Grab your gals and come celebrate Galentine’s Day at these top London restaurants

Don’t let the couples have all the fun on Valentine’s Day, because February 13th is for the girls and a special way to tell your pals and gals how much you appreciate them! That’s why TheFork is now celebrating Galentine’s Day, a unique day just for you and the most loved ladies in your life. Read on for 10 prime spots for you and your girl group to dine in style…

Bala Baya, Southwark

If you’re looking for a cool, contemporary spot for your next friend meet-up, then Bala Baya has you covered. Showcasing the finest cuisine from Tel Aviv in the Levant region, this dining space is set under the old railway arches of south Central London, perfect location to gather the girls.

Head chef Eran runs the kitchen here with passion and style, offering a tasting journey around the Middle East region. Try flavourful fusions like the lamb kebab dumplings with a date jus. Small plates of labneh, hummus and roasted aubergine follow, before decadent mains like the sea bass with fennel and the Tunisian tartar.

TheFork Rating: 9.1 Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM, 05:00 PM - 10:00 PM

BOOK Bala Baya, Southwark

Hoppers, Marylebone

If you and your gal pals fancy something far-flung and exotic to celebrate Galentine’s Day, then you will love Hoppers, serving delicious Sri–Lankan street-food inspired cuisine at their London Marylebone location.

Expect to try a range of flavourful dishes, from the Chettinadu Chicken Bites to Devilled Paneer to Hot Butter Squid. Roti Kothus come with rich fillings of Lamb or Jackfruit & Mushroom, and a range of rice dishes delight, like the Prawn Buriani with Raita. Dishes can be complemented with the signature Sri Lankan Hoppers and Dosa breads.

TheFork Rating: 9.2 Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 12–3PM, 5:30–10PM

BOOK Hoppers, Marylebone

No. Fifty Cheyne, Chelsea

Elegant dining space No. Fifty Cheyne in Chelsea is steeped in old-world charm, and will make a fantastic fancy dinner spot if you are gathering the girls to celebrate Galentine’s day. With an exterior laden with flowers, enjoy the romance of West London with your besties.

The menu here, from Head Chef Iain Smith, will have you and your date-night pals dizzy with excitement. For some light dishes, try Maple roasted Delica pumpkin soup with fresh black truffle, mushroom brioche bun and herb pesto, or Roast scallops with shallot purée, cèpe and bacon jam ragout with Champagne sauce.

TheFork Rating: 9.5 Opening Hours: Monday - Tuesday Closed, Wednesday 6–11PM, Thursday - Saturday 12–3PM, 6–11 pm, Sunday 12–4PM

BOOK No. Fifty Cheyne, Chelsea

Casa Tua, King’s Cross

If you and your gang want to enjoy some Italian flair this February 14th, then have your Galentine’s Day out at Casa Tua, in King’s Cross. Specialising in delicious pizzas and Italian dishes, this light and inviting restaurant space is full of flowers and attractive foliage to transport you away from the hustle and bustle.

Start with Artisan rosemary focaccia and Bruschettona, or the special Casa Tua arancini. Then welcome the next courses: Fattoria salad features Chicken milanese, grated goat cheese, mixed leaves, sun-dried tomatoes. The Pear and Gorgonzola Tortelloni is served with Parmesan shaves, toasted hazelnuts in a butter sauce.

TheFork Rating: 8.8 Opening Hours: Saturday - Sunday 10AM–10PM, Monday - Friday 11AM–10PM

BOOK Casa Tua, King’s Cross

Colonel Saab, Holborn

At Colonel Saab, Head Chef Sohan Bhandari is renowned for serving masterful dishes in beautiful surroundings near London’s Holborn. If you and your girls are looking for a Central spot this Galentine’s Day, then book your table now on TheFork.

Begin with tasty starters, from the Banana Panyaram served with Salted caramel coconut sauce, or the Indian Florentine, made with spiced spinach topped with an egg fried in chilli butter on toast. Next up, main dishes will delight, like the Kandhari Paneer Tikka, Paneercheese stuffed with prunes and pomegranate in tomato, garlic mustard salsa.

