After getting married, my husband and I have been focused on always making sure there is time for us to “date.” It’s been a priority to sneak in a restaurant visit or outing during those jam-packed work schedules.
Because of this, I have really been thinking about the dating scene in Niagara. Where are the best places to go? What about any lesser-known activities?
Living in the region for over three years, we’ve come up with our list of fav spots that we visit all the time and I figured, why not share them with you?
Restaurants
Let’s start with the basics. When it comes to date nights, it’s easy to fall into the same routine of “let’s just get dinner.” And as foodies, we do that – a lot.
There’s nothing wrong with it. In fact, we love our restaurant date nights and do them all the time.
However, we do make sure there is a distinct difference between “date night” and “OMG we’re starving let’s just shove our faces with food at a restaurant really quick.”
Some ways we do this are:
- Plan the date in advance (even if it’s just the morning of)
- Dress up! (This might not be your cup of tea, but we love doing it)
- Phone-Free
- No/Limited work talk
We just find that following these simple “rules” really helps dinner feel more like a “date.”
But where do we like to go? There are a few fan favourites for us in the region that we classify as some of the best Niagara date spots.
One of our top spots that we usually save for special occasions is Ruffino’s Pasta Bar & Grill. Located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we stumbled across this spot before we even lived in the region. Now, it’s one of our “must-visits” that we tell everyone about when they ask where they should eat.
The space is super romantic, with glowing candles, cozy corners, great wine and friendly staff. With a wood-burning brick oven, the food is also spectacular.
We also love Barrel Head, especially during those summer months. With the sprawling outdoor patio and cheap weekly deals, it’s an easy win when we are craving some pizza.
Our other top favs include (but are definitely not limited to) – Casa Mia, Inn on the Twenty, Valley, The Blind Pig, Eh José Taqueria, Blackburn Brewhouse and Trust Beer Bar.
Of course, this list is always changing depending on our mood and what new places we find.
Wineries
As local wine lovers, exploring some wineries is a really easy win whenever we have a free weekend. In fact, we STILL haven’t visited them all, no matter how hard we try.
On a Saturday when there isn’t much to do (regardless of whether it’s winter or summer), we find ourselves making our way to the vines.
Our absolute favourite spot is Kacaba Vineyards and Winery. We love it so much that we’re now wine club members. If we aren’t there for one of their many events, we’ll be there for a quick tasting. The wine is spectacular and the staff is so friendly.
13th Street Winery is another good one if you’re looking for more than just wine. You can do some shopping in their little store, chow down on THE BEST butter tarts and even have a meal on their sprawling patio.
Some other wineries that we often visit are 180 Estate Winery, Big Head, The Foreign Affair Winery, and Queenston Mile Vineyard.
Comedy Club
Laughing is the best form of medicine, and we take that seriously! With my husband dabbling in the comedy scene himself, a show is a great way to do something “different.”
Yuk Yuk’s Niagara is a great place to go for some headliners. However, there is also a lot of local talent in the region that’s worth seeing. Many wineries and restaurants offer their own comedy nights. Taps Brewhouse and Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery have been known to do shows in the past. So just keep an eye open on the local spots in the area.
The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre also hosts multiple different comedy shows throughout the year, which are always worth checking out. We attend a show every year.
Summer Vibes
Depending on the season, we like to change up our Niagara date spots. With the warmer weather, being outside is a MUST for us. If it’s not at a winery, we’re hitting the beach, hiking or doing some flea market shopping.
One of our favourite areas is Port Dalhouise. This little gem beach “town” nestled into St. Catharines always makes me feel like we’re on vacation. Not only can you spend the day on the beach, but you can also grab a coffee at Balzac’s or Thistle Bookshop and visit one of the many restaurants (our fav is KaiserHaus).
When it comes to antique hunting, Prudhomme’s is our go to. During the summer weekends, there are multiple vendors set up outdoors, as well as three giant buildings to sift through. It’s always a fun and easy date, even when we walk away empty handed.
If we’re in the mood for getting a workout in, we love exploring the Niagara Glen. The Glen is home to four kilometres of rugged hiking trails overlook the rapid waters of the Niagara River. It’s stunning, and we never get bored of it.
Hunkering Down in the Winter
As it gets colder, we start to enjoy some indoor Niagara date spots. Ludology Boardgame Cafe is a place you’ll always find us on a weekend.
The adorable cafe has a great food and drink menu (alcholic and non-alcholic depending on your mood – I personally love their espresso martini). Plus, it offers dozens of board games for you to enjoy. We play everything from classics, like Jenga, to some more unique games that we are learning on the spot. We usually can spend a big chunk of the afternoon here.
Fallsview Casino is a fun time if you’re looking for a cocktail and to test your luck at the slots. If not, a movie at Landmark Cinemas is also a great option. (Yes, even if you live in Niagara Falls near the Cineplex, the Landmark is worth the drive. The comfiest movie theatre chairs EVER.)
During Christmas, we also love to explore Niagara-on-the-Lake when it’s decorated for the holidays – it’s the perfect spot for gift shopping. We always stop by the Winter Festival of Lights every year as well – it’s super romantic.
No matter what the activity, never stop dating during your entire relationship! What are your favourite Niagara date spots?
This article is part of a series called “Local’s Guide.” Allysha Howse has lived in Niagara for over three years and has been visiting the region for much longer. With her new-found knowledge of the area, she’s decided to share all of her favourite places and answer some tough questions.
