni cheese), and the set menus or weekday brunches can land you at £25–35pp depending on how carried away you get. bonus points for the lovely hidden-feeling terrace out back, and the fact it somehow always feels like golden hour in there. you’re also right next to spa green, which is one of london’s best and brightest dog parks!

bleeding heart tavern

19 greville st, ec1n 8sq

this one’s tucked away down a little cobbled alley. once you find it, it feels like you’ve wandered into the set of a very charming period drama. exposed brick, creaky wood floors, candles on every table. the tavern is the more relaxed sibling of the bleeding heart bistro - a little more casual, a little more affordable, but still full of old-school charm.

menu-wise, it's comfort with a french-leaning heart but occasional britishism: think black angus bavette steak with koffmann chips and chimichurri, or proper ale-battered haddock with mushy peas (both £22). nothing here is showy, but it’s all excellent - warm, hearty, really generous. it feels all grown-up without going all-out.

humble grape

1 st bride’s passage, ec4y 7ej

the humble grape is super close to my heart. i literally had my wedding here. it is a stunning venue: vaulted ceilings, exposed brick, reclaimed wood and cosy teal banquettes, it feels intimate and spacious all at once, and super historical (the neighbouring church has had some famous names there, including, don’t quote me, rupert murdoch???? blech!)

the real draw is the massive wine list: over 400 bottles, always at shop prices (and they have a wine club). the rest of the menu is small plates that are ‘modern british’, whatever that means - cauliflower kimchi, glazed pork belly, crispy padron peppers, cheese croquettes, charcuterie boards - all built for sharing and pairing. mains are seasonal and solid, like flat-iron steak or glazed poussin. prices land around £35pp average, though you can absolutely have a full evening with a few glasses for less if you keep it snack-heavy. in the summer they toss some tables up onto their courtyard which is magic magic magic.

so: there you have it. finding a spot that feels effortlessly romantic is no mean feat in london - but these places prove it’s still possible to do it without lighting £200 on fire. there’s something for every kind of date mood. whether you’re after rustic pasta, french classics, or just a great wine list and an excuse to linger over dessert, these gems deliver on atmosphere and flavour without the usual price shock. so next time you want to impress without stress, keep these in your back pocket - your heart (and your bank balance) will thank you.

if you’re proposing, peep the upcoming article on getting married without selling your liver!