As soon as the temperature hits double digits, Toronto’s restaurant patios are ready to go: chairs unfolded, canopies open and fairy lights on. The rest of us are trying to take advantage of the long summer evenings as much as they are, and that means more time dining al fresco!
Toronto offers an array of romantic spots perfect for a memorable summer date night. Whether you’re seeking a rooftop with stunning city views, a cozy backyard oasis, or even an underground cave, there’s a perfect venue for every couple.
From the French influences of Florette to the whimsical setting of And/Ore, here are ten of the most romantic restaurants in Toronto for your next summer date night.
Taline
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Armenian
Address: 1276 Yonge St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Throughout 2023, a slew of Mediterranean restaurants opened their doors, including Taline. The restaurant, named after the chef’s late mother, offers traditional Armenian dishes, combined with flavours and spices from Lebanese cuisine. The family-owned spot is quaint, but still upscale without being pretentious. You might even be able to snag a table under the charming full-grown olive tree on the second floor.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Florette
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: French-inspired
Address: 1168 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: The vaulted floral print-clad ceilings and cozy seating make for an intimate dining experience featuring experimental French-inspired food and funky cocktails. Its cute back patio is perfect for splitting a chocolate tart under fairy lights.
Accessibility: Not fully accessible
Casa Madera
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Mediterranean Mexican
Address: 550 Wellington St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: This 1Hotel hotspot was all over socials at one point for its stunning interior and weekend live entertainment—and now they have a outdoor garden dinner series to show off their new Garden Pavillion.
Every two weeks, Casa Madera is offering a three-course dinner and drink pairing in their on-site garden surrounded by lucious plants and reclaimed wood harvest tables.
Accessibility: Fully accessible
And/Ore
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Modern Canadian
Address: 1040 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Set against a whimsical backdrop, the main floor features velvet seating and a floor-to-ceiling hand-painted moody forest mural, while the upstairs mezzanine features billowing curtains and a giant chandelier.
Once you’re comfortable, pick from a playful picnic-inspired menu, (think bougie deviled eggs with crispy wonton and fried mozzarella sticks with gochujang and white kimchi).
If you’re looking for an even more adventurous dinner date, book a chef’s tasting in the underground cave (literally). It’s $150 per person and you won’t know what’s on the menu until you get there
Accessibility: Fully accessible
Lake Inez
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Asian inspired
Address: 1471 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: This is one of Toronto’s most eclectic restaurants with an ever-changing, yet, consistently delicious menu and a long list of natural and biodynamic wines.
This city staple is not so secret, except for maybe its “mystery patio” series during the summer—you can book a reservation for about $150 per person for a super secret tasting menu.
AP Restaurants
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Japanese and Pan-Asian
Address: 55 Bloor St. W. 51st Floor, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you really want to impress someone, head to Yorkville where a private elevator will take you up to the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre to experience AP’s upscale Japanese and Pan-Asian menu.
For an exceptionally delicious experience, AP Restaurant hosts its “The Stars Align” series once a month: a pop-up collaboration featuring esteemed chefs from outside the city. Past guests include chef Fran Agudo of Mont Bar (Barcelona) and Luiz Filipe Souza of Evvai (San Paolo).
Equally impressive are the uninterrupted views of the city skyline, especially from their balcony patio. You really can have it all here, including complimentary parking for up to two hours.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Alice
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Modern American
Address: 488 College St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you love diner food, Little Italy’s newest hotspot is doing an elevated version of it. Whether you’re feeling comfort food like mac and cheese and “mom’s spaghetti,” or fancy fare like salmon tartare, they’ve got something for everyone.
For a memorable meal on their adorable back patio, order a tomahawk platter for two (it comes with caesar salad, mozzarella sticks, corn ribs and enough fries to share).
Accessibility: Bathrooms are not accessible
Chotto Matte
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 161 Bay St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you work in the area, this is the perfect place for an after-work date without having to run across town.
The Peruvian-Japanese restaurant is known for their weekend brunch shows with live entertainment, but their jungle-inspired patio is the perfect place to share ceviche, yellowtail “Nikkei sashimi” and views of the CN Tower on a summer evening.
Accessibility: Accessible
GIA
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 1214 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: It’s a vegetarian Italian joint that was amongst the first restaurants in Canada to be recognized by the Michelin Guide.
Housemade pastas like the pappardelle Bolognese and white truffle agnolotti are the staples here. If you’re a meat eater, you won’t even miss it with their plant-based crab cakes and meatballs. For hot days on the patio, they have a ricotta and rosemary gelato.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible seating but not fully accessible
Batifole Gourmand
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: French
Address: 744 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: This gem of a spot has some of the best French food in the city. Chef/owner Pascal Geffroy spent years managing kitchens in Lyon and Rhone in France before moving to Toronto and opening Batifole on Gerrard.
The team serves up classic French fare from a seasonally changing menu accompanied by a 300-label strong wine selection. Enjoy croustade of lamb, pan-seared foie gras with truffle sauce and a Chambord liqueur souffle to share.
The cozy courtyard space is perfect for a summer night out with someone special.
Accessibility: Accessible
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