Montreal’s 13 most romantic restaurants for date night

A robust antipasti selection is the main draw at this casual Italian spot near the city centre. Bring your date for some prosciutto, burrata, and a spritz. If things are going well, you can graduate to larger dishes such as squash-filled ravioli or a selection of Neapolitan-style pizzas. Aesthetically, Fiorellino is a smooth choice as well: with wood and tile fixtures, stylish furniture, and dim-but-not-too-dim lighting, the cool, unstuffy ambiance is great for a first date.

Elegant Chez Lévêque has dished up French brasserie fare to Montrealers for decades. It’s the kind of place where you can go for a full meal or just stick to charcuterie and wine for a relaxed, early-in-the-game date. With red banquettes and white tablecloths, its indoor dining room is reminiscent of a dreamy slice of Paris. The team has fine-tuned classics such as lobster bisque, terrines, tartares, moules-frites, sweetbreads and a classic steak; save room for crème brûlée or crêpes suzette. There’s also a great option for couples on a budget: after 9pm every day (except during holiday peak hours), Chez Lévêque has a $29 table d’hôte menu.

As one of Montreal’s most dazzling fine-dining destinations, Damas is renowned for its pitch-perfect Syrian dishes. Kick off an anniversary feast here with a cocktail that brings in classic Levantine touches such as rose or pomegranate while diving into shareable mezze options together. Entrees include succulent grill dishes and soul-warming braised options; try some from both categories if you can. Otherwise, for a special occasion, you can’t go wrong with the tasting menu, which allows you to sample a little of everything. The ambiance is swoon-worthy, too: a sultry red interior with hanging lamps evokes a glamorous souk, with nods to Arabic architecture.

Impress your date with a royal anniversary meal at Bar George, the in-house restaurant at boutique hotel Le Mount Stephen. Juicy beef Wellington and whiskey pudding are the dinner highlights at this unabashedly English spot. The luxurious menu also features a few nods to this side of the pond, with elegant seafood dishes such as salmon with roasted vegetables. Go for brunch and you’ll be treated to a full English breakfast, complete with black pudding, sausage, and mushrooms. Enjoy it all in a restored Victorian-era dining room, decked with intricate wood paneling, centuries-old stained glass windows, and gold fixtures.

La Chronique is arguably the pinnacle of Montreal’s extensive French dining scene, and worthy of an epic romantic night. You and your companion will tuck into a five-course degustation menu, which changes frequently but applies French techniques to fine seafood, meats, and produce from Quebec and Canada. The pristine white dining room with mahogany-toned furniture matches well with the refined menu. To drink, a lengthy wine list prioritizes classic French options, with bottles for any palate and price point — just ask sommelier Jonathan Sitaras.

Pop the big question at one of Montreal’s most sensual dining experiences. Toqué, which opened its doors in 1993, is considered a pioneer in Quebec’s fine-dining scene thanks to chef-owner Normand Laprise’s skills in showcasing the province’s fields and forests. Take a seat in the plush dining room with its white tablecloths and elegant (yet supremely comfortable) leather armchairs at each table. Dine on foie gras, which gets the local treatment with red wine and maple onion purée, and tender meats that shine alongside mushrooms and root vegetables. Do it right—you’re here for a life-changing night, afterall—and get the seven-course tasting menu with an optional but extremely on-point wine pairing.

Bistro Nolah is a destination restaurant, about a 20- to 30-minute drive from Montreal proper. It’s one of the only places in the area to serve Cajun cuisine. The sizable dining room (plus extra-attentive service) make it especially great for indulgent group dates. Expect to tear into generous portions of Louisiana classics such as gumbo, jambalaya, fried oysters, and catfish. Don’t skip the cocktails: Nolah’s beverages are tributes to New Orleans, a city that knows how to stir up some seriously good drinks—and good times.

Montreal isn’t generally considered a stellar sushi city, but chef Antonio Park’s eponymous restaurant, a transportive, date-night darling, is one big exception. The chic, modern dining room mixes timeless wood paneling with a few industrial elements and dim lighting to set the mood. But it’s Park’s sushi that will whisk you away on an East Asian tour. He uses fresh, top-notch ingredients, such as bluefin and albacore tuna, to craft exquisite platters of maki, nigiri, and more. Park also draws on his Korean and South American heritage to bring in a few remixes, such as beef sushi (Park was the first Canadian chef to receive a license to import Kobe beef), served with kimchi and chimichurri sauce.

A visit to the Old Montreal staple Le Club Chasse et Pêche is like taking a trip to a classy cabin in the woods without even leaving the city. Fittingly, the restaurant’s name, which translates to “the hunting and fishing club,” means couples can expect the freshest and finest products from Quebec’s forests, rivers, and seas. A bold wine list features funky natural varietals, as well as full-bodied traditional options. Despite the restaurant’s unassuming exterior, Le Club Chasse et Pêche has an alluring vibe perfect for dates, with mood lighting, leather chairs, and natural textures to enhance the earthy menu.

Treat yourself to tapas and shellfish at this welcoming Spanish spot on Saint-Denis Street. As the name suggests, Galician specialties feature on the menu, but with options such as paella and gazpacho, the offerings also draw inspiration from all over the Iberian Peninsula. A lengthy wine list shows off full-bodied Spanish and Portuguese options to go with it all. If you head here on a Friday or Saturday night, you can treat your date to an in-house flamenco performance. The dining room’s Mediterranean villa vibe, with wooden eaves and antique decorations, only adds to the dramatic, dinner-and-a-show atmosphere.

For an upbeat night out, head to this Old Montreal favorite where you’ll be immersed in the sounds of local jazz and blues bands; they play every night of the week, as well as during weekend brunch hours. You and your date will be well-fed and watered while you take it all in: Modavie has an extensive wine list, including some natural options and orange wines, as well as a small list of classic-ish cocktails. When it comes to the food, the menu has both lighter fare, such as cheese, charcuterie, and tartare, plus larger plates, including pasta and juicy roasted meats—lamb is a specialty here.

This fuss-free taqueria makes an unpretentious but tasty first-date setting. Start with a tropical cocktail, such as a classic margarita or a horchata-rum version of a piña colada. Though tacos are undoubtedly the main event here. There are staples such as al pastor and crispy Baja fish options, as well as lesser-common choices including a duck confit taco, or one with octopus and chorizo. If those menu options are too messy for your ideal first date, you can always opt for a ceviche instead.