15 Best Romantic Restaurants in Toronto for Couples
Are you looking for a romantic place to spend Valentine’s Day or celebrate an anniversary in Toronto? You can create a memorable dining experience for your loved one at one of the romantic restaurants in Toronto.
From candlelit bistros to fine dining establishments overlooking city lights, Toronto romantic restaurants can suit every couple’s preferences. They are also among the best date ideas in Toronto.
Now, we will look at some of the most romantic restaurants in Toronto. Take your time and find the place that best defines your love.
Top 15 Romantic Restaurants in Toronto to Choose for Your Date
Let’s explore the city’s most enchanting dining destinations. These places mix exquisite flavors with a captivating atmosphere.
Restaurant Name | Menu | Location |
---|---|---|
Alo | French Restaurant | Fashion District |
Auberge Du Pommier | French Food | North York |
Osteria Giulia | Italian Food | Yorkville |
AP | Japanese Food | Yorkville |
Grey Gardens | Seafood Dishes | Kensington |
Baro | Mexican & South American Dishes | King West Street |
Ardo | Sicilian Dishes and Seafood Dishes | King Street East |
Parquet | French cuisine | Leslieville |
Lake Inez | Indian Restaurant | Gerrard St E |
Canoe | Canadian Cuisine | TD Tower in the Financial District |
Casa Madera | Mediterranean mixed with Mexican coastal cuisine | Fashion District |
Scaramouche | Traditional French Dishes | Forest Hill |
Laylak | Arabic Restaurant | Financial District |
Rhapsody | Japanese-Peruvian Dishes | Ossington Avenue |
Benares | Indian Dishes | Front Street East |
1- Alo
The first item on our list of top romantic restaurants in Toronto is exceptional. This one is arguably the best in Toronto. Alo is a contemporary French restaurant in an old Victorian building in Toronto.
This restaurant is on our list because:
- Its stunning decor makes a delightful scene.
- Alo’s Michelin award-winning dishes will astonish every customer. It is regarded as one of Canada’s most essential restaurants.
- The restaurant also has a private dining room that can accommodate special events and celebrations. So, if you want to have a candle light dinner in Toronto, Alo is one of the best places you can choose.
- They also have a special menu for vegetarians and those who need gluten-free meals.
- Lastly, this restaurant is located in the Fashion District, one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Toronto.
Besides that, they have an innovative cock-tail bar with many unique drinks. Altogether, Alo is an excellent place to share a special moment with your partner.
2- Auberge Du Pommier
Next on our list is a French restaurant in the suburbs. They reconstructed this place from rural cottages belonging to the 19th century. That’s why Auberge Du Pommier inherits a calm and cozy environment.
Auberge Du Pommier is one of the cozy restaurants Toronto has, which is located in North York. Enjoy classic candlelit dining with a gorgeous fireplace, or admire its summertime floral terraces. In addition, their carefully designed menu always surprises you with something new and innovative. Don’t forget to check out its expansive wine list.
The restaurant is one of the best date night restaurants Toronto and is known for its outstanding food, carefully crafted under the expert leadership of Chef Solomon Mason. It’s Open Monday to Saturday from 11:45 AM to 2:00 PM for lunch and 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM for dinner, with validated parking available for convenience.
3- Osteria Giulia
For the next item, we have an Italian restaurant. Located in Yorkville neighborhood, Osteria Giulia redefines how an Italian restaurant can be. It combines simple northern Italian food with Mediterranean flavor, adding a sophisticated touch.
Forget what you know about traditional Italian dining, in this romantic restaurant in Toronto, you will have a unique experience. Here are the highlights of Osteria Giulia restaurant:
- Unlike other restaurants, Osteria Giulia has a minimalistic interior design. The candlelights fading into cream-colored walls give this place a fantastic look.
- Moreover, their blond-oak tables couldn’t be a better fit.
- Osteria Giulia was ranked among Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants in 2024.
- Due to the restaurant’s popularity, reservation is highly recommended.
Altogether, this minimalist view captures the essence of the food: simple yet carefully designed. Therefore, this Michelin Star-awarded restaurant is a must-visit among Toronto’s top Italian restaurants.
