Romantic restaurants in Montréal
Gastronomy
First date? 10th wedding anniversary? There are so many occasions to celebrate l’amour and Montréal has a restaurant for each! Below are some of my favourite romantic Montréal restaurants.
Places to celebrate special occasions
I am an advocate for celebrating love (and good food) daily but some occasions demand a more glamorous endeavour. These chic establishments offer outstanding fine dining experiences that are always irreproachable.
Le Violon
Chef Danny Smiles’ new restaurant is a light-filed room with warm wood tones, a welcoming ambiance and an inspired cuisine. Cuddle on the comfortable banquette or sit at the bar facing the kitchen and enjoy a perfect evening.
4720 Marquette Street
Le Mousso
Art on a plate and a most unique Montréal restaurant is how I would describe Le Mousso, which I visit for the awe-inspiring dishes that astonish every time.
1025 Ontario Street East
Restaurant La Chronique
I go to La Chronique when I am craving an impeccably elegant French meal. I am particularly fond of their foie gras dishes, so don’t miss out!
104 Laurier Avenue West
Restaurant Toqué!
Dining at Toqué! is always a treat. I invariably discover intriguing Québec ingredients and I particularly admire their commitment to local producers.
900 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Bouillon Bilk
Eating at Bouillon Bilk is like experiencing an art exhibit where the décor is a neutral canvas to the colourful market cuisine.
22 Sainte-Catherine Street East
Maison Boulud
Renowned chef Daniel Boulud’s Montréal restaurant is such a great spot to enjoy a romantic dinner. It’s especially nice to be seated in the lush courtyard in the summer.
1228 Sherbrooke Street West
Le St-Urbain
This Fleury Street spot has had a consistent streak of magnificent food and excellent wine since its opening.
96 Fleury Street West
Le Club Chasse et Pêche
There are a handful of iconic, fine dining establishments that are always at the top of everyone’s list to celebrate special occasions and this is one of them. Le Club Chasse et Pêche impresses by its romantic lodge décor, its impeccable service and, of course, the great menu.
423 St-Claude Street
Mastard
Mastard’s cuisine is a love letter to Québec’s terroir with a focus on hyperlocal ingredients that are always a surprise and a wonder to experience.
1879 Bélanger Street
Lawrence
I love sitting at one of the few tables available in Lawrence’s tiny and cozy dining room and watching chef Marc Cohen at the top of his game at work in the minuscule kitchen. I usually order the entire menu and I have yet to taste a dish that was below excellent.
9 Fairmount Avenue East
Places to rekindle the flame
I am a big fan of cozy and casual dining rooms, which are a great excuse to snuggle up to my date.
Mon Lapin
If, like me, you find phenomenal wines and impeccable dishes romantic, then Mon Lapin should be at the top of your list for great dining in Montréal. This cozy yet sophisticated neighbourhood spot has been named the number one restaurant in Canada two years in a row and we’re lucky to have it right here in Montréal.
150 Saint-Zotique Street East
Parapluie
Ranked at number 6 on Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants list for 2024, this neighbourhood spot lies a welcoming dining room where the food is refined and elegant and the wine list always on point.
44 Beaubien Street West
Le Vin Papillon
This is a great restaurant to celebrate any and every occasion. I book a table in the left-hand dining room, the more intimate side of the restaurant in winter or on the terrasse in summer and let the knowledgeable staff dictate what I eat and drink. I’ve never been disappointed!
2519 Notre-Dame Street West
Restaurant Gus
I truly enjoy the intimacy of this 28-seat restaurant where you can actually hear what your date is saying and I am absolutely addicted to the Caesar salad, the comforting onion soup or the juicy steak.
38 Beaubien Street East
Hoogan et Beaufort
The stunning space, the open-flame cooking, the irreproachable food and the grilled focaccia are all the reasons why I keep going to Hoogan et Beaufort!
4095 Molson Street
Candide
By far one of my favourite restaurants for its uncompromising commitment to serving a local and seasonal menu, for its exquisite space in a former presbytery, for the fun staff yet exemplary service and for the excellent wine list that never ceases to surprise me.
551 St-Martin Street
L’Express
One of Montréal’s most classic restaurants is also one of its most romantic with a vibe that transports me to Paris every time I go.
3927 Saint-Denis Street
Tri-Express
Sushi is definitely at the top of the list of cuisines that are great to share on a romantic night out and chef Tri Du’s unique take on this Japanese specialty makes this place one of my favourite Montréal sushi restaurants. They even have an omakase menu as well as a sharing menu available.
1650 Laurier Avenue East
Ratafia
Nothing says I love you like an exceptional dessert to share (or not!) and Ratafia is an exceptional place to indulge in a tremendous plated dessert or two. Note that their savoury menu and wine list are just as excellent.
