Toronto’s signature diversity infuses many aspects of its food scene, including its batch of romantic restaurants. For some couples, date night means crisp white tablecloths, fine wine, and exceptional service. Others lust after buzzy hotspots that encourage them to lean in close for intimate conversations. Fortunately, the Queen City is well-stocked with both kinds of places—and everything in between—so take a closer look for a glimpse of the most romantic restaurants in Toronto.
In North York, a decades-old French landmark, known for its flower-filled patio, is sure to impress even the choosiest date. A Bloordale Village restaurant serves up award-winning Chinese cuisine with natural wines and cozy vibes. Shareable small plates pair well with flirty banter at a beloved tapas joint in Little Italy.
Whether you’re wooing a new crush or celebrating your 10th wedding anniversary, Toronto has a table for you. Read on for a guide to the most romantic restaurants in Toronto, poised for every type of date, and book with OpenTable.
The most romantic restaurants in Toronto for dates – read on for a guide
For a seductive date night at an exciting new hotspot – don’t miss Abrielle in the Entertainment District
Opened in October 2023 in the bustling Entertainment District, Abrielle takes diners on an immersive coastal Mediterranean culinary jaunt, complete with vibrant vibes that set the mood for romance. The restaurant’s inventive cocktail menu is themed by natural elements and the sunny coastal regions such as The Sicilian made with melon gin, cactus pear and lemon or the Santorini Smoke with gin, port wine, curacao, lemon cordial, and cardamom. The menu draws inspiration from Italy, Spain and France with a focus on seafood and vegetable-forward fare. Expect chorizo and octopus croquetas, eggplant tempura, handmade spaghettoni with shrimp broth, prawn crudo and caviar and grilled Ontario lamb with bean purée with a side of patatas bravas. Or turn it into a day date with Abrielle’s lively brunch.
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For a flirty first date spot with shareable tapas at one of the most romantic restaurants in Toronto – try Bar Isabel in Little Italy
Shareable Spanish plates make great companions for flirty, first-date banter at this easygoing Little Italy spot. Bar Isabel‘s charming space hums with conversation, evoking an old-world European ambience with curved wooden archways and sexy red lighting. Order as many dishes as you can cram on the restaurant’s petite, bistro-style tables; the menu reflects chef Grant van Gameren’s passion for nose-to-tail cooking, featuring platters of tender jamón and whole-grilled octopus, best paired with house-baked bread. An exceptionally well-curated beer, wine, and cocktail selection attracts seasoned drinks aficionados.
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For a fancy hot date – visit Minami in the Entertainment District
Turn up the heat—quite literally—on your date night. Flame-seared sushi is the name of the game at Minami, the fourth Toronto location for the Aburi Restaurants group. Another date-night star is the wagyu, served on a sizzling stone hot stone alongside black garlic miso, truffle kimizu (egg and rice vinegar sauce), and seasonal vegetables. Minami’s award-winning interiors, which feature illuminated arched screens made from glazed fabrics and a mural by Japanese painter Hideki Kimura, will give you and your companion plenty to talk about, should there be a lull in conversation.
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For one of the most romantic restaurants in Toronto for award-winning Chinese fare – book a table at Alma in Bloordale Village
With first-date jitters out of the way, take things up a notch at this homey but modern Chinese spot. Executive chef Anna Chen’s inviting Bloordale restaurant combines inspiration from her Hakka Chinese and Indian roots with her French and Italian culinary training. Awarded with a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, the food selection at Alma is thoughtful, seasonal, and ever-changing but includes a few constant favourites, including bao with housemade stracciatella cheese, Szechuan spiced lamb belly roast and mushroom and corn potato dumplings. The small and large plate menu gives plenty of options to couples looking to sample a little bit of everything, as well as those who believe that separate entrees are the secret to a harmonious relationship.
