Nine aphrodisiac foods to get you in the mood for love

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we’ve rounded up nine of the most powerful aphrodisiac foods and some great places to eat them. If you’d like to try them out on the 14th, visit OpenTable to find and book the perfect table or get advice from our restaurant experts on twitter.

Oysters – Probably the most famous of all aphrodisiacs, oysters are high in zinc which can boost testosterone levels in men. Casanova, the notorious 18th century lover, ate them for breakfast to increase his stamina and let’s face it, there’s just something sexy about oysters and Champagne. Try them at the iconic J Sheekey Oyster Bar in London or at coastal dining destinations like Rocksalt and Hix Oyster & Chophouse.

Garlic – It might not sound like the best start to a romantic evening but one of garlic’s many health benefits is that it boosts blood flow. Try the delicious gambas al ajillo at La Bandera in Manchester or head to M Raw for soft shell crab sushi with cucumber, caviar and black garlic. (Just don’t forget the mints!)

Figs – With their honey scent and delicious pink flesh, it’s easy to see why figs are considered an aphrodisiac. They’re full of antioxidants and rich in amino acids which are known to increase sexual stamina. They’re not in season right now so head to 46 & Mercy (beneath HotBox) for a Stormy Monday spiked with fig liqueur.

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Asparagus – The vitamins in asparagus can help to boost your sex drive so it’s a great choice for date night, especially if you eat it with your fingers. For something a little special, try asparagus wrapped in sliced rib-eye steak with black pepper sauce at Fat Buddha in Newcastle.

Honey – As well as giving you a natural sugar rush, honey contains boron – a mineral which boosts testosterone and estrogen production. Treat someone special to roast silver cod in Champagne and honey at Hakkasan Mayfair.

Red wine – It sets the mood, helps you unwind and also contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps boost blood flow. Why not share a bottle of red and some tapas at Iberica in Manchester or let the experts at Antidote or 28-50 suggest the perfect bottle to go with your romantic meal.

Chillies – The capsaicin in chilli peppers warms you up, gets your heart pumping and stimulates nerve endings so don’t be afraid to order something spicy on date night. If you think you can handle the heat, book a table at one of the spiciest restaurants in London.

Chocolate – Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a stimulant that that sparks dopamine production in the brain and triggers feelings of excitement, attraction and euphoria. Splash out on the Chocolate Afternoon Tea at The Landmark Hotel or visit Rabot 1745 for cocoa-infused dishes and drinks.

Pomegranate – The delicious ruby red seeds are packed with antioxidants which increase blood flow and experts say the fruit can increase testosterone levels too. At Maray in Liverpool, you’ll find a scattering of pomegranate seeds on some of their excellent vegetarian small plates.

What will you be ordering on Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments.

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