Finding unique and exciting Toronto date ideas can be quite a challenge. Dinner and a movie is a tried and true date night plan, but it can get boring.
The problem is that when you choose the activity route, either you get stuck with mediocre food options like bland pizza slices and overpriced hot dogs, or it can become stressful trying to find somewhere to go to get your fill before or after your other plans.
But fear not, because lucky for you, it turns out you can have both! Whether you’re into golf, arcade games or a fun theatre experience, these Toronto date ideas give you the best of both worlds: a fun bonding activity and a delicious meal, all in the same place.
The Ballroom Bowl
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: American
Address: 1 Bloor St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Bowling is a classic date night activity, but it can get a little repetitive. The Ballroom Bowl is taking the classic date night activity and making it a luxury experience.
You can enjoy top-notch service, tufted leather couches with jungle-themed cushions and a full menu. If you can’t eat steak frites and knock over pins at the same time, enjoy dinner pre- or post-bowl in the restaurant and bar space under a myriad of disco balls, lush jungle-themed greenery and neon lights.
Dinner options include a buttermilk dill pickle salad, a number of pizza options (including a gluten-free cauliflower crust), a hefty citrus habanero-dusted fried chicken sandwich and their signature short rib mac ‘n’ cheese.
Ballroom’s resident DJs spin on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to midnight and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. until midnight. If you would rather a brunch date, you can enjoy half-price bowling with the purchase of a meal on the weekend with their Brunch ‘n’ Bowl program.
GRETA
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Asian-inspired street food
Address: 590 King St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can enjoy more than 50 arcade games at this 12,500-square-foot bar with street food-inspired snacks.
Asian-fusion dishes like cornflake-crushed Korean fried chicken, mushroom tempura and bar bun pork belly sliders are served alongside a cocktail menu featuring revamped classics like the espresso pomtini and margaritas on tap.
They also have jerk and dragonfruit dry ribs and Jamaican patty spring rolls, exclusive to the Toronto location. In the middle of the main floor is a dedicated dance floor with a bar and bottle service.
Ace Golf Bar and Lounge
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Asian Tapas
Address: 588 Eastern Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: This indoor golf bar and lounge is perfect for year-round outings.
With no equipment required and no prior golf experience needed, this Leslieville establishment boasts six performance simulation rooms and a wide selection of games for everyone to enjoy.
They serve coffee and sandwiches during the day, and an array of Asian tapas at night, including crispy miso Brussels sprouts, charsiu sliders and roast duck tacos.
Eataly Cooking Class
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 55 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can learn how to make fresh pasta and pizza from a professional chef at Eataly’s La Scoula (“school” in Italian).
Don’t worry, you won’t have to wait around to eat — they give you wine and feed you two types of pasta when you get there. Once you’re good and satisfied, the chef will teach you how to make different pasta shapes. Once you’ve mastered this, you get to take your fresh pasta home for the next day.
They’re always adding a variety of classes to their schedule so you can come back to learn something different. Don’t forget to grab dessert from the bakery section on your way out!
The Royal Theatre
Price: 💸–💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 608 College St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: At the historic Royal Theatre in the heart of Little Italy, you can catch a comedy show or a screening and then visit the quirky lobby bottle shop and bar, Botegga Volo, operated by Bar Volo next door.
From pickle cotton candy to lime cheesecake Oreos to Mandarin waffle Hershey’s chocolate, the lobby is jam-packed with international sweets and quirky eats.
If candy’s not your thing, enjoy a charcuterie plate or indulge in any of their many other antipasto options. Looking for something warm? Enjoy a hot pizza or toasted panini next door at Bar Volo before the show.
Go Place
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Asian
Address: 3275 Hwy. 7, Unit 2, Markham, ON
Why You Need To Go: Head to the suburbs for a weekend date in a 68,000-square-foot luxury spa featuring a number of baths, saunas, massage services, therapy rooms and skin treatments. Whether you and your date want to spend the day separately or together, you can always rendezvous for dinner in their dining area.
From fried snacks like chicken wings and shrimp balls to dim sum and sushi, the menu has whatever you might be craving after a long day spent relaxing. They also have a long list of signature drinks (think banana milk and avocado smoothies) and pots of specialty tea made to order.
Cineplex VIP
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: American
Address: 10 Dundas St. E. #402, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Forget dinner and a movie, what about dinner at the movies? If you haven’t done it already, it’s time to elevate the movie experience with Cineplex’s adults-only VIP service.
You can hang out in the lounge sipping on a fishbowl cocktail or a boozy milkshake. Enjoy truffle fries, fish tacos or a Thai chicken wrap at your seat. Skip the stress of having to plan a date night between two different spots.
The best part? The in-seat service means you’ll never have to leave your oversized recliner to purchase that bucket of popcorn you regret not getting before the movie. Simply order from your chair and your server will get it to you.
Secret City’s Murder Mystery Dinner
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Depends on storyline
Address: Various locations
Why You Need To Go: If you’ve seen those immersive movie dining experiences coming out of L.A. and New York and are dying to go, Secret City has collaborated with Netflix to bring its own version to Toronto, The Perfect Bite, set in the universe of the Knives Out film series.
Chef Maribelle Moore will cook up a four-course meal with hidden clues and food-based puzzles, and it’s up to you to solve a dark secret from the kitchen crew’s past. In another venue, The Wedding Party is an even more immersive dinner theatre experience where you might even become one of the characters yourself!
These specific events run for a limited time, so check the dates and don’t wait too long to reserve your ticket.
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