The best meal kits for Valentine’s Day

Thea Everett

Deputy editor (audiences) Thea loves to be in the kitchen and has a particular interest in cooking on a budget and deep frying. She thinks Sri Lankan and Indian food is the food of the gods. She looks after the brand’s social channels and newsletter – and contributes features and recipes.

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Although dining out on Valentine’s Day can be really special, staying in doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate in style. We’ve rounded up the best restaurant boxes available for nationwide delivery in time for the 14th February.

Whether your idea of the perfect Valentine’s meal is a steak, lobster, fondue, or pancakes in bed, we’ve tried and tested every one of these recommendations – so you know they’re going to be good.

Provisions Fondue Kit

If your lover is a cheese fan, this fondue kit from Provisions has everything you need to make a melted cheese meal of dreams. There’s no need to have a cast iron fondue set for this meal – just a pan, three candles and something to sit the pot on is required. There is something very romantic about a meal that takes only 10 minutes to put together, and which can be eaten in such a relaxed manner as this. It’s interactive and cheering, and perfect for the cooler weather! Add a glass of white wine and a salad to cut through the moreish cheese for a romantic, stress-free meal. Fondue, we salute you. Available from Provisions (£35).

La Tua pasta Valentine’s specials

For a truly romantic plate, opt for La Tua’s heart shaped pasta ravioli, available in black truffle and ricotta, crab and mascarpone, Italian sausage, or wild mushroom ravioli flavour options. Each can be ordered individually or in a bundle with a focaccia to start, and a dessert to finish (those choc hazelnut bomboloni are pretty special indeed). Available from La Tua (from £8 per 250g portion).

Michel Roux Jr’s Valentine’s kit
Michel’s four-course menu for Disptach begins with a beautiful champagne and saffron soup with poached scallop, served with sourdough bread and butter. The main course is a beef wellington to serve two, which comes with a red wine jus, carrots and parsnips dressed in beurre noisette, and a potato and celeriac dauphinoise. Are you drooling yet? For pud, a favourite of Michel’s: chocolate and whiskey tart. The menu is available to order from 22nd January, for delivery throughout February. Available from Dishpatch (£125 for 2).

The Rockfish seafood supper

Lovers of lobster, turbot or dover sole should not look past the Rockfish nationwide box straight out of Brixham quay. Inside you’ll find a feast including a whole cooked lobster, and fillets of turbot ‘T bones’ or dover sole (buyer’s choice) with a garlic butter ready to be cooked in a hot oven. The hard work is taken care of, and all you need to do is cut the lobster in two ready to serve with garlic mayonnaise. Add some chips and a side salad for a hearty fish dinner, with very little work involved. Please note the box will be sent frozen and can be left in the fridge to gently defrost over night. Available from the Rockfish (£65 for 2).

Dishoom Bacon Naan breakfast kit

The famous bacon naan from Dishoom is the perfect V day breakfast in bed for lovers this Valentine’s weekend. If you’ve never tried one, we’re talking streaky Ramsays of Carluke bacon, served in a freshly baked tandoori naan, with a dollop of cream cheese, chilli tomato jam and fresh herbs. Alongside the naan, Chai spices and loose-leaf tea are included to make delicious a Dishoom chai for two. AND, for every kit sold, Dishoom will donate a meal to their charity partner Magic Breakfast. Pre-order for 11th February to ensure you have the kit for Valentine’s weekend. Available from Bacon Naan (£20 for 2, including delivery).

Lina Stores Valentine’s Box

The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach – and the Italians sure know how to pull off a romantic dinner in style. Lina Stores, Soho’s famous Italian delicatessen is offering a Valentine’s At Home box this year. The kit, adorned in their famous green and white striped packaging, contains fresh focaccia, Bella di Cerignola olives, cured Coppa and Tuscan Pecordino Cacio di Pienza Nero cheese, one pasta kit for two of your choice, a bottle of Italian Prosecco, and a seriously indulgent baci brownie to finish. It’s a lot of food, so just a warning: you won’t be able to move afterwards, but the best part is, you’ll already be home! Available from Lina Stores (£75).

Libertine Burger’s vegan burger kits

If you’re cooking for a vegan date this Valentine’s day, Libertine Burger’s offering is available as a nationwide kit that is extremely simple and satisfying, and beats spending hours cooking when you could be spending hours talking! Expect a plant-based patty, plant-based brioche, vegan cheese, ketchup, French mustard, lettuce and pickles. Please note fries are not included! Available from Libertine Burger (£29.50 for 4).