Restaurants to go to on a first date in london?

Question

I don't have a huge budget, so not the Ivy or places like that - i'm looking for places with 'mood' lighting/ interesting atmosphere/ good food etc! somewhere that's relaxed and romantic. basically anywhere that you have been or heard about where you had a good time!

Answer 1

You could do a lot worse than Lemonia near Chalk Farm tube.  It's close to primrose hill so you can go for a nice romantic walk there first which is good to build an appetite.  The prices are really good, and the food is great.  Been here on too many first dates ... never been let down ;)

89 Regents Park Road, London, NW1 8UY

Answer 2

try the lee ho fook

4 Macclesfield Street, Chinatown, LONDON, W1D 6AX

Tel. [phone]

Food Type

Chinese

Opening Hours

Mon-Sun 12:00-0:00

Booking

Not Necessary on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

Nearest Transport

Leicester Square Tube

Area.   Chinatown

Average Costs

Lunch - £12.00

Dinner - £12.00

Answer 3

Don't go to any Chinese restaurants (I should know, I've worked in loads of them) as the atmosphere is usually not very good (service too abrupt) and the tables are too close together for any privacy.

Go along to the South Bank (wrap up warm though!).  Take a romantic walk along the river - a lovely setting, and no loud music so that you can have a proper conversation and get to know each other.

Then go to Gabriels Wharf which is just down from the National Theatre.  There is a bar/restaurant at the end on the left hand side (sorry, can't remember the name) that does lovely food.  The atmosphere is relaxed and you won't feel the pressures of a first date at all.

Have fun!

Answer 4

Hi

What exactly is your budget?

The reason I ask is that the high-end restaurants in London, such as the Ivy, usually make all their money by being full all the time and selling expensive wine - a three course meal at the Ivy would probably cost 30-40 quid before wine etc.

It's a myth that you can't afford to go to high-end restaurants - what you *can't* do is phone to get a table on the day or afford their best wines.

ANYWAY - for Chinese food the very very best I've ever been to is Yming on Greek Street in Soho - very nice service, reasonably price (especially the wine - lovely drinkable 2000 Claret for sixteen quid!) - their twice cooked pork belly is to die for.

The ambience isn't quite "Intimate Italian Restaurant" as you seem to be looking for, but to be honest I've never seen that in a Chinese restaurant.

The nicer Japanese places do tend to cost a lot - I went to Zuma once and we spend 45 quid a head on lunch without even drinking (or rather SHE paid...)

Check out London Eating - www.london-eating.co.uk - they have excellent reviews by members of the public.  The marks out of ten often aren't a great guideline but I find by reading the reviews I quickly get a feeling for people who are like me in their views.

Good luck and enjoy dinner.