Celebrating St. Valentine on a Student Budget

It’s that time of the year where we celebrate the patron saint of fainting and the plague, everybody (And apparently of love, I’m told). Here’s five restaurants in London where you can do exactly that without breaking the bank.

Padella

It’s only right to eat pasta on a day praising a Roman saint, right? Padella is a London favourite with a revolving menu of pasta dishes that start from £8.50, including their famous cacio e pepe. They have locations in Borough and Shoreditch and you can’t book in advance - making the chance of getting a table on Valentines that much higher. Join the virtual queue on the app Dojo, and enjoy an hour and a half sitting of delicious food, mood lighting and amazing service.

Honest Burgers

It might seem a bit basic but the quality of food and the service at Honest branches can make simple burgers seem like a real treat. With locations all over London - including right by the UCL campus - you can walk-in to an Honest anywhere. For a really great atmosphere try the Convent Garden or Soho branches. Prices start at £10, including a side, and they have burgers to cater for all diets, whether you’re a meat-eater, veggie or vegan.

Seven Dials Market

For those indecisive ones in the pair, Seven Dials Market is the place for you. SDM has 14 food outlets across its bustling two-story venue, with something to cater for everyone. Prices start at around £8 and you can walk straight in. If romantic relationships aren’t your thing right now, there’s even more good news, over the month of February SDM are scrapping their minimum spend at their Bar Nana every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Just email events@sevendialsmarket.com and quote #MatesNotDates to book a table for 8+ pals.

Club Mexicana

If you’re looking to put yourself in a food coma this Valentine’s day, Club Mexicana is the place for you. We’re lucky enough that their infamous ‘Taco Tuesday’ has landed on the 14th this year, meaning you and your date can get completely unlimited plant-based tacos for £15 from 5pm in their Soho or Spitalfields locations. You’ll want to book this one ASAP.

Flat Iron

Flat Iron is probably the only place in London where you can get a £13 steak and free soft-serve Tahitian vanilla ice-cream to finish. Their restaurants all have beautiful interiors and gorgeous lighting, making it really feel like a special occasion here. Look to book as soon as possible, because all 11 locations are set to fill up soon.

The St. Valentine of Rome we all know and love (I had to), isn’t the only saint named Valentine though. So If you’re stuck for money this month, you can always choose to celebrate the dozen other St. Valentine’s who exist on the Roman Catholic roster across the year. My personal favourite is St. Valentina, martyred in Palestine on July 25th 308 AD for defending her best friend against local thugs, and definitely worth saving the date for.