If you’re looking for date ideas in Montreal, you’ve come to the right place!
After all, this city is replete with lush sights, culture, and amazing eats – basically everything you need for an unforgettable first date. Beyond iconic areas like Old Montreal and Mount Royal, this ridiculously charming city is packed full of treasures waiting to be discovered alongside that special someone.
Whether you’re in the mood for a sunset stroll in Mile End or a picnic in the Parc du Portugal, there’s no shortage of romantic things to do in Montreal. Live music beckons from panoramic cocktail bars, delicious food abounds in its intimate restaurants, and the local art scene provides endless inspiration for conversation.
So, let’s check out some ideas for a romantic date in Montreal.
Sign up for a Classic Montreal Bagel Making Workshop
In our opinion, the perfect way to spend some quality time with your significant other would be to sign up for a bagel-making workshop – ideal for couples looking for something that’s authentically Canadian! After all, bagels are one of the city’s proudest culinary exports.
You’ll not only learn all the secrets that go into creating those delightfully chewy delights, but your guide will also take you through various kneading techniques while giving you some tips to help you select the best flour varieties. And yes, you do get to sample your freshly baked creations at the end of the class.
Best of all, the small-group workshop is hosted in a beautiful historic neighbourhood, so you can always enjoy a stroll afterwards.
Click here to see reviews, pricing, and availability.
Have a Cozy Evening at a Rooftop Cocktail Bar
Montreal’s skyline offers the perfect backdrop for enjoying the sunset. If you’re looking for the ideal setting for a sundowner, we recommend checking out one of the many rooftop cocktail bars speckled across the city.
With fantastic views of the Old Port of Montreal, Terrasse Carla is located on the 6th floor of the Hampton Inn by Hilton. This seasonal rooftop bar is especially known for its live music and aromatic cocktails.
Another popular spot is Terrasse William Gray, which boasts just about everything you want for a perfect date night: glorious views, a refined setting, amazing cocktails and delectable dishes!
Tango in the Park
It won’t take you long to realize that public squares in Montreal light up with various types of activities during those warm summer months.
If you’re looking for fun Montreal date ideas, you can always consider a free Tango session under the stars. Some of the top spots for outdoor tango are the Verdun Greenhouses, St. Viateur Park, and Sir Wilfried Laurier Park.
Mount Royal Park also offers free folk dancing sessions every Monday and Thursday evening (7.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.).
Take a Romantic Cruise
Does it get more romantic than a scenic cruise down the St Lawrence River?
If you’re looking for unique date ideas in Montreal, you could opt for a lovely dinner cruise, which offers a tasty 5-course meal, complete with live music while gliding down the St. Lawrence River. Talk about a romantic ambience, right? If you’d rather skip the meal, this popular Montreal cruise has an almost perfect 5-star rating.
By the way, did you know that the historic Lachine Canal also offers the ideal setting for a romantic cruise? Companies like Le Petit Navire offer zero-pollution canal cruises that pass by historic buildings and spots like the Grand Quai, King Edward Pier, Atwater Market, and the Jacques Cartier Pier.
Uncover the Local Food Scene Together
Foodies, this one’s for you!
Now, there’s no shortage of great food tours in Montreal, but if you’re looking for something different, you can always sign up for this food tour that’ll take you through those lesser-known spots.
A local guide will accompany you through idyllic neighbourhoods like Mile End and Little Italy where you’ll sample a variety of both local and international specialties. We’re talking Alsatian tarts, Montreal-style bagels, pastries, poutine, hand-piped cannoli… the works! Plus, it can all be washed down by generous scoops of local ice cream and Italian coffee.
To cap off your food tour date, you can always treat yourselves to dinner at one of Little Italy’s most popular restaurants like Lucca, II Bazzali, or Impasto.
Plan a Coffee Date at an Indie Cafe
If you’d rather skip the food and opt for the most popular drug in the world – caffeine – how about visting an indie coffee shop?
Whether you’re meeting a new love interest for a first date or looking for a low-key spot to catch up with your partner, neighbourhood coffee shops are always a top choice for a relaxing meet-up.
The good news is that Downtown Montreal features heaps of quaint cafes like the Mediterranean-inspired Améa. Located in Maison Alcan, one of the city’s historic buildings, this place is especially known for its decadent pastries and delicious brunch menu.
Alternatively, you can always check out Bar Caffettiera, an Italian café specializing in espresso, aperitivi, and sandwiches.
Enjoy a Picturesque Helicopter Tour
Take your relationship to new heights (pun intended) with this helicopter tour of the beautiful city of Montreal!
This is a great date idea for couples celebrating a special occasion (or really anyone trying to impress someone) and is customizable as you can choose between different flight paths and tour lengths. During the ride, you’ll be treated to magnificent views of various historic buildings and structures, including Jacques Cartier Bridge. You’ll also soar above the iconic Olympic Park, Old Montreal, and Boucherville Islands.
Rest assured that a safety briefing is provided so you can get comfortable with the aircraft before your ride.
Soak up the Sights from the Grande Roue
If you want to see the city from above but don’t necessarily feel like hopping in a chopper, you can always consider a ride on the Grande Roue of Montreal, which just so happens to be the largest Ferris wheel in Canada.
Just a quick heads-up though: the Ferris wheel is insanely popular so weekends can get a bit crowded. If you don’t mind the crowds though, a ride on the Grande Roue certainly makes for one of the most iconic date ideas in Montreal!
