16 Guaranteed To Please First Date Spots in Montreal

Not too casual, not too fancy

by Tim Forster and Mallory Frayn Updated Oct 19, 2018, 1:28pm EDT

View as Map

by Tim Forster and Mallory Frayn Updated Oct 19, 2018, 1:28pm EDT

Club Pelicano/Facebook

There’s no shortage of restaurants, bars, and cafes in Montreal that make for excellent romantic outings, but it’s never a good idea to use a one-size-fits-all approach to choosing a date spot. A multi-course tasting at Le Mousso is a great anniversary idea, although probably not the best choice to share with a new match from Tinder.

This map highlights the best spots to impress that subject of your desire early on. They all have a certain mix of casual and classy, but choose the vibe you want carefully: wine and small plates at Larry’s, for example, is more formal than flaming tiki bowls at Snowbird.

Been dating a while and want to impress with something fancier? We have a separate guide for you romantics, right over here.

Read More

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Dinette Triple Crown

It can be tricky to maintain appropriate first date decorum while gnawing on a fried chicken drumstick but the uniqueness of Dinette's picnic basket concept can hopefully distract from any issues with table manners. Southern comfort food fills the menu alongside classic cocktails such as a margarita done right, with egg white. You can get it all packed into a basket with tablecloth, sauces, and everything you need (minus the cocktails) anytime of the year, but in the winter months it might be easiest to sit at the counter.

6704 rue Clark, Montreal, QC H2S 3E9, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Snowbird Tiki Bar

Tiki drinks undeniably make for a good time, whether it’s on a first date or otherwise. Plus there are benefits if your date ditches, like getting to enjoy an entire flaming tiki punch bowl to yourself. Who needs love anyway?

Open in Google Maps

6714 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2S 3C7, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Cardinal Tea Room

Right above popular bar Sparrow is this solid option for the teetotalers, the hungover, or simply folk who don't want to drink on a date. The spectacular interior should impress any love interest with a sense of aesthetics, while pillowy tea cakes and cucumber sandwiches add something novel in a patisserie-fixated city.

5326 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1S1, Canada

Visit Website

Larrys

Whether you’re committing to sharing an entire bottle, or playing it safe with wines by the glass, Larrys is the perfect oenophile first-date spot (but fares well for beer and cocktails, too). Stave off hunger with small plates, and if it’s not going well, you don’t have to commit to sitting through an entire meal.

9 Fairmount Ave E, Montreal, QC H2T 1C7, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Larrys (@larrys.gram) on Jul 27, 2018 at 4:04pm PDT

Also featured in:

Cinéma Moderne

For the date that appreciates film and food, there’s no better bet than Cinema Moderne. Grab a bite in an adjoining café-bar before enjoying a show in their quaint, 54-seat theatre. Keep an eye out for regularly scheduled special events as well.

5150 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1R8, Canada

Visit Website

Bar Henrietta

The flawlessly designed reincarnation of the former Baldwin Barmacie on Laurier could be described as resembling a classy Portuguese boathouse. The prices are definitely on the classy side too, but it's worth it if for those looking to impress. A modern wine list focused on Portugal and France, and small plates with plenty of chorizo and seafood are the hallmarks.

115 Avenue Laurier O, Montréal, QC H2T 2N6, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Agrikol

Though it’s squarely on the restaurant side of this list, Agrikol is a super-flexible date location and less of a classic appetizer-mains-desserts place. Admire the loud interior, and wash those plantains and Haitian-style grilled meats down with innovative rum cocktails. (There’s also ‘Ti Agrikol, a more boisterous bar, next door.)

Open in Google Maps

1844 Rue Amherst, Montréal, QC H2L, Canada

Visit Website

La Buvette Chez Simone

If you need a casual and affordable wine bar for after-work drinks, Buvette is your go-to. You have the option between the mahoganied interior, which radiates warmth, or a spacious terrasse right on Parc. Charcuterie and cheese are good date bets, and you can safely order drinks that aren’t wine and still enjoy it.

4869 ave. du Parc, Montreal, QC H2V 4K7, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Majestique

Some bars are places you would only go with friends; some are places you only take dates, but Majestique is both. Suggestive foods for your date like oysters and hotdogs are on the menu, and the cocktails strike a balance between being refined without approaching pretentiously molecular levels of mixology. The vibrant interior is also a nice distraction from any stilted conversation, too.

4105 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Réservoir

One of the most refined beer spots in the city, Réservoir leans away from a loud and more boisterous brewpub atmosphere and the terrasse overlooking Duluth Street is prime seating. Since a takeover from the owners of much-loved restaurant Hôtel Herman, the upscale bar food is also exceptional. Réservoir is first and foremost a microbrewery, so check your date's gluten tolerance levels first.

