Guanabara

Parker Street, London, WC2B 5PW

Tube: Holborn

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 17:00-02:30; Sun 17:00-12:00

Cuisine: South American

Average food spend: £10-£20

Guanabara gives you the true Brazilian vibe with its music, drinks and food. Its one of London’s late night spots where you will always find live music or entertainment 7 days a week. It’s not an intimate date place but certainly fun and guarantees a good night. Get there early to grab a table and take advantage of the Sunset Session where they have offers on selected drinks Monday to Saturday between 5-7pm. Be sure to look online for specific shows.

Guanabara website

The Brickhouse

The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, Shoreditch, London, E1 6RU

Tube: Liverpool Street

Opening hours: Dinner – Tue-Sat 18:30-10.30; Bar – 18:30-late

Cuisine: Modern European

Average food spend: £20-£30

If you are looking for an original date full of surprises Brickhouse is the place for you, located in the heart of Brick Lane in the historical Truman’s Brewery. This 3 floor establishment is stylish and chic which serves food on the first two floors and stylish beds on the upper floor where you can get close! There is a small charge for the entertainment, but it is worth every penny. The shows ranges from burlesque, cabaret to circus acts. The regular performers Leo & Yam put on a great contemporary show and are supported by other acts too who will captivate your attention throughout the night. You will need to book your table, ensure you get the best seats in the house which are the ones on the ground floor in front of the stage. They have a Dj on Friday’s and Saturday’s so you can finish the night with a boogie!

Look out for the trapeze act that drops from the ceiling!

The Brickhouse website

Buddha bar

8 Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London, WC2R 2AB

Tube: Embankment

Opening Hours: Dinner – Mon-Wed 17:30 – 12:30, Thurs-Sat 17:30 – 01:30; Mezzanine bar – Mon-Sat 16:00-late

Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Average food spend: £30-£40

London now has its own world renowned Buddha Bar – which is great news for all of us looking for that perfect date place looking for style and wanting to seduce. The red dimmed lights, ambient music and exotic cocktails will ensure you have that perfect evening. As soon as you walk in you are presented with a  grand Buddha and the mild scent of incense. We recommend you start off with a few drinks on the mezzanine bar which overlooks the dining area – you are sure to find an intimate seating area. If you are peckish you can order something off the bar menu (the sushi is amazing!) or you can dine downstairs – whichever you choose we guarantee the food will not fail to impress.

Buddha bar website

Yalla Yalla Beirut Street Food

1 Greens Court, Soho, W1F 0HA

Tel: 020 7287 7663

Cuisine: Lebanese

Tube: Piccadilly Circus

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-00:00, Sat 10:00-00:00, Sun 10:00-22:00

Booking: Not Necessary on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

Avg Food Spend: Under £10 per person

Outdoor Area: Tables and chairs outside where you can smoke shisha.

Disabled Facilities: Wheelchair Access, No Disabled Toilets

Yalla Yalla is an authentic little Lebanese cafe ideally tucked away just off the main drag. It’s a really sweet, intimate venue that’s great for a breakfast, Lunch or dinner. The food is cooked fresh every day and always served with a smile.  We think you can’t beat it for a relaxed bite to eat on a first date.

Yalla Yalla’s website

Café Caldesi

118 Marylebone Lane, London, W1U 2QF

Tel: 020 7935 1144

Tube: Baker Street

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: from 10.00am to 11.00pm , Saturday: from 9.30am to 11.00pm

Average food spend: £10-£20

 

This place is tucked away in the streets of Marylebone. It’s a traditional Italian that has been around for years. It hosts an informal setting with candlelit tables which are well spread out, so great if you don’t want to share your conversation with anyone else. The menu is simple and authentic – you can enjoy a relaxed café like atmosphere on the ground floor, or go to the first floor if you prefer a more classic Italian restaurant. Wherever you decide to sit you are guaranteed great service and great food. You can also plan a romantic meal at home – and ask Caldesi to prepare a meal in your own dishes so you can take them away and pass for your own!

Also if you fancy some cookery lessons ask about Cuccini Caldesi.

Cafe Caldesi website

Michael Moore

19 Blandford Street, Marylebone, London,W1U 3DH

Tel: 0207 224 0970

Tube: Baker Street

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00 & 18:30-23:00 Sat 18:30-23:30

Average food spend: £20-£30

Elegant, fresh and modern. It’s perfect on all levels offering you and your date an intimate surrounding for that special meal. Your taste buds will definitely be tantalised by the flavours of the world which are so well presented. We think you should book a table in the back area, and make sure you book in advance as it’s a popular place which is always busy! This one is sure to impress!

Michael Moore website

Brindisa

46 Broadwick Street, Soho, London, W1F 7AF
Tel: 020 7534 1690

Tube: Oxford Street

Opening hours: Mon –Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 13:00-18:00

Cuisine: Spanish

Average food spend: £20-£30

We think this is one of the finest tapas chains in London, and the best thing is that you can pre book your table here unlike the other Brindisa’s in town. As soon as you enter you get the sense of a intimate relaxed eatery. The staff are helpful and the food is delicious. You and your date can drink Spanish wine and share the tasty tapas and may be even share!

Best table in the house is the one near the window.

Brindisa website

Maison Berteux

28 Greek St, Soho, London, W1D 5DQ
Tel: 020 7437 6007

Tube: Oxford Street

Opening hours: Mon –Sat 08:30-23:00, Sun 08:30 – 19:00

Cuisine: Coffee & Cakes

Average food spend: £5-£10

If you like all things sweet this place is perfect – it’s a Soho gem that’s been around for almost 20 years.  It has a unique shabby personality will keep you coming back. If your date has never been here they will definitely thank you. Best seats are to be found outside but they are limited.

Princi

135 Wardour Street, Soho, London, W1F 0UT
Tel: 020 7478 8888

Tube: Oxford Street

Opening hours: Mon –Sat 07:00-00:00, Sun 09:00 – 22:00

Cuisine: Italian

Average food spend: £10-£20

Want to tempt your date with fine Italian delights then Princi is the place to go. You both will be overwhelmed by the variety on display under the glass counters and will want to try everything on offer. It serves amazing Italian meze which can be teamed up with perfect Italian coffee or a chilled glass of wine. Ideal if you just want to grab a quick snack if you are walking the streets of  Soho or to line your stomachs before a big night out of drinking and flirting! Try and avoid peak times as it can get very busy.

Princi website

Sacred Cafe

Kingly Court, off  Carnaby Street, Soho, London, W1B 5PW

Tel: 0207 7001628

Tube: Oxford Street

Opening hours: Mon –Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat -Sun 10:00 – 17:00

Cuisine: Coffee & Cakes

Average food spend: £5-£10

If fair trade and organic is your thing then this is ideal – you can get the perfect coffee and muffins here. It’s the ideal getaway from the mayhem of central London and if you are lucky there may be some entertainment in the square. Also it’s  perfectly placed in Kingly Court where you can explore the weird and wonderful boutique shops after a light bite.

Sacred Cafe Website