To take things up a notch, you can even sign up for this activity, which includes a narrated tour of Old Montreal, the Notre Dame Basilica, and Mount Royal Park before enjoying a ride on the Ferris Wheel.
Enjoy a Soothing Couples’ Massage at one of Montreal’s Many Spas
There’s nothing quite like a soothing body treatment to help you feel invigorated and refreshed and Montreal’s got plenty of award-winning spas providing the ideal setting for a romantic date away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
If you don’t mind splurging a bit, you can always head to Bota Bota, located in the Old Port of Montreal. With a wide array of duo packages, this place also features a lovely garden, a resting area, a restaurant, and four different saunas, including one that sits over the water, a sauna facing the St. Lawrence River, a sun deck sauna facing the Old Port of Montreal, and a sauna in the garden that features a soothing lavender scent. Plus, so much more.
Another great option for couples is Amerispa, located in the Auberge Godefroy Hotel. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, you can even stay overnight in one of their opulent rooms.
Savour a Romantic Candlelit Dinner at Candide
From fine dining restaurants serving up oysters and bubbly to intimate spots offering tasting menus, there’s no shortage of romantic eateries in Montreal where you can cozy up with your special someone.
One such venue is Candide, located in the Southwest District. Offering scrumptious farm-to-table dishes in a warm, brick-walled setting, this restaurant pulls out all the stops to charm your significant other and yourself. Wine aficionados can check out their gourmet pairing menu, which offers heaps of creative options.
Go for a Beer Tasting Tour
For something fun and different, you could sign up for a popular brewery tour of Montreal.
Beer lovers will no doubt enjoy this behind-the-scenes experience at local microbreweries like the 4-Origines Brewery, Benelux Brewery, and Messorem.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a beer-tasting tour without plenty of delicious samples. Food-tasting sessions are also provided in select breweries. Oh, and there’s no need to worry about driving around as transportation is provided!
Ice Skate in the Park
Don’t worry if you missed out on those summer tango classes at the park. Montreal can be just as romantic in the winter with ice skating rinks popping up all over the place!
From mid-November to April, the Esplanade Tranquille basically turns into a massive skating rink, complete with live music and illuminations. Disco parties are even held on select nights.
Other popular spots for ice skating are the Beaver Lake Rink, the Parc La Fontaine, and Mount Royal Park. Ice skating is easily one of the top things to do in Montreal in the winter.
Attend a Seasonal Event
Regardless of the time of year, there’s always something fun going on in this French-speaking city, which is great for finding date ideas in Montreal.
From February to March, for example, couples can partake in the popular Montreal en Lumiere Festival that combines live music, delicious food, and assorted shows by a variety of local artists.
In December and January, there are all sorts of winter festivals, such as Igloofest, an outdoor music festival that’s usually held in the Old Port of Montreal. In the summer, there are even more events, such as the famous Just For Laughs Festival, the Jazz Festival, and so much more.
Soak up Some Culture
We’re sure we don’t need to tell you that a trip to a lush art gallery sets the stage for a fabulous date! In fact, couples who would like to plan cultural trips in Montreal will be more than happy since the city is positively brimming with galleries and museums.
As the biggest art museum in the city, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts undoubtedly packs a punch. On the flip side, it’s a popular tourist destination, so it can get a bit crowded. If you’re after a quieter, more intimate ambiance, you can always check out private galleries like Galerie de Bellefeuille, Gallery Gora, and Joyce Yahouda Gallery.
Stroll Hand in Hand through the Botanical Garden
For an undeniably romantic experience, be sure to visit the Botanical Garden, which offers over 185 acres of greenhouses, thematic gardens, and even a planetarium.
We recommend visiting later in the afternoon so you can enjoy the sunset while taking a stroll through the Japanese Garden. Don’t forget to pack a picnic blanket since the Botanical Garden does have a couple of picnic areas near the Frédéric Back Tree Pavilion and the Lion Statue.
We also recommend checking their event calendar before planning your date to see if anything is interesting you may wish to attend during your visit.
Wander Atwater Market
If you’re wondering why a market (of all the places!) made the list of date ideas in Montreal, wait until you visit Atwater for yourself!
Not only is this gourmet market filled with all sorts of offerings from chocolate to cheese, but it’s also got some quaint restaurants and bakeries where you can enjoy a delicious brunch together before wandering the colourful stalls.
During the warmer months, you can always stock up on fresh produce from the market to enjoy on one of the picnic tables. If you want to cap off your date on a sweet note, grab an ice cream cone from Havres aux Glaces to enjoy while ambling along the Lachine Canal.
Take in the View from the Old Port Clock Tower
If cobblestone streets and historic buildings are your thing, don’t miss a visit to Old Montreal, one of the most charming neighbourhoods in the city.
With 400 years of history, this area is bursting with narrow alleyways, indie bakeries, and hidden gems at every turn. One of the most popular places for soaking up the views is the Old Port Clock Tower, which provides amazing views of the St Lawrence River, the city skyline, and the harbour. Modelled after London’s Big Ben, the Tower sets the mood for a cozy sunset picnic.
You do need to scale nearly 200 steps to reach the top though, so be sure to wear comfy shoes!
Looking for More?
With live music, world-famous festivals, a vibrant food scene, romantic parks, and lots of history, there are so many date ideas in Montreal, not to mention things to do for people of all ages.
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in the city, be sure to check out our other travel guides below:
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