These are Canada's top romantic restaurants, according to a new ranking
Valentine’s Day is the kind of occasion made for dim lighting, full glasses and mouthwatering meals shared with loved ones. OpenTable has recently named 100 restaurants across Canada that know how to dial up the romance, where dinner unfolds slowly by the candlelight and the mood lingers past dessert.
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Canada’s top 100 romantic restaurants, according to OpenTable Valentine’s Day is the kind of occasion made for dim lighting, full glasses and mouthwatering meals shared with loved ones. OpenTable has recently named 100 restaurants across Canada that know how to dial up the romance, where dinner unfolds slowly by the candlelight and the mood lingers past dessert.
How was the list compiled? In compiling the list, OpenTable combed through 900,000 diner reviews, along with ratings and reservation demand. It also looked at the percentage of reviews that deemed a restaurant as “romantic.” Here’s where to go for an intimate dinner in Canada, arranged in alphabetical order.
Acquafarina, Vancouver, B.C. This Michelin-recommended restaurant serves Italian dishes from cacio e pepe to Margherita pizza, using locally sourced ingredients.
Alvin’s Jazz Club, Calgary, Alta. Not only does this restaurant serve a contemporary menu, but diners can also listen (and dance to) live jazz music.
Amedeos, Okotoks, Alta. This family-run restaurant promises to bring the “true taste of Italy to your table,” complete with homemade pasta.
Ancaster Mill, Ancaster, Ont. This restaurant is in high demand for Sunday brunch, dinners, and as a wedding venue.
and/ore, Toronto, Ont. This restaurant is split up between two spaces, serving two unique menus in each spot.
Arôme, Gatineau, Que. Diners can feast on surf and turf specialties while taking in a picturesque view of a lake.
ATLAS steak + fish, Langley, B.C. This chain restaurant defines itself as a “modern twist on the iconic North American steakhouse,” serving plates like oysters and caviar to tomahawk steaks.
Auberge du Pommier, Toronto, Ont. Open since 1987, this restaurant serves fine French cuisine that can make diners feel transported to France’s countryside instead of Toronto’s bustling Yonge Street.
Bar George, Montreal, Que. The menu infuses U.K. cuisine with Quebecois flavour, serving plates like beef wellington and jambon blanc.
Beach House, West Vancouver, B.C. Craving seafood? This West Vancouver spot serves tons of fish-friendly plates from oysters and sushi rolls to mediterranean sea bass and lobster cacio e pepe.
Bella Notte Ristorante, Whitby, Ont. As the name suggests, diners looking for a beautiful night out complete with Italian food might want to head over to this Whitby restaurant.
Bistro le SAM – Fairmont Château Frontenac, Quebec City, Que. Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, this hotel restaurant serves bistro classics like French onion soup, lobster rolls and club sandwiches.
BlueBlood Steakhouse, Toronto, Ont. Steps inside Toronto’s iconic Casa Loma is this upscale steakhouse, a meat eater’s dream with a variety of steaks and an expansive wine list.
Bolero, Calgary, Alta. This restaurant is Calgary’s first Brazilian barbecue-style restaurant, where diners can feast on a wide selection of churrasco.
Bonaparte, Montreal, Que. In the heart of Old Montreal, this Napoleonic inspired restaurant serves French classics and also offers a curated menu for diners catching a play down the street.
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, Vancouver, B.C. This award-winning restaurant has a seafood-focused menu leaning into the classical French tradition while simultaneously honouring West Coast staples.
Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant, Calgary, Alta. Nestled in the heart of Fish Creek Provincial Park, the restaurant serves a classic Canadiana in a historic ranch house.
Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse, Niagara Falls, Ont. This churrascaria serves endless cuts of beef, chicken, pork and lamb carved right at your table.
Brew and Bloom, Edmonton, Alta. The southside location is drenched in millennial pink and boasts unique cocktails along with its brunch menu.
Cambridge Mill, Cambridge, Ont. Right in the heart of the Historic Galt along the Grand River, diners can feast on a farm-to-table menu.
Canoe Restaurant and Bar, Toronto, Ont. This Canadian restaurant boasts stunning views of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower, where diners can choose between a la carte options or tasting menu.
