10 Foodies Share Their Favourite Date-Night Bars In London
Bre Graham
Food Writer
“There's nothing better than a martini (my favourite has gin with a twist and an olive) or negroni at the bar at St. John Smithfield. There's always such a buzz at the bar and I love that after years of living in London, it has never changed. It really is a failsafe spot and no matter what changes in my life, St. John doesn't. It's a sentimental spot for me but a cocktail and a Welsh rarebit to share is hard to beat. On a date, I’ll also order bone marrow on toast and a salad, plus two desserts of the day, ideally madeleines and ice-cream. And for a really special date, it has to be The Beaumont for fancy ice-cream sundaes – you can build your own.”
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Kitty Coles
Food Stylist & Recipe Developer
“I've been with my boyfriend for ten years, so I haven’t ‘dated’ in a while, but we still love going on dates – and I always take my friends out for date nights too. My first choice is Bar Italia, followed by The French House. Bar Italia, which has been around since 1949, embodies the Soho I love: chaotic and a bit mad. It’s also one of the best spots in the city for people-watching. They’re famous for their espresso martinis, but I often just go for a classic negroni. I don’t think I’ve ever had food there, maybe just some olives. As for the music, is it bad that I’ve never really noticed it? Bar Italia is just so unique – it’s that vibe that sets it apart.”
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Claire Fyfe
Chef & Food Writer
“I love Frank’s, the bar tucked away below Maison François in St James’s. I’m a huge fan of the restaurant; I love the food and the vibe. It ticks all the boxes, and finding a place in London that's equally cool for pre-dinner drinks (or just drinks and nibbles) under the same roof is perfect – and quite rare. Frank’s is intimate, cool and understated. I love the champagne daiquiri made with rum, lime and champagne. They also offer a lovely French snack menu with olives, jambon and pâté, but I always go for the comté gougères, which is perfect with an aperitif. Plus, the bar has an oyster happy hour during the week from 5pm to 5.30pm, when 6 oysters cost just £6. It’s a great way to start off date night, followed by £9 cocktails after 9pm – the perfect way to finish.”
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Honey Spencer
Sommelier & Restaurateur
“Naughty Piglets is the cosiest wine-led bistro on Brixton’s Water Lane. With dim lighting, shelves filled with old cookbooks, and an incredible wine selection, it sets the perfect tone. Margaux, the owner, always cellars some of her best wines, so if you're in the mood for something special, be sure to ask about their secret selection. Beyond the wine, they host a rotating roster of London’s top chefs in residence, offering a unique dining experience. And if you're there between Wednesday and Friday, don’t miss their life-changing jambon-beurre baguette – it’s one of the UK’s best.
“For a completely different vibe, Kioku Bar at OWO on Whitehall has become my favourite date-night spot. It transports you to a hidden Tokyo drinking den with its intimate atmosphere and incredible snacks from Michelin-starred chef Endo Kazutoshi. The sake list is curated by Sake Samurai Natsuki Pim and Anthony Yukio. I love watching Anthony line up records to play while pouring me some of the sake gems he's discovered in Japan. Another favourite of mine is Bruno, a miniature wine cave in Victoria Park owned by Michael Sager of Sager+Wilde. Michael showcases some of the best wines he imports at generous prices, and the rotating chefs always impress. Don’t miss the wines from Piedmont’s iconic Cascina Lieto.”
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Denai Moore
Chef & Owner of Flaky!
“Seed Library in Shoreditch is the perfect spot when you're trying to impress your date – it’s ideal for a second or third date, when you've moved past the small talk and are ready for deeper conversations. The atmosphere is intimate and sexy, even without candles on the table. Every time I go, I try a new cocktail. Its menu is super creative, with flavour combinations I’d never think of – I usually ask the bartender for a recommendation and go with that. For snacks, I always order olives. I also love when bars serve miniature versions of bigger dishes, like mini toasties or bite-sized burgers. I’m really into the trend of nostalgic snacks too, like adult potato smiles or a scotch egg. The music is another plus as it’s never too loud, so you can actually have a conversation without shouting across the table.”
