A good date is all about taking the time to make it special—and what better way to get to know someone than delicious food and a good drink?
Let’s face it, going on dates is tough. If you’re the one planning the date, you want to impress the other person while also letting your personality shine through. Whether you’re meeting for the first time or this is your 100th date, the key to a great time is putting in the effort to try something new and make the day special.
Because of this, I’ve put together this list of places that offer something unique (plus a surprise for the last recommendation). You can think of it as three separate dates or a one-day super date if you really want to impress that someone!
Tsuchi Cafe | 688 College St
The first stop on the perfect day date is coffee and pastries—but to make it really special head to Tsuchi Cafe on College! Perfect for an after-lunch snack.
Tsuchi is a plant-based Japanese cafe with amazing drinks, delicious pastries, and even comfort food like burgers and curries. They have sitting areas inside and outside but I recommend visiting before it gets too cold to enjoy the sidewalk patio! The cafe is also surrounded by independent designer stores so you can make a day out of it or even take a walk on College towards Spadina to visit Sonic Boom, an iconic record shop and staple of the city.
Tondou Ramen | 596 College St
You can’t go wrong with a delicious ramen + sake combo, and there’s no better place in the city than Tondou Ramen, located on College and Clinton St. The best time to go is on Friday or Saturday night when the vibe is joyful and the lighting and music are full on. It’s a perfect spot for a fun dinner date, especially if you’re wanting to get drinks after!
The restaurant is decorated with stylish pieces, as well as having multiple screens showing different animes with Japanese trap playing in the background. The menu has something for everyone but my personal recommendation is the donburi.
They’re open every day except on Mondays so check their Instagram to plan your visit!
The Four Aces | 1595 Dundas St W
And to bring the perfect day to a close, how about a pool match? Four Aces is a hole in the wall (literally) with no more than 6 tables. But it has the old-school dive bar vibe, which depending on your date might be a perfect fit!
This place is not for everyone so I’m counting on you knowing your date well enough to invite them here. The Four Aces is totally offline, so your best bet is to check out the spot in person. All I can tell you is the drinks are cheap, the fries greasy, and the music slaps!
On some days there are punk rock live shows as well, you’ll need to ask the bartenders for information on any upcoming events.
What do you think, would you take a date to these unique spots? Let me know in the comments. And stay tuned for a write-up and review on The Four Aces, I’m getting ready to spread the gospel of dive bars with y’all!
If you know any other spots with a similar vibe, leave a comment or connect with me on Instagram. I’d love to check them out and include them in a future post.
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