As the days get shorter and the coats get thicker, the enticing feeling of escaping the chilly outside temperatures and curling up in a lively restaurant becomes tough to top. From romantic spots for unforgettable date nights, fine dining destinations with roaring fireplaces and intimate hideaways adorned with fairy lights, the best cozy and warm restaurants in Canada promise a memorable time.
Time-honored dishes and a historic setting make for a cozy ambiance at a Montreal steakhouse, comforting Italian fare soothes the soul at a Toronto hotspot and there are plenty of intimate, quiet corners to be found at a Newfoundland newcomer.
Whether you’re looking for a fireside table to set the mood on a date or a place to linger over conversation with a friend, you’ll find your perfect cold weather hideaway at one of these ten restaurants across Canada.
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The best cozy and warm restaurants in Canada – read on for a guide
For a jazzy French bistro – don’t miss Modavie in Montreal
The jazzy tunes alone are enough to warm your heart at this beguiling French bistro. Modavie hosts live local bands seven nights a week, making for toe-tapping entertainment while diners savour bistro standards like mussels and fries or onion soup made with local 1608 cheese. The lengthy wine list focuses on primarily French bottles, while the wide-ranging cocktail menu spans from classics to more inventive concoctions like a boozy pumpkin spice latte spiked with vodka, coffee and cream liqueurs.
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For one of the best cozy and warm restaurants in Canada for a cheese fondue for two – book a table at The Living Room Restaurant in Calgary
Cosiness is practically built into the name of the Living Room Restaurant, which feels almost as inviting as home. The restaurant still packs a punch over two decades after opening, with a menu built on crowd-pleasing, shareable dishes made with organically-raised meats and dairy along with other local ingredients. You’d be hard-pressed to imagine a more comfort-inducing dish than the cheese fondue made with six-year-aged white cheddar and truffle oil. Dig into the restaurant’s lengthy wine list while dunking seasonal veggies.
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For a date night near a roaring fireplace – visit The Grill Room at Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Whistler, B.C.
An impressive stone fireplace and cherry wood accents set the scene for a relaxing dining experience at The Grill Room at Fairmont Chateau Whistler. From tableside appetizers to the classic chophouse menu, the restaurant delivers a throwback dining experience that emphasizes attentive, old-school service. Recognized with a AAA/CAA Four Diamond rating, the restaurant’s menu showcases the best of the west coast’s culinary bounty, including Fraser Valley pork, local produce and vino made in well-known British Columbia wine regions, such as the Okanagan Valley.
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For a raw bar under warm fairy lights – don’t miss SHUCK Seafood + Raw Bar in Halifax
With board and batten paneling, strings of fairy lights and rustic stonework, SHUCK Seafood + Raw Bar‘s warm, authentically Maritime vibes cast a spell. The raw bar is the main draw here, featuring a fresh and shareable selection of Nova Scotia seafood, much of which is Oceanwise certified. Those wanting to amp up the cozy vibes might prefer hearty mains like panko-crusted fish and chips or shrimp and scallop squid ink pasta. A well-curated list of seafood-friendly wines makes for ideal pairings.
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For one of the best cozy and warm restaurants in Canada for a Greek feast in an idyllic atmosphere – book at Koukla in Toronto
The snack bar spin-off of much-loved restaurant Mamakas Taverna, which delivers the same fresh takes on Greek fare its sister spot is known for, is sure to put the winter blues at bay. A soft, neutral color palette, intimate seating and buzzy vibes give Koukla a welcoming ambiance. With an excellent natural and organic Greek wine list to match with eat-with-your-hands-style mezze plates like sea bass crudo or feta gnocchi, Koukla is an idyllic setting for long dinners and deep conversations.
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For fireside marbled rib eye – try Vieux-Port Steakhouse & Terrasse in Montreal
Expect not one but several roaring fireplaces at Vieux-Port Steakhouse & Terrasse, a charming restaurant housed in a century-old building featuring solid stone walls and hardwood floors. The escargot au gratin or roast beef poutine make for stick-to-your-ribs fireside apps. Open for over 45 years, steaks that are AAA Canadian certified and aged for at least 30 days are this institution’s main claim to fame. Order the generously marbled rib eye or the buttery filet mignon, which are served with essential steakhouse sides of roasted garlic mashed potatoes and veggies.
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For comforting pasta, wood-fired pizza, and wine – visit Cibo Wine Bar King St West in Toronto
Soul-warming Italian fare and a wine list that’s easy to get lost in make Cibo Wine Bar King St West a charming destination for diners in search of cozy comforts. Since joining the decade-old restaurant in summer 2023, new executive chef Laura Petracca has added a number of drool-worthy dishes to the menu, including crispy branzino topped with red pepper aioli. The restaurant’s rustic interior includes earthy details like exposed brick, wood and stone accents, and butcher block tabletops.
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For sultry Mexican staples under hanging lights – book a table at Ophelia in Vancouver
Evocative wall murals, hanging candelabras and dark wood accents give Ophelia a captivating vibe that draws diners in. Recommended in Vancouver’s MICHELIN guide, Ophelia is named for chef/co-owner Francisco Higareda’s mother and features a menu that draws on his own family recipes. Higareda whisks diners to Mexico with his fine dining spin on south-of-the-border staples ranging from tacos to mole. The sultry atmosphere lures diners to linger over well-executed tequila and mezcal-based cocktails, including several riffs on the margarita.
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For one of the best cozy and warm restaurants in Canada for playful cocktails and a balmy atmosphere – try LIV in St. John’s
The tropical wallpaper and lively vibes at LIV will have you feeling snug in no time. The balmy atmosphere extend to the cocktail menu, where playful tipples like the Sunsets in Miami – made with gin, Campari, pineapple, agave and lemon – are sure to transport your taste buds. The restaurant’s dim lighting and trendy decor creates a seductive atmosphere for tucking into Asian-influenced small plates like duck wings with house chili sauce or Peking mushrooms with scallion pancake.
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For cozy French-tavern vibes – book at Gaspar French Brasserie in Montreal
It’s hard to resist the charms of this elegant French brasserie set in a 19th-century warehouse. Blending French cooking techniques with Montreal’s forward-thinking culinary lens, the menu at Gaspar French Brasserie features dishes that are both inventive and familiar, such as braised beef cheek with saffron risotto or roasted Cornish hen with charred cauliflower. Red leather banquettes, glittering chandeliers and dark wood finishes complete the restaurant’s Parisian brasserie aesthetic. Cap off your meal with the burnt cheesecake and a glass of port.
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Jessica Huras is a Toronto-based food and drink writer. Eat your way across the city (and beyond) with her on Instagram @waysofwanderers
Still can’t decide? Explore more of the best cozy and warm restaurants in Canada on OpenTable.
Keen for more of Canada’s best restaurants? Check out the below guides:
- The 10 best family restaurants in Toronto the kids will love
- The best brunch in Montreal for a great start of the day
- 10 of the best rooftop restaurants and bars in Toronto to know about
- The 10 most romantic restaurants in Toronto for every type of date
- The 10 best date restaurants in Vancouver for a romantic meal
- Vancouver’s 10 best Indian restaurants to try right now
- The 10 best family restaurants in Calgary for a memorable meal out
- Announcing Vancouver’s Inaugural MICHELIN Star Restaurants
- Announcing Toronto’s inaugural MICHELIN Star restaurants
- 19 iconic restaurants to try in Canada
