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Best Date Night Restaurants in Toronto (2026)

Cozy bistros, pasta dates, lively dinners and anniversaries worth booking ahead for.

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Best Date Night Restaurants in Toronto (2026)

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The best date night restaurant isn't always the most expensive one. Sometimes it's a small French bistro. Sometimes it's pasta at the bar, a table over the skyline or a tasting menu that fills the whole evening. The trick is picking the kind of night you actually want.

Grey Gardens is our all-round pick. Scaramouche is the classic romantic dinner, Le Baratin makes the budget easy and Quetzal brings the energy. The guide runs by area, so start with the part of town you'll already be in. All prices are in Canadian dollars.

Still at the first-drink stage? Start with our best first-date bars in Toronto.

Toronto Date Night Restaurants at a Glance

Budget labels compare these restaurants with each other. Moderate usually has a flexible à la carte route, Upscale means a more substantial bill, and Splurge means a tasting menu, a big steak dinner or a major-occasion room.

Most of these book on OpenTable; each card has the booking details.

RestaurantNeighbourhoodBudgetBest for
Grey GardensKensington MarketUpscaleThe all-round pick
DreyfusHarbord VillageUpscaleA tiny, buzzy French room
QuetzalCollege & BathurstSplurgeOpen-fire Mexican with energy
DaiLoLittle ItalyUpscaleA sociable shared dinner
Bar IsabelLittle ItalyUpscaleA lively night of small plates
GiuliettaDufferin GroveUpscaleDressed-up pizza and pasta
AloQueen & SpadinaSplurgeA big-celebration tasting menu
Le Sélect BistroKing WestUpscaleA classic French bistro
EdulisNiagaraSplurgeWhen dinner is the whole occasion
Le SwanWest Queen WestModerateCozy comfort food in a booth
Taverne Bernhardt'sBeaconsfield VillageModerateAn easy roast-chicken date
La BananeOssingtonUpscaleA stylish French occasion
Côte de BœufOssingtonUpscaleA spontaneous steak frites
Linny'sOssingtonSplurgeA steakhouse with personality
Bar VendettaDundas WestModerateA low-key pasta date
Enoteca SocialeLittle PortugalModerateRoman pasta and wine
Imanishi Japanese KitchenLittle PortugalModerateIzakaya plates and sake
Le BaratinBrockton VillageModerateA set-price French dinner
MhelBloorcourtUpscaleAdventurous eaters
AlmaBloordale VillageUpscaleA quiet, food-first dinner
Richmond StationFinancial DistrictUpscaleA seasonal menu downtown
Byblos DowntownEntertainment DistrictUpscaleA dressed-up shared dinner
CanoeFinancial DistrictSplurgeA skyline anniversary
Don Alfonso 1890HarbourfrontSplurgeA milestone or proposal
ARDOOld TownModerateSicilian away from the scene
AveloYorkvilleUpscaleA plant-based tasting menu
Osteria GiuliaYorkvilleSplurgeA sleek Italian anniversary
Joso'sYorkvilleUpscaleSeafood in an art-filled room
ScaramoucheSouth HillUpscaleThe classic romantic dinner
MIMI ChineseDavenportUpscaleRegional Chinese, white tablecloths
Sotto SottoYorkvilleUpscaleCandlelit old-school Italian
FKSt. Clair WestUpscaleAn unhurried uptown dinner
Auberge du PommierYork MillsSplurgeA fireside winter date
Lake InezLittle IndiaUpscaleA creative, playful dinner
BatifoleEast ChinatownModerateA no-fuss French bistro
The Wood OwlDanforthModerateA neighbourhood wine dinner
WynonaRiverdaleModerateHandmade pasta, easy prices
Old MillEtobicokeUpscaleHistory and live jazz

Kensington, College & King West

From Kensington Market and College Street down to Queen and King West, this stretch runs from small, lively rooms where dinner feels like part of a night out to two of the city's most serious tasting menus.

Grey Gardens

Grey Gardens

199 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L4, Canada

Grey Gardens is where we'd send anyone who just wants a really good dinner for two. The wine-bar feel keeps things easy, and the small, changing menu of crudos, oysters and house pastas gives the night more substance than drinks and a cheese plate. The room buzzes, so take a table if you want to talk, or sit at the chef's counter to watch the open kitchen. Details: 199 Augusta Ave, Kensington Market. Dinner Mon–Sat from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable.

