Those in Victoria looking for a romantic night out this Valentine’s Day don’t have far to travel.
Greater Victoria boasts the best place for a romantic dinner out in B.C., according to OpenTable data sourced from diners themselves.
The Dining Room at The Butchart Gardens leads the platform’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants for 2026.
Victoria eateries Glo Restaurant and Lounge, Tea at The Empress (Fairmont Empress) and Finn’s Seafood, Chops and Cocktails also make the list, compiled of more than 900,000 diner reviews, ratings and reservation demands from Dec. 1, 2024 to Nov. 20, 2025.
This Valentine’s Day, OpenTable is celebrating love, spotlighting hot spots perfect for every kind of connection, from romantic partners to friends and family. The list was compiled from analyzing more than 900,000 diner reviews, along with diner ratings, reservation demand and percentage of reviews with the tag “romantic” among other factors.
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According to new OpenTable data, in 2025, Valentine’s Day dining was up 46 per cent year-over-year, along with a 54 per cent increase in dining on Valentine’s Day weekend (Feb 14 to 16). New consumer research shows 49 per cent of Canadian’s are planning to celebrate the day over a meal out, indicating a continued appetite for love.
No matter the love story Canadians are celebrating, our Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list has a table to match, from intimate spots to group and private dining spaces, according to Matt Davis, senior director at OpenTable Canada.
“Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance anymore and Canadians are embracing the cultural shift, with 51 per cent saying it’s now about celebrating all kinds of relationships, not just romantic ones,” Davis said in a news release. “Gen Z is really driving this change, with 59 per cent planning a Galentine’s or Palentine’s Day celebration, 22 per cent above the national average, and 65 per cent of them looking to mark the celebrations by dining out.”
Group dining is on the rise for Valentine’s Day (February 14), with the occasion in 2025 showing a 65 per cent year-over-year increase in parties of four, and a 88 per cent increase in parties of six. Galentine’s Day (Feb. 13) showed traction too, with parties of four seeing a 41 per cent dining increase year-over-year and parties of six seeing a 40 per cent increase. Reflecting this shift, 37 per cent of Canadians plan to celebrate Galentine’s or Palentine’s Day this year on Feb. 13 or 14, with 59 per cent planning to mark the occasion over a meal out.
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All three Greater Victoria restaurants feature water views, and more. Visitors to Butchart Gardens can enjoy the stunning gardens, and restaurants historic surroundings paired with contemporary, fresh local foods. Glo features an exceptional 180-degree views of the Selkirk waterway; Finn’s is set in a beautiful 1882 heritage building overlooking the Inner Harbour in the heart of Victoria; and Afternoon Tea at The Empress is a cherished tradition with a menu featuring freshly baked scones, delicate finger sandwiches, and decadent pastries, paired with premium teas. All three eateries recommend reservations.
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