Andy Devaney
When it comes to the perfect date night, Britain has spoken: skip the crowded restaurants, overpriced tasting menus and awkward small talk across candlelit tables.
According to a new survey, modern couples would rather stay home, switch off their phones, cook (or reheat) something delicious and settle in for a night of proper connection—preferably with a juicy steak and a competitive game of Scrabble.
A poll of 2,000 British couples commissioned by Charlie Bigham’s has revealed a romantic truth many secretly suspected—62 per cent now believe the best quality time happens under their own roof. No taxis. No noise. No fuss. Just two people, a bottle of wine, and no need to pretend you’ve ever heard of “foraged sea herbs”.
Steak over soufflé
Food still leads the charge in the romance department, and the nation has made its choice: steak is officially the most romantic dinner, earning 30 per cent of the vote. Chicken tikka masala came in second (22 per cent), and lasagne claimed third (20 per cent), because nothing says love like molten cheese and pasta sheets.
Rounding out the romantics’ menu:
- Fish pie (12%)
- Macaroni cheese (12%)
- Spaghetti carbonara (12%)
Clearly, carbs are sexy now. Good. It’s about time.
Soundtrack to seduction
Music matters too. One in ten couples admitted they enjoy a slow dance in the kitchen—an underappreciated Olympic sport powered by Sauvignon Blanc. Their playlist of choice?
- John Legend (29%)
- Elton John (16%)
- Marvin Gaye (11%)
Romance might be evolving, but All of Me still gets a fair bit of action.
Ingredients for the perfect date night at home
| Rank | Element | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In the comfort of your home | 48% |
| 2 | Sharing a meal together | 40% |
| 3 | Cuddling on the sofa under a blanket | 35% |
| 4 | Sharing a bottle of wine | 28% |
| 5 | Watching a romantic movie | 28% |
| 6 | Lighting candles | 26% |
| 7 | Turning phones off | 22% |
| 8 | Mood lighting | 19% |
| 9 | Discussing future trips away | 19% |
| 10 | Eye contact | 18% |
| 11 | Sharing a pudding | 16% |
| 12 | Fresh flowers | 15% |
| 13 | Laying the table nicely | 14% |
| 14 | A carefully curated playlist | 13% |
| 15 | Making sure the kids are at sleepovers | 13% |
| 16 | Sharing a nightcap | 12% |
| 17 | Stargazing with a blanket wrapped around you | 12% |
| 18 | Sharing cheese | 11% |
| 19 | Slow dancing in the kitchen | 10% |
| 20 | A game of Scrabble | 10% |
| Rank | Dish | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A juicy steak | 30% |
| 2 | Chicken tikka masala | 22% |
| 3 | Lasagne | 20% |
| 4 | Beef Wellington | 17% |
| 5 | Beef Bourguignon | 14% |
| 6 | Chicken Parmigiana | 13% |
| 7 | Fish pie | 12% |
| 8 | Macaroni cheese | 12% |
| 9 | Spaghetti carbonara | 12% |
| 10 | Salmon Wellington | 11% |
| 11 | Thai green curry | 11% |
| 12 | Chicken Biriyani | 11% |
| 13 | Spaghetti Bolognese | 11% |
| 14 | Shepherd’s pie | 10% |
| 15 | Steak and ale pie | 10% |
| 16 | Chicken Kyiv | 10% |
| 17 | Chilli | 9% |
| 18 | French onion soup | 9% |
| 19 | Prawn and scallop risotto | 8% |
| 20 | Chicken, ham and leek pie | 8% |
Phones? Not invited. The modern perfect date night is unapologetically uninterrupted. Just how it should be.
Staying in is the new going out
The study also found romance isn’t dead—it’s just in comfier clothing. A whopping 77 per cent of British couples insist regular date nights keep love alive, with three a month being the sweet spot. Food takes centre stage for 86 per cent, while 51 per cent say staying in makes conversation easier, 36 per cent feel more relaxed, and 56 per cent relish the chance to save money.
A spokesperson for Charlie Bigham’s said: “The results show that food really is the heart of the home date night. Couples are increasingly looking to recreate the restaurant experience at home – not just for special occasions, but as part of their date nights or monthly treats.
“Our Brasserie range offers restaurant-quality dishes designed to make these evenings effortless yet memorable. From hand-crafted Beef Wellingtons to indulgent Coq au Vin, the range has been created to bring that same sense of occasion into the home.”
So there it is. The British public has called time on stressful Saturday nights out. The perfect date night doesn’t require booking deposits or dress codes—just good food, no distractions, and someone worth sharing dessert with. And maybe a quiet rematch after losing on a triple word score.
