Valentine's Day in Toronto, ON

Whether you do date night every Friday or just whenever you can get the kids settled/ work finished and out the door, you don’t want to have to struggle to think of new places, or end up at an old haunts just out of convenience. You want something sexy and invigorating, where you can talk and make googly eyes at one another, over a really great meal.

Trying to decide where to go for your next uptown date night is about to get easier. We’ve lined up our top picks north of Bloor – from cozy gastropubs with an edge, to a charcuterie bar that moonlights as a coffee shop by day, to classic neighbourhood trattorias to see and be seen.

Discover Toronto’s most seductive holes-in-the-wall, cocktail bars and upscale restaurants for craft cocktails and designed-for-sharing snack and small plates. Not only do these spots tout delicious fusion fare and complex drinks, they are also easy on the eyes, transporting you from bustling Toronto street corners to a tiki bar, a Spanish taverna, or an art deco lounge.

University students aren’t the only locals visiting these popular Annex restaurants and wine bars – but you'll encounter plenty of them. Experiment with different vintages, find a new place to watch the Leafs’ game or drink enough wine to help jog your creativity for that paper you’ve been putting off.

There is nothing quite like a comprehensive wine list to match a beautiful food menu, but sometimes you want to try something different to drink with each course. The answer is a visit toone of Toronto’s fantastic wine bars and taverns, where talented sommeliers have done the hard part, creating a large list of wines by the glass and wine flights, leaving you to enjoy the fruit of their labours.

Picking the perfect spot for a first date can be a daunting task. How do you impress a new love interest without looking like you’re trying too hard? Take the pressure off at these cool-yet-casual first date spots.

Wine on the Danforth includes a few out-there options that grape lovers won’t find anywhere else, with superb food and atmosphere to match. You'll never regret raising a glass of vino to these fine establishments.

Some of the best restaurants in Toronto are on trendy West Queen West. Many offer food that should be enjoyed with wine to truly highlight the flavours, textures and styles. Food and wine are meant for each other at these restaurants, so bring your appetite and prepare to quench your thirst with some vino.

You may want to take the whole evening to savour a glass of wine, pair a few vintages with food, or discover new favourites among a flight of unfamiliar tastes. However you like to appreciate your wine, there’s stemware downtown with your name on it.

Yorkville is widely known as a hotspot for upscale shopping. It’s also one of the best spots in Toronto to enjoy an elegant dinner date with world-class reds, whites and rosés. Check out this list of the top places in Yorkville to enjoy a memorable glass of wine.

Whether it’s your first date or your 25th wedding anniversary, romance sometimes needs a little nudge in the right direction. These restaurants combine intimate ambience with amazing dishes, providing all the kindling you need to romantic fires ablaze.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply toasting the end of the workday, sometimes a glass of bubbly is in order. These Toronto bars are sure to put a sparkle in your champagne flute. Pop, clink, fizz.