The number of reservations for tables for two rose by 22% and account for 83% of all Valentine’s Day bookings, research from payments tech company Dojo shows.
However, tables for four increased by 65% and tables for eight by 133%, indicating a growing appetite for double dates and group celebrations like Galentine’s (an all-female occasion typically marked on 13 February), it adds.
Birmingham leads the way with an 80% increase in bookings, followed by Brighton (54%) and York (49%).
London recorded a 34% rise, while Manchester saw a 26% increase.
People in some cities are feeling less romantic this year, however, with a 29% decline in bookings in Liverpool and a 3% drop in bookings for Bristol.
“Valentine’s Day is firmly back as a major moment for UK restaurants, and it’s no longer just about the classic table for two,” says Charlie Ashworth, head of insights at Dojo.
“The real standout this year is the scale of the surge, particularly in larger group bookings, as people turn the occasion into a more social celebration.
“For restaurants, that demand is concentrated into a single, high-pressure evening, where keeping service flowing – especially at the point of payment – is critical to delivering an excellent dining experience.”