TheFork Rating: 9.2 Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 12–4PM, 5:30–10PM, Sunday Closed

BOOK Colonel Saab, Holborn

Indian Alley, Camden

London’s Camden has entered a new era of foodie supremacy, so is a great choice for your Galentine’s Day out. One of the prime spots is Indian Alley, in the iconic Stables Market. With an unmistakably Indian-inspired menu, expect a tasty and fragrance-filled meal out! A must-try are the Curries, Lentil Thali and the flavourful Biryani boxes, which are all available in Chicken, Lamb and Vegan flavours.

For a more casual bite, you can get that as a wrap to keep things light. Try a regional Bengali Baked Yoghurt for a delicious dessert.

TheFork Rating: 8.5 Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 11AM–9PM, Tuesday Closed, Sunday 11AM–8PM

BOOK Indian Alley, Camden

OPSO, Marylebone

If you and your girl group are South London based this February 14th, then put down the roses and chocolate and get yourself over to the trendy OPSO, a contemporary wine bar in Marylebone - available to book now on TheFork! With a menu inspired by the richness of Portuguese cuisine, Chefs Luis Freitas & Pedro Mota command their kitchen with skill in this post-industrial dining space. Enjoy a range of Petiscos, small-plates such as Arroz de Polvo; Atlantic octopus with carolino rice, white wine and coriander, or Asinhas Piri-Piri, oven-roasted chicken wings with sweet piri-piri sauce and spring onions.

TheFork Rating: 9.3 Opening Hours: Monday Closed, Tuesday - Friday 3:30PM-11PM, Saturday - Sunday 1PM-11PM

BOOK OPSO, Marylebone

Tongi Bar & Restaurant, Balham

South London’s neighbourhood of Balham is blessed with the presence of Tongi Bar & Restaurant, a vibrant upmarket Indian restaurant that is well-equipped to accommodate your Galentine’s Day celebrations. Pluck some tasty treats from the Chaat Counter, like the Delhi Aloo Tikki, Banarasi Samosa or the Vegetable Pakora. Their delicious meat dishes are sumptuous, like the Keema Pau - minced lamb cooked in home grounded spices and served with soft, buttered bread.

TheFork Rating: 9.2 Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 4PM–11:15PM, Saturday 12–11:45PM, Sunday 12–11:15PM

BOOK Tongi Bar & Restaurant 

Cheese + Fizz, Brixton

This upmarket end of South London’s Brixton is beckoning you and the girls on Galentine’s Day. If the idea of some Cheese + Fizz gets you giddy, then gather the girls and get your table booked on TheFork today.

The menu here is made up of a gorgeous range of starters, small plates and sharing platters for you and your party. Fresh and luxurious ingredients can be found throughout, from the Tapenade with Bread, to the Duck Rillettes and Escargots de Bourgogne. For something to enjoy together, try the Sliced Saucisson sharing platter, or the decadent Raclette with Truffle.

TheFork Rating: 8.8 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Wednesday 5PM–10PM, Thursday 11AM–10PM, Friday - Saturday 11AM–11PM, Sunday 11AM–5PM, Monday Closed

BOOK Cheese + Fizz, Brixton

Avocado Show, Mayfair

As you may have guessed, this Mayfair restaurant bases its creative menu around our collective love for Avocado, with an eclectic range of dishes that feature the superfood front and centre. If you and your girls usually go for the Avocado on Toast, then diversity your next brunch at Avocado Show!

From Avo Fries with Truffle Mayo, to the Nacho Mountain; Tortilla chips served with guac, salsa, beans, cheese, sour cream, jalapeños and coriander. Try something more healthy Avo Garden - Avocado, hummus, spices, herbs and flowers served with pita sticks. Sticking to the healthy theme, the poke bowls are a must-have, like the Salamango, made with Avocado, salmon, mango, edamame, wakame, furikake, sesame seeds, sushi rice and soy dressing.

TheFork Rating: 9.0 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 10AM–9PM, Friday - Saturday 9AM–9PM, Sunday 10AM–6PM

BOOK Avocado Show, Mayfair