There are two types of date. The one where you book somewhere fancy and hope the food lives up to the price tag. And the one where you eat fried chicken with your hands and see if the other person can handle it.
Both are valid. Both involve chicken. Here's where to go for each.
Going All Out
For the date that says "I planned this."
Otto's
Bloomsbury, WC1
“The Bresse chicken in half-mourning is the stuff of legend. Stuffed with black truffles under the skin, carved tableside. This is not a casual Tuesday night chicken dinner. This is an event.”
The Bresse chicken in half-mourning. A whole Bresse bird stuffed with black truffles, roasted and carved tableside. Pre-order 48 hours ahead. Old-school French fine dining at its most theatrical. Otto's also features in our luxe chicken guide - it's the ultimate "I planned this" move.
Order this: The Bresse chicken for two. Budget around £60-70 per person with wine.
The Barbary
Covent Garden, WC2
“The coffee rub chicken with smoked celeriac is one of the best chicken dishes in London, full stop. Tiny counter-dining room in Neal's Yard, open kitchen, no reservations.”
Counter dining, open kitchen, no reservations. The coffee rub chicken with smoked celeriac is one of the best chicken dishes in London. From the team behind The Palomar. Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder at a counter watching your food being cooked is genuinely intimate.
Order this: Coffee rub chicken, pita with baharat butter. Trust the kitchen.
Chez Lui
Notting Hill, W11
“Classic Notting Hill bistro doing Poulet Roti the way it should be done. No gimmicks, no twists - just a perfectly roasted chicken with proper French technique.”
Neighbourhood French bistro in Notting Hill. Poulet Roti done properly. Intimate, local-feeling, and quietly impressive. Our highest-rated rotisserie in the best rotisserie guide.
Order this: The Poulet Roti with a glass of something French.
Bebe Bob
Soho, W1
“The younger sibling of Bob Bob Ricard. Corn-fed French Cou-nu chicken, roasted to perfection. Indulgent Soho dining with impeccable service.”
From the Bob Bob Ricard family. Corn-fed French Cou-nu chicken, Soho buzz, impeccable service.
Order this: The whole rotisserie chicken for two with duck fat potatoes.
The Vibe Picks
For the date that says "I know a place" and actually means it.
Smoking Goat
Shoreditch, E1
“Their fish sauce chicken wings are massive, featuring impossibly crispy skin with tender, juicy meat that's earned legendary status among diners.”
Fish sauce chicken wings that will ruin all other wings for you. Shoreditch, loud music, sharing plates, natural wine. The "we don't need to impress each other anymore" date.
Order this: Fish sauce chicken wings, larb, and whatever curry catches your eye.
Cafe Kowloon
Hackney, E8
“New opening in Hackney doing proper Hong Kong-style comfort food. The half chicken leg is the move - crispy skin, tender meat. Unpretentious and affordable.”
New opening in Hackney. Hong Kong-style comfort food. Taking someone to a new opening is a power move - "have you been here? Just opened. It's brilliant."
Order this: Half chicken leg with rice.
Coqfighter
Soho, W1
“Nashville hot wings done properly. Small, loud Soho location. Great for a casual dinner.”
Nashville hot chicken in Soho. If your date can handle the heat and still look good afterwards, that's marriage material. Coqfighter also makes our best fried chicken list.
Order this: Nashville hot wings. Start medium, go hot if you're brave.
The Chicken Shop Date
Amelia Dimoldenberg proved that the best dates happen in chicken shops. Here's our pick.
CheeMc
Elephant & Castle, SE17
“A cult Korean spot running since 2014. Seven KFC flavours. They do karaoke at the Soho branch if you're feeling brave.”
Seven Korean fried chicken flavours, a wing challenge, and karaoke at the Soho branch. Put your date to the test.
Order this: Honey chilli wings, then the wing challenge. Loser pays for karaoke.
Morley's
Peckham, SE15
“South London institution since '85. No frills, no pretence - just proper chicken shop energy. The 2-piece meal is the move.”
The original chicken shop date. Morley's has been feeding South London since 1985. No reservations, no dress code, no wine list. Just chicken, chips, and honest energy. Read more about why Morley's matters in our piece on why London is obsessed with chicken.
Order this: 2-piece meal, chips, can of Rubicon.
The Bottom Line
The best date-night chicken in London depends on who you're with. Otto's for the theatrics. The Barbary for the best dish. Morley's for the best story.
For more upscale options, check the full luxe chicken guide. All rated and reviewed on chickenbible.com.
All restaurants reviewed are in The Chicken Bible's database of 800+ chicken spots across London. Scores reflect our chicken-focused rating system. Find more on chickenbible.com →
Last updated: March 2026
