Most romantic things to do in London

Looking for date ideas in London? There are plenty of romantic things to do in London, but with so many options comes the difficulty in deciding which will be best for you and your date. So, it’s no surprise that you may be feeling a bit bewildered over which romantic things to do in London. If you want to take someone special out but are struggling to come up with date ideas, London can be transformed into your dating playground with EliteSingles.

We’ve divided the city into the four main areas, with the best date ideas in each.

North

Eat

Islington’s Upper Street is lined door to door with restaurants that make a great spot for a classy date. If you have lived in North London for a while, you may have already heard of the long-standing family-run restaurant Frederick’s. However, if you want to try somewhere new, head to down to The Gate near Angel, where you can order an exquisite vegetarian meal in modern and airy surroundings. In North West London, The Paradise by Way of Kensal Green is a great option for a relaxed date in bohemian styled gastropub.

Drink

The pubs in Highgate village are perfect for a peaceful evening getting acquainted over drinks. Visit the The Red Lion & Sun, where in the summer you can enjoy chatting in the sunshine in the beer garden, or in the winter get cosy sitting around the fire inside with some mulled wine or cider.

See

A visit to the cinema is a classic date idea, but to step it up a notch, suggest seeing a film at the Art House in Crouch End. With a programme leaning towards independent and foreign films, but still showing recent Hollywood blockbusters, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For something a bit different, a trip to Sadler’s Wells Theatre is sure to impress, especially if you book to see a flamenco show. The sound of the quick clicking heels may even set your hearts beating a little faster.

*Most romantic thing to do in North London*

If the weather is warm, from the top of Primrose Hill or Hamstead Heath, you could soak in a summer sunset together. To make it a truly romantic occasion, bring a bottle of bubbly to drink and cuddle up until the stars come out.

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East

Eat

East London is famous for having spectacular range of Asian cuisine. Whilst there are numerous Indian restaurants to choose from along Brick Lane and nearby in Whitechapel, perhaps you’d like to try something different. If you’d rather an authentic Vietnamese meal, head to Kingsland Road’s Song Que, which has been included in Esquire’s list of best Vietnamese restaurants in London. Stuck for conversation ideas? The vibrant fast-paced atmosphere and dishes with interesting ingredients will provide you with plenty to talk about.

READ MORE: If you’d like more dinner date suggestions, check our shortlist of the top ten romantic restaurants in London

Drink

East London is full of places to meet your date for a drink, but for somewhere really special, suggest sipping on cocktails in Hoxton’s White Lyan. With no sign outside and frosted windows, you could easily miss this gem currently topping Time Out’s list of best cocktail bars in London. It’s winning factor is that it only serves unique pre-blended cocktails. However, if you’d rather meet somewhere where you could order a pint, head to the beautiful wood panelled Hackney pub, The Marksman, and settle in for a comfortable evening.

See

If you are both early-birds, meet on a Sunday morning at Columbia Road Market and get lost in the sea of flowers together. On the other hand, night owls could catch a show at in one of London’s few surviving music halls: Wilton’s Music Hall in Shoreditch hosts a diverse range of events; from cabaret and jazz nights to opera performances.

*Most romantic thing to do in East London*

Meet for a pleasant walk along Regent’s Canal together. If you both work up an appetite, stop off in a pub along the way for lunch. Crate in Hackney Wick has a microbrewery onsite and serves delicious pizzas.

READ MORE: Met someone special on EliteSingles? Ask them out on a first date!

South

Eat

For a relaxed and inexpensive evening in South West London, take your date to The Dairy, a locally endorsed tapas bar and the 2015 winner of Time Out’s Love London Awards best restaurant in Clapham. Over in South East London, head to modern Italian restaurant Zucca in Bermondsey. Suggest meeting an hour or so earlier, for a chance to look around the White Cube, a contemporary gallery nearby showing the work of acclaimed contemporary artists. This will give you plenty to talk about over dinner.

Drink

For drinks with a riverside view, visit the historic and atmospheric The Mayflower near London Bridge. But, for drinks from a birds-eye view, take the lift up the 32^nd floor of the Shard and sip on the Aqua Shard bar’s signature cocktails whilst gazing out onto London’s spectacular skyline.

See

Fancy an evening of dancing? Jive and swing under the chandeliers and Chinese lanterns of the red velvet walled Rivoli Ballroom, the last surviving 1950’s ballroom in London. Share a love for the dramatic arts? You could buy Friday Rush tickets for the following week’s performances at the National Theatre. They’re released online at 1pm every Friday.

*Most romantic thing to do in South London*

There’s nothing like a beautiful view to inspire romance, and the one from the top of Greenwich Park is one of London’s best. Meet in near the Cutty Sark for a stroll along the riverside and then head up the hill in the park to the gaze out over London’s skyline. In the summer, make sure not to miss a walk around the rose garden and seek out the secluded walled garden near the Royal Observatory that most visitors miss.

READ MORE: Are you a single parent? Interested in meeting other parents on the dating scene? Try single parent dating with EliteSingles.

West

Eat

Pushing the boat out? The Ledbury tops TimeOut’s top ten restaurants in London. If you’d rather eat somewhere less fancy but with local charm, visit Charlotte’s W4 in Chiswick which serves delicious modern European cuisine.

Drink

Want to feel like you are in the Great Gatsby? Located just off Piccadilly Circus, The Brasserie Zedel’s Bar Americain is an opulent Art Deco cocktail bar and a great place to meet for evening drinks. Otherwise, for somewhere a little more cosy, head to a Negozio Classica, a traditional wine bar in Notting Hill.

See

For a glamorous night out, a visit to Royal Opera House couldn’t be more elegant! Dress up in your gladrags and be enchanted by an evening of ballerinas, tenors and sopranos. If however, you’re in the mood for a daytime date, suggest a walk around the National Gallery and if the weather is good take a seat outside and watch the world go by together in Trafalgar Square.

*Most romantic thing to do in West London*

Rent a rowing boat on Hyde Park’s Serpentine for a romantic date away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Don’t miss the 150-year-old Italian Gardens at the northern edge of the lake.

So, whether you live in North, East, South or West, you are now fully equipped with the best date ideas in London and ready to get to know someone very special.

If you have any questions or you own ideas for romantic things to do in London then please comment below or email us at [email protected]

READ MORE: Looking for date ideas in other parts of the UK? Check out what EliteSingles thinks are the most romantic things to do in Glasgow, Manchester and Edinburgh! (More cities to come)

About the author: Esther Moriarty

Esther Moriarty is an editor for EliteSingles.

See more articles written by Esther Moriarty