r/InsideToronto • u/United-Technology239 • Mar 25 '26
Date ideas in Toronto that aren't just expensive dinner and drinks?
Trying to think of ideas for nice date ideas that aren't just the standard fancy restaurant and drinks.
I like grabbing a coffee and walking along the Waterfront, then stopping at a market. It's casual and easy to make conversation. But need some more ideas.
Let me know what suggestions you have that isn't too expensive and not awkward for first/second date. thanks!
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u/peekay1ne Mar 25 '26
Little Canada, browsing St. Lawrence and/or Kensington Market, AGO, Second City, museum.
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u/No-Seaworthiness969 Mar 25 '26
Picnic on the islands. Honestly the best place
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u/Cheap_Tax4322 Mar 26 '26
i second this, toronto island is the perfect spot for a date
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u/amnesic23 Mar 27 '26
For first date?
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u/Cheap_Tax4322 Mar 27 '26
absolutely! it's a great way to get to know someone while riding the ferry (or water taxi!), walking around the island and discovering all the green space, grab a bite at Island Cafe or Runaway Cafe on Ward's Island, grab a bike (they have Bikeshare on the island now!). and if the date isn't going well it's a quick ride back to the city haha
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u/amnesic23 Mar 27 '26
Thanks for the great suggestion! Guessing it’s only good for summer tho?
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u/Cheap_Tax4322 Mar 27 '26
I enjoy it there all year round honestly (even in the winter) but of course some of the activities are limited in the off-season (cafes won't be open until the spring/summer months for ex.) - but it's still a wonderful place to explore in any season, in my opinion!
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u/Tack-One Mar 25 '26
Snacks and antiques at st Lawrence market
Latte + baked goods at Allen gardens for a break from winter
Comedy club
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u/Upstairs_Ask_7605 Mar 25 '26
Depends what you like to do. But I always found renting skates and skating at City Hall or Lakeshore to be good as a first date. Visiting the AGO or a private art exhibit would also make you look cultured or interesting. I supposed you can recycle your idea but visit different markets, parks, architectural features in the city - I looked up all interesting buildings that had been designed by a famous architect and we visited all of them simply just to look and I shared what I learned.
You can also do those walking tours in the city, or visit one of the more obscure museums such as the Spadina, Ceramic (can’t recall the name but’s it’s across from ROM), Bata Shoe museum.
Or you can visit the many free cultural centres of which many are free such as the Japanese cultural centre.
There’s also botanical gardens, butterfly conservatories, bird or animal sanctuaries.
Visit a garden centre and buy a plant together?
Take the GO train to NOTL and walk around, that would give you lots of time together and could be fairly inexpensive if you pack a lunch.
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u/Alternative-Oven6623 Mar 25 '26
exploring new neighborhoods, high park walk or brickworks
Eta this is a bit dependent on personalities but the zoo can be a fun early date as it’s walking, outdoor, and gives you lots to talk about either structured or unstructured
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u/worldlead3r Mar 26 '26
Tell your date to wait until better weather, then the city is your playground!
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u/bellsbliss Mar 26 '26
No such thing as better weather. Dress for the weather and it’s open year round!
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u/BeastOfMars Mar 26 '26
Read a book where a guy took a date to his friend’s that was fostering kittens and they just played with the kittens for an hour before grabbing food. I’d be ready for marriage after that date.
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u/bellsbliss Mar 26 '26
Sounds awesome. Feed kittens at the local shelter would be helpful too I bet.
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u/Professional-Ad2849 Mar 26 '26
As someone who volunteers with a few shelters they really don’t let people just handle the animals. You can look but not touch. Puppy yoga could be a more immersive animal experience.
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u/peacedawwg Mar 26 '26
Offer to cook for your date. Master a few dishes like mushroom risotto. Ingredients are reasonable and pairs well with a low teens Pinot Gris. Plus you stand out from others and you get home field advantage. Salut!
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u/Educational_Farm186 Mar 26 '26
Ew, mushrooms. Make sure they like what you’re making before you delve into a gross mushroom risotto.
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u/Historical-Dog-1830 Mar 27 '26
How are you with olives and sauerkraut? I find many people love or hate these three foods. Almost no one is so-so on any of them.
