Where to spoil your Valentine this year
Cambridge is one of the most romantic cities in the world, so being here for Valentine’s Day is an opportunity not to be missed. Drift along the river Cam with bubbly and chocolates, have a romantic dinner at Cambridge’s landmark hotel, join one of the hottest single nights out at a quirky award-winning wine shop, or cosy up at one of the prettiest restaurants in Cambridge over a Japanese indulgent couples menu and stroll through the old cobblestoned streets afterwards.
Cambridge’s finest for the love of your life
Romance shouldn’t only be celebrated one day of the year, but it is an incredibly romantic gesture to spoil your loved one on ‘the day of love’. If food is not just a nourishment for you, but if it makes your heart tick faster, then the key to your Valentine’s heart is a romantic dinner at one of the top dining venues in Cambridge. We’re not talking about dining in the sky, but the creme de la creme!
Cambridge is fortunate to have some of the best restaurants in the country, and the number is growing at a rapid pace. Many of these excellent restaurants are listed as one of the places to dine in England in 2024. Restaurant 22 received its first Michelin Star in 2023, while Midsummer House has held its 2 Micheline stars for over 19 years, and VanderLyle has been named one of the top 5 vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the UK in 2023.
You can be assured that you will not only have one of the most romantic dinners at one of these fine restaurants, but the food and drink pairings will be flavour explosions that will sweep your Valentine off her or his feet!
Keep an eye out on the social media of Fancett’s on Mill Road and MJP at the Shepherds in Fen Ditton, who offer an exceptional dining experience, too. They are still working on their menu for this special day of the year.
Lost for words? Say it with flowers
Let one of the local experts create a stunning flower arrangement or bouquet for the special person in your life and have it delivered to her/his house. Make sure you contact these local florists well in time, as Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest times of the year. Our favourite flower shops in Cambridge are The Manor Florist based at Burwash Manor, What the Fleur on Magdalene Street, Lauri Bloom, the Flower Project and the plant shop Small and Green are all located on Mill Road. Peter Graves has a stall on the Cambridge market opposite the Boss shop, and the talented Clare has a shop off New Market Road, but she only sells via pre-order on Clare Kenward Flowers.
The hottest date in Cambridge
Amphora’s Valentine’s concept is pretty hot! Shared Fluids is a fun singles night, and the idea is that every single person chooses a bottle of wine to share with potential matches, which they will meet in a speed-dating style format. Taste each other’s wines: spit or swallow, the choice is yours. Book for you or your single friend(s) using the link below.
Petals and bubbly for your beau
Rutherfords Punting has put on the most romantic and traditional of Cambridge activities for your beau. That’s right, board a petal strewn private punting tour and get snugly under cosy blankets as you appreciate the sheer beauty of our city, and each other. These Valentine’s punting tours include a single perfect long-stemmed red rose to really impress your date. Book online.
Fishy romance on Mill Road
Join Fin Boys this Valentine’s Day for a super special evening of beautiful food and great company, with dishes including Torched Mackerel, Sweet Onions, Nasturtiums & Creme Crue, of course, plenty of oysters, and finishing with Caramel Mousse, Stracciatella Gelato & Roasted Pears. Delightful!
Go Japanese this year
Give this special day a twist…Do as the Japanese do. The women are taking the lead and gifting men in their lives a sweet treat. Don’t fancy gifting something sweet, but like the idea of going Japanese? If you are looking for a gift which you can enjoy at a later time then KIBOU’s Afternoon Tea Voucher makes a lovely gift. KIBOU is also putting on a menu to woo your loved one, a romantic sharing Japanese couples menu, which is running from the 9th to the 18th of February. If you are looking for the ultimate romantic setting in Cambridge, then KIBOU is definitely your place!
Stylish Romance at Cambridge’s landmark
Bring your Valentine to Parker’s Tavern, the brasserie of the landmark hotel University Arms, and savour the best of regional British cuisine – prepared by our talented team of culinary cherubs. Enjoy a 5-course set menu for £65 per person. For one night only, on Wednesday 14th February, Parker’s Tavern is offering a unique five-course Valentine’s menu, including seared scallops, a herb-crusted rack of lamb, and, to finish, a sweet tray and chocolate delice to end on a sweet note.
