Date Ideas

To help take the guesswork out of date planning, I’ve made a list of my favourite restaurants and activities. If you have your own ideas for our party for two, you’ll find me to be up for pretty much anything. (Quail hunting? Sure, why not.)

Jump to:

  1. Breweries
  2. Coffee
  3. Dinner
  4. Sports
  5. Fun & Games
  6. Trails & Walks
  7. Thrills
  8. Live Music & Comedy
  9. Travel

FOOD AND DRINK

Care for a pint?

There are so many cool pubs and breweries in Toronto, which can be perfect if you feel most comfortable with a more casual scene. They’re also great for shorter dates. (If you prefer not to drink, no pressure – these places offer 0% beers!) Here are a few of my faves, though Toronto has many more…

Downtown

Not-so-Downtown

  • Blood Brothers Brewing, Geary Ave & Dufferin St – This one’s a fair distance from downtown, but about a 15 minute drive from Yorkville… and worth the journey
  • Godspeed Brewery, Coxwell Ave & Eastwood Rd – They also serve WVRST!
  • Left Field Brewery, Liberty St & Atlantic Ave / Gerrard St E & Greenwood Ave – A personal go-to for me! Left Field has a Liberty Village location in the west end and a Leslieville spot in the east

Coffee Date

While I usually have enough energy to keep us both going, a coffee date – maybe followed by a stroll? – can be the perfect mid-morning or afternoon date.

Dinner Dates

I love good food. (Crazy, right?) There’s really no better way to get to know someone than sharing a delicious meal together. I hope you won’t mind me sitting next to you when possible – I like to get cozy. 

I eat everything and have an adventurous palate (within reason… I can’t say Balut appeals to me much). I’ve made a list of a few local favourites of mine, as well as places I’d like to try, but I’m up for just about anything.

Downtown

Ossington/ Trinity Bellwoods

  • Union, Ossington Ave & Queen St W – Canadian-French bistro offering local ingredients
  • Le Swan, Queen St W & Shaw Ave – An art-deco style French diner and one of my favourite little spots
  • Mamakas Taverna, Ossington Ave & Queen St W – Elevated Aegean cuisine
  • La Banane Toronto, Ossington Ave & Dundas St W – Maybe my current favourite French restaurant with amazing cocktails
  • Côte de Bœuf, Ossington Ave & Dundas St W – A cozy spot for delicious farm-sourced meats and French cheeses
  • and/ore, Ossington Ave & Queen St W – Modern Canadian cuisine served in a Victorian-inspired fantastical setting

West End

East End

North-ish

Yorkville

ACTIVITIES

Sporty Spice

When I’m not playing hockey, I’m watching it. And though I don’t play any of the games ending in ball, there’s nothing like the atmosphere of live sports.

Fun & Games

Watch my competitive streak come out over a game of table tennis, bowling or air hockey.

Into the Wild

… Meaning the wilderness of Toronto. I’d love to join you for a walk, hike or bike ride.

Adrenaline Pincher

While I won’t be jumping out of a plane any time soon, I definitely enjoy a good adrenaline rush. Nothing like a bit of a thrill to make me squeeze your hand a little tighter.

  • CN Tower EdgeWalk – Full disclosure: I have chickened out in the past. But I think I can do it this time (really!)
  • Toronto helicopter tour – A bucket list item for me
  • Axe throwing – I may need you to sign a liability release form beforehand (just kidding?)
    • There are a few options, but Escape Manor Toronto is near my condo at King & Spadina
    • They also have escape rooms. You be Velma, and I’ll be Scooby-Doo… eating snacks and cheering you on
    • https://www.escapemanor.com/toronto
  • Snuggles and scary movies – I loooove scary movies, and they provide a great excuse to get a little closer under the covers. (This idea is not limited to scary movies… we can also cuddle and watch Before Sunrise.)

Dancing (and Laughing) Queen

Music is most definitely the soundtrack of my life. I’m always attending concerts – it’s genuinely one of my favourite things to do, especially in the spring and summer. I’ve compiled a list of upcoming events (including comedy) I’m itching to attend. If our taste in music aligns, I’d love to hold your hand and get lost in the rhythm.

I enjoy music of all genres… seriously. Below you’ll find rock, rap, jazz, classical, the opera and everything in between, listed by date.

TRAVEL

Niagara

Only about 90 minutes from Toronto is the Niagara region, one of the most acclaimed grape growing and winemaking areas in Ontario – offering dozens of wineries, breweries, farm-to-table restaurants and quaint B&Bs. Of course, the area is also the home of Niagara Falls, the not-so-quaint Wonder of the World. Ready to explore with me on your arm?

While visiting Niagara, I’d say a wine tour is basically a requirement. Here are a couple that caught my eye:

More info/options:
https://www.visitniagaracanada.com/

Prince Edward County

PEC is a couple hours east of Toronto, meaning it’s also not far from Ottawa, Montreal and Upstate New York. I haven’t had the chance to explore the area yet, but I’ve heard amazing things about the County – particularly the wine.

Here’s a tour that caught my eye: https://princeedwardcountycustomwinetours.com/ourtours

More info/options: https://visitthecounty.com/

Montreal

I don’t care what anyone says, Montreal is the best city in Canada.

… Okay that may be a tad bold, but I really love it. I also love that it’s only a short train ride from Toronto. The list of activities and restaurants in Montreal might rival those in Toronto, so I won’t add them here, but just know that I’m always thrilled to visit MTL for some romance. I can even pretend to like the Habs.

Abroad

All of the ideas above should give you a notion of who I am and what I love most in life. I’ve kept it local so far, but I often find myself yearning for experiences in more exotic destinations. I’m laid back, yet always full of energy, making me a great travel companion. Only down side? I sunburn easily, so I’ll need your help rubbing sunscreen all over. Hope that’s okay.

Consider me passport-ready and eager to embark on our next adventure.

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