Opened in October 2023 in the bustling Entertainment District, Abrielle takes diners on an immersive coastal Mediterranean culinary jaunt, complete with vibrant vibes that set the mood for romance. The restaurant’s inventive cocktail menu is themed by natural elements and the sunny coastal regions such as The Sicilian made with melon gin, cactus pear and lemon or the Santorini Smoke with gin, port wine, curacao, lemon cordial, and cardamom.

Shareable Spanish plates make great companions for flirty, first-date banter at this easygoing Little Italy spot. Bar Isabel‘s charming space hums with conversation, evoking an old-world European ambience with curved wooden archways and sexy red lighting.

Turn up the heat—quite literally—on your date night. Flame-seared sushi is the name of the game at Minami, the fourth Toronto location for the Aburi Restaurants group. Another date-night star is the wagyu, served on a sizzling stone hot stone alongside black garlic miso, truffle kimizu (egg and rice vinegar sauce), and seasonal vegetables.

With first-date jitters out of the way, take things up a notch at this homey but modern Chinese spot. Executive chef Anna Chen’s inviting Bloordale restaurant combines inspiration from her Hakka Chinese and Indian roots with her French and Italian culinary training.

The follow-up to chef Rob Rossi and restaurateur David Minicucci’s critically acclaimed restaurant Giulietta is as special occasion-worthy as its predecessor. Osteria Giulia’s northern Italian dishes, such as hand-braided pasta with wild squid and bay scallops and burrata with caviar and Sardinian honey, are fresh, simple, and sophisticated. The restaurant’s minimalist interior is an extension of the menu’s refined touch.

Auberge du Pommier has remained a north Toronto charmer since it opened in a connected pair of 19th-century cottages in 1987. Specializing in modern French fare, the restaurant reflects classic candlelit-dining at its best—ideal for momentous occasions. Over the years, some of the city’s best chefs have passed through this landmark spot, so there’s always something new and inventive on the menu. Executive chef Solomon Mason puts an emphasis on fresh ingredients and playful textures.

This lively King West restaurant hosts many group hangouts in its multi-level space—some of which are geared more towards partying than dining. Baro‘s plant-fringed main dining room, with soft lighting and cozy booths, is where the romance potential is the strongest. The menu draws inspiration from all across Latin America.

This Kensington Market wine bar-cum-restaurant from well-known Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg features an outstanding vino selection. Agg is known for vibe curation, and with artfully vintage interiors, Grey Gardens is no exception. The front bar area is devoted to walk-ins, while reservations are available in the cozy, 30-seat main dining room.