Or even better….splash out here on an idyllic Valentine’s weekend getaway.
Break up the routine with a romantic overnight adventure at University Arms. With its historic cobbled streets, countless independent restaurants and bars and the charming River Cam, Cambridge offers the perfect backdrop to your Valentine’s weekend getaway.
Swanky botanical cocktails and delicious food
Romance at its best at NOVI Cambridge. The chef is brewing up something special whilst he is away on his honeymoon. Sounds pretty awesome, isn’t it? This upcoming romantic dinner must be hard to beat! Or does this make your heart tick? Watch this space…
Romance in the sky
The biggest day of the year is coming for all you lovers out there – Valentine’s Day is only a month away and filling up fast. Make your booking today and treat that someone special to delicious dishes and amazing cocktails in an unbeatable romantic setting, dining with your loved one with stunning views over Cambridge lit by magical stars.
The sweetest date in Cambridge
Chocolate lovers of Cambridge & Beyond, we have exciting news! The Cambridge Chocolate Festival is back with a BIG BANG in the heart of Cambridge at the Orator, located behind the Round Church. To celebrate the love of chocolate, it will be held again during the Valentine’s weekend from Friday the 9th of February until Sunday the 11th of February 2024.
Yes, it is true. Your sweet dreams do come true!
Unveiling all the wine’s secrets and love
Wine is a bit like love. When the right one comes along, you’ll know it.
Fall in love with the beauty of English wines.
Grape Britannia, the local English wine shop, has something really special to set your heart a flutter! It’s not every day that you will have the opportunity to sample the small-but-perfectly-formed category of sparkling red wines from England and Wales, and they’re thrilled to present a fantastic line-up at their shop on Chesterton Road. Fall in love with a bubbly red!
For the love of Spanish wines
Join Noel Young Wines for a unique Spanish wine tasting of Bodegas y Viñedos GÓMEZ CRUZADO, whose origins date back to 1886, when Ángel Gómez de Arteche decided to start making and bottling his own wine in Haro, in the heart of Rioja Alta. With an annual production of less than 350,000 bottles, Gómez Cruzado is the boutique winery of el Barrio de la Estación, the historic heart of Rioja, centred on the railway line at Haro.
Amore… go Italian
Did you know that Valentine’s Day originated in Italy? Indeed, the most romantic day of the year started in Italy during the Roman Empire, and the 14th of February is the feast day of San Valentino – Saint Valentine. So why not put a bit of Italian romance into your celebrations?
The Neighbourhood brunch and pizza joint, Scotts All Day, keeps its suppliers very local, even from Mill Road! On arrival, you’ll have a complimentary glass of fizz or Nozecco followed by a tasty 4-course set menu.
De Luca Cucina & Bar on Regent Street will serve a 3-course set menu that will feature some of their classic and well-loved dishes, including their crispy squid and mushroom arancini starters; our seared duck breast with blackberry & blueberry balsamic reduction and oven-roasted salmon with honey & pistachio crust mains; and our much-loved tiramisu and chocolate torte desserts!
Snuggle up at a cosy pub
It’s all about love on the 14th of February. Cosy romantic dinners, roaring fires and comfort food. The Old Bicycle Shop and The Petersfield in the city centre and a bit further afield, the award-winning pub The Plough Coton in Coton and The Brewers Inn in Milton are where you can treat your loved ones to a delicious Valentine’s Day set menu. Some of them are available not only on the 14th of February, so please check their websites for details.
A Celebration of Bridal Gowns Exhibition
A fascinating exhibition highlighting the history, artistry and allure of wedding dresses across the ages.
Experience a kaleidoscope of bridal fashion that spans several centuries, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship and evolving trends that have defined one of the most memorable days in countless lives.
The exhibition explores how wedding gown styles and materials have changed over the centuries and how their adaptions reveal as much about social history as fashion and fame.
A Bollywood Love Story with a free meal
Looking to spice up your life with your love? Two Indian restaurants have thrown in a big surprise for Valentine’s competition. Win a meal for two on the 14th of February. Head over to the Instagram accounts of Golpo Bengal Cafe and Pipasha Restaurant to enter the competition and make this Valentine’s Day extra special.
Sending you lots of love….
Gerla
