Where to Enjoy a Romantic Dinner in Fulham

For a romantic dinner in Fulham, look for a restaurant where the food gives you something to talk about, the drinks list has a proper bottle of Champagne, and the team lets you take your time. At Pure Indian Cooking on Fulham High Street, our favourite date night formula is Chef Shilpa's ten-course tasting menu, a saffron cocktail to begin and a walk by the river afterwards. Here is how to plan it.

What makes a restaurant good for a date?

Romance is less about candles than about the evening flowing well. You want food that is a little special without being intimidating, a menu you can share, and service that is attentive without hovering. A good date restaurant also makes the practical side easy: an easy journey there, a table at the time you want, and somewhere pleasant to walk afterwards.

Indian food has a natural advantage here. It is made for sharing, it has huge variety, and ordering together becomes part of the fun. Our dining room is run by Faheem Vanoo, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Chef Shilpa Dandekar, so a warm, relaxed welcome comes as standard. Their story is told in how Pure Indian Cooking began.

Is the tasting menu a good choice for a romantic dinner?

For a birthday, anniversary or any evening where you want to make an occasion of it, yes. The tasting menu takes decisions off the table: ten courses arrive one after another, so you can simply enjoy each other's company. It moves from Pani Puri Shots and Patra Chaat through tandoori Lamb Chops and Methi Malai Chicken Tikka, a Kokum Granita to refresh the palate, Lamb Sukke with dal makhani and naan, and finally a Gulab Jamun Chocolate Brownie with coffee and petit fours.

It is an unhurried evening, so it suits a night with nothing else planned. Our guide to the tasting menu explains the pacing and what to drink with each stage.

What should you drink on date night?

Cocktails to start

A cocktail at the start sets the tone. The Delicate Saffron Gimlet (£11) is our most romantic choice: gin, lime juice and saffron, golden and delicate. For something fruitier, the Tropical Bellini (£14) brings raspberry and mango, and the Guava & Vanilla Royal (£14) is a softer sparkling option. If one of you is not drinking, the Mumbai Madness mocktail (£7), with pineapple, mango, orange and rose syrup, feels just as celebratory. The full list is on our cocktails and mocktails page.

Champagne and wine

Champagne and spiced food are a better match than many people expect, because the bubbles and acidity refresh the palate between bites. On our wine list:

Which dishes are best for sharing on a date?

If you prefer to order à la carte, choose a few plates and share everything. A good shape for two:

• To start: the Sharing Board (£20), with basil chicken tikka, seekh kebab, tandoori paneer and vegetables, chilli fried squid, spinach salad and curried cashew nut. Or keep it light with Patra Chaat (£11).
• Something special: the Garlic Butter Grilled Lobster (£25) or Tandoori Duck (£22), with Barbary duck breast, potato turnip rosti and confit orange.
• A comforting curry: the Mangalorean Chicken (£16), with coconut and byadgi chillies. Read our piece on Mangalorean chicken curry for the story behind it.
• To share on the side: Dal Makhani (£11), a Peshawari Naan (£4) and Saffron Pulao (£4).

A tip for first dates: dishes marked spicy on the menu, such as the Lamb Sukke and Andhra Shrimps, are best saved for when you both know how much heat you enjoy. The first-visit guide has more ordering ideas.

Which desserts are worth saving room for?

Order one dessert and two spoons, or one each if you cannot agree. The Gulab Jamun Chocolate Brownie (£10) comes with masala chai sauce and vanilla ice cream, and it is the richer choice. The Broken Wheat & Nuts Halwa (£10), slow cooked in milk, clarified butter and nuts, is warming and traditional. For a lighter finish, try two scoops of ice cream or sorbet (£6).

To end the night, an Espresso Martini (£13) or a glass of Sauternes, Carmes de Rieussec (£9) makes a good nightcap. See the dessert and after-dinner menu.

How do you book a romantic table?

• Book ahead for Friday and Saturday. If you want a later table at the weekend, reserve early rather than on the day.
• Mention the occasion. Add a note when you book a table if it is a birthday, anniversary or special date, and let us know about any allergies too.
• Try an early date. The early dinner, 5.30–6.30pm every day, is £27 for two courses or £33 for three and holds your table for one hour. It is not available on match days or special events.
• Planning something bigger? For engagement parties or anniversary gatherings with family and friends, see private dining and celebrations.

Where can you walk after dinner in Fulham?

One of the pleasures of an evening here is what is nearby. Bishop's Park, which runs along the Thames, and the historic Fulham Palace are both close to the restaurant, so you can combine dinner with a riverside walk before or after (check park opening times for evening visits). Putney Bridge itself is close by too, with views along the river.

Plan your date night

Choose your evening, reserve your table online and tell us what you are celebrating. Directions, parking and opening hours are on our visit page; Putney Bridge Underground station is a four-minute walk away.

Book a Table →

Frequently asked questions

Is Pure Indian Cooking a good romantic restaurant in Fulham?

We are a relaxed, chef-owned Indian restaurant on Fulham High Street, and the ten-course tasting menu at £68 per person, signature cocktails and a Champagne list make it easy to turn dinner into an occasion.

Can I mention an anniversary or birthday when booking?

Yes. Add a note to your booking about the occasion, and tell us about any allergies at the same time.

Do you serve Champagne by the glass?

Yes. J.M. Gremillet Brut is £16 a glass, and Pasqua Prosecco is £11 a glass.

How late are you open for dinner?

We are open until 11pm Monday to Saturday and until 10pm on Sunday. Weekday service starts at 5.30pm, and weekends from 1pm.