Selected: The Chef’s Kiss

EDITORS PICK

They say love is impossible without the love for food—or at least a great table to make the date go better. We’ve curated our top recommendations on where to take your loved ones. No matter if it’s London, Brighton or Dorkingyou call home, these are the spots worth the reservation.

GIOVANNI, knightsbridge

Classic Italian flavors, sophisticated, slightly old-fashioned furniture, a narrow private street, and an abundance of terracotta pots on the terrace. If those were the only words allowed to describe Giovanni—tucked away in Knightsbridge yet hidden from its frantic pace, they would be more than enough.

This restaurant once made a date of mine feel truly singular, having been opened exclusively for me and my companion at the time. The menu is as rich as Italian culture itself. Every delicacy we crave is present—fresh homemade pasta, seafood, Milanese, crisp citrus Gavi and my beloved tiramisu.

It is a place where dates simply cannot go wrong, because one can never truly go wrong with Italian. It is for those who prioritize the timeless over the trendy, whether in fashion or in food. In fact, Giovanni is both—an institution that is simply never out of style.

6-8 Yeoman's Row,

London SW3 2AH

Zephyr, Notting Hill

Zephyr! The name says it all. Nestled in Notting Hill—London’s most beloved romantic enclave—this Greek restaurant envelops you in a tenderness of flavors and aromas from the moment you sit down.

The aesthetic is a masterclass in “effortless cool”. Every detail—from the delicate Muranoglass accents to the flickering vintage candles and the edgy, handwritten script on the mirrors—testifies to a standard of uncompromising quality.

The menu is thoughtfully curated for a shared dining experience, intuitively divided into meat, seafood, vegetables, and traditional Greek spreads. The tzatziki and spicy aubergine are standout favorites, while the tomato salad is an absolute non-negotiable. And for the finale? The cheesecake is a revelation—quite literally worth selling your soul for.

For those who prefer spirits over sweets, the downstairs Naked Bar is an impeccable subterranean escape. Regardless of how the date unfolds, a Pisco Sour is the only way to bookend the evening.

100 Portobello Rd,

London W11 2QD

NINA, Marylebone

Another Italian gem. And please, don’t think we are playing favorites with the “mafia kitchen” aesthetic, but to fail to mention Nina’s impeccable ability to elevate a date would be a crime against humanity. Whether it’s the smooth flavors of melon and tuna or the duck ragu bianco, the experience is flawless.

Much like its sister restaurant, Zephyr, Nina offers a simple yet classically on-point menu designed to share—though perhaps with a richer palette due to its Italian roots. Plus, you can add black truffle to anything. Literally, anything. We love it, and you must give it a try too.

Don't forget to request a “special card” while booking if you are celebrating an anniversary. The team will sing something—not quite “Happy Birthday,” but a “Happy Anniversary” equivalent—while you awkwardly observe the other tables watching yours.

18 Thayer St, London W1U 3JY

Three Sheets, Soho

London is expensive, and naturally, dates are too—because you can’t exactly take your date to McDonald's, can you? (Zero hate to those who actually do as you might even spot me there when my wallet is as broke as my level of responsibility when I try to start a diet every Monday).

In that case, Three Sheets in Soho is the perfect alternative. Their coronation crab roll is just as impressive as their signature French 75: fresh, dizzy, bubbly, and the ideal way to start a date with something light yet palpable. But do not leave before trying their well-known Menai oysters, served with house hot sauce; three are complimentary with any Martini or Champagne order. Speaking of which, the Martini is another drink you cannot leave behind. Their reimagined Dirty Martini—complete with a caviar bump—might just become one of your best gastronomic discoveries yet.

13 Manette St, London W1D 4AP

LITA, MARYLEBONE

If you have ever wondered where Jeff Bezos took Lauren Sanchez on a date in London, look no further than Lita—a Mediterranean gem and true Michelin-starred highlight of Marylebone. Its vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean coast, combined with an abundance of sunlight and soul, will leave no guest indifferent.

To start the perfect date at Lita, do not overlook the Fuentes bluefin tuna and the Cecina de Wagyu; they are essential table additions. For the main event, the Aylesbury duck ragu is the definitive choice for those chasing a rich, memorable palette. To finish, we suggest the immaculate caramelized Pink Lady apple with jasmine mousse—nothing in this world is quite as tender as this dessert to sweeten your evening. All of this is set within an ambient, cozy space where low, warm lighting and wooden furnishings create an atmosphere that feels both relaxed and effortlessly classy.