Cannery Restaurant, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. This 1800s canning factory has transformed into a fine-dining restaurant, serving local wine and desserts with a Canadian twist like maple crème cheesecake.
Chairman’s Steakhouse, Calgary, Alta. Diners can sink their teeth into some Alberta beef at this steakhouse overlooking a lake in southeast Calgary.
Charcoal Steak House, Kitchener, Ont. For more than 65 years, this steakhouse has been serving guests everything from wagyu to slow-roasted prime rib to smoked ribs.
Crème, Halifax, N.S. While known for its custom cakes, Crème also serves up afternoon tea and charcuterie boards to nibble on.
Crossroads Restaurant, Rosseau, Ont. Overlooking Lake Rosseau in the picturesque Muskoka region, guests can indulge in a seasonal, farm-to-table meal.
Cucci Ristorante, Oakville, Ont. This modern restaurant serves Italian plates from hand-rolled gnocchi topped with truffles to Calabrian shrimp risotto.
DaNico, Toronto, Ont. This bank-turned-Michelin-star-restaurant provides guests with the option of dining on a tasting menu or building their own adventure from their prix fix menu.
DiMario’s Trattoria, Burlington, Ont. This Italian restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Burlington, with a rustic décor and a notable wine selection.
Don Alfonso 1890, Toronto, Ont. Guests dining at this Michelin-star restaurant can feast on Italian eats with a view of Toronto’s harbourfront.
Drift, Halifax, N.S. Diners can indulge in some East Coast cuisine like Nova Scotia lobster hush puppies or a Pictou Island sandbar, which comes with fried oysters and marinated mussels.
Elora Mill, Elora, Ont. This restaurant offers stunning views of the Elora Gorge and serves diners seasonal menus, with a variety of dishes cooked on its wood-fired grill.
Finn’s Seafood, Chops and Cocktails, Victoria, B.C. From fresh seafood to triple AAA steak, this B.C. spot serves fresh cuisine for all tastebuds.
Flores & Pine – Grill Room and Gatherings, Calgary, Alta. From shareable plates to wood-fired steaks, this menu has a bit of everything for every palate.
Gibby’s, Old Montreal, Que. This gourmet restaurant first opened its doors in 1969 with a menu serving fresh seafood and aged meats.
Glo Restaurant + Lounge, Victoria, B.C. Located on the Selkirk Waterway, Glo Restaurant serves an ever-changing seasonal menu that draws inspiration both locally and globally.
Golf’s Steak House & Seafood, Kitchener, Ont. Nestled along the Historic Grand River, diners can eat inside of the steakhouse’s atrium for picturesque views.
Gordon Ramsay Steak, Richmond, B.C. Far from the Hell’s Kitchen experience some diners might expect from Ramsay, this steakhouse serves a variety of dishes fit for a meat lover’s palate.
Gotham Steakhouse and Bar, Vancouver, B.C. This steakhouse primarily serves prime grade beef from Canada, though diners can opt for a seafood tower complete with oysters, prawns, and the option to add locally sourced sturgeon caviar.
Greystones, Orangeville, Ont. First built in 1852, this rustic restaurant serves seasonal dishes along with a thoughtfully selected wine list.
Hawksworth Restaurant, Vancouver, B.C. Located inside the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, guests can pour through the restaurant’s award-winning wine list and peruse from a list of mouthwatering dishes.
Heartland Café, Okotoks, Alta. OpenTable has named this smalltown restaurant one of the most romantic restaurants in Canada four years in a row.
Henri Brasserie Française, Montreal, Que. This classic French brasserie can be found right in the heart of Montreal, serving guests dishes like foie gras, steak or salmon tartare and braised bourguignon beef.
Home Block at CedarCreek Estate Winery, Kelowna, B.C. This Okanagan vineyard’s farm-to-table restaurant pays homage to its surroundings and pairs its menu with local wine.
Hy’s Steakhouse, Vancouver, B.C. This traditional steakhouse serves specially selected Canada Prime Grade beef, aged for a minimum of 28 days.
Isabelle Restaurant + Lounge, Burlington, Ont. Inside The Pearle Hotel, diners can enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired menu served with local ingredients.
Italian by Night, Saint John, N.B. This cozy restaurant in uptown Saint John serves eight different kinds of hand-stretched pizza, like a classic margherita topped with a basil puree or a playful take of carbonara pasta.
