London restaurant recommendation for early 20s couple, special but not too expensive

[BarrelOfOtters]

DSD boyfriend taking her out for special meal 8n London. Wants a recommendation for something fun or romantic but a bit special. Budget needs to be sensible…..

Honey and Co in Bloomsbury is also wonderful. One of my favourite places.

Treehouse hotel is cool

Mumsnetters LOVE Brasserie Zedel. It's recommended every single time anyone asks. Multiple times

It's nice but not amazing. Cant you lot go somewhere new?

Zedel was poor on our last visit. Service was shambolic. I had soup but waited ten minutes for the bread to go with it. Various other mishaps. And then we were grilled as to why we asked for the service charge to be removed.

Previous visits all great though.

I'll echo that, Sarastro is a great choice. It was a very memorable dining experience, fabulous setting and food!

Zedel is a fab setting but more of a quick lunch when you are in town place, than a special date night.

I also love Honey & Co.

Zedel is great but a family place really, big groups, great value. I'd suggest the Big Mama chain - all are very cool spaces :)

Agree with the big mama group suggestions. There's a new one in Kensington called Jacuzzi or Ave Mario in Covent Garden is good.

Palomar near China town is great for Middle Eastern and very buzzy.

If they'd consider a weekend brunch the Roka on Aldwych does a great one with unlimited drinks which feels quite special but reasonably priced (for what you get).

If Peckham isn't too far I like the Kudu restaurants.

I was in Selfridges yesterday pm (waiting quite a while for my dd😅) next to the perfumes/lift to the Brasserie of Light. Lots of ‘younger people’ (20/30s) going up.

Definitely recommend Blacklock either in Soho or Covent Garden.