9 ave. Duluth Est, Montreal, QC H2W 1G7, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Else's

Almost like an upscale dive bar, Else's is an ideal low-pressure date venue — with a solid menu of comfort snacks and a low-key approach to cocktails, it's hard to feel underdressed but also hard to walk away without a certain warmth towards the bar (and hopefully, your date).

156 rue Roy E., Montreal, QC H2W 1M2, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

19 Montreal Bars With Primo Eats

Pamplemousse

Downtown Montreal can be a weird place for dining and drink options and Pamplemousse is a much-needed casual-but-not-party addition to the scene around Place des Arts and the Latin Quarter. With 20 different local brews on tap, there’s something for everyone, whether your date is an avid beer drinker or not. Check out the wood-fired food menu, too.

Open in Google Maps

1579 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S9, Canada

Visit Website

Cold Room

A hidden gem in the heart of the tourist zone, Cold Room is tucked away in (surprise) a former cold room and only accessible by ringing an inconspicuous doorbell on St-Vincent Street. It’s award-winning bartender Kevin Demers’ first bar of his own and the carefully designed drinks, many of which use shrubs (in short, flavoured vinegars), have drawn many fans since its inception.

155 Saint-Paul E, Montreal, QC H2Y 1G8, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

15 Essential Montreal Cocktail Bars

Caffe Un Po' Di Piu

The latest from the Olive & Gourmando crew is perfect for dates at any time of day. Coffee date? Check. Brunch? Check. After-work aperitivo and antipasto? Check. Given all the options, it can be a whole-day affair, if the date is really good.

3 Rue de la Commune E, Montréal, QC H2Y 0B1, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Club Pelicano

It might be weird to take a first date to a swimming pool, but it’s definitely cool to swing by a bar that feels like you’re hanging out in an old school public bath. In any case, the ambience here makes for some interesting conversation. The cocktails are on point too, with boozy concoctions like their frozen paper plane.

1076 Rue de Bleury #001, Montréal, QC H2Z 1N2, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Crew Collective & Cafe

Located in a former bank in Old Montreal, Crew has one of the city's most stunning interiors, with solid coffee and light breakfast and lunch foods to match. A caveat — Crew is billed as somewhat of a work space so if you show up when it's jammed, you may be stuck at a less-romantic communal table with young professionals churning out "content" or "SEO" from their laptops, but there are plenty of date friendly nooks. Note that Crew doesn't serve alcohol outside of special events.

360 Saint Jacques, Montreal, QC, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

Dinette Triple Crown

6704 rue Clark, Montreal, QC H2S 3E9, Canada

It can be tricky to maintain appropriate first date decorum while gnawing on a fried chicken drumstick but the uniqueness of Dinette's picnic basket concept can hopefully distract from any issues with table manners. Southern comfort food fills the menu alongside classic cocktails such as a margarita done right, with egg white. You can get it all packed into a basket with tablecloth, sauces, and everything you need (minus the cocktails) anytime of the year, but in the winter months it might be easiest to sit at the counter.

6704 rue Clark, Montreal, QC H2S 3E9, Canada

Visit Website

Snowbird Tiki Bar

6714 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2S 3C7, Canada

Tiki drinks undeniably make for a good time, whether it’s on a first date or otherwise. Plus there are benefits if your date ditches, like getting to enjoy an entire flaming tiki punch bowl to yourself. Who needs love anyway?

Open in Google Maps

6714 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2S 3C7, Canada

Visit Website

Cardinal Tea Room

5326 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1S1, Canada

Right above popular bar Sparrow is this solid option for the teetotalers, the hungover, or simply folk who don't want to drink on a date. The spectacular interior should impress any love interest with a sense of aesthetics, while pillowy tea cakes and cucumber sandwiches add something novel in a patisserie-fixated city.

5326 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1S1, Canada

Visit Website

Larrys

9 Fairmount Ave E, Montreal, QC H2T 1C7, Canada

Whether you’re committing to sharing an entire bottle, or playing it safe with wines by the glass, Larrys is the perfect oenophile first-date spot (but fares well for beer and cocktails, too). Stave off hunger with small plates, and if it’s not going well, you don’t have to commit to sitting through an entire meal.

9 Fairmount Ave E, Montreal, QC H2T 1C7, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Larrys (@larrys.gram) on Jul 27, 2018 at 4:04pm PDT

Cinéma Moderne

5150 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1R8, Canada

For the date that appreciates film and food, there’s no better bet than Cinema Moderne. Grab a bite in an adjoining café-bar before enjoying a show in their quaint, 54-seat theatre. Keep an eye out for regularly scheduled special events as well.

5150 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1R8, Canada

Visit Website

Bar Henrietta

115 Avenue Laurier O, Montréal, QC H2T 2N6, Canada

The flawlessly designed reincarnation of the former Baldwin Barmacie on Laurier could be described as resembling a classy Portuguese boathouse. The prices are definitely on the classy side too, but it's worth it if for those looking to impress. A modern wine list focused on Portugal and France, and small plates with plenty of chorizo and seafood are the hallmarks.

