Where’s the best place for a date in London? That’s the question these five difference recommendations will hopefully answer for you!
It’s been a while since I’ve written a place recommendation on the blog, and my date night outfit got me thinking about my favourite places in London where I’ve enjoyed time with my boyfriend. Date nights for us can vary – from a packed-out gig in Elephant & Castle to a three-course meal on the River Thames, it really just depends on our mood.
So, in my usual sustainable style, here’s five places that provide a perfect combination of great food, culture, atmosphere, and enjoyment. I hope you these places as much as we have when you’re next on a date…
The Gate
22-24 Seymour Place, London, W1H 7NL
Touted as the best vegetarian restaurants in London, The Gate is a small family-run chain of dining spots across the city, and is my first pick when it comes to good food and atmosphere, no matter your diet choices.
I’ve visited both their Islington restaurant and their swankier Marylebone location, and I’d recommend the Marylebone branch as the best spot for a date. With an intimate size, and roadside seating as well as a cosy basement-slash-wine bar, it’s got all the class you could wish for.
The menu at The Gate is small and selective, with perfectly formed dishes that are fairly priced too. My favourite dish? The Thai green curry.
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road, Lambeth, London, SE1 8XX
If you prefer something to do, rather than something to eat, on a date night, the Southbank Centre is one of my favourite places to go. With on-going theatre and music productions, summer festivals, cafés, bars, and food trucks, it’s a great place to head when you can’t quite make up your mind but you want to spend time with someone special.
When I first moved into Central London, I worked in Waterloo and would frequent the Southbank Centre after work as a place to go. I haven’t found another place quite like it – the hulking, concrete giant is something I look at with fondness, and I have great memories with friends and my boyfriend alike.
The promenade running along the south bank of the Thames is also a bonus, making a nice place to sit and chat and watch the world go by. Bring along a reuseable bottle and a picnic, and you have yourself a free, al fresco date!
Mildreds
45 Lexington Street, Soho, London, W1F 9AN
Mildreds is arguably the best restaurant in London for vegans, with absolutely delicious food (so much so that they brought out their own book) Their menu is meat-free, and I was first introduced to the place by my friend and veteran vegan Sara, who took me to their Soho location to show me just how great vegan food can taste!
The Mildreds in Soho is both intimate and always busy, so if you’d like to have a quiet conversation it’s probably not the place to go, but it will happily satisfy any foodie out there. Think of it as the Dishoom for vegans and veggies – satisfying, diverse cuisine and a super friendly atmosphere.
My favourite dishes: the curries, roasted veggies, and vegan meringue!
With four locations in London – Soho, Camden, King’s Cross, and Dalston – you’re never too far away from a Mildreds either!
Somerset House
Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
If you’re looking for a beautiful place to enjoy a drink, experience an art exhibit, or potentially see a blockbuster film outdoors, Somerset House is the place to go.
The beautiful building is home to an arts centre, café, and Spring restaurant (reviewed below). It’s sat just across from the Thames, making for a beautiful scene in the evenings, and often has an outdoor bar too.
During the summer months it also plays host to Channel 4’s Summer Screen, displaying full-length films projected in the main square. It’s the perfect place for a balmy summer’s night, watching a film on a picnic blanket with a cool drink and some nibbles.
My favourite visit has to be when we went to see the premiere of Captain Fantastic, and we sat just a few metres away from Viggo Mortensen!
Spring
Lancaster Place, New Wing, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
And if you’d like to dine close to Somerset House, I’d really recommend booking a table at Spring.
I had the pleasure of visiting Spring last summer, enjoying three courses from their Scratch Menu, which is predominantly made with the leftovers from their A La Carte menu. Designed to reduce food waste, it doesn’t sound like the most luxurious of meals, but I was blown away by the creativity and taste of each dish – and would recommend it to anyone looking for a sustainable and swanky place to dine out.
Spring was founded by Skye Gyngell, the acclaimed chef and food writer. Her restaurant is as pretty as its food tastes, and even the attire of the waiting staff is cute and clean, like everything else.
You can read my full review of my date night at Spring from last year’s visit here.
Ethos
48 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8DX
The final date night destination I’ve loved when with my boyfriend is Ethos. I’d hinted a few times before a birthday that I’d like to go to the veggie and vegan restaurant that’s just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street, and so he took me there to experience the indoor birch trees and canteen-style food.
While it may seem like an odd premise, I love restaurants that do things a little differently, and paying by the weight of our food was definitely a first. Tip: go for the light veggies, salads, and nuts, and avoid potato dishes!
While I haven’t been back for a while, Ethos is somewhere I like to recommend to people who aren’t quite sure about vegetarian food, and if they’d enjoy it. Trust me, with that many dishes to choose from, you’re going to love it!
You can read my full review of Ethos from my birthday meal here.