Dreyfus

Dreyfus

96 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 1G6, Canada

Dreyfus has about 25 seats, a dim, narrow room and tables close enough to meet your neighbours. That's the fun of it. The French-leaning menu changes constantly, so ask what's especially good that night and order a few things to share. Come for the busy little room and a good bottle, and don't leave the reservation until the last minute. Details: 96 Harbord St, Harbord Village. Dinner Mon–Sat from 5:30 p.m. Book on Resy.

Quetzal

Quetzal

419 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1T1, Canada

Nearly everything at Quetzal cooks over an open fire, and you can watch it happen from the chef's bar. Mexican cooking built on masa, seafood and grilled meats gives you plenty to talk about, though the room runs hot and smoky, so skip it if that's a problem. Order à la carte, or let the kitchen run the night with the family-style curated menu. Details: 419 College St, at Bathurst. Open Wed–Sun, 6–10 p.m. Curated menu from $160 per person, and the whole table takes part. Book on OpenTable 30 days ahead at midnight. Tables for two get two hours, so book from 8:30 p.m. for longer. Late cancellations cost $100 per guest. A step at the door and downstairs washrooms mean it's not fully accessible.

DaiLo

DaiLo

503 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1A5, Canada

Some dates need a white tablecloth. Others need two people negotiating over the last bite, and that's DaiLo. The cooking is Chinese-led with Hakka roots and French technique, and the menu is built for sharing, from whole fried trout to truffle Hainanese chicken and Singapore curry cauliflower. The mood is sociable, so book it for a fun birthday or anniversary, not a hushed one. Details: 503 College St, Little Italy. Dinner Tue–Sun from 5 p.m. DaiLo's Choice is $125 per person, or $160 for the premium version. Book on OpenTable.

Bar Isabel

Bar Isabel

797 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C7, Canada

You come to Bar Isabel for a little noise around you. The Spanish small plates invite ordering in rounds, and the low-lit room makes dinner feel like the start of a night out. Go when you already enjoy each other's company. It's a better place to flirt than to have a delicate conversation. Details: 797 College St, Little Italy. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable 28 days ahead. Every table gets two hours, and cancelling inside 24 hours costs $40 per person.

Giulietta

Giulietta

972 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A5, Canada

Giulietta sits between a neighbourhood Italian dinner and a meal you dress up for. Pizza and pasta get equal attention, so share across the menu and let a wood-fired pie be part of a special dinner. A dining room table keeps the focus on the two of you, while the chef's counter adds some theatre. Details: 972 College St, Dufferin Grove. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. OpenTable opens 14 days ahead at midnight, with standard, bar and chef's counter seats booked separately. Tables for two get two hours, and cancelling inside 48 hours costs $60 per guest.

Alo

Alo

163 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 2L6, Canada

Alo closed in January for a full renovation and came back in March with curved walls, burgundy carpet and a new direction in the kitchen. The commitment is part of the appeal: six courses for $185 or 10 for $245. The dining room is the classic occasion seat, the kitchen counter puts you closer to the cooking, and the Parlour Room next door is a looser cocktail-bar option. Book it for a celebration, not to see how a first date goes. Details: 163 Spadina Ave, 3rd floor, Queen & Spadina. Open Tue–Sat from 5 p.m. OpenTable releases tables on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., for dates two months out. Vegetarian and vegan diners can't be accommodated. Cancelling inside 72 hours costs the full tasting price per guest.

Le Sélect Bistro

Le Sélect Bistro

432 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1E3, Canada

Some nights you're not trying to reinvent date night, and that's when to book Le Sélect. A classic French bistro with moules-frites, duck confit, a zinc bar and a 1,200-label wine list is plenty. The Wellington Street address sits just off the busiest stretch of King West, and it suits couples when one of you wants romance and the other just wants to be comfortable. Details: 432 Wellington St W, King West. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable.

Edulis

Edulis

169 Niagara St, Toronto, ON M5V 1C9, Canada

When dinner is the entire occasion, choose Edulis. The small Niagara Street room runs a seasonal tasting menu built around seafood, vegetables and wild mushrooms, and the table is yours for the night. Tell them what you love and what you avoid, then hand over the evening. It's best for an established couple celebrating something meaningful. Details: 169 Niagara St. Dinner Thu–Sat, lunch Sun. All bookings are prepaid on Tock.

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Ossington, Dundas West & Bloorcourt

Neighbourhood restaurants do most of the work out here, so these dates lean relaxed and food-first, from roast chicken on Dovercourt to a big steak dinner on Ossington.

