Toronto 
Make your next date plans more memorable and special with these fun date ideas for May in Toronto.
Credit: Jean-François Savaria/Cirque du Soleil
Plus, these ideas and inspirations can take a little stress out of what might already be a nervous time. Have these plans ready for diverse types of dates, whether for firsts, new couples, or married couples. These include a few classic date ideas like dinner or drinks, but also likely a few new ways to spend time together.
Find Toronto’s Newest Restaurants
- La Plume Brasserie is now open in Toronto with an exceptional selection of French cuisine. The restaurant atmosphere is also perfect for a romantic date.
- The Dorset opened in Toronto this past April with the promise of a taste of the British coast and countryside.
- L’avenue is a new addition to Parliament Street in Toronto. The new French restaurant is open daily for an upscale dinner date experience.
- Take your date out to Frenchy, a new cocktail bar in the city with elevated brasserie-inspired dining.
Make it a Patio Meal
There are several types of patios you can get a table at for your next date. But where you choose to dine may depend on the type of atmosphere and vibe you’re after for the date. Below are a variety of ideas for different types of patio experiences.
The city of Toronto is set to open 90 per cent of CaféTO patios by Victoria Day weekend.
- Waterfront patio dining: The Goodman Pub and Kitchen, Amsterdam Brewhouse, Boxcar Social Harbourfront, SIMONA.
- Rooftop patio dining: The Porch, The Rooftop, Bar Hop Brewco, or The Pilot.
- Café patios: Music Garden Cafe, Rooster Coffee House, Versus Coffee, Cafe23.
May Events in Toronto
Celebrate the film or music industry in Toronto this May. These local festivals provide date night ideas that involve getting cozy with a movie or dancing the night away together.
- Explore unique attractions in Toronto for free during Doors Open Toronto (May 25 & 26).
- Hot Docs Festival (April 25-May 5) is only on for the first week of May. The festival celebrates documentary filmmaking with a huge array of doc genres.
- Cirque du Soleil brings surprising new twists under the Big Top with Cirque du Soleil ECHO (May 8 to July), a story of connection, intention, and the symbiotic unions between humans and the animal kingdom.
- Shop and explore Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival (May 30 to June 2) featuring 100+ Indigenous artists, designers, makers.
- Electric Island music festival (May 18-19) is an outdoor EDM festival that could create a good option for a group or double date.
- Inside Out Film Festival (May 24-June 1) takes place at the end of the month with several screenings and films centred around 2SLGBTQ+ lifestyle or issues.
- Enjoy Victoria Day fireworks across GTA during the first long weekend just before summer.
- Opening Weekend at The Bentway features a fabulous party to kick-off summer in the city! Come mix, mingle, and dance under the Gardiner. The evening culminates with a massive collective performance led by local queer line dancing icons, SPURS. And, be the first to see The Bentway’s new public art exhibition Softer City.
- Indulge in delicious authentic food and drink, and shop for products including candles, jewelry, clothes, art, accessories and more at the Asian Night Market (May 18).
- Join TRCA at the Spring Bird Festival at Tommy Thompson Park to learn about the amazing phenomenon of migration and the importance of bird conservation.
Food Fun
- Spring Into Spice (May 11) brings 45 ethnic food vendors, wineries and wine importers together in an open-air environment. While the DJ plays, you’ll get a chance to walk around and munch on tasty cuisines such as Caribbean, African, Indian, Thai, Latin American and so much more.
- Have an unforgettable afternoon of sipping and swirling at Winefest (May 11). Indulge in a variety of exquisite wines while enjoying the local ambiance of the brewery.
- Immerse yourself in an array of popular Korean dishes and sweets that will transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant streets of Seoul during the Taste of Korea Food Festival (May 26).
- Enjoy more than 70 curated vendors, food trucks, demos and libations at the Gluten Free Garage (May 26). The booths are filled with sought-after gluten-free offerings—from freshly baked goods, frozen treats and savoury made-to-order dishes to cultural delights including arancini, tacos and pupusas to beer and more.
Immersive Experiences and Exhibitions
- Crane: The Immersive Experience (May 9 to 22) is an interactive multimedia exhibit that tells the story of generational differences by exploring an estranged relationship between a father and daughter.
- The Art of Banksy features more than 140 original and authenticated Banksy works. These include prints, canvases, screenprints, sculptures, hand-drawn sketches, and limited-edition pieces.
- Visit Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood for Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE (May 8 to 12) and see over 35 floral installations, including floral mannequins, inspired by accomplished artists throughout history and Bloor-Yorkville’s vibrant art scene.
