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The Most Romantic Restaurants in Montreal

Where to go for a night out with your special someone

by Eater Staff Updated
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by Eater Staff Updated
1 comment / new
Barroco/Facebook

Date night and dining out go hand-in-hand — and Montreal has some unbeatable spots to take that special someone. From casual outings to fancier occasions, the picks below all deliver the intimate ambience and delicious food needed for a memorable night.

Spots like Le Vin Papillon and Cadet are well-suited for a smaller bite and glass of wine after a long workday, while others, such as Damas and Le Mousso, are well-established options for pulling out all the stops and indulging. And all of them should lead to happy stomachs (which are bound to make for happy hearts).

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Marconi

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With a large bar and a wide-open kitchen concept, what was once a local dépanneur has become a neighbourhood favourite. The menu is innovative, expertly prepared, and presented in mismatching dinnerware for some extra charm. Expect to share about five to six plates per couple, and do yourself a favour by exploring the impressive cocktail list.

45 Avenue Mozart O, Montréal, QC H2S 1C1, Canada
(514) 490-0777
(514) 490-0777

Also featured in:

Damas

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This plush, dimly lit Outremont favourite is the perfect date spot — not just for the ambience but also for the food, with offerings from labneh and baba ghanoush to char-grilled meats. Forgo the hassle of choosing dishes and opt for the tasting menu to get a comprehensive introduction to Syrian cuisine.

1201 Avenue Van Horne, Outremont, QC H2V 1K4, Canada
(514) 439-5435
(514) 439-5435

Impasto

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Exquisitely crafted pasta, house-cured charcuterie, and a solid wine list coalesce for an invariably satisfying date night at Impasto, the Little Italy spot that started it all for co-owners Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione. Marble tabletops, warm wood surfaces, an open kitchen, and large windows help to set the mood just right.

48 Rue Dante, Montréal, QC H2S 1J6, Canada
(514) 508-6508
(514) 508-6508

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Alma

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This charming Outremont spot brings coastal Catalonia straight to Montreal — with all the romance that entails. Dishes laden with anchovies, cured meats, seafood, and an equally transportive wine list await. Neighbouring wine bar Tinc Set, from the same owners, fits the bill for a slightly more casual date night.

1231 Av. Lajoie, Outremont, QC H2V 1P2, Canada
(514) 543-1363
(514) 543-1363

Also featured in:

Le Virunga

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Snug quarters, intricate decor, and soft lighting make this Plateau pan-African spot an obvious pick for date night. Expect local ingredients given the sub-Saharan treatment, on-point service, stunning cocktails, and South African wines.

851 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2H9, Canada
(514) 504-8642
(514) 504-8642

Also featured in:

Le Vin Papillon

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Avoid the craziness that is Joe Beef and opt for a quieter, more intimate experience at Le Vin Papillon. The food is just as good with simple plates that often hone in on a central meat or vegetable. Plus, the wine service is impeccable, making for some easy, seamless dining.

2519 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H3J 1N4, Canada
(514) 439-6494
(514) 439-6494

Also featured in:

L'Express

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Whether the emphasis is on date night, people watching, or a mini vacation to a Parisian brasserie without leaving Montreal, a visit to L’Express covers many bases. Though the restaurant is routinely bustling at peak dinner time, it’s open all day long, so there’s no excuse not to drop by and tuck into a shared plate of beef tartare and frites.

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada
(514) 845-5333
(514) 845-5333

Also featured in:

Candide

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It’s easy to focus on the person sitting across the table when the service is as finessed as it is at Candide. After all, nothing sets the mood quite like some pretty plates made up of ultra-local, ultra-seasonal Quebec produce, along with a swish wine selection to match.

551 Rue Saint-Martin, Montréal, QC H3J 2L6, Canada
(514) 447-2717
(514) 447-2717

Also featured in:

Nora Gray

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Nora Gray optimizes romantic dining with a space that manages to feel simultaneously homey and classy. Fancy enough for a planned-in-advance special occasion, yet not too formal for a spontaneous post-work pick, it’s a great spot to cozy up at the bar or settle into a booth for an evening of unforgettable Italian food and wine. 

1391 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H3C 1H2, Canada
(514) 419-6672
(514) 419-6672

Also featured in:

Cadet

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Bouillon Bilk’s little sister is perfectly situated in the heart of Quartier des Spectacles, making it a convenient stop for a bite before or after another activity. Small plates, a well-stocked bar, and a thoughtful cocktail list round out the experience.

1431 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S8, Canada
(514) 903-1631
(514) 903-1631

Also featured in:

Le Mousso

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Three- to four-hour-long tasting menus are not for the faint of heart, but for the couple that loves refined and creative food, Le Mousso should be top of mind. It’s a great destination to celebrate a relationship milestone — and chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard is the ideal steward.

1023 Rue Ontario E, Montréal, QC H2L 1P8, Canada
(438) 384-7410
(438) 384-7410

Also featured in:

Barroco

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Old Montreal may have a reputation for being the over-priced, once-tourist-heavy part of town, but its cobblestones and street lamps have romance built into them. At Barroco, that vibe gets carried in, with stone walls, dim lights, and a swoon-worthy menu interlacing French and Spanish flavours.

