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Top 10 Restaurants in Windsor for Date Nights and Casual Bites
Day 5 of reheating my rotisserie chicken, and all I’ve got left is a sad wing and some mystery skin that slid off in the bag. At this point, it’s basically radioactive, given how many times it went in the microwave. I’ve miscalculated the portions, and I still couldn’t finish it.
But on day 6, good karma came through—my team and I hit the streets for a food trip, and rounded up the best restaurants in Windsor for every craving and budget.
Skip the sad leftovers! Read on to discover our favourite spots and plan your next spot for dining out!
Hot Tacos Restaurant
– Media from hottacosrestaurant
Address: 325 Ouellette Ave
Contact details: +1 519-818-5129
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Monday, Thursday: 11 AM – 8 PM
- Tuesday to Wednesday: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11 AM – 3 AM
Pricing: $
Their name’s pretty straightforward—Hot Tacos Restaurant provides an authentic Mexican experience, where you can go for tacos (al pastor, grilled beef, etc), quesabirrias, molcajetes, chilaquiles, and more. We love how their meats are juicy and perfectly seasoned!
They also serve seafood dishes, including seafood soup, shrimp soup, shrimp cocktail, and ceviche. The best part? The portion sizes here are generous enough to share or at least try a few different tacos.
Location-wise, being on Ouellette is convenient since it’s fairly central, and if you’re planning to explore downtown Windsor, it’s not far out of the way. Once you arrive here, you’ll find the place to be casual and certainly not fine dining, but it’s warm and welcoming.
Pro tip:
If you don’t know what to order, go for a mix: get one classic taco (chicken or beef) plus one of their specialty or less common fillings. And for those who are driving, consider coming a bit before peak dinner hours (say 5-6 PM) so that parking is easier.
Punjaabi Indian Cuisine and Sweets
– Media from punjaabi_indian_cuisine
Address: 255 Ouellette Ave
Contact details: +1 226-837-0222
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12 PM – 12 AM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM – 2 AM
Pricing: $$
Punjaabi Indian Cuisine and Sweets in downtown Windsor has become one of the spots where people come in for a midnight snack since it stays open quite late—until midnight or 2 AM. It’s a solid choice if you’re craving Indian food.
Crowd-favourites are the butter chicken, soya malai chaap, and lamb biryani. There are many vegetarian selections here, too, with the paneer and dals as our go-tos! And as their name suggests, they also offer Indian sweets—think burfi, ladoo, jalebi, and other mithai.
All in all, expect bold flavours, spice levels that you can request to suit your taste, and a lively setting.
Pro tip:
For those going in a group or want to try a variety, order a Thali value meal or a couple of sharing appetizers first to get a taste of multiple dishes without overordering. And don’t miss out on their sweets from the counter.
La Marina by Eddy’s
– Media from lamarinabyeddys
Address: 954 University Ave W
Contact details: +1 519-252-2022
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11 AM – 10 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 11 AM – 11 PM
Pricing: $$
La Marina by Eddy’s is a solid spot for Lebanese-style cooking. Whether you’re in the mood for light, grilled seafood or heartier chicken entrées, the menu is designed to cater to both seafood lovers and those who prefer poultry.
They’ve got many options, from seafood boils to burgers and wraps. Some starter favourites include hummus, baba ganouj, muhamara, and fried kibbi. As for the entrees, we love their chicken and beef kabobs and shawarma.
If you want lighter stuff or something to balance out a heavier dish, there are fresh salads like Greek salad, tabouli, and more. There are also plenty of vegetarian-friendly choices—their falafels are a must-order!
Pro tip:
When you go with a group, consider ordering a platter (or two) plus a couple of appetizers instead of each having an individual entree—it gives you more variety, and works out better value. Don’t miss out on their desserts, too.
Take Five Bistro
– Media from kristeljeanp
Address: 1068 Erie St E
Contact details: +1 519-962-2991
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 5 PM – 10 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 4 PM – 10 PM
Pricing: $$$
Now, for something more upscale but still casual, Take Five Bistro is a decent pick, with thoughtful decor and lighting great for date nights or celebrations. If you’re wondering about their main pillar, they include quality steak cuts, fresh seafood, and elevated chops.
A must-try here is the curated 3-course meal under their Prix Fixe menu (Sunday through Thursday), serving starter, entree, and dessert for just around $41 per person. Speaking of desserts, some of the go-tos are tiramisu and brownies with vanilla ice cream.
If you’re feeling a bit lost on what to order, the staff here are knowledgeable. It’s easy to ask them for guidance on things like wine recommendations and menu choices.
Pro tip:
They also have a private room for events or gatherings (for roughly 30 people), ideal for meetings and celebrations. You can also count on them for catering, but it’s best to book ahead.
Keifuku Japanese Restaurant
– Media from keifuku_sushi
Address: 532 Pelissier St
Contact details: +1 519-818-9008
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM
- Saturday: 5 PM – 8:30 PM
Pricing: $$
Keifuku Japanese Restaurant is located right in downtown Windsor, with a space that works well for small groups, date night, or sushi cravings. You might need to check ahead if you’re a large group, though.
