30 Unique and Fun Ottawa Date Ideas: Winter 2025
Finding cool, interesting and unique date ideas in Ottawa can be a challenge, especially in the winter when cold weather rolls in. However, if you dive into Ottawa’s diverse neighbourhoods, you’ll find hands-on artistic activities, cool alternative entertainment, a hot culinary scene, and tons of fun outdoor activities in the beautiful winter landscapes surrounding the city. Have fun, get romantic, and try something new with 30 of our favourite winter date ideas in Ottawa.
*We’ve given each date a “first-date friendly” rating to help you out. Think tricky food, cold-weather effects, potential for embarrassing situations, or high chance of awkward moments.
Food + Fun
Join a cooking class
Perfect your culinary skills with a C’est Bon Ottawa cooking class. Learn to make sushi, whip up a Thai feast, make homemade croissants or master the art of chocolate making. These hands-on classes are available in groups, or can be catered to a pair.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Antiques and brunch in Old Ottawa South
Got a date that loves antiquing? Plan a day in Ottawa’s Old Ottawa South and explore the neighbourhood’s cool antique shops including the Ottawa Antique Market and Yardley’s Antiques. Then head to the Belmont, the go-to spot for locals looking for a classic or boozy brunch.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Have a romantic dinner in an old Bank building
One of Ottawa’s top restaurants, popular among locals, visitors and even celebrities, Rivera is the ultimate in stylish, modern fine dining, and is sure to impress. Share a seafood tower and inventive cocktails under the soaring ceilings of this former bank building, then enjoy a dry-aged steak, or lobster spaghetti as you chat the night away.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Dim Sum and Japanese claw machines in Ottawa’s Chinatown
Dive into food and fun in Ottawa’s Chinatown with a date focusing on Asian culture. Grab some tasty authentic Dim Sum at a local hot spot like Café Orient, Yimin Dim Sum House or Royal Treasure. Then head to Den Den Claw, specializing in Japanese claw machines. Test your skills, win some fun prizes, and be sure to get some cool Japanese take homes from the gachapon machines, and souvenir pics from the onsite photobooths.
*First-date friendly rating: 4/5
Pinballs and Perogies
An unusual combination that works perfectly, House of Targ is known for their cool combination of pinball and perogies. With tons of vintage arcade games, pinball galore, live music, and tasty handmade perogies, this is a quirky date they won’t soon forget.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Have cocktails in a hidden speakeasy
Channel the romance of the prohibition era at one of Ottawa’s most well-known Speakeasys, Union 613. Enjoy bourbon, craft beer and fried chicken at private or communal tables upstairs, then head downstairs to the Staffroom and get intimate with a pair of Manhattans in the hidden speakeasy behind the bookshelf wall.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Sunsets, frozen waterfalls and Ottawa’s best west African chicken
During the deep winter months, Rideau Falls freezes over into a stunning icy masterpiece. Head to the falls around sunset for a view of cotton candy skies over the Ottawa River, then take the 20-minute walk to the ByWard Market to Pili Pili Wood Charcoal Grill. Specializing in delicious charcoal grilled west African chicken, this spot is known throughout the city and beyond, and is sure to warm you up.
*First-date friendly rating: 4/5
Yoga and vegetarian eats
If you’re planning a date for a health nut, or just looking to relax your mind and body, book a drop-in yoga class at one of Ottawa’s premier yoga studios, Pure Yoga. After stretching it out, head down the street to Pure Kitchen specializing in vegetarian and vegan cuisine, and chat over cauliflower wings, awesome burger, buddha bowl, something from their refreshing juice bar.
*First-date friendly rating: 3/5
Overdoes on chocolate at Cacao 70
Known for all things cocoa, Cacao 70 is the spot to go if your date loves chocolate. Try their popular and sharable chocolate fondue plates, served with either fruit, waffle bites and brownie bites for dipping, or marshmallows you roast on your own grill. Dessert pizzas, ice cream sundaes, waffles and crepes round out their very chocolatey menu, perfect for any time of day.
*First-date friendly rating: 4/5
Get in the mood with oysters
Incorporate an aphrodisiac into your date with fresh oysters from one of Ottawa’s best seafood restaurants, Whalesbone. Their original Bank St. location has a cozy vibe and is great for an intimate date, and their menu will satisfy any seafood lover’s cravings.
*First-date friendly rating: 4/5
Wrestling and authentic Italian
If you have a date planned with a wrestling fan, then join a C*4 Wrestling event in Ottawa’s Little Italy. Start the night off with an authentic Italian dinner at a classic Italian restaurant like Giovanni's Restaurant, La Dolce Vita Preston or DreamLand Café, then stroll down the street to the Preston Event Centre and watch takedowns all night long.
*First-date friendly rating: 3/5
Take a neighbourhood food tour
Dive into Ottawa’s cool culinary scene and vibrant neighbourhoods and with a C’est Bon Ottawa food tour. Explore the ByWard market with their popular daytime tour, where you’ll do a little sightseeing paired with multiple food stops along the way. Alternatively join an evening tour and experience a cool 3-course blind-tasting menu, with stops for appetizers, mains, and dessert at 3 different neighbourhood restaurants, drink pairing included. Choose from the ByWard Market, Wellington West, Vieux Hull, South of Parliament district or Elgin Street.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Grab a pint in Ottawa’s most historic pub
Older than the city of Ottawa, predating confederation and the founding of Canada, the Chateau Lafayette, or “the Laff” is an Ottawa institution. Located in the ByWard Market and known for their amazing live music, this is a great spot to stop for a pint, pub grub, and some good tunes.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Axe throwing, martinis and pub grub
Show off your physical prowess and axe-throwing skills on a date at Batl Axe throwing. Book a 1-2hr time slot and practice your best lumberjack and Jackie Chan while throwing both knives and axes. Sip on an espresso martini, grab a pint, and enjoy some nibbles while you try to hit the bull’s eye.
