Spanning the area between Marble Arch, Oxford Circus and Regent’s Park lies Marylebone, pride of place in one of the busiest and most highly sought-after parts of London. It’s only natural that the place is home to some of the capital’s most romantic first date spots, too. Marylebone has the perfect combination of quirky restaurants, sensuous bars and traditional British pubs, and all just a short walk from Mayfair, Hyde Park and Oxford Street, making it immensely popular among the more well-heeled crowd of city folk.
With exquisite fine dining on offer along with casual pizzerias and eateries inspired by the streets of Mumbai, Marylebone you’re guaranteed to find the right venue where you and your brand-new love interest can settle in for a proper evening of flirting, edging ever so slowly together as the night meanders on.
1. The Prince Regent
71 Marylebone High St, W1U 5JN
Situated in the heart of Marylebone Village and nestled in the midst of handsome Victorian architecture, The Prince Regent is an authentic English local as grand as its name would have you imagine. Boasting period features, audacious chandeliers and great gilded mirrors galore, the pub’s homely atmosphere can be seriously reassuring as you acclimatise to those first date butterflies—and once you’re a craft beer or three deep, you can switch things up with some classic pub grub or sharing dishes. The whole simply oozes decadence, reminiscent of the eponymous prince himself, flamboyantly clad as he often was—yet the pub still somehow remains easygoing and laidback, too. Its popularity isn’t hard to fathom!
Discreetly stylish and combining comfort with elegance, The Prince Regent is a bona fide icon, of not only Marylebone but all of London, a beacon of fun and get-togethers shining out across the capital, a renowned watering hole to which city folk far and wide gladly flock. Whether you and your date are after a lazy brunch, a mouthwatering Sunday roast or an indulgent dinner followed by flirty drinks, The Prince Regent has the flexibility and all-round enjoyable ambience to cater to every kind of first date!
2. Ibérica
195 Great Portland St, W1W 5PS
Ibérica serves up mouthwatering Spanish fare at an immensely coveted spot on Great Portland Street, along with specially selected Iberian wines to be appreciated amid the stunning interiors of this flagship split-level restaurant. The Marylebone restaurant is in fact the flagship of the entire Ibérica brand, and it’s easy to see why: Ibérica celebrates the very best of Spain: the history, the viticulture, the cuisine—the whole place simply abounds in tapas, paella and ham carving, as you might rightly hope it would.
Designed by award-winning Spanish architect Lázaro Rosa Violán, the restaurant features jaw-dropping Andalusian tiles, giant hanging glass lanterns and floor-to-ceiling windows, which flood the whole establishment with acres of natural light while providing a special and intimate atmosphere when night falls. It’s an absolutely ideal spot for a romantic and successful first date!
Seek tapas and Spanish beverages at the bar like true Spaniards, or settle in for a night of atmospherically lit Iberian-style flirting over an expertly created sangria. Show your date a seriously sophisticated night out as together you undergo an inspirational journey through the authentic flavours, style and spirit of Ibérica’s homeland.
3. Vinoteca
15 Seymour Pl, W1H 5BE
In the heart of Marylebone sits Vinoteca, one of the district’s most renowned wine bars, positively emanating class out the front door. Its handpicked selection of around 25 different vinos spans a broad spectrum of tastes and styles, and it varies by the week—so there’ll always be a nifty new glass of something swanky to pique your date’s interest.
With chic oak furniture, sexy low lighting and shining walls laden with bottles of vintage after vintage, Vinoteca somehow simultaneously achieves a bustling atmosphere and a peaceful, private ambience. It’s perfect for getting to know this hot new date of yours a whole lot better. And if you guys are feeling a little peckish, never fear: Vinoteca’s got you covered, with a smörgåsbord of fabulous British and European gastro fare.
4. Burlock
31 Duke St, W1U 1LG
Burlock lovingly emulates the buzzing heyday of 1930s Havana, serving up an astonishing 200 varieties of rum fused with organic exotic ingredients. The bar is widely considered one of the finest rum houses in the whole of the UK, and it’s a veritable haven for rum enthusiasts far and wide!
Matchmaker Tip:
Burlock is understandably most famous for its immense selection of world-class rums, but the resident mixologists sure know how to throw together some seriously saucy cocktails, too. We highly recommend Burlock’s signature daiquiris—especially when they’re combined with tasty tacos and naughty bar snacks, available till 10 every night!
Just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street, Burlock is famous for its grand veranda and perennial 2-4-1 happy hour deals, bringing only the best of the Caribbean to love-happy Londoners, as well as for its vintage prints, sipping salon corner—and retro hairdryers, of course!
5. XR
13–14 Thayer St, W1U 3JR
One of most unique date spots in all of London, XR’s range of fine wines and delectable cocktails has been expertly curated by chef Carlo Scotto to ensure a first date neither of you will forget in a hurry. The excellent terrace means you can enjoy XR’s fabulous outdoor space all year round, too, soaking in the summer sun over champagne or cuddling up under a heater in the dead of winter.
The menu pays tribute to lovely seasonal produce sourced from organic farms spanning the length and breadth of Britain, and Chef Scotto refreshes the XR menu fortnightly to keep even the regulars on their toes! And if you fancy finishing off a perfect night of romance with something sweet, scour the dessert menu for one irresistible treat after another. Perhaps even share a secret forkful or two with your gorgeous date…
If going a restaurant or bar does not appeal to you, why not take your date the the museum.
If you are ready to meet someone special, contact the friendly award winning matchmakers at Drawing Down the Moon Matchmaking.
