14 best date ideas for Valentine's Day
Whether you want to go for the full, old-school candlelit dinner or sit on a bench and get stuck into a messy V-day bagel, we've rounded some of our favourite spots for Valentine's Day.
Wahaca
Forget candlelight and starched tablecloths, and dial up the vibrant Mexican flavours this Valentine’s Day. Wahaca have lovingly created a sharing feast of tasty seasonal dishes that’s perfect for two. Street food-hungry couples can enjoy the specially-created seasonal dishes between February 13-16. The Street Food Lovers Set Menu for two (£20 per person) kicks off with freshly-made Guacamole with tortilla chips and then packs in a Sweet potato & feta taquito, Buttermilk chicken tacos, Trealy Farm chorizo quesadilla and Wahaca’s signature Pork pibil tacos, alongside Duck croquetas, Crispy cauliflower bites and Grilled tenderstem broccoli. Especially for Valentine’s Day, Wahaca’s Churros (£5.25) are coupled with never-ending dipping chocolate - and to encourage a little extra romance, Wahaca has gone the extra mile and is serving its Chocolate & pecan brownie (£5.95) with two spoons as standard - proving that sharing really is caring.
16 S St Andrew St, EH2 2AU. 0131 202 6850. Book your table here.
Dine
Indulge in a special menu designed for Valentine's Day romance. Located just above the Traverse Theatre off Lothian Road, award-winning brasserie Dine are offering a decadent three-course menu for £39 per person. For starters, there’s a lavish spread of Fruits de Mer to share with Scottish oysters, langoustines, mussels, smoked salmon, king prawns, clams, capers, aioli, lemon and mignonette, followed by succulent roast rack of lamb then an indulgent chocolate tart.
1/F, 10 Cambridge St, EH1 2ED. For bookings, click here or call 0131 228 1818.
Number One
At the other end of town, Head Chef Mark Donald has created a bespoke six-course Tasting Menu for a special Valentine’s weekend at Michelin-starred Number One. It features warm Crab and Ibérico chawanmushi canapes before you even get started, then we move on to the main event with foievioli, wild turbot with arrots and clams, Tweed Valley beef fillet served with barbecue calçot and black garlic, classic rhubarb & custard, amedei chocolate with bourbon and Jerusalem artichoke, all finished off with Petit Fours.
The Balmoral, 1 Princes St, EH2 2EQ. To book the six-course Tasting Menu, £125 per person, call 0131 557 6727.
Forth Floor Brasserie Edinburgh
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Restaurant are serving up a four-course feast with champagne on and romantic amuse-bouche on arrival for £55 per person. Some menu highlights (in a menu consisting of absolute excellence) for us has to be the venison carpaccio starter, sous vide loin and slow roast belly of Scottish pork main and the lovely rhubarb and blood orange souffle dessert. If you want a look at the full menu, click here.
Harvey Nichols. 30-34 St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD. Click here to book online.
Prestonfield House
Pull out all the stops with a candlelit dining experience in Rhubarb and an overnight stay in one of Prestonfield House’s luxury rooms. The Romantic February offer includes dinner, bed and breakfast for £265 a night with a complimentary bottle of champagne. Priestfield Rd, EH16 5UT. Available Sunday to Friday, from 01 - 29 February 2020. Call 0131 225 7800 or book online by clicking here.
Hotel du Vin
You can also spend a Valentine Sunday Stopover at Hotel du Vin Edinburgh, with rooms from just £30 when two dine on their Valentine’s menu (£99, including a glass of Champagne) on 16 February. Exclusive to you when you book direct. We're also running a special Valentine's competition which you can enter here.
11 Bristo Pl, EH1 1EZ. Find out more here or call 0131 285 1479.
Bross Bagels
The much-loved bagel aficionados have designed a one-off sweet treat for Valentine’s Day. The V Day bagel, which will be available in all shops from 14th-16th February, is filled with strawberry schmear, cinnamon waffle, Nutella & crumble - served in all Bross locations in the city for Valentine’s weekend for £6 a go.
Spry Wines
Serving delicious organic wines and a selection of seasonal small plates, Spry Wines at the top of Leith Walk has become quite a hot spot since it opened on Haddington Place at the end of last year.
1 Haddington Pl, EH7 4AE. Or, check them out here.
Good Brothers
Tucked away on Dean Street in Stockbridge, Good Brothers is another hip neighbourhood bottle shop, wine bar and kitchen where you can enjoy light bites or a proper dinner. 4-6 Dean St, EH4 1LW. Click here to find out more.
Pickles
Another great spot for a cheese and meat platter, not to mention a great glass of wine, Pickles on Broughton Street has been around for decades offering a relaxed and casual destination for those looking for something a little more low key.
60 Broughton St, EH1 3SA. Find out more here.
Decanter Bruntsfield
The newest opening on the list, Decanter in Brunstfield calls itself a ‘winery & dinery of utmost finery’ but don’t be put off by the fancy tagline, this cool but cosy restaurant and wine bar is making a name for itself with a warm welcome, interesting menu and, of course, a great selection of wine.
183 Bruntsfield Pl, EH10 4DG. Booking is advised, which you can do here.
Market Street Hotel
Be indulgent at Edinburgh’s hottest new hotel & Champagne Bar The stylish Market Street Hotel are running a Bubbles, Bed & Breakfast offer priced from £139 throughout February and March 2020. The package includes a glass of Champagne per person, overnight accommodation and full Scottish breakfast.
6 Market St, EH1 1DE. Book your spot here.
For something different...
Scotsman Picturehouse
Upgrade your usual night at the flicks. The rather chi-chi Scotsman Picturehouse is celebrating Valentine’s Day on Thursday 13 February with a special screening of Kinky Boots paired with a seasonal three-course meal in the Grand Café.
20 North Bridge, EH1 1TR. £44.95 per person. Click here to book.
The Stand
It doesn’t have to be all hearts and flowers... avoid all the smug couples at The Stand Edinburgh’s Anti-Valentine’s Day night on 11 February. There will be laughs courtesy of comedians Gareth Waugh, Gus Lymburn, Kimi Loughton and Krystal Evans, plenty of booze and absolutely no PDAs (you have been warned).
5 York Pl, EH1 3EB. £6 entry, doors 7.30pm. Book online here.