*First-date friendly rating: 3/5
Outdoor Dates
Skate the Rideau Canal Skateway
It’s the largest skating rink in the world, a UNESCO heritage site, and one of Ottawa’s top attractions in the winter; the Rideau Canal Skateway is both magical and romantic. Rent skates, bring your own, or even walk the canal on foot and revel in Ottawa’s best winter experience.
*First-date-friendly rating: 3/5
Go for a winter hike at Mer Bleue Bog
A great date for those who want to get active is the trail at Mer Bleue Bog. Located just outside of the city, this magical winter hike includes a scenic boardwalk, a beautiful pine forest, and plenty of winter birds.
*First-date friendly rating: 3/5
Night skate and Beavertails at the Sens Rink of Dreams
Lit in vibrant colours each night, the Sens Rink of Dreams make for a perfect evening or night date. Lace up your skates, glide around this popular urban rink outside City Hall hand-in-hand, then grab a hot chocolate and share a Beavertail under the stars.
*First-date friendly rating: 3/5
Check out ice sculptures during Winterlude
Winterlude is one of the best winter festivals in Canada, and its winter ice sculptures are definitely the highlight. Stroll through displays of impressive ice creations, watch ice carvers in action as they saw, and chisel away, and take an adorable selfie on an intricately carved ice bench. Visit during the day, or opt for a romantic evening visit as the sculptures light up the night.
*First-date friendly rating: 4/5
Skate down an enchanted forest skating trail
Go for an enchanted skate on a picturesque outdoor skating trail, and enjoy the magic of the winter season. With several skating trails in the Ottawa region including Patinage en Forest, RiverOak Skating Trail and Icelynd Skating Trails, skating hand-in-hand through an enchanted winter forest is pure winter magic.
*First-date-friendly rating: 3/5
Play in the snow at the Snowflake Kingdom
Snowpants are the outfit of choice for a date at Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival, and the layers will be worth the effort. With snowtubing, giant snow sculptures and fun winter games, the Snowflake Kingdom is the epicenter for winter snow fun. Don’t forget to warm up with a hot chocolate, enjoy a stick of maple taffy on snow and an all-important Beavertail.
*First-date friendly rating: 3/5
Snowshoe in Gatineau Park
If snowboarding and skiing are out of your winter skill set, then opt for a fun outdoor activity that doesn’t require any experience; snowshoeing. Get your snowshoe pass online, rent a pair of snowshoes at local outfitter Relais en Plein Air (or bring your own), then choose from over 90 kilometers of snowshoeing trails, ranging in difficulty throughout Gatineau Park.
*First-date friendly rating: 3/5
Art and History Themed Dates
Learn how to make floral arrangement and take home your own bouquet
Don’t just buy flowers for a date, make your own arrangement! Wild Willy’s is a wonderful local plant store in Wellington West which offers both group floral arrangement workshops, as well as private floral design classes. Learn how to make beautiful handmade floral arrangements and then take home your creations.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Parliament Tour and Lunch
Take a free 40min guided tour through West Block, learn about the history of Canada and its politics over the decades, and snap some fun picks inside. After the tour head 1 block south to D'Arcy McGee's, a popular after-work hangout for those working on the Hill for a pint and wings.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Make your own pottery at the Hintonburg pottery shop
For an artsy date, sculpt your own creation at Hintonburg Pottery Shop. Choose from a class or workshop teaching you the basics on the pottery wheel, or hand craft your own mug, bowl or unique sculpture to take home.
*First-date friendly rating: 4/5
Learn to paint and draw with an Ottawa School of Art workshop
Explore your creative sides with a fun art workshop at the Ottawa School of Art. Learn printmaking, how to paint watercolours, draw portraits, or make jewelry in these immersive and creative 3-hour workshops.
*First-date friendly rating: 4/5
Explore historic and modern art at the National Gallery of Canada
Wander around classic and modern works of art with a date at the National Gallery of Canada. Explore iconic pieces from the Group of Seven, modern pieces that might need a second look, stop for a peaceful chat in the beautiful garden court, water court, and grab a bite at the elevated cafeteria in the stunning Great Hall.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Classic Dates
Try not to strike out at Westpark Bowling
A fully-licensed bowling hotspot since 1946, Westpark Bowling is a fun spot for a casual or competitive bowling date. Stop by after dinner in Wellington West, or grab snacks and drinks while you try your best at a strike in this fun, classic, unassuming bowling alley.
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Get cozy in a local café or coffee shop
Ideal for a first date, Ottawa has tons of different cafes and coffee shops, each with their own unique personality. Choose a bike, art, book, or flower themed cafe, stop at a local roastery specializing in roasting their own beans, and even get a load of laundry while your tea steeps.
*First-date-friendly rating: 5/5
Catch a movie at a classic independent theatre
While a movie date is common date night activity, up your game and take them to one of Ottawa’s oldest movie theatres, the Mayfair Theatre. An independent cinema in operation since 1932, with classic old school vibes, they screen independent, international, second-run, and classic films. Grab a bucket of buttery popcorn to share and snuggle in for the night
*First-date friendly rating: 5/5
Relax and unwind with a spa date
A relaxing date full of pampering and pure Zen, a date at an Ottawa spa is sure to impress. Get a romantic couples massage, a pedicure for two, or float, soak and chill in a series of idyllic pool at a Nordic spa.
*First-date friendly rating: 2/5
