5 new Toronto restaurants you need to try on your next date night

New date night restaurants in Toronto serve up the perfect combination of atmosphere and great eats to adequately woo that special someone in your life.

I'll be the first to admit it: picking the perfect date night spot in Toronto can be seriously stressful, especially when it's with someone you really want to impress.

Sure, there's no shortage of luxe, dimly-lit spots with sultry vibes and strong drinks, but how does one know whether they'll be a dud or become a new favourite? Come to think of it, choosing a restaurant is a lot like dating in that way.

Luckily for you, I've compiled a list of five new restaurants in Toronto that perfectly pair an easy-breezy, romantic atmosphere with equally pleasant food and drinks that are sure to please even the most discerning of potential suitors.

Here are my picks for the new restaurants in Toronto you should try for your next date night.

Bar Eugenie

This Harbord Village haunt is an instant classic, having taken over the space left behind by Piccolo Piano earlier this fall.

Its romantic, candlelit atmosphere makes it an ideal spot to grab a table for two. With an impressive selection of shareable plates (lamb tartare, anyone?) and cocktails that are almost as beautiful to look at as they are pleasant to sip, it's a guaranteed home run.

PUNCH

This spot serving a unique blend of Indian and British cuisines landed at Hotel Le Germain Mercer this month, and based on ambiance alone, it's the perfect place to bring someone special along.

Sure, you may want to pack some gum to cover up all the curry flavours you'll be consuming, but it'll be totally worth it, and a martini garnished with caviar-stuffed olives doesn't hurt either.

N.L. Ginzburg

If the knowledge that this charming Little Italy spot is by the same team that brought the city fellow date night staples Dreyfus and Bernhardt's isn't enough to seal the deal, perhaps its playful, retro-inspired interiors will.

Of course, they also serve a unique menu that takes influence from Italian and Jewish cuisines, making it the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with new flavours — and a new person.

Eloise

You may not believe me when I tell you that this elegant fine dining establishment comes to us from the same people behind the Old Spaghetti Factory, but I promise it's the truth, and it's nowhere near the kitschy, maximalist energy of its forebearer.

Instead, here, you'll be met with a sleek, contemporary dining room full of hidden nooks and crannies where you can get away from all the action, paired with a full suite of sophisticated cocktails and dishes inspired by cuisines from across the globe.

Seahorse

For something more casual, this new Summerhill spot is a no-brainer, as long as you're okay with seafood. And by "okay with seafood," I mean you have to really, really love it.

This spot, whose interiors are inspired by the French countryside, serves a menu where sustainably-sourced seafood is centre stage, making appearances in everything from tuna tartare to snow crab tagliatelle.

Hey, oysters are an aphrodisiac, right?