Le Swan

Le Swan

892 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 2V1, Canada

Le Swan proves romance and comfort food aren't opposites. The menu splits into French and diner sides, so one of you can lean bistro and the other diner, and there's fondue if you'd rather share. It's small and cozy, and you'll relax as soon as you sit down. A booth and a good dinner beat a formal production here. Details: 892 Queen St W, West Queen West. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable and ask for a booth, which isn't guaranteed. For a slower meal, book 9 p.m. or later.

Taverne Bernhardt's

Taverne Bernhardt's

202 Dovercourt Rd, Toronto, ON M6J 3C8, Canada

Bernhardt's makes a convincing case that date night can revolve around roast chicken. Make the rotisserie bird the anchor, give the seasonal vegetables a real role in the order and see whether the soft serve still sounds right. It's warm and informal, more of a weekly-habit dinner than a milestone, so look elsewhere for formal service. Details: 202 Dovercourt Rd, Beaconsfield Village. Open seven days. Book on Resy.

La Banane

La Banane

227 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z8, Canada

La Banane is the one to book when you want the evening to look and feel like a date. The French cooking, raw bar and stylish room make it more of an occasion than a neighbourhood stop, without tipping into formal dining. Think birthday, anniversary or a Saturday when you both feel like making an effort, and leave room for the banana cake if it's on. Details: 227 Ossington Ave. Dinner Wed–Sun from 5:30 p.m. Carte blanche is $135 per person. Book on SevenRooms. Bar Banane upstairs books separately. Cancelling inside 12 hours costs $25 per person.

Côte de Bœuf

Côte de Bœuf

130 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z5, Canada

Côte de Bœuf is for a date that can handle a little uncertainty. It's a butcher shop and bar à vin in one small room, with steak frites, terrines and French wine by the glass. Dining is walk-in only, so go when you're both happy to wait, and pick somewhere else for a tightly timed anniversary. Details: 130 Ossington Ave. Open daily from noon. Walk-ins only.

Linny's

Linny's

176 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z7, Canada

A steakhouse date usually means a business-dinner room. Linny's has more personality than that. Jewish deli influences run through the menu, so start with the challah service or pastrami, then pick a steak together. Both of you should be excited about steak, because this is a splurge and the large cuts add up quickly. Details: 176 Ossington Ave. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable.

Bar Vendetta

Bar Vendetta

928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1W3, Canada

Bar Vendetta answers a specific question: where can we have a proper date without making it a production? The retro room and long bar keep things informal, and you can stop at pasta and a drink or settle in for more. Get the ricotta-stuffed coil pasta and the pull-apart garlic bread. It's an easy call for an early date, when a long tasting menu would be a lot. Details: 928 Dundas St W. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Pastas run about $19–29. Book on OpenTable. Some bar seats are kept for walk-ins.

Enoteca Sociale

Enoteca Sociale

1288 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1X7, Canada

Enoteca Sociale makes a good case for keeping things simple. It's a Roman-leaning Italian restaurant with house pasta at the centre of the meal and wine on the table if you drink it. Order à la carte for flexibility, or book the pasta tasting when you're both hungry: seven courses, five of them pasta, for $85 a person. Details: 1288 Dundas St W, Little Portugal. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable up to 90 days ahead. The tasting is booked as an Experience and can't be made vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free.

Imanishi Japanese Kitchen

Imanishi Japanese Kitchen

1330 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y1, Canada

Imanishi is the pick when Japanese sounds right but a formal sushi counter doesn't. The cooking is Tokyo homestyle, served izakaya-style in small plates that go with sake, beer or wine. Order a spread, ask for a sake recommendation and set the pace yourselves. The entrance is easy to miss, so look carefully when you arrive. Details: 1330 Dundas St W, Little Portugal. Dinner Mon–Sat from 5:30 p.m. Book on Resy.

Le Baratin

Le Baratin

1600 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1T8, Canada

Dinner at Le Baratin comes at a set price, so you can spend the evening eating and stop watching the bill. The table d'hôte covers steak frites, duck confit and a proper dessert at a set price, and the small room makes a midweek dinner feel like a date. The vegetarian three-course option means nobody's ordering around the menu. Details: 1600 Dundas St W, Brockton Village. Dinner nightly from 5:30 p.m. Two courses are $58, three are $68, and the vegetarian three-course is $58. Book on OpenTable. Early seatings get two hours, so book after 8 p.m. to linger.