Italian Farmhouse Restaurant & Bar, Bragg Creek, Alta. This quaint restaurant serves seasonal and hand-crafted Italian dishes, from panino to pizza.
Jazz Bistro, Toronto, Ont. Diners looking for live music with their meal can swing inside this downtown Toronto spot, with acts playing from Tuesday to Sunday.
La Plume, Toronto, Ont. This restaurant’s menu draws inspiration from southern France, and serves half-price oysters during select hours daily.
La Ronde – Château Lacombe, Edmonton, Alta. This is Edmonton’s only revolving restaurant, completing one revolution every 88 minutes to provide guests with an “unmatched” view.
Le 9e – Restaurant Ile de France, Montreal, Que. This restaurant is situated inside of a designated heritage site and serves guests contemporary and traditional French cuisine.
Lake House Restaurant, Vineland, Ont. Overlooking Lake Ontario from the Niagara region, this restaurant’s menu is packed with Mediterranean-style eats.
Le Champlain Restaurant, Quebec City, Que. Inside of the landmark Fairmont hotel, this restaurant serves fine French cuisine and an impressive wine list.
Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie, Vancouver, B.C. Drawing inspiration from the culinary traditions of the northeastern French region, Alsace, this restaurant serves guests a la carte options and a hearty tasting menu.
Luca, Calgary, Alta. This Calgary restaurant boasts itself as authentically Italian as it imports ingredients straight from Italy.
MISHREE Cocktails & Cuisine, Mississauga, Ont. Guests in search of Indian cuisine can head to MISHREE, where diners can eat everything from Tandoori paneer tikka to mutton rogan josh.
Modern Steak on Southport Rd., Calgary, Alta. This steakhouse prides itself on sourcing beef from the “world’s finest purveyors,” including Angus beef from a local Albertan rancher.
Maison Selby, Toronto, Ont. Whether its brunch, lunch or dinner, guests can eat some French cooking inside of a designated heritage property.
Major Tom, Calgary, Alta. Located 40 floors above Stephen Avenue, guests can sip on hand-crafted cocktails while nibbling on some potato doughnuts, Alberta angus beef or their signature cheeseburger.
Maison Boulud, Montreal, Que. The menu at Maison Boulud promises to take diners on a “culinary journey through France,” through traditional and innovative plates.
Morton’s Grille, Niagara Falls, Ont. Guests can wine and dine with a stunning view overlooking Niagara Falls.
Neros Steakhouse, Windsor, Ont. Inside of the Caesars Windsor hotel, diners can choose from a variety of steak to sink their teeth into.
Old Mill Toronto, Toronto, Ont. Situated inside of a historical landmark in Toronto’s west end, guests can dine a la carte or buffet style and, on some days, pop by for afternoon tea.
Old Vines Restaurant at Quails’ Gate Winery, Kelowna, B.C. Right in the heart of Okanagan Valley sits the Old Vines Restaurant, where diners can peruse a “wine-led” menu featuring seasonal and local ingredients.
Orchard, Calgary, Alta. This Calgary establishment serves a blend of Asian and Mediterranean eats, like gochujang rose ragout lasagna and seared potato mochi.
ORO, Sherwood Park, Alta. This restaurant, located in a town east of Edmonton, offers a variety of modern Italian dishes, from a panzanella salad to hot honey pizza to potato and leek ravioli.
Papi’s, London, Ont. A steakhouse that comes with its own meat market, where guests can purchase prime steaks to enjoy at home.
Portus360, Montreal, Que. With a 360-degree view of Montreal, guests can feast on fine Portuguese cuisine, like caldo verde or pasteis de bacalhau.
PeakFine at Sparkling Hill, Vernon, B.C. From breakfast to dinner, this restaurant serves ocean-to-table cuisine inside of a resort overlooking Okanagan Lake.
Piano Piano Colborne, Toronto, Ont. On Sundays, Piano Piano serves a special supper where couples and groups can eat five dishes for less than $50, pretax.
Prime Steakhouse, Niagara Falls, Ont. This modern steakhouse serves prime beef and fresh seafood with a view of Niagara Falls.