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Amelia Christie-Miller
Founder of Bold Bean Co.
“Dan's in Dalston has a cosy, mismatched, neighbourhood vibe that makes you feel right at home, no matter what you’re wearing or who you're with. I love how they don't bother with listing vineyards or wine origins – it’s more about the experience. They describe the wine as ‘crisp white’, ‘textural white’ or ‘hectic white’, so I mix it up depending on the weather. For snacks, I always go for the cheese, pickles, sourdough, charcuterie and the essential Spanish torta biscuits. The music is a bit hit or miss depending on which staff member is on the Bluetooth, but that’s part of its charm.”
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Hannah Crosbie
Wine Expert
“I spend any free moment right now visualising my return to Goodbye Horses, which is a late contender to be one of my favourite wine bar experiences of the year. The vibe is perfect: dimly lit with lovely staff you wish were your real-life friends. The wine list, printed on sugar paper, brings back memories of a school project, and it’s totally unintimidating. The decor is beautiful, clearly bespoke but not overdone. As for drinks, there’s no definitive favourite – the selection is vast and leans toward natural and low-intervention wines. The by-the-glass menu makes it easy to find something great, and their non-alcoholic options are just as impressive. I once had a strawberry vinegar drink that disappeared in two minutes. The food is also insanely good. I can’t recall everything I had, and the photos of the menu are too blurry to read, but I do remember something cooked in crispy rice that was out of this world.”
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Callie Thorpe
Content Creator
“I recently went on a double date to Provisions in Holloway, a deli and wine bar that just opened its pintxo bar, Topa. The menu is inspired by the food of San Sebastián, with lots of small, sharing plates. I loved the roasted pickled onions with ossau iraty, which had the perfect balanced of acidity and umami flavours, as well as the gildas, a classic Basque pintxo that’s salty, spicy, and fresh. The Cornish crab with crispy chicken skin was also fantastic, as was our main of Lake District beef cheek. The atmosphere is perfect for date night – think candlelit, romantic window nooks, and shared tables for drinks with friends. The music was immaculate – I Shazammed at least four songs. The wine list is also excellent, curated to complement the plates on offer. There’s a great selection of natural, biodynamic and small-producer wines. We took a recommendation from the host and went for a crisp, fresh white.”
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Lily Jones
Founder of Lily Vanilli
“My favourite spot is definitely The French House in Soho. It always has a great crowd full of interesting characters, making it the perfect starting point for a fun night out. Whether you head upstairs for dinner or venture out into Soho for more adventures, the vibe is always lively and welcoming. I usually go for half pints when I’m there – my go-to drink. The restaurant upstairs is fantastic for a romantic dinner (or really any kind of dinner), and the snack options are simple but satisfying, with crisps and nuts on offer. As for music or extras, The French House doesn’t need any. It’s all about the atmosphere and the people, and that’s what makes it so special.”
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Sarah Fulton Vachon
Founder of Citizens of Soil
“I love Joyce, a cosy neighbourhood wine bar in Brockley. It’s the perfect place to unwind, with a relaxed, laid-back vibe that welcomes you just as you are. The space has a minimal aesthetic, with warm peachy walls that bathe everything in a lovely hue, no matter the time of day. The corner location makes it bright and, when the weather’s right, tables and benches spill out onto the street, offering a great spot to enjoy a drink in the sunshine. Joyce has the kind of atmosphere where you could go for a first date or a 100th date. My go-to drink is often a new wine from a smaller-scale producer, though they also serve delicious spirit-based cocktails like mezcal and lime soda. If I’m in the mood for balance, they offer a couple of non-alcoholic wine alternatives. As for food, while the snack menu is limited, they serve fantastic local sourdough paired with award-winning Spanish extra virgin olive oil. If you’re craving more, you can grab Yard Sale Pizza from down the road, or, on summer Fridays, pick up fish and chips from Brockley Rock to enjoy outside with a crisp, acidic white.”
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