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For an anniversary at a critically acclaimed restaurant – book at Osteria Giulia in Yorkville
The follow-up to chef Rob Rossi and restaurateur David Minicucci’s critically acclaimed restaurant Giulietta is as special occasion-worthy as its predecessor. Osteria Giulia’s northern Italian dishes, such as hand-braided pasta with wild squid and bay scallops and burrata with caviar and Sardinian honey, are fresh, simple, and sophisticated. The restaurant’s minimalist interior is an extension of the menu’s refined touch. All clean lines and neutral colours, the setting is a dream for couples who go giddy over a Scandi-style aesthetic, featuring blond oak tables, Italian limestone accents, and a wood-panelled bar.
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For a romantic milestone at a historical dining destination – try Harbour Sixty in South Core
With a grand setting in the restored, turn-of-the-century Harbour Commission building and a menu centered on USDA prime beef, Harbour Sixty stands out as a quintessential celebration spot. The seductive, three-floor space is decked out in a rich palette of plum, black, and cream. From the Italian crystal lights in the formal dining room to a bar with mother-of-pearl wall details, the restaurant is filled with ornate accents. The menu offers old-school steakhouse standbys such as seafood towers, New York strip, and wagyu steaks, along with more contemporary sides including lobster mashed potato and white truffle mac and cheese.
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For one of the most romantic restaurants in Toronto for a proposal – pop the question at Auberge Du Pommier in North York
Auberge du Pommier has remained a north Toronto charmer since it opened in a connected pair of 19th-century cottages in 1987. Specializing in modern French fare, the restaurant reflects classic candlelit-dining at its best—ideal for momentous occasions. Over the years, some of the city’s best chefs have passed through this landmark spot, so there’s always something new and inventive on the menu. Executive chef Solomon Mason puts an emphasis on fresh ingredients and playful textures. The à la carte menu, which features dishes such as seared foie gras with honey-roasted pear and butter-poached wild Atlantic halibut with artichoke barigoule, leek fondue and caviar beurre blanc, is consistently excellent. Though if you’re here to pop the big question, the multi-course tasting menu is the way to go.
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For a group date with Latin American dishes and cocktails – try Baro in King West
This lively King West restaurant hosts many group hangouts in its multi-level space—some of which are geared more towards partying than dining. Baro‘s plant-fringed main dining room, with soft lighting and cozy booths, is where the romance potential is the strongest. The menu draws inspiration from all across Latin America. Many of the dishes are shareable, including the reimagined OG duck chaufa, a riff on the Peruvian dish arroz chaufa, featuring delicately caramelized fried rice mixed with duck confit, edamame, and chillies, served in a heated stone bowl. The drinks menu includes classic cocktails, as well as creative house concoctions that mirror the food’s Latin American flavours.
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For one of the most romantic restaurants in Toronto for an intimate, cozy date – unwind at Grey Gardens in Kensington Market
This Kensington Market wine bar-cum-restaurant from well-known Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg features an outstanding vino selection. Agg is known for vibe curation, and with artfully vintage interiors, Grey Gardens is no exception. The front bar area is devoted to walk-ins, while reservations are available in the cozy, 30-seat main dining room. The wine list will wow enthusiasts, but the restaurant is also approachable for newbies thanks to straightforward tasting notes. The food menu is divided into shareable plates, such as smoked fish dip, plus heartier pasta dishes diners can linger over, including duck sausage tagliatelle and a standout agnolotti.
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For a romantic rendez-vous at a Parisian brasserie – visit Gare de L’Est in Leslieville
Gare de L’Est’s name is a nod to Paris’s historic train station and the restaurant’s East End location. The menu, tailor-made for a hushed, romantic rendez-vous, brings a local influence to traditional French brasserie fare featuring steak tartare with hand-cut Ontario beef, and moules frites with PEI organic blue mussels. With concrete floors and exposed overhead pipes, the restaurant has a subtly industrial feel that tips a hat to its Parisian namesake. Blue velvet banquettes are perfect for sitting side by side, while an open kitchen, framed by Carrara marble, amplifies the elegance.
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