Mhel

Mhel

276 Havelock St, Toronto, ON M6H 3B9, Canada

If you both read a menu and immediately start asking what to try, book Mhel. Korean and Japanese influences, charcoal cooking and about a dozen small plates, usually with one grilled fish and one raw, give it a real point of view. There's a strong sake list, and 12 of the 32 seats are stools at the open kitchen. Skip it if one of you needs familiar fallback orders. Details: 276 Havelock St, Bloorcourt. Dinner Wed–Sun from 5:30 p.m. Book on Resy.

Alma

Alma

1194 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1N2, Canada

Alma is a lovely choice when the food matters more than a dramatic entrance. The cooking draws on a Hakka-Chinese upbringing in India, with noodles, fresh pasta and seasonal dishes sharing a menu that changes often. The room is compact and understated, which makes it worth remembering for ordinary weeks, not just birthdays. Details: 1194 Bloor St W, Bloordale Village. Dinner Tue–Sat from 5:30 p.m. Plates run from about $14 to $62. Book on OpenTable.


Downtown & the Waterfront

Come here for the skyline, the lake and a dinner that's easy to reach from anywhere in the core.

Richmond Station

Richmond Station

1 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H 3W4, Canada

Pick Richmond Station when the meal matters more than a conventionally romantic backdrop. It's a bustling downtown room, so you'll watch the restaurant work around you and shouldn't expect a secluded table. What you get is seasonal cooking, a vegetarian and vegan menu and prices that already include hospitality, which means no tip math at the end of the night. Details: 1 Richmond St W, Financial District. Dinner nightly from 4:30 p.m. The six-course chef's menu is $115. Book on OpenTable up to 45 days ahead. Dinners before 7:30 p.m. get two hours, and cancelling inside 24 hours costs $40 per guest.

Byblos Downtown

Byblos Downtown

11 Duncan St, Toronto, ON M5V 3M2, Canada

Byblos works when you want a dressed-up date but would rather share dinner than pick two mains. Eastern Mediterranean dips, pides and larger plates like short rib kebab or branzino arrive family style. Start smaller than you think, because the menu tempts you to order everything. The room is lively and sociable, better for a celebration than a first meeting. Details: 11 Duncan St, Entertainment District. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable.

Canoe

Canoe

66 Wellington St W 54th floor, Toronto, ON M5K 1E9, Canada

Canoe is our pick when the view should be a real part of the date. The 54th-floor room looks out over the city, and the Canadian menu ties dinner to where you are. Arrive with enough daylight to watch the skyline change, and save it for an anniversary or a visitor's first big Toronto dinner. The catch is the calendar: it's closed on weekends. Details: 66 Wellington St W, 54th floor, TD Bank Tower, Financial District. Dinner Mon–Fri from 5 p.m. The Taste Canoe tasting menu is $170 per person this fall. Book on OpenTable up to three months ahead and ask for a window table, which isn't guaranteed.

Don Alfonso 1890

Don Alfonso 1890

1 Harbour Square 38th Floor, Toronto, ON M5J 1A6, Canada

Don Alfonso 1890 is the grand version of dinner with a view. From the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle you look out over the lake and skyline, and the Italian tasting menus and polished service suit a milestone, a proposal or a birthday that deserves some ceremony. It's not the place to keep a new date casual. Details: 1 Harbour Square, 38th floor, Harbourfront. Dinner Wed–Sun from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable and ask about the view, which isn't guaranteed.

ARDO

ARDO

243 King St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1J9, Canada

ARDO gives you Italian food without the big downtown scene. The Sicilian menu has a clear identity, and the King East address is a calmer alternative to the west-side nightlife strip. Start with an arancino or tuna carpaccio, move on to the house-made gnocchi and share a cannolo at the end. The room can get loud, so go midweek for a quieter meal. Details: 243 King St E, Old Town, near Sherbourne. Dinner Mon–Sat. Book on OpenTable.


Yorkville & Midtown

These are the dressier dates, from sleek Italian rooms to fireplaces uptown.