REIGN, Toronto, Ont. Guests can pop into this restaurant, located inside the Fairmont Royal York hotel, for breakfast, lunch, dinner or weekend brunch.
Remingtons of Niagara, Niagara Falls, Ont. Diners looking for a meal and a show can head over to this steakhouse, where all of the servers sing.
Rimrock Café, Whistler, B.C. For the last 40 years, this Whistler establishment has been serving guests “a true mountain cabin dining experience.”
River Café, Calgary, Alta. On small island surrounded by Calgary’s Bow River, this restaurant uses ingredients from its own edible garden.
Riviera, Ottawa, Ont. This restaurant, located near Parliament Hill, offers mouthwatering meals and thirst-quenching cocktails, including 11 different kinds of negronis.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Edmonton, Alta. Every Thursday, this chain steakhouse serves a date night menu, where couples can share a three-course meal for $220, which includes soup or salad, an 18-ounce Chateaubriand and dessert.
Sabor, Edmonton, Alta. This restaurant serves Portuguese and Spanish food inside of a century-old warehouse.
Scaramouche Restaurant, Toronto, Ont. With panoramic views of Toronto’s downtown skyline, diners can feast on pasta, hearty entrees, and their classic coconut cream pie for dessert.
Sole Restaurant, Waterloo, Ont. Tucked inside of a 150-year-old building, this restaurant serves a variety of Mediterranean-inspired eats as well as plant-based and gluten-friendly menus.
Stillwaters Plate and Pour, Paris, Ont. This restaurant has a picturesque view of the town with daily features and a seasonal menu for diners to choose from.
STK, Niagara Falls, Ont. A high-end steakhouse with a stunning view of Niagara Falls and a menu boasting more than prime beef.
Take Five Bistro, Windsor, Ont. The restaurant prides itself on sourcing meat and fresh produce from Ontario farmers.
Tea at The Empress, Victoria, B.C. Overlooking the water, this establishment serves sandwiches, quiche, desserts and its very own tea blend.
Terrasse William Gray, Montreal, Que. Guests can step inside a heated dome atop this rooftop bistro, while taking in the views of Old Montreal.
The Dining Room at Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, B.C. Guests can stop by for afternoon tea at a restaurant tucked inside of this historic home in the midst of the Butchart Gardens.
The Five Fishermen, Halifax, N.S. What used to be a schoolhouse in 1817 is now a restaurant serving dishes like the Five Fish experience, packed with jumbo shrimp, scallops, halibut, clams and lobster.
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, Windsor, Ont. This chain steakhouse, located nearest to Windsor International Airport, serves classic cuts of beef with the restaurant’s unique spice blend.
The Lake House, Calgary, Alta. This lodge-style restaurant says it serves Rocky Mountain cuisine, like a beef and bison burger as well as beef short rib pappardelle.
The Royal Hotel, Prince Edward, Ont. Nestled inside a boutique hotel in Prince Edward County, this restaurant serves farm-to-table specialties to its guests.
The Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. After walking through the vineyards, guests can take a seat at Peller Estate’s restaurant for some vine-to-table dining.
Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant, Vancouver, B.C. Located high above inside the Harbour Centre, guests can experience fine dining with picturesque views of Vancouver.
Trius Winery Restaurant, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. In the heart of Niagara’s wine country lies Trius’ restaurant, with a menu packed with local ingredients and inspired by wine country cuisine.
Valley Restaurant, St. Catharines, Ont. This Niagara Region restaurant says it brings “true Italian” cuisine to the area, from antipasto to handmade pasta.
Via Allegro Ristorante, Etobicoke, Ont. A restaurant serving classic and contemporary dishes inspired by continental Italy.
Vintage Chophouse & Tavern, Calgary, Alta Live music plays inside the tavern every Friday and Saturday night, so diners can pop in for more than just dinner.
Watercolour, Markham, Ont. A contemporary restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, from baked feta and calamari to lamb chops and whole grilled branzino.
Wildcraft, Waterloo, Ont. This grill serves a variety of dishes with bistro shrimp tempura and roasted tomato bruschetta as appetizers, and miso black cod and wild field mushroom tagliatelle as entrees.
Zoe’s at Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, Ont. Steps inside of the historic hotel, guests can step in for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or afternoon tea complete with scones.
