The most romantic restaurants and bars to visit in Mayfair
by Annabelle Spranklen
When you’re looking for a romantic evening, you need somewhere with unflappable staff, beautiful interiors, soft lighting and of course, delicious dishes. There might be velvet booths and steamy sharing plates too that encourage a little intimacy, or a private chef’s table to really step things up a notch. Here’s our pick of the most romantic restaurants and bars in Mayfair that will make anyone swoon.
Romantic restaurants
The Ivy Asia
If old-school romance isn’t for you, the Shrek-green, bubbling Vesuvius glass floor and pink blossom at The Ivy Asia, Mayfair might hit a better note. This restaurant is joy-making as soon as you sweep through the doors, with funky music, theatrical cocktails and tasty dishes (think sashimi in yuzu and black cod in miso) that will guarantee a sizzling night.
Mount St. Restaurant
There’s something reassuringly refined about dining at Mount St. Restaurant. A doorman in a top hat greeting you on arrival, sitting amongst some of the art greats as you tuck into decadent lobster pie for two and apple and blackberry crumble soufflé, as you ask yourself, is that a Lucien Freud over there? That must be an oil painting by Matisse! A date night masterpiece.
BiBi
If authentic Indian food beckons this Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to make a beeline for BiBi. Coming here feels a little like being on a luxury train in the middle of Darjeeling, with a menu that blends contemporary skills with traditional Indian comfort food dishes (chukh masala chicken thigh, malai Cornish native lobster, ghee daal). It’s hard not to love.
HÉLÈNE Darroze at The Connaught
With no less than three Michelin stars to its name, a trip to Helene Darroze at The Connaught always feels like an event but for loved-up couples, the Chef’s Table experience is another level of special. Set at a chic link marble table looking out across the pass, lucky diners look on as Darroze’s team whip up an entirely bespoke menu especially for you.
Bacchanalia
A riot of glamour, from the classical-inspired statues to the tempting Mediterranean menu, Bacchanalia trumpets that its “singular mission is to provide abundant pleasure”, and it delivers by the bucketload. From caviar to Italian feasting specials (bistecca with truffle cauliflower and lobster paccheri pasta), you’ll set for a night of romance.
The Colony Grill Room
The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont has become synonymous as being a favourite of steak-lovers and who are we to argue. There’s a clubby vibe to the place, with burgundy leather seats and low ceilings, with a moorish menu filled with dry-aged meats cooked over charcoal. You’ll want to try the sticky sweetcorn ribs and the bespoke ice-cream sundae menu. Pure indulgence.
Lucky Cat
If you love cats and Asian cuisine, Lucky Cat is your date night destination. Inspired by the Thirties drinking dens of Tokyo and the Far East, there’s endless rows of waving gold cats that line the walls with a showstopper of a menu – razor clams with wasabi and green apple not to mention the freshest sushi and sashimi.
Kai Mayfair
Michelin-starred Kai has been dazzling Mayfair diners with “liberated Chinese cooking” since 1993. Come here for a refined take on the dishes of China’s Nanyang coastal region, especially the seafood. Don’t miss the famous lobster noodles and the brilliant black pepper beef. The elegantly mirrored dining room also hosts a knockout Chinese Whispers Afternoon Tea.
Jamavar
With glamorous interiors and accents of yellow gold everywhere, stepping foot inside Jamavar makes even a duckling feel like a swan.This Michelin-starred restaurant offers a lavish menu that takes inspiration from across India – from idli, the rice and lentil cakes of southern India to the rich butter chicken.
Scott's
You can’t go wrong with a Valentine’s day meal at the Mayfair institution that is Scott’s. This place, with its starch-white tablecloths and buzzy-as-a-honeypot vibe, continues to turn heads and pull the crowds. Oysters, langoustines, lobster, Dover sole and turbot are the way to go, with caviar one of its specialities.
The Barley Mow
Sometimes a romantic evening means posh pub grub and Mayfair’s Barley Mow should be your go-to. If you can tear yourself away from homemade scotch eggs at the bar, hotfoot it upstairs to the restaurant for hot cockles in garlicky butter or the beef pie with mash and parsley sauce. Do leave room for the brown butter madeleines too.
34 Mayfair
Discreetly plush, with soft beautiful lighting, perfect acoustics and an Art Deco-inspired dining room, 34 Mayfair was made for an intimate evening with your loved one. Famed for its grilled classics including USDA Prime and Australian Wagyu beef, alongside crispy duck salad and lobster mac ‘n’ cheese.
Romantic bars
The Red Room at The Connaught
Hidden behind a velvet-curtained doorway, this chic space, with its dazzling pink onyx bar, has artworks from four pioneering female artists on display, each on the theme of ‘red’ which couldn’t be more fitting for Valentine’s Day. With over 3,000 labels and 30,000 bottles to choose from, The Red Room at The Connaught is also a real oenophile’s dream.
Mr Fogg's Apothecary
You’ll be whisked back to the Victorian era at Mr Fogg’s Apothecary, the discreet Victorian townhouse inspired by the Around the World in 80 Days adventurer Phileas J Fogg. Plush velvet sofas and grandfather clocks are washed down with cocktails that smoke and flame. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more fun spot for a pre-dinner tipple.
