Montreal knows how to spark romance with date-night worthy restaurants to suit all kinds of occasions. From a first date to a 50th anniversary, the city is packed with cozy bars and classy dining rooms (intimate, smaller spaces are a specialty here) that offer plenty of options for you and your plus one.
Centuries-old Montreal has a deep-rooted European heritage, distinct for its ambiance and quality flavours – just like Stella Artois. A premium Lager crafted with the finest European saaz hops, pure malt, and the perfect pairing to a romantic dinner or celebration for two.
Why not start with a Stella as you enjoy a steak frites at a Parisian-like brasserie or with Nordic seafood at a chic fusion hotspot that blends influences from Iceland to Japan. No matter the romantic experience you’re after, you’ll have a memorable date, outstanding dishes and a premium beer to match.
7 restaurants in Montreal for a date-night worth savouring – read on for a guide presented by Stella Artois.
For a transportive date – visit Le Pois Penché in downtown Montreal
This mainstay of Montreal’s downtown dining scene is overflowing with old school French charm. Leather banquettes and velvet chairs that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a brasserie in Paris, and will set the mood with your partner. The menu feels just as classically French: fresh oysters are an obvious choice for a romantic connection with your date, but there are heartier dishes too, from steak with a buttery pepper sauce to Belgian-style moules frites. For a more casual date, consider Le Pois Penché’s weekend brunch — but with oysters and lobster on the menu, you can also play it fancy.
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For a date with a group – visit Jellyfish in Old Montreal
There’s no better way to prove to your friends that you’ve got excellent taste than to book in for a double (or triple) date in Jellyfish‘s luxuriant dining room. With high ceilings, chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows facing out to Montreal’s most historic district, and mid-century furniture, the vibe is urbane with just a dash of eclecticism. That sophisticated style translates to the menu as well. Acclaimed chef Mathieu Masson-Duceppe oversees a menu centred around a raw bar (with oysters and crudo) and char-grilling. Creative nods to various Latin American and Japanese cuisines, showcase funky multi-textured combinations like burrata with pickled pomegranate miso-yuzu emulsion that are sure to get your group talking. The grill side of the menu, with its rack of lamb and short ribs, pairs effortlessly with the beers.
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For an upbeat date with music and a party vibe – visit Bazart in Griffintown
If you like your dinner dates upbeat, look no further than Bazart, a Mediterranean restaurant and bar located in the same heritage building as the famous Montreal nightclub New City Gas. In a nod to the building’s past, Bazart plays host to DJs and live musicians, making it a great bet for couples who fancy a post-dinner dance. And while you can visit Bazart just for casual drinks, you’d be remiss not to dive into its sparkling pan-Mediterranean menu, with a beachy design to match. If you’re planning to keep things light in anticipation of dancing, there are mezzes that draw on influences from Italy to Lebanon, from an unctuous caponata with smoky eggplant to tangy and crispy fattoush salad. For something heartier, there’s a charcoal-fired grill serving up lip-smacking grilled octopus and lamb chops that’ll pair fantastically with a premium beer.
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For an extra-special date (or even a proposal) – visit Henri Brasserie Française in downtown Montreal
This sophisticated French restaurant in Montreal’s Hotel Birks is dripping with class, thanks to its Art Déco dining room laden with marble and gold fixtures in a historic building that feels like a Parisian salon. That class extends to the menu: refined dishes span from foie gras to beef tartare with a Canadian twist in the form of Indigenous bannock bread and in hearty dishes like duck magret or smoked salmon. But be sure to save room for Henri’s bacchanalian desserts: with plenty of French classics laden with chocolate and cream, you’ll want to share a kiss (especially if you happen to pop the question).
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For a romantic brunch date – visit Rosélys in downtown Montreal
With interior design that’s the perfect mix of groovy yet elegant (think colourful patterned carpets and plush dining chairs), Rosélys is the kind of place you can feel romantic in at any time, be it for a hearty breakfast or brunch with eggs and hollandaise or a lunch date on the go. For a unique experience with a special someone, you and your date can toast a beer and enjoy a dizzying array of bites from foie gras to French pastries. Dinner is also a strength, where you can be casual with mains like a smoky cheddar burger, or elegant with delicate roasted duck.
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For a vibrant date and a casual Italian hotspot – visit Gatto Matto in Laval
If you’re planning an easy and lively date with that special someone but dreading the trek onto the island of Montreal, look no further than Gatto Matto. Much more than just a convenient location, this modern Italian dining destination that you can bend to your whims — it works formidably for a casual after-work drink with a few bites, or a more formal meal. Go all-out and share a decadent filet mignon or slurp spaghetti Lady and the Tramp style with your sweetheart. Alternatively, opt for a Neapolitan-style pizza topped with prosciutto or burrata. The eclectic design is a treat, too: from pastel furnishings to vintage patterned wallpaper, it’s like a hyper-modern nonna’s house and a feast for the eyes.
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For a first-date destination with antipasti in a pressure-free environment – visit Wienstein & Gavino’s in downtown Montreal
First dates are a delicate balancing act: you don’t want to be locked into anything too formal, but you still want to impress. Fortunately, a trattoria like Wienstein & Gavino’s c checks all the boxes. You can keep things short and sweet with a beer alongside classic antipasti from fried calamari to cheesy arancini. Then, if things are going well, being able to split a pizza on the first date is a surefire sign of a promising relationship. There’s also decadent mains like osso buco for a full-scale dinner date — and the wine cellar atmosphere inside the restaurant with tiled floor and high ceilings does make it tempting to linger to multiple courses.
