Five Dinner Date Restaurants

Five Dinner Date restaurants for your inspiration. These are fail-safe crowd pleasers, so if you are ever stuck for a spot to dine at with a gorgeous Allure model, this might just interest you.

Pavyllon, located inside the Four Seasons, 1 Hamilton Place, W1J 7DR

Topping our list of five dinner date restaurants is the Michelin-starred Pavilion. Yannick Alléno brings Pavyllon to London. With no less than 15 Michelin stars under his belt globally, you know that making a reservation at Pavyllon will be as delicious as it is expensive, but worth it.

If you are looking to impress your date, then simply make a date at Pavyllon. Whilst it is unquestionably a fine-dining establishment within a five-star hotel, Pavyllon still manages to maintain a serene, relaxed atmosphere. Not too relaxed—here, you must dress to impress. No tennis shoes or baseball caps, at least not at dinner. After all, you are in Mayfair.

I know what you are thinking: this is just another overpriced restaurant in London, with its muted tones and optical white tablecloths. However, the service at Pavyllon really does set itself apart from other upscale restaurants in London. Your date will be offered a stool for her handbag, your water will be silently topped up, and you will not be rushed. It is the small touches that make the biggest impact here. Much like the portion sizes at Pavyllon.

At Pavyllon you and your companion can savour French classics made with the freshest British ingredients. Chef Yannick Alleno is known for his innovative cooking methods, such as “sous vide,” meaning “under vacuum,” and “cryo concentration,” meaning “frozen extraction,” to concoct his exquisite dishes. You and your companion can just sit back and taste the incredible gastronomic delights. Although the cooking methods are unconventional and perhaps complicated, the menu is thankfully not. At Pavyllon you will find chicken, fish, lamb, prawns, of course, but it is all in the sauces here. Garnishes such as curried mayonnaise, kombu broth, pomegranate veil and watercress coulis. A real treat for you and your companions’ taste buds.

Undoubtedly expensive and reassuringly so; however, there is a slightly more economical lunchtime offering at Pavyllon. For £55.50, you can enjoy a five-course lunchtime tasting menu. Ok, you are still looking at paying over £30 for a glass of champagne. No matter how nice you are to the head sommelier, Baptiste Beaumard. However, it is a world-class, wonderfully upscale and delightful restaurant right here in old London Town.

Sexy Fish, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 6BR

The glamorous and opulent Sexy Fish is a real head-turner for a dinner date. It’s decorated with artwork by Damien Hirst and serves Japanese cuisine with a fashionable twist. If you like Japanese whiskey, you can choose from over 400 bottles. The restaurant offers: a private dining room, the Coral Reef Room, as well as themed nights and live DJ sets. It’s an Instagram-worthy place for sure, and we just had to include it on our list of five dinner date restaurants.

If you are a foodie, I have to be honest: it’s a bit more style than substance. The food is “nice”, but it’s not the best meal you have ever had. I do not think a visit to Sexy Fish is really about the food; it’s more about being seen and enjoying. You feel like you are in a Mayfair club when you approach the ice-cold maître d. That’s not a criticism, but it’s a bit like the 90s. As soon as you are allowed to enter the bar area, you are greeted by a much friendlier barman. Maybe that means you are worthy of the marble and onyx that’s wall-to-wall here. The cocktails are extravagant, and so are the prices. It cost nearly £20 million to open this restaurant, so I suppose they have to recoup the investment somehow.

If you are prepared to enjoy the trip to Sexy Fish, it’s a blast. I prefer it at lunchtime. I like to people-watch and order the salmon and avocado maki rolls with a glass of champagne. The lunch menu is very reasonable, costing around £35. I would definitely recommend booking in advance so you do not have to dance with the waitress, but it’s a great experience. The restaurant is really impressive and offers the usual Western versions of Japanese specialities. With a pretty girl on your arm, you should definitely try it out.

Joia, art’otel, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, SW11 8BJ

With floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the splendour of the newly refurbished Battersea Power Station, it is certainly a gem of a dinner date location. If you want to impress your date with somewhere new and exciting, then make a reservation at Joia in Battersea.

Prepared to be wowed by Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa’s creations. He holds two Michelin stars, and boy, does it show. The menu is as vibrant and colourful as the restaurant’s interior decor. Expect lots of Iberian- and Catalan-inspired dishes, such as ham, tortillas, olives, and piri-piri, made to share. This is upscale tapas at its finest. With a fully stocked bar and an impressive wine list to accompany the flavoursome food. Not simply a restaurant, Joia has a restaurant, bar and rooftop for you and your date to enjoy. You and your date can soak up the sophisticated holiday atmosphere together. Getting to know one another over delicious food and impeccable service.

