Ahhhhh, it’s that time of year again.

Whether you’re all ‘heart eyes’ swooning all over each other, or twenty years married and rolling your eyes over it all, there’s a venue for you. Bitten have rounded up our favourite romantic venues, plus some great recommendations from our readers.

Read on to the end for your chance to win free food at Bill’s Oxford.

Pre Dinner Drinks & Classy Cocktails

Get that party started early with a few pre-dinner drinks, we love OXO Bar, Under The Shop and The Alchemist for drinks in central Oxford; Raoul’s, Duke of Cambridge and Freud’s if you’re near Jericho; or Kazbar, Be At One, The Coconut Tree, Big Society and Vine if you’re hanging out in OX4. Under The Shop, Coconut Tree and Kazbar have the added bonus of great food on site too if you don’t want to venue hop.

Romantic Restaurants

Pierre Victoire

Mine and Mr Bitten’s favourite and consistently excellent date night venue, Pierre Victoire is the perfect place for romance. The wine, the French bistro food, the flickering candlelight; you can’t go wrong here.

The Coconut Tree

Another fab date night venue – great food that’s made for sharing, plenty of great cocktails and a fun atmosphere make The Coconut Tree a great venue for a 1st date or 221st date. The food packs some spice, which you can go all out on by asking for Sri Lankan heat levels if you dare! I highly recommend the black pork and cuttlefish, this place has loads of great options for gluten-free and vegan too.

Porterhouse Grill & Rooms

You know I’m a big fan of Porterhouse, and seriously – what a perfect spot for Valentine’s Day. Tasty food, great wine and cocktails, plus a stylish, sexy dining room will make it totally worthwhile visiting.

Sticks N Sushi

A proper celebration venue with a dark and moody design, perfect for a spot of romance over a glass of sparkling sake and proper good Japanese food. Find Sticks N Sushi on the roof terrace at the Westgate, just beyond Cinnamon Kitchen – which is also a strong contender!

White Hart Wytham

I’m a big fan of The White Hart in Wytham, and it’s a regular fixture in our top 10 restaurants list. Go for a romantic meal, for steak, for roast dinner, or just go any other time, it has never disappointed.

Society Cafe

Coffee shops are a perfect place to hang out with company or flying solo, and Society Cafe on St Michael’s Street is a good example of an excellent coffee shop.

The Talkhouse, Stanton St John

The Talkhouse in Stanton St John is offering a Valentine’s Day menu of two courses for £16.95 or three for £19.95. All meals include a free glass of prosecco and end of meal chocolate. Start with a sharing board of Italian deli treats, baked camembert or creamy mushroom bruschetta. Move on to a rump steak, seafood linguine or stuffed peppers, followed by strawberry cheesecake, lemon posset or chocolate fondant. The menu is only available for pre-booked tables, call 07926 249 157 to book.

Tasty Events

Yemaya’s Kitchen

We went to visit Yemaya’s Kitchen recently to find out all about owner, Lavinia’s, plans with the cafe; which included plenty of food with heart! Make sure you follow their events on Facebook, there’s plenty going on, especially supper clubs and big communal events at Oxford Brookes.

Vine Valentine’s Fizz tasting

On Tuesday 12th February, join Emily Bonsant of Walker & Wodehouse Wines and Leigh Gooding from Vine for a tutored tasting of six different sparkling wines (including Italian, New World, English & Champagne) with nibbles. The event starts promptly at 7.30pm, costs £35 per ticket and will finish around 9.30pm, limited to twenty places so book fast. Call 01865 422242 to book, or pop into the wine shop, cafe and bar.

Dirty Bones Uh Huh Honey Valentine’s Cocktail Masterclass

Feel the love at Dirty Bones Oxford this February 13th, with a cocktail class for mixing and shaking your way into your date’s (or mates) good books. Learn to make their Rose-Tinted Club special, a pretty-in-pink riff on the classic Clover Club, and the ultimate American classic, Old Fashioned. Limited availability tickets cost £20 per person, visit Dirty Bones Oxford’s Facebook page for details.

20% off Valentine’s Afternoon Tea at Eynsham Hall

Daisy went to review afternoon tea at Eynsham Hall recently and had a lovely time. If you fancy giving it a try yourself, they’re offering 20% off Monday 11th to Friday 15th February – and enjoy a glass of Pink Champagne! Subject to availability, 24hrs notice and booking required. Call 01993 885200 to book.

Reader Recommendations

We put a shout out across social media last week for your favourite romantic venues, and the results were interesting! In order of the number of votes…

• Pierre Victoire – @fever_dream, @HenryBoxDHT, @fplace88, @whatscookingoxford, @hugoglass
• Arbequina, Cowley Road – Conor McReynolds, @LittleOxplorers, @livford21
• Gee’s – @DonohueJoanna, @whatscookingoxford
• Cherwell Boathouse – @r.jennings89, @whatscookingoxford
• Oli’s Thai – @cltclambabe, @livford21
• The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row – a bit further afield but highly recommended by Charlotte at Bitten!
• The Muddy Duck – @whatscookingoxford
• The Black Boy – @whatscookingoxford
• Koto – @hugoglass
• The Swan Restaurant, Tetsworth – Hannah Talbott-Falce
• Charles Napier – Fraser Lloyd Jones
• Isis Farmhouse – Josie Proctor
• Door 74 (before it closed!) – @KatBoy15
• Kazbar – @michellekhunter
• Ratio Cafe – @cltclambabe
• Formosan Tea Bar – @cltclambabe

Valentine’s Competition

Win free food at Bill’s Restaurant

Win a £50 voucher to spend at Bill’s Restaurant, share with your BAE or spend it all on yourself! To enter the competition, just sign up to our Newsletter. If you’re already a subscriber, then you’re awesome and will automatically be entered into the draw. The competition closes at noon on Friday 8th February, then a winner will be chosen at random and emailed directly with the good news.

Terms & Conditions:

• Voucher is valid up to £50
• No cash alternative or change given
• Valid at Bill’s Oxford only
• Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer
• Must be redeemed before March 31st 2019
• Brought to you by Bill’s Restaurants, 95 Aldwych, WC2B 4JF

Good luck! Let us know your favourite romantic rendezvous if we’ve missed it out (keep it PG), and have a happy Valentine’s Day, from all of the Bitten team x