Avelo

Avelo

51 St Nicholas St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1W6, Canada

Avelo gives a plant-based date the full occasion treatment, so nobody's assembling dinner from side dishes. It's in a heritage townhouse on a quiet Yorkville street, running a seasonal tasting menu of small plates. Choose five courses for a shorter night or eight to make an evening of it, and book the restaurant specifically, since Bar Avelo upstairs is a separate food-and-cocktail format. Details: 51 St Nicholas St, Yorkville. Dinner Wed–Sun. Five courses are $70–85 and eight are $115–135, with the higher prices on Friday and Saturday. Eight courses run only at the second seating. A service charge replaces tipping. Book on OpenTable. It's not wheelchair accessible.

Osteria Giulia

Osteria Giulia

134 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2H6, Canada

Book Osteria Giulia when you want your Italian dinner sleek and special, not rustic. The northern Italian cooking has a coastal thread, and the polished room suits an anniversary when dressing up is part of the fun. It's not the pick for value or a spontaneous walk-in, so be ready when reservations open. Details: 134 Avenue Rd, Yorkville. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. OpenTable opens 14 days ahead at midnight, with standard and bar seats booked separately. Tables for two get two hours, and cancelling inside 48 hours costs $75 per guest.

Joso's

Joso's

202 Davenport Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 1J2, Canada

Joso's is the antidote to a restrained, minimalist date. The room is expressive and full of the owners' artwork, and Adriatic seafood is the reason to sit down. For two, go for the cuttlefish-ink spaghettini or grilled fish, since the risotto serves four to six. If you love clean lines and visual calm, book Osteria Giulia instead. Details: 202 Davenport Rd, Yorkville. Dinner Tue–Sat from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable.

Scaramouche

Scaramouche

1 Benvenuto Pl, Toronto, ON M4V 2L1, Canada

Scaramouche is our first choice for a classic romantic dinner: a proper dining room, a skyline outlook and an evening that doesn't need a loud soundtrack. You order your own meal and set your own pace, and there's a separate vegetarian menu for mixed-diet couples. Save room for the coconut cream pie. Details: 1 Benvenuto Place, South Hill. Dinner Mon–Sat from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable and ask for a window table, which isn't guaranteed. Valet parking is complimentary.

MIMI Chinese

MIMI Chinese

265 Davenport Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 1J9, Canada

MIMI reopened this year with a brighter room, white tablecloths and a new charcoal grill, and it's a great way to dress up for a shared dinner. The menu moves through China's regional cooking, from shrimp toast and four-foot belt noodles to Canadian steaks with Chinese sauces. If neither of you wants to order, Chef's Choice hands the decisions to the kitchen for $99 a person. Details: 265 Davenport Rd. Dinner Tue–Sat. A $60 late-night set menu runs Thu–Sat from 9 p.m. Book on OpenTable.

Sotto Sotto

Sotto Sotto

120 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2H4, Canada

Sotto Sotto is old-school romantic Italian: a candlelit, exposed-brick room below street level with about 50 seats and not much space between them. Order the spaghetti alle vongole or the polpette and leave the trendier rooms for another night. Dress the part, since the dress code is enforced. Details: 120 Avenue Rd, Yorkville. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Book on OpenTable or call 416-962-0011. Tables for two get 90 minutes. The washrooms are up a staircase.

FK

FK

770 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6C 1B5, Canada

FK is a reminder that a special dinner doesn't have to happen downtown. The St. Clair West room feels personal and unhurried, with French classics and modern Canadian touches on a menu that changes often. It's built for settling in, so don't book it ahead of a hard deadline. Call, explain the occasion and talk through the menu you want. Details: 770 St. Clair Ave W. Dinner Tue–Sat from 6 p.m. Book by phone at 416-551-9731. The tasting menu needs at least 24 hours' notice and prepayment.

Auberge du Pommier

Auberge du Pommier

4150 Yonge St, North York, ON M2P 2C6, Canada

Auberge du Pommier is the winter date on this list, with wood-burning fireplaces inside two 1860s woodcutters' cottages and refined French cooking. It's a long way uptown but only a block from York Mills station. Add a fireplace request to your reservation and book early in the evening, since those tables go first. Details: 4150 Yonge St, York Mills. Dinner Mon–Sat. Entrees run $48–90, and the tasting menu is $185. Book on OpenTable. Fireplace tables aren't guaranteed. Validated underground parking is free after 5:30 p.m.


Worth the Trip: The East End & Etobicoke

These rooms trade a downtown address for personality, and they're worth the trip east or west.

