Cozy Restaurants for Valentine's Day

Full disclaimer: Valentine’s Day is really not my favorite day. It’s usually at the top of my list of days-I’d-rather-sleep-through, right up there with April Fools Day. Don’t get me wrong; I love spending that day with my boyfriend and baking all sorts of chocolaty treats, but because I spent a good while hating Valentine’s Day, it’s still hard for me to fully embrace the day.

For this week’s post, I decided to share with you cozy restaurants, scattered all throughout Montreal, that are some of my favorite places to go. These would all be perfect for Valentine’s Day, but if you’re not feeling it, they’re also great places to hang out all year long. You can go there with your other half, your friends, or even by yourself. These are appropriate for any occasion and all have a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that makes them, in my opinion, some of the best addresses in Montreal. Enjoy!

Reuben’s Deli & Steakhouse
My boyfriend and I had our first date on Valentine’s Day three years ago, and this is where we went, so you understand that I had to include it in this post. This place is really meaningful to me, as it probably is to a lot of Montrealers. First of all, the ambiance is extremely nice. The lights are dimmed, the menus are disproportionate, and there are gorgeous murals. Reuben’s is known for its steaks, smoked meat, homemade Jack Daniel sauce and decadent cakes. I personally recommend the B.B.Q. Chicken Flatbread Pizza, along with any of their cheesecakes. You’ll most likely have leftovers to bring home, and the servings of cake are big enough to share with your other half.

1116 Sainte-Catherine West, Montreal, QC. Canada
To take a look at the menu, visit their website.

McKibbin’s Irish Pub
This is one of my favorite places to hang out, if not my favorite. I like that you can go there for literally any occasion. You can grab a drink, go dancing, sit down for a full meal, have a late-night snack or simply go for dessert. The atmosphere is super laid-back, but it still feels very intimate, which makes it a great date destination (especially if it’s a first date and you’re not too sure about where things are headed yet…). Most locations have different sections where you can sit, depending on what kind of ambiance you’re looking for. And the best part? The food is delicious and super comforting. I personally recommend the Shepherd’s Pie, along with the Homemade Chips. You cannot go there and skip the fries. Once, my boyfriend and I ended up ordering a basket of Homemade Chips instead of dessert. They’re that good. And of course, the beer is great, because… well, it’s an Irish Pub.

1426 Bishop Street, Montreal, QC. Canada
For more information and to see the other locations, visit their website.

Rockaberry
When I was little, my brother once talked about a dessert place called Rockaberry. I was too young to go anywhere by myself, but ever since then I’ve been waiting for the blessed moment where I’d finally get to go there and have a taste of the famous pies. That moment only came years later, but I was not disappointed. Rockaberry also offer lots of simple lunch and dinner options, like sandwiches and nachos, but in my opinion, the pies are really the stars of the show. First of all, the servings are huge. You can easily share, and probably be three on the same piece of cake (if none of you have a sweet tooth, of course). This is a very casual place that’s very cozy, where you can go have meaningful conversations over dessert. I strongly recommend the Banalicious pie, which my best friend swears by, and the pecan pie, which is out of this world.

1380 Notre Dame West, Montreal, QC. Canada
To take a look at the menu and see the other locations, visit their website.

Toi Moi & Café
This is the fancy option. This little bistro is super nice and feels very sophisticated. They offer an awesome selection of coffee and tea, along with the most irresistible menu. I had such a hard time choosing what I would eat, because everything looked so good. It is open all day long, from breakfast to late-night snack. It’s a pretty small place, which makes it feel very private, almost like it’s open just for you. The food is absolutely to die for, and their cake display is stunning. Compared to Rockaberry and Reuben’s, their portions are a lot smaller and less decadent, but much more fancier and I feel like the flavors are more refined.

2695 Notre Dame West, Montreal, QC. Canada
To see the other locations, visit their website.

Le Petit Sao
Out of the five addresses, this is by far the cutest. The decorations change with the seasons, but it always feels super homey. You order your food at the counter, and they bring it to your table. The reason I think this place is great for a date is because it’s a good place to talk and get to know someone. There isn’t any loud music, or lights that are dimmed really low, and it’s usually not too crowded either. The food is healthy and the plating is super colourful. I personally recommend the Fried Chicken Ravioli, and the Grilled Chicken Bowl. Eating there feels good, both for the body and the mind.

1870 rue du Centre, Montreal, QC. Canada
To take a look at the menu and see the other locations, visit their website.

This is my top 5 cozy restaurants, and I think all of them would be awesome for a Valentine’s Day date, whether that is a first date or an 88 465th  date. It doesn’t matter if it’s with a friend, with a lover, or even just with yourself. Eh, must I remind you that most of these places offer huge pieces of cake? Treat yourself, treat the ones you love and dig in.

Love you all.

Much, much love,
-TM-