Another Valentine’s Day, another opportunity to take a minute to celebrate the love you share with your Bae.

(Interesting fact: Bae is actually an acronym for “before anyone else”.)

 For most people, a Valentine’s Day celebration includes a dinner out and an excuse to put a dent in your wallet at a romantic restaurant. In Toronto, your options in this regard are almost limitless in terms of vibe and cuisine, but here are our favourites. 

Alo

The “Je n’ai c’est quois” of French cuisine is on full display at this Spadina Avenue staple. The dining room feels like it was designed for dates, and the service team follows suit with recommendations for sharing. The menu changes all the time, so visit their website to see what’s on order for Valentine’s Day.

The Chase

Toronto’s Financial District takes romance up a notch with this gem of a restaurant, quietly tucked away on Temperance Street —  The Chase. Their specialty is a seafood platter that many patrons have claimed is an aphrodisiac. Only one way to find out.

La Banane

Toronto’s Ossington Strip is the trendiest of trendy, but don’t let the descending suburban partiers keep you away from this modern French bistro. You’ll find plenty of sharable plates and a $50 dessert that you and your honey will talk about for weeks after. We won’t tell you what it is — you have to see it for yourself.

7 West

It’s not expensive or traditionally romantic, but this 24-hour restaurant has most definitely played host to many a sultry encounter. The lighting is dim, the crowd is diverse and the location can’t be beat. It’s one of the more popular first date spots in Toronto.

But if you’d prefer to just stay in for a quiet V-day celebration…

Grab something from the Irish Embassy across the road, bring it back to your room and make your own… er …dessert.