A night out in Toronto, ON

This year, skip the Valentines-Day flowers and candlelit dinner and hit the town with a group of pals. Our list of Love Week hotspots has you covered from Kensington to Riverside, from dance parties to laid back locals. Check out OKStupid at Handlebar for hilariously awful online dating conversations read live or hit up the Wavelength music festival and discover Canada’s best new underground music. Who needs Cupid, anyway?

When choosing a restaurant feels more akin to choosing what to watch on Netflix (read: an hour or two of scrolling, scrolling, scrolling), be thankful that maxed-out, relaxed-out dining is something that Toronto does best. With an emphasis on soulful, filling food and chill vibes, surprisingly free of pretense, put on your best fashion sweats and check out some of the city’s best spots for a casual dinner date.

2015 was a busy year for Toronto’s east end, from Riverdale to Cabbagetown to the Distillery. Fresh new businesses are popping up everywhere, and among them are some of the finest eateries in the city. Whether for brunch with pals, a dinner date, or dessert, there are many places to indulge without the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Toronto’s coffee scene has experienced a surge of newcomers this year, from east to west. It’s one of the things I love about the city. You can find some of the coolest cafés in odd areas and quiet corners, and busy neighbourhoods alike. From old, rundown spaces revitalized, to beautiful environments that make grabbing a cup of Joe a luxurious pastime, here are my favourite cafés that opened in 2015.

As winter rears in the 6, Torontonians cower to their couches, armed with an extra wool blanket and a space heater close by. But with the city’s blossoming selection of restaurants and watering holes offering fireplaces, crushed velvet sofas, and lively, rosy-cheeked crowds to rub elbows with, there’s no reason to retreat into solitude this winter – these resto-bars will keep you plenty cozy. [Photo courtesy of Kanpai]

It’s official: Toronto has been hit with a massive wave of tiki culture. Restaurants and bars are celebrating the tropics with sweet cocktails in hollowed-out coconuts and melons garnished with tiny pink umbrellas. Tiki revival demands the real deal, so slip into your favorite Hawaiian shirt and recline in a wicker chair: these restaurants and bars are your next tropical destination. [Image credit: iStock.com/ivanmateev]

Whether you’re celebrating a win or mourning a loss, post-game pints are par for the course for summer-leaguers. But deciding on which local watering hole to hit up almost always leads into overtime. From low key vibes to gourmet pub-grub, we’ve covered all the bases with these Toronto team hangouts. [Image credit: iStock.com/helenecanada]

Summer in the 6 is time to indulge in some delicious outdoor fun. Dine by the water, discover delicious food creations, get romantic with pasta under the stars, explore some of the TO’s top vegan fare, and more. From newfound vendors like Eva’s Original Chimneys to old favourites like Beavertails, you’ll find the best desserts, drinks and dishes this summer at these Toronto food festivals. [Image credit: iStock.com/kitzcorner]

Is there anything better than sitting outside with friends, sipping a chilled bevy and soaking in the summer sun? Patio season is a sacred time in the west end of Toronto and there is a plethora of places to choose from. The following is a list of the top west-end patios that you’re bound to adore. [Image credit: iStock.com/AnjelaGr]

If there’s one beverage Torontonians love, it’s craft beer. Thanks to a craft brew boom, Toronto is now a true beer lovers’ market. With local and microbreweries opening up all over the Six in the past year, we’ve rounded up our top picks for restaurants that brew on site, tap rooms, brewpubs and bottle shops. [Image credit: iStock.com/mwphotos]

Some like tequila, others like beer, but let’s not forget about the whiskey lover. We all know that person who prides themselves at the bar on being a whiskey connoisseur. If you want to take them to get their Jack Daniel’s on, or for a sampling of something a little more rare, we’ve got you covered. Check out this list of the best places to take a whiskey lover in Toronto. [Feature image: Boxcar Social]

From second-storey terraces to canopy-covered courtyards, 2016 has been a good year for Toronto’s patio game. We’ve got the goods on the brand-new brewery on Roncesvalles and the Lakeshore’s most recent party-worthy spot. East to west, these resto-bar newcomers have created inspired outdoor spaces so you can start patio season off right. [Image credit: iStock.com/Sean Pavone]