4- AP
This item is among the romantic restaurants in Toronto with a view. A special place awaits you on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre building in the Yorkville Toronto.
Named after its chef and owner, Antonio Park, AP is a Japanese and pan-Asian restaurant. You can reinvent your idea of Japanese food with the cooking twists here. Apart from that, the mixture of black marble tables with wood creates an exceptional look.
Thanks to its romantic vibe, AP restaurant is an ideal choice for a special date night. Both the cocktails and dishes are crafted with care and complexity, offering flavors to enjoy slowly while soaking in the ambiance.
So don’t miss having a romantic dinner with your partner while gazing at Toronto’s skyline! Reserve a table right away.
5- Grey Gardens
This one is an excellent pick among romantic restaurants in Downtown Toronto. In the heart of Kensington, Grey Gardens can make a memorable night for you and your partner.
This place has an extensive vintage-style dining room. They’ve also matched their long list of wines with a sizable 55-seat wine bar. Although the menu is kept short, they’ve delicately crafted their items to make a pleasurable seafood experience.
Grey Gardens also offers shareable dishes, which can cost less. It can be a romantic choice for couples sharing a dinner. Take a look at their menu.
6- Baro
If you’re still looking for romantic restaurants in Toronto Downtown, you can check out Baro on King West Street. It is a beautiful place with a gorgeous dining room. The plants on the tables or the ceiling make this place much more relaxing. Similarly, its dim and soft lightning is very romantic.
Baro serves Latin food. It focuses on Mexican and South American dishes. This place is a good choice if you want to try out something new. Moreover, they have a rich cocktail menu.
7- Ardo
Let’s have another Italian restaurant on our list. If you’re a pasta lover, Ardo is a perfect spot for your next date night in Toronto.
Ardo is owned and run by a married couple (Roberto Marotta and Jacqueline Nicosia) who met in Sicily. What can be more romantic than that?! Then, when they wanted to build their restaurants, they chose this place.
Ardo offers Sicilian dishes with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. If you enjoy having tasty seafood dishes, check out this place. It’s on King East Street in Downtown Toronto.
As one of the best romantic restaurants in Toronto for couples, this place highlights fresh, high-quality ingredients, keeping the dishes flavorful. Be sure to try the raw tuna carpaccio, a dish with crisp celery, capers, and cucumbers.
8- Parquet
In the heart of Downtown Toronto, there’s a tranquil romantic restaurant. Parquet is a bistro-inspired restaurant serving French cuisine. Regarding interior design, they’ve mixed the small bistro vibe with an elegant and established restaurant. Eventually, they made a thrilling destination among the top romantic restaurants in Toronto.
Furthermore, they’ve added this mixture to the menu as well. Although Parquet is regarded as a French restaurant, we cannot categorize it accurately. For instance, you’ll always find unconventional items on the menu alongside the casual French dishes. It keeps the menu fresh and surprising.
All in all, this is one of the most romantic restaurants Toronto, which combines an exciting menu with antique and stunning design. Indeed, it will bring an unforgettable date with your romantic partner. If you are around the Leslieville neighborhood, you can check this place out.
9- Lake Inez
This time, let’s take a look at one of the romantic Indian restaurants in Toronto. And we picked the best one.
Lake Inez is a comfortable and friendly restaurant.
- It has an iconic stained-glass mosaic on the wall. It also includes vintage furniture in the interior design.
- Besides the outlook, Lake Inez’s food differs from regular Indian restaurants.
- Their menu consists of Asian fusion dishes. This place also provides vegan-friendly options.
- They serve various Ontario-made beers as well.
- Lastly, Lake Inez is relatively cheaper than other items on the list. If you’re planning a date night on a budget, Lake Inez is a great choice.
- After dinner, you can explore Toronto’s nightlife or wander around the city to make the evening even more memorable.
10- Canoe
Canoe is a classic destination for couples in Toronto, which has been around for more than 25 years. Located on the 54th floor of the TD Tower in the Financial District, it is among the best romantic restaurants in Toronto with a view.
Arguably, Canoe has the best view of Toronto’s skyline, with stunning scenery that is uncanny.
Canoe serves Canadian cuisine and is a great choice for enjoying local food. It also has two exclusive dining rooms, making it an excellent spot for celebrating milestone occasions like anniversaries.
