New relationships are exciting, but the first date can sometimes be a little bit awkward to say the least. According to the dating site PlentyOfFish, the traditional dinner date is the number one preferred option to get to know someone. And if you’re a real foody, London is the place to be. Sometimes the choice can be overwhelming, but we’ve managed to narrow down a selection of the best places.
For a candlelight dinner…
London has a wide variety of cuisine options. If Italian is your cuisine of choice, try Trullo in Highbury. With a menu that changes twice daily, you’ll be spoiled for choice at both lunchtime or at dinner.
Or perhaps steak in a lowlight restaurant is more to your taste? Consider Hawksmoor Seven Dials. The flagship restaurant is located in Covent Garden, tucked neatly away in a side street, making it one of London’s hidden gems.
For dinner with a view, why not try Barge East? The floating restaurant in Hackney Wick sees dining take place on a 115-year-old boat and offers a globally inspired menu – as well as an impressive range of cocktails.
But if the drinks menu is more for you…
Grabbing a drink is another great way to get to know one another. Elite Daily says this is because there’s nothing to distract you from the other person.
London obviously has your standard cocktail bars, but what if you’re feeling a bit lost for words? Doodle Bar in Bermondsey has the solution. Here, you can write on the walls and leave sweet notes for your date. Just make sure it’s not a message you’ll regret in the morning…
For a more relaxed setting, try the Discount Suit Company, Whitechapel. They offer classic cocktails, with a side of Northern Soul and Vintage Rock N Roll. With low ceilings and even lower light, the DSC is the perfect venue for those wanting intimacy on their first date.
If you want to look especially cool on your first date, there’s nowhere quite like Ice Bar. Nothing breaks the ice quite like being among ice (even the tables and chairs are ice sculptures). Temperatures of -5 invite you to cuddle up to your partner for warmth, but don’t worry if you’re not there yet; winter cloaks and gloves are provided.
If you and your date find a spark and end up staying out later than planned, you might find yourself needing overnight accommodation. Consider booking a last-minute room at Dorsett Hotel, Shepherds Bush. Located a stone’s throw away from a stretch of trendy cocktail bars, it is the perfect place to retire after an amazing first date.
