Date Night Restaurants in St. John's: A Guide

Date night restaurants in St. John's are found in painted wooden houses, old stone buildings and a historic cottage by a tiny harbour. Book as early as you can, ask what seafood came in that week and walk down to George Street afterwards for a pint and live music.

Dress for the weather first, then for the room. Parking downtown is tight and the streets are steep and narrow, so many visitors walk between dinner and a drink.

What are the best date night restaurants in St. John's?

A short list covers the occasion. A tasting-menu restaurant on Water Street is the leading fine-dining spot in town, with wine pairings, and the price is steep, so check what the menu costs. In Quidi Vidi, a small harbour village a short drive from downtown, a restaurant in a historic cottage is the other room to know.

Downtown also has more casual rooms that work for lunch as well as dinner, a good choice when a tasting menu feels like too much.

Which room is the most romantic?

Many people choose the cottage restaurant at Quidi Vidi. It sits in a village by a small harbour, which gives a walk before or after the meal a special charm, and it is popular, so reserve ahead.

For a downtown dinner with white tablecloths and a menu that changes with the season, the Water Street tasting-menu room is the choice, if you are planning an occasion.

What do you eat in a downtown St. John's dinner?

For a downtown St. John's dinner, expect Atlantic seafood: cod, scallops, mussels, crab and salmon. Menus may include game such as moose or caribou, and foraged items such as sea asparagus, berries and herbs. Desserts often feature partridgeberries or bakeapples.

A relaxed downtown room is the easier choice for a spontaneous date: walk-ins are more realistic there than at a tasting-menu restaurant or the cottage at Quidi Vidi.

What makes Newfoundland seafood special?

Newfoundland seafood comes from cold water and a short fishing season. The cod fishery has a complex history, and the province now has strong shellfish, salmon and char. A dish that features local seafood is a way to taste the place.

Ask your server what came in that week, and let the kitchen recommend. A good restaurant will be proud to tell you.

What about St. John's fine dining and George Street?

St. John's fine dining is concentrated downtown, and George Street is where the night goes afterward. George Street is better for pubs and drinks than formal dinner, with pubs for live music; ask locally which are playing.

A date can end there with a pint and live music. Go early on a weekend, because the street fills with crowds late in the night.

Have a plan for the day, too. Spend the afternoon at the harbour or on Signal Hill, which has views over the city and the Atlantic, then dress for dinner. Walk the colourful rows of houses on the hills downtown before sunset, when the light is warm. If you are visiting in iceberg or whale season, ask your hotel about tours, and book dinner for after the tour so that you are not rushed. A slow afternoon followed by a good meal is a simple recipe for a memorable date.

How do you keep a list of dinners for two in St. John's?

A good table by the harbour deserves a note. In the Mosey app, rate the dishes you shared, tag the room Romantic or Cosy and keep a private St. John's list for anniversaries. Add your partner by invite link so both of you can build it.

How to book

Book as early as you can. The tasting-menu room and the cottage restaurant at Quidi Vidi fill on weekends, especially in summer. Call or use the restaurant's own site. If you cannot get a table, try the bar or an early seating.

Check the season. Some restaurants close for part of the winter, and hours vary by day.

Parking downtown is tight and the streets are steep and narrow, so many visitors walk between dinner and a drink. If you plan to have wine with dinner, arrange a ride in advance, because taxis can be slow to arrive on a busy weekend night.

What to wear and how to get there

Dress for the weather first, then for the room. St. John's is windy and often wet, and hills are steep. Wear shoes with grip. A taxi or ride is a good idea for Quidi Vidi, which is a short drive from downtown.

The restaurants themselves are casual to smart casual. A jacket or a nice sweater is enough.

What else to know about prices

Prices vary widely. A tasting menu with wine pairings is a splurge, and a casual dinner is more modest, so decide on a budget before you choose a room. Check current menus before you book.

Tipping is customary, and service is friendly.

What else should you read around Newfoundland?

The Newfoundland and Labrador food worth a drive guide covers the province beyond the city, and the Atlantic Canada regional foods guide explains the dishes of the region. The Canada guides page lists more cities.

A good dinner for two is a good story. Get the Mosey app, rate each plate you share for flavour and atmosphere, and build a St. John's list of the rooms you would return to.