- Experience the magic of imagination brought to life in the Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder – a captivating cinematic journey that combines the nostalgic delight of Lite-Brite with the cutting-edge immersive technology of Illuminarium (May 8 to August).
- The official Formula 1 Exhibition presented by TSN is the only stop in Canada; a must-visit destination for all fans of the sport featuring iconic F1® race cars, racing simulators and never-seen-before artifacts.
Blue Jays Games
Choose between three main ways to take in a Blue Jays game together on your next day out in May.
- Get tickets to a home game and experience the action live from Rogers Centre. This month, the Jays take on the Royals, the Twins, Rays, Whitesox, and Pirates, all from home.
- Enjoy the game with dinner and drinks from a local pub. It is not hard to find the Jays game on in any Toronto sports bar.
- Order in and enjoy the game from home. Sometimes, this is the most fun you can have as a couple with a baseball game. Choose between any number of nearby local delivery spots and avoid the business of downtown Toronto.
Take a Garden Stroll
These simple, convenient, and in some cases free date ideas are loaded with romance. From the views, the scenery, and the setting, Toronto’s local gardens are perfect as a date on their own, or as a way to start or finish a day out together.
- The Toronto Botanical Garden is open daily from dusk to dawn and is totally free to stroll or visit and enjoy. Plus, the TBG Bloom Café is open from April to October.
- The Guild Park and Gardens are located on the Scarborough Bluffs and have an array of public art to see among the blooming garden displays.
- Rosetta McClain Gardens, another of the beautiful spots along the Scarborough Bluffs, is open all year for enjoying the grounds, the birds, bees, and butterflies.
- 20+ Walks to Enjoy Spring in Toronto and GTA
Plan a Spa Day
There is no real need to do anything at all on your next date. These Toronto spas offer the ultimate in rest and relaxation for you and loved one. And they offer the R&R in a number of ways like pools and hot tubs, saunas or steam rooms, massages, facials, or full body treatments.
- Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel & Spa offer a premier and luxurious experience through a variety of services: enjoy the spa, pool, or wellness and bio bar services.
- The Elmwood Spa offer various couples’ packages for treatments like massages, water therapy, or facials. A few packages also include lunch or dinner.
- There are two Body Blitz Spa locations in Toronto, both of which offer water treatments, massages, and facials. Plus, they offer two different couples’ options.
Visit the Markets
Toronto is home to a great array of year-round and seasonal markets. And for those seasonal markets, May is usually the opening month for the season! With a day out at these markets, you’ll find on-site dining opportunities, fresh foods to take home and cook with, places to shop for unique gifts, and possibly live entertainment.
- Kensington Market (year-round) has tons to offer including one of the biggest collections of local shops in the city. The market is also known for having a diverse collection of multicultural shops and restaurants.
- St. Lawrence Market (year-round) is made up of the North Market and St. Lawrence Hall. Between the two locations there will be numerous opportunities for tasty local eats, cool local wares, and the freshest produce and meats.
- Leslieville Farmers Market and Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market are both open seasonally from May to October and take place in outdoor locations.
Enjoy Toronto’s Cycling Trails
One of the best things about exploring Toronto on a bike is you don’t need to own bikes. This date could be made easier with the help of bike rental shops in Toronto, or the bike share programs around the Metro areas. Below are some of the best bike trails to try for your next spring date.
- Take the Martin Goodman/Waterfront trail alongside the lake shores between Balmy Beach and Woodbine Beach. There are more trails to explore around Woodbine Park, while the Waterfront Trail also continues west.
- Bring the bikes on the Hanlan’s Point Ferry and explore Toronto Island Park trails by bike. The island has beautiful views of the skyline and places to stop for food or drinks.
- The Lower Don Parklands have multi-use trails on both sides of the Don River and connects to a long network of trails that lead north.
- Colonel Sam Smith Park Trail offers more romantic waterfront views for your cycling date, and a peaceful escape from the city noise.
Date Ideas for a Rainy Day
The weather might not always cooperate while planning dates and time with loved ones. But that is okay, especially in Toronto, with the selection of larger indoor attractions.
- Explore Toronto’s amazing art scene with a visit to indoor attractions like the Art Museum at the University of Toronto, Taglialatella Galleries, The Art Gallery of Ontario (free admission on May 4 & 5), or the Textile Museum of Canada.
- Check out more local museums and history through the Royal Ontario Museum (Free admission on May 21), the Gardiner Museum, or the Aga Khan Museum.
- The mainstay exhibitions at the Ontario Science Centre include topics on discovery, nature, experimentation, biology, ocean life, and so much more. Plus, there is always something to see at the IMAX Theatre. On now in the Dome Theatre are films about turtles, ancient caves, dinosaurs, and bears.