They serve Japanese cuisine, with a focus on sushi. They offer sushi rolls, nigiri, sashimi, donburi, and also some small plates and mains like chicken katsu don. Note that some items are more premium (especially special rolls and sashimi), so the overall cost is moderate to high.
Pro tip:
If you want sushi, then order sashimi or nigiri first, since they tend to come out quickly, showing off how fresh their fish is.
Souq Lebanese Grill
– Media from souqlebanesegrill
Address: 2651 Howard Ave #1
Contact details: +1 519-915-1292
Operating hours: Monday, Wednesday to Friday: 11 AM
Pricing: $$
With Souq Lebanese Grill, you’ll find Lebanese staples like fattoush, tabouli, hummus, shawarmas, kabobs, shareable platters, and dessert. They pledge to use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients when possible, such as Ontario meats, Canadian dairy, grains, etc.
Some of the fan-favourites include cheese-stuffed arayes, chicken shish tawook, and mixed shawarma wrap. Diners with dietary needs can also enjoy gluten-free, vegan-friendly, vegetarian, and halal options, and asking the staff for any possible substitutions is a good idea, too.
All in all, the restaurant is a good mix between casual and stylish, and it feels like a comfortable place for family dinners, casual lunches, and even date nights.
Pro tip:
If you plan on sharing, order one of their platters or a mix-shawarma bowl paired with a fresh salad (fattoush or tabouli) so you get flavour variety without ordering too much.
The Breakfast Guyz
– Media from thebreakfastguyz
Address: 2763 Howard Ave
Contact details: +1 226-345-4827
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 8 AM – 3 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 8 AM – 4 PM
Pricing: $
If you still want breakfast food even though it’s way past morning, then The Breakfast Guyz is a solid pick. They offer breakfast items all day, so think pancakes, skillets, bennies, breakfast sandwiches, and even brunch-friendly fare like salads, wraps, burgers, and other sides.
You can also expect big portion sizes, which’ll easily leave you full and satisfied. For those on a vegan diet, you can indulge in some of their items, like scrambled tofu or baked beans.
Not to mention, they’re open to substitutions and the sides seem flexible—if you want different meats, swap toast, or sauces, then don’t hesitate to let the staff know.
Pro tip:
Ask for the syrup on the side if you’re ordering pancakes; the portions are big, and this way you can control how sweet things get without soaking the plate. You can also try splitting one of their signature skillets first if you’re in a group.
Spago
– Media from spagocanada
Address: 690 Erie St E
Contact details: +1 519-252-2233
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12 PM – 9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM
Pricing: $$
Spago has multiple locations: the original one in Little Italy (Erie St), one in South Windsor, and the other at Caesars Windsor. This gives customers flexibility, whether you’re downtown, near the casino, or elsewhere.
They offer a well-rounded Italian menu with dishes like pasta, pizzas, chicken parm, and a number of veal or meat-based dishes.
There are also good options if you’re avoiding meat, such as vegetarian pastas like Primavera, smoked portobello mushrooms, and other items. Lastly, they do catering and accommodate larger parties or events.
Pro tip:
On weekend evenings, reservations are a good idea, since service can slow down when the restaurant is full.
Gladstone Commons
– Media from gladstonecommonswalkerville
Address: 792 Gladstone Ave
Contact details: +1 226-674-1070
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 5 PM – 9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 5 PM – 11 PM
Pricing: $$$
Gladstone Commons is tucked in a residential area, giving it that cozy, neighbourhood-bistro feel rather than a big-city buzz. Their menu leans into Modern Canadian with European influences. Expect small plates, mains that use locally sourced ingredients, and strong presentation.
To name a few, there’s the crispy duck wings, charred octopus, and beef tartare. And if you have any dietary needs, the restaurant offers gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly options.
As for drinks, you’ll find a decent lineup of cocktails, wine, and beers. You can also end the night with a nice dessert, like their sticky toffee pudding.
Pro tip:
Go for Date Night Wednesday (5–9 PM). You can avail their prix fixe or special menu that delivers great value and lets you try multiple dishes without ordering full price everywhere.
The Twisted Apron
– Media from thetwistedapron.yqg
Address: 1968 Wyandotte St E
Contact details: +1 519-256-2665
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Pricing: $$
Breakfast and brunch are the stars in The Twisted Apron, serving them from morning to afternoon. They offer fancy French toast variations like Biscoff tiramisu, creme brulee, and even berry French toast pancakes.
As for the savoury side, you can go for their chicken n waffles, steak and eggs, and burgers. There’s also a kids’ menu, which is great if you’re coming in with your family.
On top of that, they offer gluten-free substitutions for some items, and meat/protein substitutions are also available for some dishes.
Pro tip:
Portions are quite generous, so if you’re coming with a companion, consider splitting a French toast and something savoury—this way, you get the best of both worlds without feeling too stuffed.
