Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic in Durham? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Springwood

4.9

4.9 (662)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Whitby

About the restaurant

The Springwood can be summed up effectively as a neighborhood restaurant, whose values, regarding the menu, focus greatly on locally sourced ingredients, hyper-seasonality, regenerative farming practices and minimizing waste.

The restaurant is the brainchild of local entrepreneurs Matthew Simpson (Chef) and Jasmine Lee (General Manager). Partners in business and in life since 2007.

To further their knowledge of the Hospitality industry they made their way to Downtown Toronto, where they were able to hone their crafts working in upscale and well-known restaurants for nine years. The end goal was always assured though, that they would come back to the town that gave them their start and help bring a special space to the place that they grew up.

As you make your way inside, you will be met with warm wood, lush plant life and funky art deco accents. We want this space to feel as though you are stepping into our home and we welcome you all to Come Over for Dinner.

Top review

Diane

Dined 5 days ago

Creative menu; excellent service. Overall great experience. The tasting menu was amazing!

Bella Notte Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (1435)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Whitby

About the restaurant

Experience the essence of Italian cuisine and culture as we prepare and serve you genuine, exquisite dishes in a traditional comfortable setting.

Top review

Peter

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent as always. Love this place and would recommend it to anyone.

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Popular dish

Caesar Salad Bella Notte

Popular dish

Apple Pie Bella Notte

Popular dish

Lasagna

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Ajax

4.6

4.6 (5566)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Steakhouse

Ajax

About the restaurant

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar serves the finest cuts of succulent steak, aged for tenderness and grilled to perfection. Prime rib is a Keg specialty, slow roasted, hand carved and perfectly seasoned with special Keg spices. The restaurant also serves delicious seafood, memorable appetizers, crisp salads and decadent desserts. A casual ambiance and friendly, very knowledgeable staff are proud and reliable trademarks of The Keg Steakhouse & Bar. You'll find a truly comfortable and satisfying dining atmosphere accompanied by a fun and up-scale bar setting where guests can enjoy an excellent wine list, signature Keg martinis, and fresh squeezed juice cocktails.

Top review

Karen

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing service and as always, the food was divine! Thank you to the Keg for always keeping the standards high!

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The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Oshawa

4.6

4.6 (6187)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Steakhouse

Oshawa

About the restaurant

If you or a guest in your party require an accessible table due to mobility issues, please contact the restaurant to ensure your comfort.

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar serves the finest cuts of succulent steak, aged for tenderness and grilled to perfection. Prime rib is a Keg specialty, slow roasted, hand carved and perfectly seasoned with special Keg spices. The restaurant also serves delicious seafood, memorable appetizers, crisp salads and decadent desserts. A casual ambiance and friendly, very knowledgeable staff are proud and reliable trademarks of The Keg Steakhouse & Bar. You'll find a truly comfortable and satisfying dining atmosphere accompanied by a fun and up-scale bar setting where guests can enjoy an excellent wine list, signature Keg martinis, and fresh squeezed juice cocktails.

Top review

Megan

Dined 2 days ago

Food was amazing and server was attentive and polite. Great way to spend our anniversary! Thank you for the complimentary dessert.

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Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar - Whitby

4.5

4.5 (1075)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Grill

Whitby

About the restaurant

For an unparalleled dining experience featuring succulent steaks, mouth watering ribs, and an extensive wine list, visit Bâton Rouge Grillhouse in Whitby.

Top review

JulieVIP

Dined on Jul 2, 2025

Great server and food was exceptional. Celebrating my birthday and the staff were amazing

Legend Of Fazio's

4.5

4.5 (348)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Oshawa

About the restaurant

Legend of Fazio’s is a full service Italian Steakhouse located in the heart of Oshawa’s Simcoe neighbourhood at 33 Simcoe St. Opened in 2019, Legend of Fazio’s offers classic Italian dishes with a wide array of options. We invite you to come join us and let us take you through an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

Brett

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Awesome new find! Food was solid, great pricing, we’ll be back!

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Copperhorn Meet House Pickering

4.5

4.5 (331)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Steak

Pickering

About the restaurant

Awaken your tastebuds and enjoy quality time with friends at Copperhorn Meet House, a fine dining steakhouse with a menu you’ll crave. All guest must be 19 years old as we are located on the casino game floor..

Top review

Dorothy

Dined on Jun 29, 2025

We enjoyed our dinner. Food very good. Ambiance & service excellent.

Nest

4.5

4.5 (343)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Farm-to-table

Uxbridge

About the restaurant

Experience elevated farm-to-table dining at Nest, where every dish is a tribute to Durham’s finest local ingredients. Nestled within Trail Hub, our restaurant offers a thoughtfully curated menu that showcases the freshest seasonal flavors.

We take pride in partnering with local farmers and artisans to bring you an authentic, sustainable dining experience. Each plate reflects our commitment to quality, simplicity, and the natural bounty of the region.

At Nest, every meal is more than just a dish—it’s a celebration of Durham’s vibrant food culture.

Enjoy the intimate and elegant ambiance, perfect for a memorable dining experience. Nest Restaurant, where the culinary spirit of Durham blends seamlessly with rustic charm.

Top review

Sean

Dined 3 days ago

Great experience! Locale is amazing and our meal was perfect! A hidden gem!

Smash Bar & Kitchen - Whitby

4.3

4.3 (64)

CAN$30 and under

Comfort Food

Whitby

About the restaurant

At Smash Kitchen & Bar we are devoted to providing our guests with the highest quality experience with our efficient & friendly service, upscale casual atmosphere, & southern-inspired comfort cuisine. With our variety of different dining spaces you can join us for a business lunch, family get-together, or a night out with friends.

Our Lounge offers our full menu & service with several big-screen TVs to catch the latest sports events. We also offer private dining room options for those looking to host a function. Our seasonal patio offer a fantastic place to sip on our sangria & enjoy the weather! Our Chefs have crafted an eclectic menu made with the freshest of ingredients. At Smash, we try to accommodate a variety of different flavour-profiles & dietary restrictions so there is something on the menu for everyone to enjoy.

Please join us at Smash for wonderful food, beverages & our welcoming atmosphere - whatever the occasion!

Top review

Wendy

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

The service was great. Food was plentiful. Our table had a sticky finish on it but server confirmed it was the varnish finish. For a Thursday night the place was empty.

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DiVino Pizzeria & Bar

4.2

4.2 (21)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Ajax

About the restaurant

DiVino Pizzeria & Bar brings the vibrant flavours of Italy to your table with a menu focused on handcrafted pizzas, house-made pastas, and creative cocktails. Every dish is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and thoughtfully crafted to excite your palate. Whether you're joining us for a casual night out or a special celebration, our warm atmosphere and passion for great food promise a memorable experience. Taste, sip, and enjoy Italian-style.

Top review

Prajakta

Dined on Jul 5, 2025

Had a great experience at DiVino Pizzeria & Bar! The food was delicious — fresh ingredients, perfectly cooked, and full of flavour. The decor is warm and stylish, creating a nice ambiance without feeling too formal. Definitely worth a visit.

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