Love it or hate it, the season of cinnamon hearts, red roses, and sappy cards is upon us. While we’re firm believers of celebrating love and romance throughout the year, Valentine’s Day is a pretty great excuse to splurge at one of Toronto’s amazing restaurants.
The city is full of spots that serve up romantic vibes on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year, with dreamy designs, sexy décor, moody lighting, and comforting culinary creations. Some are brand-new, while others have solidified themselves as go-to date night spots in recent years. If you’re in the market for the warm and fuzzy feels, here are 14 of the most romantic Toronto restaurants – for Valentine’s Day, and any day. (As for finding a date, that’s on you – sorry).
14 of the Most Romantic Toronto Restaurants
1. Abrielle
The freshly-opened Sutton Place Hotel brings sexy European vibes with Abrielle. The new restaurant offers a coastal Mediterranean fare, with a well-rounded veggie and seafood-forward menu that includes star dishes inspired by flavours from Spain, Greece, and Italy. On Monday nights, the restaurant features rotating menus and live music. Find more info here.
2. Daphne
If your date is into design – and a memorable meal –INK Entertainment’sDaphne is worth the splurge. The financial district spot serves impeccably-plated modern American fare in a sophisticated, but comfortable, dining room with sexy arched ceilings, and the aroma of wood-burning ovens. Meanwhile, a curvy bar and lounge area – perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail – features hand-painted mural art of botanical landscapes and a bustling (but not overcrowded) vibe. Find more info here.
3. Sushi Yugen
The sleek set of sushi lovers will appreciate a date night spent at Sushi Yugen. The just-opened financial district Japanese spot has made a quick name for itself and its authentic omakase sushi experience, which facilitates interactive bonding by design. The experience features a 14-course dinner menu that’s full of conversation starting showstoppers in its perpetual sense of discovery. To immerse yourself in the experience, book the Chef’s Counter (reservations are a must). Find more info here.
4. Lake Inez
Over on Gerrard Street, Lake Inez serves up homestyle charm and comfort in both their vibes and their small but well curated menu of small plates. It’s the type of environment that inevitably invites one to relax and enjoy their company and conversation, as you bond over brews and bites. Beer lovers will appreciate over two dozen beers on tap. Find more info here.
5. Milou
Dundas West spot Milou offers a low-key, neighbourhood vibe where lovers can pretend they’re spending the night in Paris. Located on a charming corner at Dundas and Beaconsfield (there’s something about a corner spot), the cozy restaurant is a favourite of the creative set, and features star menu items like dreamy French onion soup, steak tartare, and duck confit. Find more info here.
6. Evangeline
The Ace Hotel Toronto’s rooftop bar, Evangeline, is the perfect spot to cozy up with your date and an expertly crafted cocktail. Blazing fireplaces add to the subdued ambience, where guests share sexy small plates, bottles of champagne, and both creative and classic cocktails from comfy, design-forward lounge spaces. For added romance, catch the sunset from Evangeline’s floor-to-ceiling wall of windows. Find more info here.
7. Clockwork Toronto
The iconic Royal York Hotel innately brings romantic vibes without even trying. A 2019 renovation saw the transformation of the sprawling hotel’s timeless lobby to include Clockwork Toronto. The sophisticated cocktail and champagne lounge is drenched in gold-hued lighting that illuminates an eclectic assortment of sophisticated furniture, where guests mingle over creative cocktails and share plates. Find more info here.
8. Bar Prima
The newest spot from celebrated chef Craig Harding, Queen West’s Bar Prima gave the city’s foodies something to talk – and post – about when it opened this past fall. The spot offers an intimate vibe, thanks to its dim lighting, striking marble floor, and curve-filled design elements, to complement its quality Italian fare that Toronto can’t get enough of. That’s amore! Find more info here.
9. Aera
If your idea of romance includes all things shiny and new – along with sweeping city views – the just-opened Aeramakes a memorable and sure-to-impress option, offering the perfect excuse to dress up. Located in The Well, a new and buzzed-about multi-use development, the Oliver & Bononcini sushi and steak spot sits on the building’s 38th floor and features a luxurious bar and sushi counter. Find more info here.
10. BlueBlood Steakhouse
Does get more romantic than a meal in a real-life castle? Housed inside the sprawling and majestic Casa Loma, BlueBlood Steakhouse brings a distinct “special occasion” vibe. In addition to some of the city’s best steaks (they’re worth every precious penny), this spot features a stunning bar and lounge, unique heirloom antiques, and artworks by Warhol, Mr. Brainwash, and Salvador Dali. Find more info here.
11. Lapinou Bistro
For a delicious dose of Parisian-inspired romance – including a sexy cinq à sept – Lapinou Bistro makes a reliable option. The celebrated spot serves things like fois gras eclairs, dreamy pastas, and proteins from a comfy setting of exposed brick and wooden rafters. While it may be Michelin-recommended, it’s also approachable, with half-priced bottles of select sommelier-curated wine every Tuesday and Wednesday and $10 drinks and snacks daily 5pm-7pm. Find more info here.
12. AP Restaurant
It’s location alone – towering above the city on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre – makes famed chef Antonio Park’s AP Restaurant an immediate go-to on the romance front. If your idea of bonding with your date includes breathtaking 360-degree views and delicious sharable Japanese and Pan-Asian dishes, this spot speaks your love language. Find more info here.
13. Parquet
For memorable French fare, Parquet brings refined Parisian neighbourhood bistro vibes to Harbord Village. With its wood-panelled walls, marble bar, brass accents, and warm lighting, the spot offers a cozy atmosphere to snuggle up with your date on a banquette while you savour dishes like Digby scallops, hand-cut steak tartare, or dry-aged ribeye. Find more info here.
14. Piano Piano
Piano Piano is always a good idea for those in the market for quality and comforting Italian fare. But its newer Colborne Street location brings distinct romantic vibes, inviting guests into a world of magic and imagination. Front and centre to this is its whimsical downstairs Carousel Bar, which is centred around a vintage carousel horse. Of course, the food itself also makes for a conversation starter – and potential Lady and the Tramp pasta moments. Find more info here.
No Comments