All across London, something peculiar happens around mid-January.
The silence of the month’s first fortnight breaks as booking systems start processing reservations. It’s less than a month to go until Valentine’s Day and the heat is on to secure the best, most swoon-worthy table for you and your beloved. As date nights go, it doesn’t get much bigger than February 14.
But is going out out really the best option?
If you're anything like us, the alternative is infinitely more seductive. Home; a table for two dressed up in your fanciest tableware. Champagne flutes glinting in candlelight. A stunning bouquet adding to the loved-up vibe, and a soundtrack that’s entirely under your control. Honestly, what’s not to love?
It’s a scene lovely enough to forgive serving Deliveroo as your meal. But look, this is Valentine’s Day, so some effort is required. If you’re not a confident home chef, help is at hand from the nation’s grocers.
Supermarkets have been a major player in the V-Day dining-in game for years, serving slap-up dinners at rub-your-eyes prices. Most options are prepped to a few steps before finishing, promising to deliver a restaurant-worthy plate with minimal effort on your part.
There are options for every price and palate; meal deals to delight bargain hunters as well as lavish lovebirds. From vegan and pescatarian options to the failsafe steak and chips with a few delicious surprises in between, you’re bound to find something to tickle your fancy.
To help, we’ve tried options from the nation’s leading grocers and online food specialists to help you decide which one to spend your precious pounds on.
See the tastiest offers below
Waitrose Valentine’s Dine In
- Price: £20
- The deal: a starter, main, side and dessert to share, plus a bottle of fine wine or a pre-mixed cocktail
- Available from: February 7 - 14
Veering towards the pricier end of the scale, but still only £10pp for a three-course dinner with a drink, Waitrose’s offering looks and feels luxe. Couples will get a starter main, side and dessert, plus wine or cocktails from the likes of MOTH or Tails. Off the sauce? Swap in a box of chocolates instead of booze.
Starters champion seafood with the likes of prawn cocktail and mussels on the menu, although there are cheese souffles for fishy foes. While steak is the classic V-Day main, Waitrose includes other elevated options like duck and garlic chicken, paired with fat or skinny chips or a roast vegetable selection.
Sweet-toothed significant others will delight in the dessert selection. Choose from white chocolate mousse Pistachio Hearts, Salted Caramel & Chocolate Profiteroles and Melt in the Middle Chocolate Puddings, to cheese and fruit salad.
Buy now £20.00, Waitrose
Tesco Valentine’s Day Finest Dinner for Two
- Price: £12 with Clubcard, otherwise £18
- The deal: One main, one side, one dessert and a bottle of plonk (or non-alcoholic option) for two diners. But here’s the rub: for Clubcard holders only.
- Available from: January 22 - February 8
It’s a bit early, but if you fancy treating your S.O. to a tasty dinner before February 14, Tesco has the goods. The supermarket has unveiled its Day of Love Finest range for 2024, with a special price of £12 for the lot available for Clubcard holders exclusively.
You’ll skip the starters and hit the mains first. Options include: Slow Cooked Duck Legs with Morello Cherry Hoisin Sauce, Chicken Leek & White Wine or the favourite, Ranch Steaks with heart-shaped Garlic & Herb & Pepper Butter. Sides include chunky chips, mac and cheese, minted baby potatoes and more.
To finish, confections such as millionaires tarts, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate & orange cheesecake slices, plus a few more options.
Wash it all down with soft drinks, or red, white or rose wine.
Buy now £12.00, Tesco
Morrisons Dine In for Two
- Price: £15 in the app or with a My Morrisons loyalty card
- The deal: a starter, main, two sides and dessert to share, plus a bottle of fine wine or a pre-mixed cocktail
- Available from: February 8 - 14
Consider the ante upped over at Morrisons, which mimics Waitrose’s Valentine’s deal for a fiver less and throws in another side while it’s at it.
Kick things off with starters that include Scotch eggs, tempura prawns or chicken parfait with a suitably celebratory Champagne glaze. Mains include matured rump steak, but with Beef En Croute, lamb shank and prosciutto-wrapped pork filet on the menu too, there’s plenty else to turn your head. The only vegetarian option is Mac & Cheese, but with temperatures as they are, it’s a comfort food that’s absolutely tempting.
For the sweet course, GU desserts are there for the taking, as well as puds from the supermarket’s The Best range.
To sip throughout, diners can choose between regular and rose Prosecco, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, rioja or beer and soft drinks.
Buy now £15.00, Morrisons
Co-op Valentine's meal deals
- Price: from £6
- The deal: various offers from steak and chips, pizza and prosecco, or mains and a side.
- Available: until February 14
The Co-op is doing things differently this Valentine's, with various promotions for the big day.
Sharing deals include a main and a side for just £6, steak and chips for £6 or a bottle of Prosecco and the grocer's fancier Irresistable line of pizzas for a tenner. The deals don't come with starters or desserts included, but with sweet courses from £1.25, you won't have to stretch finances further to round things off if you like.
Co-op is also selling luxury chocs and a dozen roses for as little as £9 for customers who are part of its Members loyalty program.
Buy now £6.00, Co-op
Lidl
Price: varies
What’s the deal?: N/A
While Lidl isn’t offering a V-Day meal deal per se, there are oodles of gems to pick up in the aisles to create a romantic dinner of your own with prices from just £1.99.
Kick things off with an antipasti platter with prosciutto, before a main of 10oz Birchwood steak to share or Aberdeen Angus burgers along with sides of Potato Dauphinoise or Halloumi Fries. The steak can easily feed two if there are other sides on the table, or when sliced into a leafy salad for a lighter option.
Veggie options include a Deluxe Sourdough Chargrilled Veg & Pesto Pizza. Keep things on script with heart-shaped macarons to finish. Sweet.
Available to shop in-store now
Buy now, Lidl
Aldi Valentine's Menus
- Price: from £6.77 for two
- The deal: pocket-friendly menus including seafood, Wagyu and vegan options
- Available: from February 9
Rather than mix-and-match across starters, mains and desserts, Aldi has drawn up suggestion menus incorporating options from its heart-shaped Valentine's and Specially Selected ranges.
The three-course deal comes in at just £3.38pp, with garlic bread, lobster pasta and white chocolate panna cotta for afters. There's a meaty menu and another lineup for seafood lovers as well as options for vegan diners. The Wagyu menu uses the prized cuts as a pizza topper, which comes with a side of Wagyu thick cut chips.
All options can be matched with a bottle of wine or bubbles if you wish.
Buy now, Aldi
Fortnums Valentine's 'I Love' Pork Pie, 1.36kg
Price: variable
What’s the deal?: N/A
While Lidl isn’t offering a V-Day meal deal per se, there are oodles of gems to pick up in the aisles to create a romantic dinner of your own with prices from just £1.99.
Kick things off with an antipasti platter with prosciutto, before a main of 10oz Birchwood steak to share or Aberdeen Angus burgers along with sides of Potato Dauphinoise or Halloumi Fries. The steak can easily feed two if you're adding other sides to the table. Fancy a lighter option? Slice cooked steam into a leafy salad instead.
For those who want to stick to the Valentine's script, the For You: Heart Shaped Macarons promise to end things on a sweet note.
Available to shop in-store now
Buy now £29.95, F&M
