The nation’s capital. London. Londinium, as the Romans were wont to call our very favourite city. We owe many roads in our fine capital to our Roman forefathers - everyone knows the secret to a Roman road – build wide and straight. But does everyone know the secret to the best days out in London? Here at tastecard, we like to think we do! Much like the Roman roads, tastecard offers ‘straight’ up deals and a ‘wide’ array of different ways to save money. But, what to do over the Valentine’s period in London? Might London be the city that Cupid forgot? Is it just too expensive to celebrate in the capital? Happily, we can give you the answer to this question: a resounding ‘No’. London can be pricey, but in this guide, we’ll take you through the very best places to enjoy in the lead-up to Valentine's Day without breaking the post-Christmas, over-stretched bank.
Tom Pressman
10-01-2025
For Valentine’s, you’ll naturally be thinking about a cosy, romantic dinner for two. tastecard is accepted in many amazing and sought-after locations in London and Fitzrovia's Nordic Bar is no exception. Its location is super cool, so it’s sure to impress the trend-lovers and it’s within walking distance of some truly awe-inspiring London landmarks like the British Museum and The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.
Fans of hygge and all things cosy will love Nordic's interior. The venue may just be one of the most stylish London restaurants around with its sophisticated Scandi furniture, warm, earthy tones and a wealth of sumptuous scatter cushions. Absolutely perfect for a snuggled-up laidback Valentine’s evening, we think. Candlelit tables are always on the menu in this cute location, so your ‘other half’ will be subtly reminded that both dining a deux and romance is on the cards. Saving money is also destined to happen when proffering your tastecard as the bill is paid, but your special someone doesn’t need to know that her Swedish meatballs and lingonberry jam were two for one. Your secret is safe with us.
The Nordic Bar can be found at 25 Newman St, London W1T 1PN. Best to book in advance, though, because due to its intimate vibes and compact size, this eatery can get very busy around the holidays and key annual celebration dates.
If you’ve been with your special someone a good while and you are both enamoured with the spicier tastes in life, then why not use your tastecard to book a romantic dinner at an Indian restaurant? It might not seem like the obvious choice, but hey, obvious can be dull, and if you can both take the heat well, get in the kitchen! Not the actual kitchen, which might irritate the Chef’s spicy temperament. Let’s leave his temperament to ensure your vindaloo is hotter than hot, shall we?
We often dine at the Amera Rani restaurant in south Croydon. A bit off the beaten track, we grant you, but it’s worth making the journey south of the river to dine at this award-winning eatery. The reviews of this much-favoured location are always positive, and we’re not surprised because the cuisine offered up by the Michelin-trained chef is second to none. He prides himself on enlisting the authentic flavours of pre-colonial Indian cuisine, and only the best ingredients will do for the many truly unique dishes that take pride of place on his menu.
You’ll need to book this one in advance because it can get very busy, but what better way, in coldest February, to celebrate the ‘hottest’ of occasions the calendar has to offer? Just remember to show your tastecard when you ask your server for your bill and mention tastecard at the time of booking.
The Amera Rani Indian Restaurant is located at 248 Brighton Road, South Croydon. CR2 6AH.
Having a tastecard subscription is a great way to save money, but it is also a fabulous way to create lasting memories with your loved one on the calendar’s most romantic of days. We’ve shown you a couple of mouthwatering dine-out ideas above, so why not continue your date night on the 14th of February with a trip to the cinema to see the latest rom-com?
Research has shown that people who watch romantic movies report greater happiness in their own relationships and although it’s often said that men don’t like schmaltzy romance, this just isn’t true. Despite the traditional stereotypes, Darren and Ian - two bearded developers in our head office team - are always misty-eyed after watching Love Actually. Scientifically speaking, people who watch romantic movies are the biggest fans of the idea that "love conquers all" and often report the deepest relationship bonds. Who are we to argue with science?
With a tastecard membership, you immediately have access to a variety of market-beating cinema offers - you just need to decide what to see and where to see it. We enjoy a night at the Vue or, indeed, the Odeon because both are centrally located and have great public transport links to make sure you can get home in time for a good snuggle - the true meaning of Valentine’s Day is, of course, snuggling.
To book cinema tickets with tastecard, you need to purchase e-codes through the tastecard app and your freshly minted codes give you a discount compared to buying the tickets to your rom-com of choice at the box office. Each cinema has a set price for their e-codes, which can be used at any time on any day. There are also tastecard discounts on snack deals, so you’re not just saving money on the ticket. You can boss both the loaded nachos and the bank account!
The prices don’t vary depending on the day or at peak times, so you’re not going to run the risk of getting ripped off around Valentine's. Just make sure you check out your chosen cinema’s T&Cs before making a purchase.
If you and your special someone have only just got it together, then the lead-up to Valentine’s can feel awfully pressured. Celebrate pre-14th Feb with a low-key meet-cute and enjoy some time chatting and getting to know each other. With a tastecard membership, you can get access to Coffee Club - and, with it, some excellent discounts on barista-made drinks. We like to frequent Cafe Nero on London’s Regent Street and do some serious people-watching whilst saving 25% on our iced honey-oat lattes. But, over Valentine’s, you might want a more secluded backdrop, so why not try the eponymous coffee shop on Cranbourn Street - still very centrally located but has a vibe that is more relaxed if you want to chat.
When thinking about what to do over the Valentine’s period in London, you are never going to be stuck for ideas with a tastecard membership. From fine dining to cosy curries. From cinema trips to coffee sips, we have it covered with our unique subscription plan. What are you waiting for? You want to do it right this Valentine’s period, don’t you? Well then, get ahead of the game and get your London life sorted with tastecard. Be sure to keep an eye out for any terms or conditions surrounding celebrations days like Valentine’s when using your tastecard.
Italian, American, tapas - it’s all available to you at tastecard. Get ready to enjoy the flavours of the world without even having to leave the UK with tastecard!
