Toronto Date Ideas

The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto is one of Toronto's premiere cultural museums, originally opened as the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art in 1999 within the Art Gallery of North York. Since 2018, it has been housed within a 55,000-square-foot renovated industrial space in Toronto's Lower Junction and has been funded by the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. The museum strives to showcase innovative contemporary art works, with a focus on works with relevant cultural and political themes. Rotating exhibitions throughout the year highlight the works of regional and national artists. Museum visitors can enjoy light cafe fare at Forno Cultura or browse merchandise and art publications at the museum's Art Metropole store.

Address: The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, 158 Sterling Rd, Toronto, ON M6R 2B2, Canada, Phone: 416-530-2500

The Nicholas Metivier Gallery is one of Canada's largest contemporary art galleries, originally opened in 2004 in a space along King Street West. Since 2018, the gallery has been housed within its current location and has strived to showcase the works of Canadian and international artists of all ages and experience levels working in a variety of media. Gallery artists such as Joachim Bandau, Katharine Harvey, Izima Kaoru, and Yousuf Karsh have also been exhibited at prestigious international institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Tate Modern. Visitors can explore the gallery Tuesdays through Saturdays during the morning and afternoon hours.

Address: The Nicholas Metivier Gallery, 190 Richmond St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1P1, Canada

Auberge du Pommier is one of North York's most acclaimed French restaurants, known as an icon of Toronto fine dining since its opening in 1987. The restaurant, which is the crown jewel of the city's Oliver and Bonacini dining group, serves up traditional French fare with North American twists in a beautiful dining room space created from remnants of two 19th-century woodcutters' cottages. Lush floral terraces and cozy wood-burning fireplaces create a romantic ambiance, making the restaurant a great choice for special date nights. Elevated fare served up at lunch and dinner includes traditional classics such as cote de boeuf, lamb saddle agneau, duck breast canard, and phyllo-baked brie rôti. Full tasting menus explore seafood, meat, vegetable, and dessert courses, available with fine wine pairings from the restaurant's immense wine list.

Address: Auberge du Pommier, 4150 Yonge St, North York, ON M2P 2C6, Canada, Phone: 416-222-2220

Northern Maverick Brewing Co. is one of Toronto's newest craft microbreweries, opened in 2017 by Jason Kaptyn. The expansive brewpub, which was named as one of Toronto Life's best new restaurants of 2018, offers 400 seats over two stories, including a large seasonal outdoor patio area. More than half a dozen of the company's delicious brews are tapped at any given time, including flagship lager, APA, IPA, gose, and dry-hopped sour styles. Entrees focus on high-quality land and sea fare prepared with seasonal ingredients, including buttermilk fried chicken, smoked pork ribs, 30-day dry-aged strip loin, and seared scallops with pumpkin and barley risotto. Clever shareable plates such as porchetta tacos, squash ricotta cakes, and roasted bone marrow are also great for splitting with dates.

Address: Northern Maverick Brewing Co., 115 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5V 2P9, Canada, Phone: 416-540-4030

Aloette Restaurant was named as one of Canada's 100 best restaurants in 2019. The restaurant, which was opened in 2017 as the sister restaurant of popular dining spot Alo, serves up refined bistro fare with French twists at lunch and dinner throughout the week. Elegant land and sea entrees include green curry madai sashimi, roasted octopus with chorizo, dry-aged beef tartare, and fried chicken with yuzu honey and hot sauce. Dates can share high-quality appetizers such as crispy oyster mushrooms or split classic desserts such as lemon meringue pie or apple pie sundaes. Wine menus emphasize European imports, while a creative cocktail list highlights ingredients such as herbal teas, aromatised wine, and Anaheim chilis.

Address: Aloette Restaurant, 163 Spadina Ave 1st Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 2A5, Canada, Phone: 416-260-3444

Mamakas Taverna is a charming Greek-style taverna, designed as a nod to owner Thanos Tripi's Greek heritage. The restaurant, which was opened in 2014, serves up unique modern twists on classic Aegean fare in its beautiful airy dining room, which is meant to mimic a traditional open Greek market atmosphere. Excellent land and sea entrees served up at dinner include whole grilled lavraki fish, kotopoulo brined chicken, and grilled paidakia lamb chops. Dates can also share a selection of traditional Greek dips and appetizers, including favorites such as tzatziki, haloumi, and phyllo pies. Unique house cocktails include the Acropolis, which blends tahini-flavored rye whiskey with liquid peanut butter.

Address: Mamakas Taverna, 80 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Y7, Canada, Phone: 416-519-5996