- Their onion soup stands out as a must-try, creatively served inside a large onion for an unforgettable presentation and taste.
- The restaurant operates Monday to Friday, serving lunch from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM and dinner from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
- It’s closed on weekends, so plan accordingly to enjoy this exceptional romantic restaurant in Toronto.
11- Casa Madera
Casa Madera is one of the most captivating options on our list. It is a Mediterranean restaurant with Mexican influences. Consequently, it makes an exciting combination. The vibrant ingredients from the Mediterranean mixed with Mexican coastal cuisine have a potent effect. Also, they serve an extensive non-alcoholic cocktail menu.
It’s open at different times throughout the week, it offers both lunch and dinner on weekends and dinner service on weekdays. Guests can enjoy dishes crafted by skilled chefs while live DJs and performers enhance the experience. The restaurant’s interior features a modern wooden design with greenery, creating a stylish atmosphere.
All in all, Casa Madera has established a friendly and delicate place. Also, it’s one of the best destinations in the Fashion District. It has secured a place among our top romantic Toronto restaurants.
12- Scaramouche
On this item, we will look at another place among the older romantic restaurants in Toronto. Scaramouche has been here for decades. It is located in the Forest Hill suburbs, giving the restaurant a more calm and quiet atmosphere. Book a table here and escape the busy city life of Toronto for your special night.
Besides the modern and captivating design, extraordinary scenery surrounds Scaramouche. Here, they serve traditional French dishes. Unlike the previous restaurants, don’t expect any new twists.
The restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday, from 5 PM to 9 PM. It may be closed on Sundays, so be sure to confirm with the restaurant in advance.
13- Laylak
For the next item on our list, we will check out an Arabic restaurant. Laylak is located in the Financial District of Toronto. It serves Lebanese food. Here, you can experience the fresh flavors from the Middle East with innovative twists. It is also among the romantic halal restaurants in Toronto.
This is one of the best restaurants in Toronto that offers big portions, so you won’t need to order a lot. The flavors are amazing, and the service is excellent, making it great.
14. Rhapsody
Rhapsody, located on Ossington Avenue, is one of the top romantic restaurants in Toronto with a stylish vibe. It serves Japanese-Peruvian dishes in a relaxed setting. The restaurant has beautiful chandeliers with sparkling crystals above the bar, and the rest of the space is softly lit, creating a warm atmosphere.
It’s a great place for both a special night out or a casual date.
- Rhapsody is open Monday to Thursday from 5 PM to 10 PM,
- on Fridays and Saturdays, it stays open until 11 PM.
15. Benares
If you’re looking for a candle light dinner in Toronto, Benares is the best choice. This bar is located at 49 Front St. E. This restaurant offers a variety of dishes inspired by the rich food culture of India. The restaurant is open every day from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday until 11:30 PM.
Benares is known for its nice atmosphere in downtown Toronto. The Butter Chicken is a popular dish, with creamy sauce, spices, and tender chicken. Another favorite is the Chicken Pakoda, which is crispy and full of flavor, making it a great choice for a starter.
Conclusion
As we explored the list, we saw that Toronto has a rich culinary scene. Especially newer romantic restaurants in Toronto have elevated the dining experience even further. Moreover, the diversity of cultures and passionate and innovative chefs has resulted in some of the best restaurants in Toronto. Therefore, these places can make an exceptional romantic memory.
FAQs
1. Are Romantic Restaurants in Toronto Suitable for Special Occasions Like Birthdays or Anniversaries?
Most of these restaurants are equipped to host your special celebration. Check out the restaurant’s website to ensure they suit your celebration.
2. Do Toronto Romantic Restaurants Offer Vegetarian or Vegan Options?
Yes. Most of the restaurants have vegan-friendly options on their menus. Check out their menu by looking up the restaurant’s website. This way, you can determine if the place has vegetarian dishes before booking a table.
3. Are There Any Budget-Friendly Options Among the Best Romantic Restaurants in Toronto?
These are the top romantic restaurants in Toronto. So, naturally, they are more expensive than regular restaurants. But if you’re looking for places with a lower price range, you can check out here. Besides, restaurants like Lake Inez or Gusto 101 are cheaper but still charming.