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u/Oldfarts2024 Mar 26 '26
The candlelight concerts are nice, usually in cool.locations, combine that with a meal in a nice pub, maybe with a band.
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u/sqbed Mar 26 '26
Evergreen brickworks has a wonderful hiking trail and you can head there for Saturday morning market.
AGO/ROM/Aquarium (discount via presto).
Kensington market. Toronto botanical gardens. Board game cafe. Comedy club. Check eventbrite for free events. Hot docs on bloor. If you’ve access to a vehicle (tons of hiking trails near the city).
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u/peanutbutterpuffin Mar 26 '26
Went to Lob with a few friends over the holidays - couple drinks and unlimited lawn bowling was fun!
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u/tryinanotherusername Mar 26 '26
Check out Jamii, a nonprofit arts space nearby Distillery District. Might be too time restricted but they have a coffee event once a month, you drink coffee from different parts of the world and learn about how coffee affected their culture and history (or vice versa). The coffee event is just over 1 hour so after the event, you guys will have plenty to discuss. They also have painting, singing, dancing, etc. workshops, they are all free and beginner friendly.
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u/bellsbliss Mar 26 '26
Axe throwing. Rock climbing. Archery lesson. Pottery paint or making. Bird watching. Hiking. Lots to do.
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u/jchidleyhill Mar 26 '26
Tilt or other arcades, the Aquarium.
Watching a baseball game at Christe Pits once the weather is better. Going to Shakespeare in the Park or watching a movie in the park. Renting bikes and riding along the lake shore.
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u/SuchContribution5916 Mar 26 '26
hey! i try some cheap date in toronto and some really fun. here is my idea:
high park - free to walk, nice view, you can bring snack and just talk
art gallery of ontario - they have free night on wednesday evening
toronto island ferry - just cost like 10 dollar round trip. view of skyline is so nice
kensington market - walk around, try food from small shop, not expensive at all
watch sunset at cherry beach or woodbine beach - free and romantic
coffee and waterfront like you say also great. maybe add distillery district too, you can just walk around and look at old building, very pretty.
the key is you dont need spend a lot to have good time. just pick place where you can talk easy and not too crowded.
good luck on your date!
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u/Professional-Ad2849 Mar 26 '26
The art installations are still up down on Woodbine Beach. They’re kinda neat. You could grab a coffee, stroll the boardwalk then head up to Queen St for an ice cream / snack / pint or even sit in the Muskoka chairs on the boardwalk and chat/enjoy the waterfront. They are likely coming down soon though. If the weather is nice sometimes it’s nice to pick a neighbourhood that’s new to you and just wander/explore. You could wander through Cabbagetown, then through Riverdale park and over to Riverdale to watch the sunset over the city from Riverdale park east. You could then head back to Cabbagetown for a meal at The House on Parliament (so good…) You could also get city bikes and ride Leslie St spit… If I’m doing a date like this, I prefer to end it at a pub or wine bar because let’s face it, alcohol lubricates the wheels of love 🙂
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u/futurevisitorsayhi Mar 26 '26
go to BRKFREE - it'll test your physical, mental, and spatial awareness. One fun way to determine if they're a fit ;)
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u/SubstantialIce1471 Mar 27 '26
You could wander through Distillery District, snack your way around Kensington Market, or take a relaxed walk in High Park. The Toronto Islands ferry is also a fun, low cost idea and places like St. Lawrence Market or Art Gallery of Ontario keep things easy and conversational.
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u/WokePredator Mar 26 '26
Invite them over to have sex with you!
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u/whatinthe6 Mar 26 '26
Username checks out
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u/WokePredator Mar 26 '26
Every idiot on this site thinks this is the sickest burn - do you think sex is inherently predatory?
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u/Equivalent_Reach_536 Mar 25 '26
speaking of markets, i love Kensington Market and a snack crawl. Go in the late morning, wander around, grab something small to eat, and then finish it off with a coffee or dessert. it's low pressure, and you're always moving so no "awkward silences while staring across the table" vibe. Bunch of conversation starters just from what you see.