400 Romantic London Restaurants (sorted by reviews)

Orrery restaurant seats 100 guests in an elegant dining room on the first floor of a converted stable block, overlooking Marylebone Church Gardens. After years of neglect, the original Burtons Stable Building was renovated in 1997 to provide space for one of the most elegant restaurants in London: a long, slim room with banquette seats flanking one wall, and a lovely view through large arched windows opposite. Menu favourites include foie gras, pied de cochon, veal sweetbreads and Pyrenean milk-fed lamb. The cheese trolley showcases fabulous cheeses sourced from small independent producers in France, and is a reason alone to visit.

La Porte des Indes is Indian cuisine on a grand scale, from the nine-metre waterfall cascading through the restaurant to the eight chefs in the kitchen. The food is just as spectacular, borrowing flavours from the former French colonies to add to its array of traditional dishes. Its central London location should mean you can spare some time for a visit to the Jungle Bar, where patrons are encouraged to throw peanut shells on the floor.

Located just a two-minute walk from the Houses of Parliament, Quirinale Italian restaurant in Westminster is a bright, spacious dining venue with regularly changing Italian menus and dishes based on seasonal produce. Named after Rome's presidential palace and also one of the seven hills of Rome, Quirinale's welcoming dining room has been designed by David Collins and features cream leather banquettes, limestone, and limed oak floors. Head Chef Stefano Savio has established a reputation as an innovator of outstanding Italian food. Importing many ingredients direct from Italy, he prepares his dishes in a straightforward style, yet with bold Italian flair. Prepared using the freshest seasonal ingredients, the staff at Quirinale takes great care in the creation and presentation of the restaurant's Italian cuisine. Traditional lasagne, spaghetti and daily changing risotto go hand-in-hand with delicious sea bass, halibut and meat dishes on the menu.

For a master class in modern Indian cuisine, Chutney Mary can't be beaten. Set at the Chelsea Harbour end of King's Road, this acclaimed restaurant is a favourite for romantic evenings. Since opening in 1990, Chutney Mary has twice been awarded the title of Best Indian Restaurant in the UK from the authoritative Good Curry Guide and has also received high praise in the press, as well as recommendations from the Hardens and Square Meal restaurant guides. A seductively elegant interior paves the way for a gourmet trail exploring the regional foods of India, with an emphasis on current trends such as seafood and kebabs. Colourful, exotic and innovative dishes are perfectly complemented by an exceptional wine list compiled by best-selling wine author and award-winning wine buyer, Matthew Jukes. Start with a warm soup, hearty kebab or spicy seafood selection, before moving onto the main courses, cooked using some of the best corn-fed chicken and lamb from London's finest suppliers. The stylish decor and friendly atmosphere of Chutney Mary also makes it ideal for private parties and corporate functions. You and your guests can enjoy a serene private dining experience in the Upper Dining Room, with the option to tailor the menu to suit your wishes.