If you and your date wanted to make a night of it, then you can always retire to a suite at the Art’otel. Joia is located on the 15th floor of the Art’otel. The large windows look out across South West London. The restaurant itself is visually impressive. Muted pinks, corals, golds, and greens, with lots of shiny marble, make Joai a very aesthetically pleasing eatery. Battersea is now the nouveau riche capital of London. Apartments within the Battersea Power complex are selling for millions, and a shopping centre sells Rolex watches, Chanel cosmetics, small leather goods, and sunglasses. Battersea has come a long way since the power station was decommissioned in the 1970s. Every girl has been wined and dined in Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Marylebone and even Shoreditch. I guarantee that Battersea will be a new date destination. A first date ice breaker in itself. You will soon see why this made our list of five dinner date restaurants.

If you wanted to watch the sun go down over South West London with a tipple or two, then Joia offers 12 signature cocktails inspired by Iberian gems. Classic cocktails and, of course, sangria are also available. One thing is for sure, Joia is a great location to impress a companion. It offers fabulous fine dining and innovative cocktails in a relaxed, fun Art Deco setting.

Manzi’s, 1-8 Bateman’s Buildings, Soho, W1D 3EN

If you want to hit up the newest hot dining spot in town with a large dollop of nostalgia, we will give you the lowdown on Manzi’s in Soho. We recommend adding a beautiful companion —you have all the ingredients for the perfect date.

Back like they never left! The original Manzi’s was in Leicester Square. It opened in 1926 and closed in 2006. There has been a huge fish-shaped hole in the London restaurant scene ever since. Fear not, this much-celebrated seafood eatery is back and is serving fish and frivolity in equal measures. Enter a world under the sea where mermaids, giant sea creatures and a 3D Poseidon adorn the walls. One thing is for sure: London loves a theme, but perhaps Manzi’s has gone a little overboard with the decor. Nevertheless, it is a wonderfully fun setting for a laid-back yet upscale date.

Dine like a Greek God. If Poseidon and his friends, family and lovers were to book a table at Manzi’s, I do not doubt that they would be seated at the large round table on the first floor. I am certain they would appreciate the grand banquet seating with the plush green upholstered seats and gilded gold accents. Perhaps they would order the King Prawns, Scottish lobster or a Manzi’s Plateau to share. One imagines that those Greek gods must have needed a lot of protein in their diet to maintain those rippling muscles.

Manzi’s is a predominantly seafood restaurant, but if you or your date fancy lamb, beef, or chicken, there are plenty of non-fish options. Similarly, if you or your date is vegan or vegetarian, there are some creative dishes that may interest you. Furthermore, this place has something for everyone; you just have to appreciate the ostentatious efforts at every turn.

Knickerbocker glory days. Manzi’s dessert list deserves a special mention. Truly a blast from the past. Manzi’s has naughty, nostalgic treats such as Arctic roll, Black Forest gateau, Knickerbocker glory, and brandy snaps. If you long for desserts of the 1980’s then step back in time and head to Manzi’s. I can not remember the last time I saw fruit cocktail jelly on a menu, if ever. Especially not in a West End restaurant. I double dare even the most refined of palates. Who would not go weak at the sight of a huge knickerbocker glory, complete with a wafer and cherry on top?

Surprisingly, the new owners of Manzi’s in Soho brought us The Wolseley, The Delaunay and Brasserie Zedel. Manzi’s is a slick and sophisticated operation. The staff are friendly and accommodating, the menu is broad, and the drinks list is extensive. However, unlike its sister venues, it is not trying to be grand and conservative. You can not compare Manzi’s to The Wolseley. It is not quite Atlantis, but neither is it Scott’s. Somewhere in between, simply being flamboyant and certainly not conforming. One thing is for sure: Manzi’s will leave you with a smile on your face. Ride the wave like one of the fish murals displayed by the stairs. Not a place for someone who favours Wilton’s. Big kids only.

Coya, 118 Piccadilly, W1J 7NW

We love Coya for its lively atmosphere, its Peruvian plates to share, and its fabulous cocktails. Coya, the world-renowned restaurant brand with branches in Dubai, Paris, Mykonos, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh and Monte Carlo, is always a great place to go.

Upscale, elite, but very welcoming. I think it’s one of those places where everyone is treated well. When you are there, you are welcome. There’s no prejudice or ice-cream girls at the front desk here. Every member of staff has a smile for you, and the music is always upbeat yet quiet enough to have a good conversation over cocktails or ceviche.

Coya attracts an adult, sophisticated crowd. Sure, it’s swanky, but people aren’t here to show off; they are here to eat, drink, dine, and just be, making it an ideal setting for a dinner date. Coya is a lifestyle brand that takes great pride in its ambience. The company curates playlists and likes to describe the experience as multi-sensory. The Pisco bar offers a variety of innovative cocktails and often features live music from Thursday through the weekend DJ.

The food is really very good. When I first heard it was a mix of Peruvian, Spanish and Japanese dishes, I thought it was a recipe for disaster, but it’s actually a sensational success. Tacos, sashimi and steaks ensure that there is something for every palate. There’s also a reasonably priced lunch menu for £45 with a decent selection of dishes. If you find yourself in Mayfair, Coya is not to be missed. It really is one of those places that is both cool and modern without being snooty. Do not hesitate, make a date with one of our girls and enjoy Peruvian fusion cuisine!