Great locations to spend your Valentine’s Day

It’s that time of year again; cupids and hearts are everywhere, love is in the air and you’re looking to treat someone special to make them smile. Whether you’re able to go all out, want a more intimate setting or just want to treat yourself (self-love is just as important!), we have the best finds in London this Valentine’s for each budget.
Our best tip, before we get going, is to look at doing something either side of the big day, most restaurants and bars will still have normal prices either side of the 14th so it can sometimes be better to enjoy your romantic outing a little before or after Valentine’s!

£££ – Hey big spender
Aqua Shard
Nestled up high in the Shard, Aqua Shard serves contemporary British cuisine and can boast one of the best views in London. The Head Chef has carefully selected local produce from around London and combined them with seasonal staple ingredients bringing together the best of British turned on its head.
This Valentine’s Day Aqua Shard are opening their private dining rooms to couples and should you book for the big day you will receive a personalised red or black Aspinal of London slim credit card case, personalised while you eat. The menu is one to behold and has our mouth’s watering; from scallops to Beef Wellington to share, it doesn’t get much better.
Location: The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
www.aquashard.co.uk

Bob Bob Ricard
This stunning little restaurant hidden in the heart of Soho brings together the perfect blend of English and Russian cuisine where every couple has their own booth in which to whisper sweet nothings without having worry about anyone else overhearing the conversation. What probably makes this restaurant so well-known are their unique ‘Press for Champagne’ buttons which are built into every table and they are famous for pouring more champagne than any other restaurant in the UK!
Although they do not have a specific Valentine’s Day menu this is definitely a place to book up now, they price their menu’s depending on peaks so you receive something different for every type of event and their champagne (and this is the important part) is served by the glass as well as by bottle, so you can press that button to your, or your loved ones, hearts content.
Location: 1 Upper James St, Soho, London W1F 9DF
www.bobbobricard.com

££ – The middle ground
Flat Iron Square
Always struggling to decide on what type of cuisine you want? Flat Iron Square has brought together the best of independent cuisine and placed them all in one place, so you can wander from stall to stall before you make up your mind and sit outside to gaze up at the shard.
Covering over 40,000 sq. ft. and nestled into seven railway arches Flat Iron square is great for those looking to enjoy some slightly more unique food and live music. Normally open from midday until late every day the site holds everything from Mexican and Lebanese to ramen and pancakes. Be sure to get here early as the seating is communal so if you want a quiet corner then you’ll need to stake your place!
Location: 68 Union St, London SE1 1TD
www.flatironsquare.co.uk

On the Bab
Get ahead of the trend and try one of London’s best new cuisine Korean street food. On the Bab is becoming incredibly popular in Shoreditch for its Korean comfort foods, which many a person will tell you is divine. This quirky little place will allow you to eat like a local (albeit thousands of miles from Seoul) and to explore some Korean delicacies which may seem more familiar than others.
For anyone who has ventured over to South Korea you will know that beer and fried chicken is the delicacy of choice on almost every street in Seoul, but banish thoughts of KFC from your mind as there are plenty of different flavour options to leaving your struggling to decide!
Location: 305 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LA
www.onthebab.com

£ – Bargain hunter!
M. Manze Pie and Mash
What east ender doesn’t love pie, mash and liquor! The mere thought of our beloved pie and mash makes us here in the office seem all loved up and weak at the knees and what better fare to enjoy on the day of love than our very own traditional dish.
Manze’s is perhaps one of the most well-known homes of pie and mash and was originally set up in 1902 to serve the traditional pies and eels (stewed or jellied, your choice) to the hungry masses of the east end. Although there is no special Valentine’s menu we are sure there will be plenty of conversations on whether you want single, double or triple!
Location:
87 Tower Bridge Road SE1 4TW
105 High Street, Peckham SE15 5RS
226 High Street, Sutton SM1 1NT
www.manze.co.uk

Eat at home!
From those who are looking to stretch their culinary muscles to a simple plate of spaghetti bolognese, nothing says “I love you” better than a home-cooked meal. Instead of heading out why not stay in, pop open a bottle of something fizzy and whip up a feast.