For the most part first dates are awkward and uncomfortable and, if you're the one doing the planning, they can be really stressful too.
The good news is they don't have to be. According to a new study from dating site PlentyOfFish, simple first dates were most popular among now married couples. And first dates that involve food are a clear favourite.
The study, which surveyed 1,100 former PlentyOfFish users who are now married, noted 65 per cent of couples enjoyed a meal or appetizers on their first date.
Other popular first date ideas among the married set included going for a walk or grabbing a drink, Glamour magazine reports.
In all cases, these dates allowed the couple more time to focus on conversation which can help form a connection.
But there could be something more to the dinner dates. Earlier this year Knorr paired up strangers over an intimate dinner to see if they could cook up a romance — and it worked.
A few couples, who were paired by flavour profiles, not only felt a connection, but continued to date well after the commercial shoot.
Of course if your low-key first date is a success, you might want to step it up a notch for the second date. Below, we've rounded up 22 Toronto-based date ideas that don't cost a thing.
Also on HuffPost
