Top 5 Date Night Restaurants in Burlington

Published February 13, 2018 at 3:41 pm

Why leave the city when you can spend date night in Burlington? There’s the waterfront, the funky restaurants, and romance galore. We love kickin’ it local  and there are so many places to explore (and we’ve even got a list of places to try!). Sometimes it’s nice to get dolled up, and other times it’s great to roll up in jeans and still experience a stellar meal. Here are our top five date night restaurants in Burlington.


5. Downtown Bistro & Grill

It’s a great little hidden gem with fabulous service and a flashy orange door, which is what drew us in. The bistro is known for its salads and crepes – Seafood or Chicken – and so it began … The Greens and Berries Salad is so fresh and light and lovely. It features mixed greens, fresh seasonal berries (I had strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries) with a yummy vinegar-heavy mission fig dressing and roasted pecans. The dish is technically served with blue cheese but staff were happy to sub goat cheese instead. (Mental note to eat here when I’ve got a business meeting booked right before the gym). The Chicken Crepe is also served with goat cheese, plus sauteed spinach and a house-smoked chicken breast in a tangy rose sauce. I’m a fan of crispier crepes but the sauce had me going back for more even though I was stuffed. The fries are amazing! And for dessert – they’re all made in-house, too – get the carrot cake … it has pineapple.


4. Paradiso

The dress code is casual, however, the food is anything but. This Pine St. resto has been pleasing Halton residents who love them a good Seafood Stew, Roasted Vegetable Spanakopita, or Crab Ravioli. And just like the original downtown Oakville location, the salads are ever popular. The kale and apple salad, topped with roasted trout (you can also get grilled sirloin), features Tuscan kale and baby arugula. It’s served with quinoa and finished with shaved green apple and a lemon-herb vinaigrette. Yum!


3. Rust Bistrobar

It’s sleek, sultry, and has a gorgeous leather bar — Rust Bistrobar can be found in north Burlington. (It’s in the same plaza as Tin Cup at Walkers Line and Upper Middle Rd.) The curated menu, created by Chef Paola Iaboni, focuses on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients highlighting the season’s best and “encapsulating the essence of cooking from the heart and soul.” Appetizers range from Korean Cauliflower to Burrata, while mains include Lamb, Duck Breast, and Portobello Wellington. Then there’s steak: The 40-ounce Tomahawk goes for $110 … (we can’t even). With a live fire grill, harvest table for larger gatherings, and six-seat chefs’ counter Rust offers a rotating craft beer menu and variety of wine …and thre’s Sunday brunch. Unisex bathroom stalls are reminiscent of downtown Toronto — think Cactus Club.


2. West Plains Bistro

Excellent food, great prices. This adorable little Aldershot Village gem fills right up in no time. That oughta tell you something. Offering up French cuisine, the bistro offers up market fresh cuisine (and offers a lovely patio come summer). You can go with the chalkboard picks or start with the Fried Cauliflower (lightly breaded and fried, romesco sauce, and garlic aioli) and chicken liver Pate. There’s also Classic Escargot, Pistou Shrimp, and Baked Brie to start, plus mains such as Steak and Frites, Frenched Pork Chops, Lamb Shank, and so much more! Finally, dinner isn’t complete without dessert. There’s an array of cheesecake, plus pie and of course, Creme Brulee!


1. Stone House

They’re known for their oysters and steak but we’re about to put you onto the Shrimp & Lobster Mac and Cheese. Stone House Restaurant opened in Jan. 2010 and features Mediterranean cuisine, including gourmet thin-crust pizzas, risotto, and pasta dishes. But the mac and cheese …. It’s served with fresh tiger shrimp and potato gnocchi in a garlic cream sauce baked with mozzarella, parmesan, and goat cheese … plus a two-ounce lobster tail. It’s accompanied by garlic bread, but you really don’t even want it because the entire dish feels so gluttonous and fancy and carb-loaded, however, you’ll eat it because it’s superb. If you haven’t tried it, head to Stone House for the best date night experience in Burlington!


  1. Stone House Restaurant
  2. West Plains Bistro
  3. Rust Bistro Bar
  4. Paradiso – Burlington
  5. Downtown Bistro & Grill
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