115 Avenue Laurier O, Montréal, QC H2T 2N6, Canada

Visit Website

Agrikol

1844 Rue Amherst, Montréal, QC H2L, Canada

Though it’s squarely on the restaurant side of this list, Agrikol is a super-flexible date location and less of a classic appetizer-mains-desserts place. Admire the loud interior, and wash those plantains and Haitian-style grilled meats down with innovative rum cocktails. (There’s also ‘Ti Agrikol, a more boisterous bar, next door.)

Open in Google Maps

1844 Rue Amherst, Montréal, QC H2L, Canada

Visit Website

La Buvette Chez Simone

4869 ave. du Parc, Montreal, QC H2V 4K7, Canada

If you need a casual and affordable wine bar for after-work drinks, Buvette is your go-to. You have the option between the mahoganied interior, which radiates warmth, or a spacious terrasse right on Parc. Charcuterie and cheese are good date bets, and you can safely order drinks that aren’t wine and still enjoy it.

4869 ave. du Parc, Montreal, QC H2V 4K7, Canada

Visit Website

Majestique

4105 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

Some bars are places you would only go with friends; some are places you only take dates, but Majestique is both. Suggestive foods for your date like oysters and hotdogs are on the menu, and the cocktails strike a balance between being refined without approaching pretentiously molecular levels of mixology. The vibrant interior is also a nice distraction from any stilted conversation, too.

4105 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

Visit Website

Réservoir

9 ave. Duluth Est, Montreal, QC H2W 1G7, Canada

One of the most refined beer spots in the city, Réservoir leans away from a loud and more boisterous brewpub atmosphere and the terrasse overlooking Duluth Street is prime seating. Since a takeover from the owners of much-loved restaurant Hôtel Herman, the upscale bar food is also exceptional. Réservoir is first and foremost a microbrewery, so check your date's gluten tolerance levels first.

9 ave. Duluth Est, Montreal, QC H2W 1G7, Canada

Visit Website

Else's

156 rue Roy E., Montreal, QC H2W 1M2, Canada

Almost like an upscale dive bar, Else's is an ideal low-pressure date venue — with a solid menu of comfort snacks and a low-key approach to cocktails, it's hard to feel underdressed but also hard to walk away without a certain warmth towards the bar (and hopefully, your date).

156 rue Roy E., Montreal, QC H2W 1M2, Canada

Visit Website

Pamplemousse

1579 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S9, Canada

Downtown Montreal can be a weird place for dining and drink options and Pamplemousse is a much-needed casual-but-not-party addition to the scene around Place des Arts and the Latin Quarter. With 20 different local brews on tap, there’s something for everyone, whether your date is an avid beer drinker or not. Check out the wood-fired food menu, too.

Open in Google Maps

1579 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S9, Canada

Visit Website

Cold Room

155 Saint-Paul E, Montreal, QC H2Y 1G8, Canada

A hidden gem in the heart of the tourist zone, Cold Room is tucked away in (surprise) a former cold room and only accessible by ringing an inconspicuous doorbell on St-Vincent Street. It’s award-winning bartender Kevin Demers’ first bar of his own and the carefully designed drinks, many of which use shrubs (in short, flavoured vinegars), have drawn many fans since its inception.

155 Saint-Paul E, Montreal, QC H2Y 1G8, Canada

Visit Website

Caffe Un Po' Di Piu

3 Rue de la Commune E, Montréal, QC H2Y 0B1, Canada

The latest from the Olive & Gourmando crew is perfect for dates at any time of day. Coffee date? Check. Brunch? Check. After-work aperitivo and antipasto? Check. Given all the options, it can be a whole-day affair, if the date is really good.

3 Rue de la Commune E, Montréal, QC H2Y 0B1, Canada

Visit Website

Club Pelicano

1076 Rue de Bleury #001, Montréal, QC H2Z 1N2, Canada

It might be weird to take a first date to a swimming pool, but it’s definitely cool to swing by a bar that feels like you’re hanging out in an old school public bath. In any case, the ambience here makes for some interesting conversation. The cocktails are on point too, with boozy concoctions like their frozen paper plane.

1076 Rue de Bleury #001, Montréal, QC H2Z 1N2, Canada

Visit Website

Crew Collective & Cafe

360 Saint Jacques, Montreal, QC, Canada

Located in a former bank in Old Montreal, Crew has one of the city's most stunning interiors, with solid coffee and light breakfast and lunch foods to match. A caveat — Crew is billed as somewhat of a work space so if you show up when it's jammed, you may be stuck at a less-romantic communal table with young professionals churning out "content" or "SEO" from their laptops, but there are plenty of date friendly nooks. Note that Crew doesn't serve alcohol outside of special events.

360 Saint Jacques, Montreal, QC, Canada

Visit Website