The most romantic restaurant for Valentine’s Day on this list is Le Jules Verne, on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, which holds two Michelin stars. The list covers 8 restaurants in 7 countries that are quiet enough to talk in and unusual enough to remember, and it is not ranked.
What makes a restaurant romantic? The company matters most, but the room helps: a table where you can hear each other, a setting you will remember, and food that does not rush you. We checked that each place is operating in 2026 and replaced the ones that are not.
| Restaurant | City | The romantic draw |
|---|---|---|
| Le Jules Verne | Paris | Eiffel Tower, two Michelin stars |
| Clos Maggiore | London | Retractable glass roof, 2,500 wines |
| Locanda Cipriani | Torcello, Venice | Island inn, reopened 2026 |
| Via Veneto | Barcelona | Michelin star, Dali legend |
| Sirocco | Bangkok | Open-air, 64th floor |
| Ambrosia | Santorini | Caldera terrace at sunset |
| Solo Per Due | Vacone, Italy | One table for two |
| The Cliff at Cap | Saint Lucia | Clifftop above the Caribbean |
Which are the most romantic restaurants for Valentine’s Day?
Le Jules Verne, Paris
On the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne has been led by chef Frederic Anton since 2019, with interiors by Aline Asmar d’Amman. It reopened on 20 July 2019 after a restoration, won a Michelin star in January 2020 and a second star on 18 March 2024. It replaces the Paris entry from our old list, the Odile Decq-designed L’Opera at the Palais Garnier, which was taken over in 2019 and renamed CoCo with a classic Art Deco look.
Clos Maggiore, London
The conservatory dining room at Clos Maggiore, near Covent Garden, has a fully retractable glass roof, and on winter nights a fire and candlelight. The wine list runs to more than 2,500 labels and has won Wine Spectator’s Grand Award every year since 2014. Lunch is served until early afternoon and dinner from 5 pm, but check the restaurant’s reservations page, which changes in December.
Locanda Cipriani, Torcello, Venice
Giuseppe Cipriani, the man behind Harry’s Bar, bought a wine bar on the island of Torcello in 1936, and Ernest Hemingway is among the writers linked to the inn. It reopened in 2026 after a two-year restoration, with ten rooms, and the official site says it closes for winter on 31 October and reopens on 19 March 2027. So it is a spring and summer choice; for Valentine’s Day, book it for the first season after reopening.
Via Veneto, Barcelona
Via Veneto on Carrer de Ganduxer has held a Michelin star in the recent guides (2025 and 2026). It is described as having been a favourite of Salvador Dali, which is part of its legend, and it is known for classic Mediterranean cooking and a deep wine cellar. We recommend booking ahead and confirming opening days, since it is closed on Mondays.
Sirocco, Bangkok
Sirocco is the open-air restaurant at the top of the State Tower, listed on the 64th floor, with the Sky Bar alongside. Walk-in only applies to the bars, not the restaurant, according to the venue’s own site. The views are the point, so go at dusk.
Ambrosia, Santorini
Ambrosia in Oia serves dinner every day from 6:30 pm on a terrace facing the caldera, and has two antique-filled indoor rooms. It lists neoclassic Greek cooking with international touches. When you book, ask for the upper terrace to get the sunset. A table is listed from about 51 euros a head.
Solo Per Due, Vacone, Italy
Solo Per Due claims to be the smallest restaurant in the world: one table, two guests. Remo Di Claudio founded it in 1989 in a 19th-century building near the former estate of the poet Horace, and it serves lunch and dinner. Bookings are confirmed more than 10 days ahead and are usually full for months. Reported prices range from about 500 euros for two to a fixed 1,000 euros, cash only, so confirm before you go.
The Cliff at Cap, Saint Lucia
The Cliff at Cap Maison sits above the sea on a clifftop, with views toward Martinique to the north and Pigeon Island to the west. Executive chef Craig Jones cooks contemporary French West Indian food. Dinner is listed from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. A Caribbean travel report in October 2026 called Cap Maison’s seaside table the most romantic in Saint Lucia.
What changed since the old list?
We removed The Opal Lounge in Cape Town because we could not confirm its status, Majlis Al Bahar in Dubai, which listings now describe as closed, and the Paris L’Opera that has since been renamed. We added Le Jules Verne. The Sirocco tip about the sky bar’s colour-changing glass is gone because we could not confirm it. Our list of the world’s best rooftop bars still covers the Sky Bar.
Keep reading
- Best Valentine’s Day destinations in America: a trip to go with the dinner
- Best Valentine’s Day destinations in Europe: the European version
- Best restaurants in Dubai: the Dubai option we dropped
- Best hotels in Dubai: where to stay
- Best nightclubs in Dubai: the late-night follow-up
FAQ
What is the most romantic restaurant in the world?
It is subjective, but Le Jules Verne in Paris, two Michelin stars on the Eiffel Tower, is our pick for Valentine’s Day.
What is the smallest restaurant in the world?
Solo Per Due in Vacone, Italy, which seats only two people at one table. It claims the title and was founded in 1989.
Is Locanda Cipriani open?
It reopened in 2026 after a restoration. The official site says it closes on 31 October and reopens on 19 March 2027.
Do I need to book these restaurants?
Yes. Solo Per Due requires more than 10 days notice, and Le Jules Verne, Clos Maggiore and Ambrosia fill up around Valentine’s Day.
Which restaurant on the list has a retractable roof?
Clos Maggiore in London, with a fully retractable glass roof over the conservatory.
Why did you remove some restaurants from the old list?
Some had closed or changed. The Paris L’Opera was renamed CoCo in 2019 and Majlis Al Bahar in Dubai is now listed as closed.
How we put this list together
We checked each restaurant’s current status and published details from its own listings and guide results, and removed places that appear closed or changed.
Last updated: October 2026.