312 Rue Saint-Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2A3, Canada
(514) 544-5800
(514) 544-5800

Also featured in:

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Marconi

45 Avenue Mozart O, Montréal, QC H2S 1C1, Canada

With a large bar and a wide-open kitchen concept, what was once a local dépanneur has become a neighbourhood favourite. The menu is innovative, expertly prepared, and presented in mismatching dinnerware for some extra charm. Expect to share about five to six plates per couple, and do yourself a favour by exploring the impressive cocktail list.

45 Avenue Mozart O, Montréal, QC H2S 1C1, Canada
(514) 490-0777
(514) 490-0777

Damas

1201 Avenue Van Horne, Outremont, QC H2V 1K4, Canada

This plush, dimly lit Outremont favourite is the perfect date spot — not just for the ambience but also for the food, with offerings from labneh and baba ghanoush to char-grilled meats. Forgo the hassle of choosing dishes and opt for the tasting menu to get a comprehensive introduction to Syrian cuisine.

1201 Avenue Van Horne, Outremont, QC H2V 1K4, Canada
(514) 439-5435
(514) 439-5435

Impasto

48 Rue Dante, Montréal, QC H2S 1J6, Canada

Exquisitely crafted pasta, house-cured charcuterie, and a solid wine list coalesce for an invariably satisfying date night at Impasto, the Little Italy spot that started it all for co-owners Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione. Marble tabletops, warm wood surfaces, an open kitchen, and large windows help to set the mood just right.

48 Rue Dante, Montréal, QC H2S 1J6, Canada
(514) 508-6508
(514) 508-6508

Alma

1231 Av. Lajoie, Outremont, QC H2V 1P2, Canada

This charming Outremont spot brings coastal Catalonia straight to Montreal — with all the romance that entails. Dishes laden with anchovies, cured meats, seafood, and an equally transportive wine list await. Neighbouring wine bar Tinc Set, from the same owners, fits the bill for a slightly more casual date night.

1231 Av. Lajoie, Outremont, QC H2V 1P2, Canada
(514) 543-1363
(514) 543-1363

Le Virunga

851 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2H9, Canada

Snug quarters, intricate decor, and soft lighting make this Plateau pan-African spot an obvious pick for date night. Expect local ingredients given the sub-Saharan treatment, on-point service, stunning cocktails, and South African wines.

851 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2H9, Canada
(514) 504-8642
(514) 504-8642

Le Vin Papillon

2519 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H3J 1N4, Canada

Avoid the craziness that is Joe Beef and opt for a quieter, more intimate experience at Le Vin Papillon. The food is just as good with simple plates that often hone in on a central meat or vegetable. Plus, the wine service is impeccable, making for some easy, seamless dining.

2519 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H3J 1N4, Canada
(514) 439-6494
(514) 439-6494

L'Express

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada

Whether the emphasis is on date night, people watching, or a mini vacation to a Parisian brasserie without leaving Montreal, a visit to L’Express covers many bases. Though the restaurant is routinely bustling at peak dinner time, it’s open all day long, so there’s no excuse not to drop by and tuck into a shared plate of beef tartare and frites.

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada
(514) 845-5333
(514) 845-5333

Candide

551 Rue Saint-Martin, Montréal, QC H3J 2L6, Canada

It’s easy to focus on the person sitting across the table when the service is as finessed as it is at Candide. After all, nothing sets the mood quite like some pretty plates made up of ultra-local, ultra-seasonal Quebec produce, along with a swish wine selection to match.

551 Rue Saint-Martin, Montréal, QC H3J 2L6, Canada
(514) 447-2717
(514) 447-2717

Nora Gray

1391 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H3C 1H2, Canada

Nora Gray optimizes romantic dining with a space that manages to feel simultaneously homey and classy. Fancy enough for a planned-in-advance special occasion, yet not too formal for a spontaneous post-work pick, it’s a great spot to cozy up at the bar or settle into a booth for an evening of unforgettable Italian food and wine. 

1391 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H3C 1H2, Canada
(514) 419-6672
(514) 419-6672

Cadet

1431 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S8, Canada

Bouillon Bilk’s little sister is perfectly situated in the heart of Quartier des Spectacles, making it a convenient stop for a bite before or after another activity. Small plates, a well-stocked bar, and a thoughtful cocktail list round out the experience.

1431 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S8, Canada
(514) 903-1631
(514) 903-1631

Le Mousso

1023 Rue Ontario E, Montréal, QC H2L 1P8, Canada

Three- to four-hour-long tasting menus are not for the faint of heart, but for the couple that loves refined and creative food, Le Mousso should be top of mind. It’s a great destination to celebrate a relationship milestone — and chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard is the ideal steward.

1023 Rue Ontario E, Montréal, QC H2L 1P8, Canada
(438) 384-7410
(438) 384-7410

Barroco

312 Rue Saint-Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2A3, Canada

Old Montreal may have a reputation for being the over-priced, once-tourist-heavy part of town, but its cobblestones and street lamps have romance built into them. At Barroco, that vibe gets carried in, with stone walls, dim lights, and a swoon-worthy menu interlacing French and Spanish flavours.

312 Rue Saint-Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2A3, Canada
(514) 544-5800
(514) 544-5800