Lake Inez

Lake Inez

1471 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 2A1, Canada

Dinner at Lake Inez comes with plenty of personality. The creative, nostalgic seasonal menu and expressive room make it feel like a destination without the mood of a formal tasting. Share from the à la carte menu and let the staff steer you. If the reservation you want is gone, try a walk-in. The worst case is a seat at the bar. Details: 1471 Gerrard St E, Little India. Dinner Wed–Sat. Book on Resy. There's no phone. The Mystery Patio is a separate ticketed experience.

Batifole

Batifole

744 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y3, Canada

Batifole is the east-end answer when the date calls for French food, a small room and very little fuss. A cold night is a good excuse to come hungry for the cassoulet or duck. Mention the Grand Marnier soufflé when you order your mains, since it takes at least 20 minutes. Details: 744 Gerrard St E, East Chinatown. Dinner Tue–Sat from 5 p.m. The cassoulet is $40 and the duck is $45. Book on TouchBistro or call 416-462-9965.

The Wood Owl

The Wood Owl

1380 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1M9, Canada

The Wood Owl is our pick when a good neighbourhood restaurant sounds better than a big occasion. The wood-panelled room and wine-first approach make it easy to imagine one dinner turning into a regular habit. The vegetables get real attention, and the fried polenta cakes with romesco and boquerones are worth ordering. Think comfortable, not private. Details: 1380 Danforth Ave, Danforth. Dinner Tue–Sat from 5 p.m. Book on Resy.

Wynona

Wynona

819 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y8, Canada

Wynona is one to keep in your back pocket for weeks when you want a date, not a project. Handmade pastas and seasonal plates give you plenty of ways to build dinner, and the five-course shared menu takes the decisions off your hands for $75 a person, with a vegetarian version available. For a lighter start, go at golden hour for the $16 daily house pasta. Details: 819 Gerrard St E, Riverdale. Dinner Mon–Sat from 5 p.m. Golden hour runs Mon–Thu, 5–6 p.m. Book on Tock.

Old Mill

Old Mill

21 Old Mill Rd, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1G5, Canada

Few Toronto dinners come with as much history as the Old Mill. The Tudor-style Dining Room sits by the Humber River with masonry, fireplaces and tapestries, and some nights bring live jazz. Start with a drink in the Print Room Bar, then settle in. It's far from downtown but right beside Old Mill station. Details: 21 Old Mill Rd, Etobicoke. À la carte dinner Thu–Sat from 5 p.m., with last seating at 8 p.m. Two courses are $75 and three are $90. Book on OpenTable or call 416-207-2020. Jazz nights are ticketed separately.

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Frequently asked questions

Which Toronto restaurants are best for a quiet romantic dinner?
Start with Scaramouche or FK, then Le Sélect or Batifole for a bistro-style evening. No room is guaranteed quiet, so ask for a calmer table when you book. Bar Isabel and Byblos are better for a livelier date.
Where can we have a good date without a huge bill?
Le Baratin's table d'hôte starts at $58, Bar Vendetta's pastas run about $19–29, and Wynona's golden hour has a $16 daily house pasta. Decide on drinks in advance, since a bottle changes the total quickly.
Which restaurants work for vegetarian or vegan dates?
Avelo is entirely plant-based. Richmond Station has a vegetarian and vegan menu, Scaramouche has a separate vegetarian menu, and Wynona offers a vegetarian shared menu. Alo can't accommodate vegetarian or vegan diners, and Enoteca Sociale's pasta tasting has its own limits.
Where can we go without a reservation?
Côte de Bœuf is walk-in only. Bar Vendetta, Lake Inez and Quetzal keep some space for walk-ins, usually at the bar. For an anniversary or a timed evening, book somewhere instead.
How far ahead should we book?
Giulietta and Osteria Giulia open 14 days ahead, Bar Isabel 28, Quetzal 30, Richmond Station 45 and Enoteca Sociale 90. Canoe takes bookings up to three months out. Alo releases tables on the first Tuesday of each month.
Which tasting menu should we choose?
Edulis is the intimate, seasonal pick, and Alo is the more immersive occasion. Avelo makes the whole night vegan, and Quetzal's curated menu is the lively alternative. Confirm allergies before you make a prepaid or cancellation-sensitive booking.
Where should we go after dinner?
For one more drink, pick a room from our Toronto first-date bars guide, which works just as well on date 50. If you're still hungry at midnight, our late-night food guide has what's open.
Where's a good date in December?
Auberge du Pommier's fireplaces make it the winter pick here. For decorated rooms, see Toronto's most festive Christmas restaurants, and for a drink among the tinsel, Toronto's Christmas bars.

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