If you ask us to plan the perfect date in Richmond, we’re keeping things pretty simple: great coffee, a walk along the river, an amazing meal and, if things are going well, a few cocktails to finish.
The best bit? You can do the whole thing on foot, taking in some of our favourite spots in Richmond along the way.
Here’s our perfect Richmond date…
Start with coffee at Tide Tables Café
Richmond certainly isn’t short of amazing coffee shops – including plenty of brilliant independents – but for this particular date, we’re heading to Tide Tables Café, tucked underneath Richmond Bridge.
Grab a table if you want to take things slowly, or do what we’d do and pick up a takeaway coffee ready for the walk.
From here, head along the Thames towards Petersham. It’s one of our favourite walks in Richmond and, with the river on one side and Petersham Meadows on the other as you get further along, it’s a pretty good start to a date.
Walk to Petersham Nurseries for lunch or dinner
Your destination is Petersham Nurseries – and, genuinely, we think it has to be one of the most magical places to eat in London, let alone Richmond.
Hidden away in Petersham, the restaurant is surrounded by plants, flowers and beautiful glasshouses. It somehow feels a world away from central London despite being just a walk along the river from Richmond.
We also love how different it feels depending on when you visit. Lunch has that beautiful, light-filled garden atmosphere, while dinner feels more intimate and atmospheric. Both are buzzy in their own way, and the food is fantastic too.
LoveLocal tip: Visit for lunch Tuesday–Thursday or Thursday dinner and LoveLocal Card members can get 15% off their total bill.
If the date’s going well…
You could call it a day there. But if neither of you is quite ready to head home, walk back along the river into central Richmond and keep things going.
For cocktails, head to No.1a Duke Street. It’s a relaxed, stylish spot that works perfectly for a drink after dinner – and LoveLocal Card members get 20% off Monday to Friday.
More of a beer person? Head to The Tap Tavern instead. They have a fantastic selection of beers and a great atmosphere right in the centre of Richmond. LoveLocal Card members can also get 15% off Monday to Thursday.
One last drink?
Still going? We like your style.
Finish the night on Brewers Lane at So Bar, a cosy, intimate little cocktail bar that feels made for the final stop of a date night.
Find a corner, order a cocktail and congratulate yourselves on a very well-executed Richmond date.
And there’s another LoveLocal perk here too: members get 25% off Tuesday to Thursday.
The perfect Richmond date, sorted
So there you have it: coffee under Richmond Bridge, a riverside walk to Petersham, lunch or dinner somewhere pretty special, followed by drinks back in town.
No taxis. No complicated itinerary. Just some of our favourite Richmond spots connected by one of the loveliest walks in London.
And if you’re doing it with a LoveLocal Card, there are some pretty decent savings along the way too.
Now you just need to find someone to take…