All across London, something peculiar happens around mid-January.
The white noise of the month’s first fortnight breaks as booking systems start processing reservations for a special day ahead. It’s less than a month 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 the best option?
If you're anything like us, the alternative is infinitely more seductive. Home; a table for two dressed 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. Bliss.
It’s a thought that’s lovely enough to forgive serving Deliveroo as your meal. But look, this is Valentine’s Day - some effort is required. That said, nothing is going to leave you flustered, annoyed and anxious than cooking a new recipe from scratch, especially if you’re not a confident home chef. Not to worry; 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 end.
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 along the way, you’re bound to find something to tickle your fancy.
With this in mind, 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 on Valentine’s meal deals below
Waitrose Valentine’s Meal Deal 2025
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 enjoy a starter, main, side and dessert, plus wine or cocktails. Off the sauce? Swap in a non-alcoholic alternative or box of chocolates instead of the hard stuff.
Dishes include No.1 Prawn Cocktail, No.1 Cornish Quartz Cheddar & Caramelised Shallot Tarts, No.1 Sirloin with Mixed Peppercorn Butter, No.1 Salmon En Croute with Champagne Sauce and torte chocolate bars or heart-shaped macarons.
Buy now, Waitrose
Waitrose x Dishpatch
Nothing says ‘I love you’ quite like a limited-edition. Treat your Valentine to one of three restaurant-quality dishes - the result of masterful collaborations between the meal kit experts over at Dishpatch (now part of the Waitrose family) and some of the UK’s most beloved chefs. That way, you can impress your date by cooking up a storm without faffing around with boring prep before enjoying the meal from the candlelit comfort of your own home.
For Valentine’s Day 2025, there’s Bistecca alla Fiorentina by Cafe Murano, Corrigan's Braised Short Rib by Richard Corrigan and Luxurious Lobster Thermidor by Rick Stein.
We tried the Rick Stein option, feasting on succulent scallops, mopping up the excess melted hazelnut butter with grilled sourdough and tucked into the generous portion of easy-to-cook lobster (one whole lobster, pre-cut into two generous halves). Pud was a chocolate pave, a decadent finishing touch.
Buy now £136.00, Dispatch
Marks & Spencer 2025 Valentine's meal offer
M&S may have started some with its questionable Valentine’s chocolate offering this year, but the meal deal remains as agreeable as ever. It’s substantially pricier than some of its competitors, but then again, this isn’t just any Valentine’s meal.
The choice is pleasing with more than 40,000 combinations to craft your menu. Appetite-whetting starters include a baking burrata topped with a delicious-looking n’duja and ciabatta crumb, individual prawn cocktails, or opt for dumpling bao buns if your tastes veer towards the more exotic. Mains include a trusty beef Wellington, vegan butternut squash or our favourite, the British wagyu pie. Sides are pretty standard stuff: veg to roast, wedges or smashed potties.
For the final course - before you flump onto the sofa and loosen your belts - are rich but perfectly portioned desserts from tiramisu to lemon posset made from Italian citrus or the failsafe: chocolate and caramel pots. This being the full shebang, wash it all down with wine (including sparkling and a boozeless rose) or a wholesome glass of pink raspberry lemonade.
Buy now £25.00, Ocado
Tesco 2025 Valentine’s Finest Dine In Range
Tesco has brought back starters to its V-Day meal deal range, with a slightly higher price to match. There's a lot of choice with 50 per cent of the range brand new including a Charcuterie Wine Topper, perfect for picking at.
So what does a sample menu look like? Start with Tesco Finest Coquille St Jacques with Panko Crumb, before a shared main of Tesco Finest Chicken Ballotine with Parmesan & Wild Garlic, and finish with the gram-worthy Tesco Finest Lemon Meringue Oyster Shells.
Drinks include Tesco Finest Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG, Lucky Saint Alcohol-Free Lager or a four-pack of MOTH Margarita cans amongst others.
Buy now, Tesco
Co-op 2025 Valentine's meal deals
With February 14 fast approaching, Co-op has unveiled its Valentine's food offering. It's a compact deal compared to its competitors with just a main, side and drink for £10, so great if you're looking for a mains solution to add to starters and desserts you've already prepared.
The mains you can choose from include chicken parmigiana, salmon en croute and lasagne al forno with a mushroom Wellington to cater for vegans. We cooked the parmigiana in our air fryer to crisp up the cheese topping, finishing the flavoursome sauce in the microwave to great effect.
Sides are broadly traditional - think chunky chips and flatbreads - while the drinks offering spans a selection of wine, including sparkling, and soft drinks.
Buy now, Co-op
Morrisons 2025 Valentine’s Meal Deal
Morrisons has laid on a feast for 2025 couples looking for a slap-up meal come February 14.
Kick things off with starters that include soft set Scotch eggs, tempura prawns or chicken parfait with a suitably celebratory Champagne glaze.
Mains include matured rump steak, but with Beef En Croute, but with lamb shank and prosciutto-wrapped pork filet on the menu too, there’s plenty else here to turn your head. The only vegetarian option is Mac & Cheese, but with temperatures as they are, it’s a comfort food that’s tempting.
For the sweet course, GU desserts galore 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
Amazon Fresh 2025 Valentine's meal deal
Amazon continues to flex its grocery arm through Fresh and is making waves this Valentine's Day to offer a deal under a tenner. This option very much depends on the dishes you choose but if you love pasta only marginally less than your S.O, you're in for a treat.
The deal includes various byAmazon fresh pasta with sauce alongside hearty sides of focaccia and a Gu dessert to round things off.
There is a premium alternative which will set you back the princely sum of £20, which sees a main, dessert and a drink delivered to your order. The food comes from Pasta Evangelists while Hackney Gelato takes care of the pudding portion.
As for drinks? Choose from a range of selected beer, wine or a soft option.
Buy now £9.50, Amazon
