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’ acclaimed restaurant pairs a light-filled room with warm wood tones, with a welcoming ambiance, impeccable service and an inspired cuisine. Cuddle on the comfortable banquette or sit at the bar facing the kitchen and enjoy a memorable night out.
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 and refined French meal. The plates are beautifully executed, and the service is flawless. It’s the perfect spot for an intimate dinner that always feels special.
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. Thoughtful plates, a smart wine list and a softly lit room create the perfect backdrop for a memorable dinner for two.
96 Fleury Street West
Le Club Chasse et Pêche
There are a handful of iconic, fine dining establishments in Montréal 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 cuisine.
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. The first edition of the MICHELIN Guide seems to agree that this is one of Montréal’s greatest.
1879 Bélanger Street
Lawrence
I love taking a seat at one of the few tables in Lawrence’s tiny and cozy dining room and watching chef Marc Cohen work his magic in the minuscule kitchen. I usually order the entire menu and every dish has always been nothing short of excellent.
9 Fairmount Avenue East
Alma
Alma brings modern Mexican cuisine to Outremont with intimate tasting menus that spotlight nixtamalized heirloom corn, Québec’s finest seasonal ingredients and Chef Juan Lopez Luna culinary roots. The cuisine is deeply personal and the room small and cozy making this combo one of Montréal’s most romantic restaurants.
1231 Lajoie Avenue
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 irresistible, then Mon Lapin should be at the top of your list for great dining in Montréal. The cozy yet sophisticated neighbourhood gem has recently claimed the #2 spot on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list 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 welcomes diners with a warm and inviting room, refined and elegant cuisine, and a wine list that’s 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 terrace 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 26-seat restaurant where you can actually hear what your date is saying. I am completely hooked on the Caesar salad, comforting onion soup and 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 a Parisian brasserie 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 also offer an omakase menu as well as a sharing menu.
1650 Laurier Avenue East
Ratafia
Nothing says “I love you” like an extraordinary dessert to share (or keep all to yourself!) and Ratafia is an exceptional place to indulge in one (or two) 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 everything glow and shimmer. 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 Choo Chee Pla (whole fried Arctic char with red curry sauce), at this lively neighbourhood Thai restaurant with a great wine list.
5985 Saint-Hubert Street
Restaurant La Raclette
La Raclette is the ultimate cozy spot for sharing warm, cheesy comfort. With its intimate space and tables perfect for two, this Montréal gem specializes in melted raclette served over potatoes, cured meats, and pickles, a fun, indulgent, and very romantic dining experience.
1059 Gilford Street
Places that are exceptionally beautiful
You’ll only have eyes for your date, but it helps to be in gorgeous surroundings.
Ile de France Restaurant
Île de France Restaurant invites diners to travel back in time with its iconic 1930s design, now renovated and paired with modern cuisine, cocktails, and wine. This elegant establishment blends French culinary traditions with Montréal influences, perfect for intimate lunches, business dinners, or a memorable night out.
1500 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, 9th Floor
Place Carmin
Among the especially beautiful Montréal restaurants is Place Carmin, from the exceptional team behind Bouillon Bilk. The elegant, chic yet still 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 award-winning dining room of this Saint-Henri restaurant shimmers with jewel tones and plush velvets. 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
Casavant
Casavant is a buzzy, intimate French‑bistro that’s both refined and relaxed. With Art Deco accents, and generous yet precisely executed dishes like beef tartare, buttery tartelette with seasonal filling, and sausage and mash, this neighbourhood gem is the perfect spot for a romantic evening.
350 De Castelnau Street East
Renoir
Renoir sets the stage for an elegant, romantic evening in the heart of Montréal’s Golden Square Mile. Within the Sofitel’s serene, softly lit dining room, Chef Olivier Perret crafts refined French cuisine using Québec’s finest ingredients, while exquisite pastries and polished service make every moment feel indulgent.
1155 Sherbrooke Street West
Monarque
“Two rooms. Two menus. Two kitchens.” Both within a breathtaking space of exposed stone, brick, and marble serving meticulously prepared French classics. On one side, a casual brasserie inspired by bistro classics and on the other, a fine-dining experience with an evening tasting menu.
406 Saint-Jacques 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
Ibéricos on Saint-Denis brings the spirit of Spain straight to Montréal. In a warm, convivial tavern setting, you’ll find top-tier Iberian ham and charcuteries alongside tapas classics, seafood specialties, traditional Valencian paellas, and an exclusive wine and cava selection.
4475 Saint-Denis Street
Restaurant 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. They’re great to share along with a glass of bubbly cava.
511 Villeray Street
KazaMaza
KazaMaza is one of the best Lebanese restaurants in town and I head there when I’m feeling homesick. Mezes are best when shared followed by the delicious fattet makdous.
4629 du Park Avenue
Damas
I am always mesmerized by the One Thousand and One Nights fairy tale décor of Damas, which is perfect for a romantic date. The cuisine is exceptional as well, with a whole array of Syrian specialties cooked to perfection.
1201 Van Horne Avenue
Alep and Le Petit Alep
Alep and its more casual spot Le Petit Alep are my go-to spots for a spontaneous date, where I share some mezzes and then dig into their spicy Terbialy shish kabab.
191 Jean-Talon Street East
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
Impasto
The Little Italy restaurant is one of the best Italian establishments in town and its homemade charcuterie is as delicious as its pasta. Always end your meal with their exceptional tiramisu.
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
Graziella
Graziella is nestled in a historic stone building in Old Montréal with a minimalist yet warm interior, the perfect stage for Chef Graziella Battista’s homemade pasta and inspired northern Italian dishes like osso bucco.
116 McGill Street
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.