The 12 Best Restaurants in Toronto for Any Romantic Occasion

Gare de L’Est’s name is a nod to Paris’s historic train station, as well as the restaurant’s location in Toronto’s east end. The menu, tailormade for a romantic rendezvous, brings a local, seasonal influence to traditional French brasserie fare with dishes such as steak frites with pan-roasted 8-ounce Ontario striploin, or cod stew with Fogo Island shrimp. Gare de L’Est often unveils set menus for holidays and special occasions, showcasing the restaurant’s greatest hits.

Dining in the restaurant: With concrete floors and exposed overhead pipes, the restaurant has a subtly industrial feel that tips a hat to its namesake. Blue velvet banquettes are perfect for sitting side by side, while an open kitchen, framed by Carrara marble, amplifies the elegance.

Takeout: Choose from a selection of make-at-home meal kits and restaurant-made dishes as part of the online shop for Ascari Hospitality Group, the restaurant’s parent company.