15 Go-To Spots for a First Date in Toronto | TasteToronto
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15 Go-To Spots for a First Date in Toronto

Robin Winship

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Robin Winship

15 Go-To Spots for a First Date in Toronto

No one loves first dates. Most are reminiscent of an anxiety-ridden job interview. Cordial niceties rarely lead to romantic fireworks. If your blind date doesn’t qualify as your soulmate, you can at least look forward to a night out but picking a spot can be difficult. The atmosphere needs to be intimate without creating too much pressure and lively without drowning out your date. These 15 spots guarantee you great food, good vibes and hopefully drinks flowing.

Here are 15 of our favourite spots to go on a first date.

Entertainment District

214 King St W

À Toi

Bar

A hidden speakeasy with a perfect selection of champaign and small bites.

À Toi

Entertainment District

214 King St W

A hidden speakeasy with a perfect selection of champaign and small bites.

Bar

Simpl Things

A cocktail bar and restaurant, offering Italian comfort food by day, with Taiwanese street food by night.

Simpl Things

A cocktail bar and restaurant, offering Italian comfort food by day, with Taiwanese street food by night.

Dundas West

928 Dundas St W

Bar Vendetta

Hip wine bar serving pastas, salads & other Italian-inspired fare in a post '70s setting.

Bar Vendetta

Dundas West

928 Dundas St W

Hip wine bar serving pastas, salads & other Italian-inspired fare in a post '70s setting.

Queen West

478 Queen St W

Saku Sushi

Snug sushi house with a chill vibe plating Japanese-style seafood specialties & cocktails.

Saku Sushi

Queen West

478 Queen St W

Snug sushi house with a chill vibe plating Japanese-style seafood specialties & cocktails.

Little Italy

488 College St

Blackburn Social House

An elevated gastropub, with a focus on French and Italian cuisine, in addition to an elaborate cocktail program.

Blackburn Social House

Little Italy

488 College St

An elevated gastropub, with a focus on French and Italian cuisine, in addition to an elaborate cocktail program.

Bloorcourt Village

841 Bloor St W

Paradise Grapevine

Serving wine, cider and beer paired with delicious and simple finger foods.

Paradise Grapevine

Bloorcourt Village

841 Bloor St W

Serving wine, cider and beer paired with delicious and simple finger foods.

The Dog and Tiger

A pub where the menu is helmed by a top chef, where the food is farm-to-table fresh, and where the drinks are beloved local finds.

The Dog and Tiger

A pub where the menu is helmed by a top chef, where the food is farm-to-table fresh, and where the drinks are beloved local finds.

Pastiche

This hidden restaurant serves eclectic sharing plates and flamboyant cocktails.

Pastiche

This hidden restaurant serves eclectic sharing plates and flamboyant cocktails.

Bloordale Village

1226 Bloor St W

Bar Neon

A Bloordale staple with a back patio, cocktails & Greek-inspired snacks.

Bar Neon

Bloordale Village

1226 Bloor St W

A Bloordale staple with a back patio, cocktails & Greek-inspired snacks.

Little Italy

612 College St

Birreria Volo

Imported bottled beers & rustic Italian snacks served in a narrow, exposed-brick setting.

Birreria Volo

Little Italy

612 College St

Imported bottled beers & rustic Italian snacks served in a narrow, exposed-brick setting.

Dundas West

923 Dundas St W

Cocktail Bar

Inventive cocktails served in a cozy space with a chic, retro vibe & a seasonal patio.

Cocktail Bar

Dundas West

923 Dundas St W

Inventive cocktails served in a cozy space with a chic, retro vibe & a seasonal patio.

Trinity-Bellwoods

124 Ossington Ave

Bellwoods Brewery

Limited seasonal dishes and a rotating selection of experimental beer in a small brewhouse with tons of seating and a great patio.

Bellwoods Brewery

Trinity-Bellwoods

124 Ossington Ave

Limited seasonal dishes and a rotating selection of experimental beer in a small brewhouse with tons of seating and a great patio.

Junction Triangle

827 Lansdowne Ave

Donna’s

Bright, simply decorated space offering light snacks, homestyle suppers & a long wine list.

Donna’s

Junction Triangle

827 Lansdowne Ave

Bright, simply decorated space offering light snacks, homestyle suppers & a long wine list.

Bloordale Village

1241 Bloor St W

Seoul Shakers

Signature cocktails complemented by Korean fusion snacks.

Seoul Shakers

Bloordale Village

1241 Bloor St W

Signature cocktails complemented by Korean fusion snacks.

The Annex

252 Dupont St

Fet Zun

Middle Eastern

Middle Eastern sharing dishes & signature cocktails served in a relaxed spot with bohemian decor.

Fet Zun

The Annex

252 Dupont St

Middle Eastern sharing dishes & signature cocktails served in a relaxed spot with bohemian decor.

Middle Eastern