In a rush (i.e. your date is in a few hours)? No worries, scroll to the bottom now for the best first date ideas in London – with our megalist of curated options for all manner of date.
Let’s be honest, though, first dates can be daunting. No matter how bold we are on Bumble, how strong our Tinder game is or how many expert-approved Hinge hacks we’ve used, that first proper IRL meet-up is enough to reduce even the most experienced daters to a bag of nerves.
And particularly as the sunny spring weather is finally here (sort of…), you might regard getting that first date right as that tactical step to ensuring you’re all cosied up come winter (aka. have someone to eat snacks, drink wine and cuddle with in front of Netflix). That’s why it’s good to have a solid plan; an idea of what you’re doing and where exactly to go, to take the pressure off and impress your date with your excellent suggestions (we’ll let you take the credit).
The problem is, the options for the first date in London are endless… do you go to a restaurant? A pub? A bar? Or do you suggest an M&S meal for two and an evening of Netflix?
Don’t panic though, we’ve put together an eclectic selection of go-to spots and ideas for a first date in the capital, from seriously Instagrammable restaurants and pubs for those who want to keep it casual and budget-friendly, to boat picnics, ping-pong and pottery for those who want something a bit different. We’ve also put together some more niche suggestions for likeminded dates, for instance, if you’re a pair of fitness fanatics, we’ve got a cracking suggestion for a high-intensity class (if that doesn’t get the pulse racing, nothing will…!).
Plus, these are all brilliant ideas for friend dates too, whether you’re meeting up with a pal you met online over the pandemic or just want to plan something a little bit special for a friend who is in need of a pick-me-up.
Right, get your notepad out, these are our top first date ideas in London for the spring months to make sure you have a genuinely great time… all you need to do now is choose your outfit.
