I tried M&S's £25 Valentine's Day meal deal – here's what's on the menu
Whether you're keeping it lowkey with a partner or planning a 'Galentine's' dinner party, if you don't fancy forking out for an expensive meal at a restaurant this Valentine's Day, a supermarket meal deal is the next best thing – and M&S is arguably the crème de la crème.
Serving up a decadent three-course meal to enjoy with a loved one, the M&S viral dine-in deal is back for 2025, joining the likes of Waitrose, Morrisons and Tesco to reveal its line-up. Spoiler: it doesn't disappoint.
Costing just £25, you can feast on a starter, main, side and dessert, complete with a bottle of fizz, wine or your choice of soft drink for £12.50 per head.
This year, there are 15 new additions to the lineup as well as returning favourites (think fillet steak Wellington and the British wagyu beef pie). As well as tempting meat dishes, you can expect fish mains, including salmon en croute, as well as vegan and vegetarian offerings. As for starters, you can tuck into the fan-favourite baked burrata with nduja and ciabatta crunch, indulgent prawn and lobster gratins, baking brie and mini bao buns, while you're spoiled for choice with the tempting sides (creamy potato dauphinoise, salt and pepper wedges, cheesy green vegetable bake and Mediterranean style roasting vegetables).
There are also boozy and non-alcoholic tipples to pair with your meal – and that's all before you even get to decide which dessert to indulge in.
Ahead of its launch, I tried a couple of the dishes for an early Valentine's Day evening at home. From the full line-up to when it's available to shop, here's what you can expect from the Marks and Spencer Valentine's dine-in meal deal – plus my verdict on its value for money.
When is the M&S Valentine's meal deal launching?
A highlight each year, Marks and Spencer's Valentine's Day dine-in deal for 2025 will be available to shop online from Ocado on 31 January. It will then be available in-store from 10 February, right up to the big day itself on 14 February.
How much does it cost?
The dine-in deal is the same price as last year, costing £25 (£12.50 per head). This includes a starter, main, side, dessert and drink (prosecco, wine or a soft drink) for two people.
What's included in the M&S Valentine's dine-in deal?
Rivaling other supermarkets with the wealth of food available, there's something for everyone in M&S's dine-in deal, from vegans to those who follow a gluten-free diet. For starters, you can choose between everything from king prawn and lobster thermidor gratins (Marksandspencer.com), luxury prawn cocktails (Marksandspencer.com), mini bao buns (Marksandspencer.com), baking burrata (Marksandspencer.com), baking brie (Marksandspencer.com) coquilles st jacques (Marksandspencer.com) and king prawn medley (Marksandspencer.com).
As for the main event, you're spoiled for choice with eight dishes. Meat eaters can feast on a beef wellington with red wine jus (Marksandspencer.com), duck breasts (Marksandspencer.com), sirloin steak with garlic butter (Marksandspencer.com), rump steaks with peppercorn sauce (Marksandspencer.com), wagyu beef pie (Marksandspencer.com) and chicken breast paupiettes (Marksandspencer.com). If it's pescatarian grub you're after, there's a tasty salmon and prawn en croutes (Marksandspencer.com) while the butternut squash and spinach pie (Marksandspencer.com) has vegans covered.
M&S's side dishes are just as tempting, with plenty of veg options – think a cheesy green veg bake (Marksandspencer.com), Mediterranean-style roasting vegetables (Marksandspencer.com), a vegetable medley (Marksandspencer.com) and Mediterranean veg (£3.50, Ocado.com). Or, indulge in triple-cooked chips (Marksandspencer.com), potato dauphinoise (Marksandspencer.com), loaded cheesy mash (Marksandspencer.com), salt and pepper wedges (Marksandspencer.com) and smashed potatoes with basil oil drizzle (Marksandspencer.com).
Now, onto dessert. If you're a chocolate nut, there's a chocolate melt-in-the-middle pudding (Marksandspencer.com), chocolate praline heart (Marksandspencer.com) and chocolate and caramel pots (Marksandspencer.com), while those with a sweet tooth are catered for with classic vanilla cheesecakes (Marksandspencer.com), salted caramel profiteroles (Marksandspencer.com) and a tiramisu cheesecake (Marksandspencer.com). Or, enjoy Sicilian lemon possets (Marksandspencer.com).
No Valentine's Day meal is complete without an accompanying tipple. Fizz fans will love the rosé prosecco (Marksandspencer.com) or conte prosecco (Marksandspencer.com) while the alcohol-free rosé (Marksandspencer.com) is a nice alternative. For red wine fans, there's malbec (Marksandspencer.com) and bonita (Marksandspencer.com), while the chardonnay (Marksandspencer.com) and pinot grigio (Marksandspencer.com) are sure to be refreshing. Or, you could opt for a four-pack of M&S's popular passion star martini (Marksandspencer.com) or Mojito cocktail cans (Marksandspencer.com).
Ahead of the big day, I got my hands on some of the dishes on the M&S's Valentine's Day menu to see if it's as excellent value as it sounds.
The lobster and king prawn thermidor gratin kicked off proceedings. Rich and indulgent, the king prawns and lobsters have a creamy, shellfish stock, complete with white wine and brandy sauce. The gratin has a delicious crunch thanks to the cheese and parsley breadcrumb topping.
Then it was onto the main event: fillet steak beef wellington with red wine jus. A generous chunk of British is topped with mushroom Duxelles and wrapped in golden puff pastry, with the astringency of the red wine jus perfectly balancing the fattiness of the beef. A side of mash loaded with vintage cheddar cheese was elevated by the sweet caramelised onions, with the creamy texture a comforting contrast to the richness of the meat.
For dessert, the chocolate praline not only looked the part with its romantic heart shape, but it was also a surprising treat thanks to the creamy chocolate hazelnut centre, wafer base and layers of dark chocolate. Of course, it was all washed down with a bottle of conte prosecco which would have cost £8 alone.
The entire meal was a breeze to cook (each dish needs no longer than 20 minutes in the oven), delicious, filling and well-presented. For just £12.50 a head, it's a no-brainer (simply add dinner candles and don't forget a bunch of flowers).
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