6778 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Foxy
There’s something about being in a restaurant that cooks over a wood fire that makes it that much more enjoyable. The food at Foxy is fantastic, focused on vegetables or sustainably raised meat and fish and all meant to be shared.
1638 Notre Dame Street West
Pichai
Rekindle the flame over a fiery plate of Kor Moo Yang (grilled pork collar, "nam jim jaew" sauce, glazed yu choy) or the not-to-be-missed Pla Rad Prik (whole fried fish, sweet and sour sauce, sweet chili & tamarind sauce) at this lively neighbourhood Thai restaurant with a great wine list.
5985 Saint-Hubert Street
Places that are exceptionally beautiful
You’ll only have eyes for your date, but it helps to be in gorgeous surroundings.
Place Carmin
Among the exceptionally gorgeous Montréal restaurants is Place Carmin, the newest addition from the team behind Bouillon Bilk. The elegant, chic yet still somehow cozy Old Montréal restaurant specializes in French cuisine. The selection of refined canapés to share are a must, as is the black pudding tatin and the desserts.
740 William Street
Elena
The gorgeous dining room of this Saint-Henri restaurant won the enRoute magazine decor of the year award in 2019. I like to start with a signature cocktail and the kale Caesar and then dig into one of their sourdough pizzas, such as the M. Fun-guy (get it?).
5090 Notre Dame Street West
Le Serpent
This is one of my favourite restaurant spaces in Montréal. I love the industrial chic décor and its ever-changing pasta menu never disappoints.
257 Prince Street
Sabayon
Pastry-chef Patrice Demers and his wife-sommelier Marie-Josée Beaudoin are at the helm of this gorgeous, 14-seat restaurant where the service is attentive and the sweet and savoury menu outstanding.
2194 Centre Street
Places to share tapas or mezes
Because I always want to try as many things as possible, I love sharing food and these restaurants are often on my list for a romantic night out.
IBERICOS SPANISH TAPAS
At Ibéricos, Spanish charcuterie and fine products are in the spotlight. Guests can enjoy all types of ham, chorizo, and Iberian salchichón in platters and sandwiches in a warm and cozy setting,
4475 Saint-Denis Street
Beba
If I lived next door to Beba, I would dine there at least once a week. The small restaurant’s cuisine reflects the owners’ Argentinian background, sprinkled with a bit of Italian and Spanish influences and guided by seasonal availabilities. The result is an array of exquisite little dishes to share that will surely make an impression on your date.
3900 Éthel Street
Tapeo Bar à Tapas
Tapeo is always a great date spot and I never tire of their classic tapas, such as the patatas bravas and the Spanish tortilla.
511 Villeray Street
KazaMaza
This is one of the best Lebanese restaurants in town and I head there when I’m feeling homesick. Share some mezes and then order the delicious fattet makdous.
4629 du Parc Avenue
Damas
I am always mesmerized by the One Thousand and One Nights fairy tale décor, which is perfect for a romantic date.
1201 Van Horne Avenue
Alep
Alep and its more casual spot Le Petit Alep are my go-to spots for a spontaneous date, where I share some meze and then dig into their spicy Terbialy shish kabab.
191 Jean-Talon Street East
Tinc Set
This small Outremont restaurant from the husband-and-wife team behind delicious Alma focuses on tapas, Barcelona-style roast chicken and Catalan wine.
1233 Lajoie Avenue
Places to share a plate of pasta
Share a plate of noodles à la Lady and the Tramp.
Moccione
I fell in love with Moccione’s beautiful dining room, great staff and exquisite, fuss-free Italian food, some of the best in Montréal! If you would rather share a pizza, Moccione Pizza is just a couple of blocks away and their pies are excellent.
7495 Saint-Denis Street
La Casina
Italian classics and a warm welcome are on the menu of this casual and cozy eatery where it’s always nice to share a few specialties and a bottle of Chianti.
5314 Parc Avenue
Impasto
The Little Italy restaurant is one of the best Italian establishments in town and its homemade charcuterie is as delicious as its pasta.
48 Dante Street
Nora Gray
A classic Italian restaurant and the perfect romantic spot to share some pasta and conversation.
1391 Saint-Jacques Street
Kitano Shokudo (Otto Bistro)
This small Japanese restaurant specializes in mazemen, or brothless ramen. They are toothsome and comforting. Try the classic version with spicy minced pork or go fancy with burrata and lobster butter.
143 Mont-Royal Avenue East
Mayssam Samaha
Mayssam Samaha is a food and travel writer and blogger and the founder behind the blog Will Travel for Food. She travels the world in search of the next culinary discovery. From Iceland to South Africa, she’s already visited over 36 countries and there’s nothing she enjoys more than wandering around a farmers’ market in a foreign city. She is also the founder of the SAISONS intimate dinner series highlighting Québec products and chefs.