Best Restaurants for TIFF Star Spotting in Toronto

TIFF starts this Thursday and runs until Sunday, September 14th. Take notice of these dates because our city becomes North Hollywood for this short while, with celebrities running all over town promoting their films and lucky for us, dining in our restaurants.

Best Restaurants for TIFF Star Spotting in Toronto
Stephanie Dickison By

Montecito

1
299 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1P7

With a secret back door for celebs to slip in and out of (because passing through a busy kitchen is so 1990s) and Bill Murray Day on Friday, Sept 5 (for the world premiere of Murray's latest film, St. Vincent, TIFF will be celebrating three comedy classics: Stripes, Groundhog Day, and ahem, Ghostbusters), this is going to be the place to be.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Azure Restaurant & Bar

2
225 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2X3

This one might surprise you because the InterContinental Toronto Centre doesn’t get a lot of attention compared to newer, trendier hotels. But in addition to greeting Azure guests with official TIFF popcorn containers filled with seasoned kernels, you should know that this is where many North American press junkets are held.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

One Restaurant

3
116 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1C2

Mark McEwan’s restaurant One is in the Hazelton Hotel, where many stars prefer to stay – and sometimes live. I will have more specific details about this later this week, but just know that if you want to see some famous faces, this is one of your best bets.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Stephanie Dickison Stephanie Dickison
Former editor of Dine.TO and industry expert Stephanie Dickison has been covering the Toronto food and restaurant scene for over a decade. In addition to profiling top chefs and interviewing celebs, her Open/Closed column is a must-read every Thursday for the newest openings, and latest news and events.
Best restaurants for fish & chips in Toronto

Best restaurants for fish & chips

Sitting on the dock of the bay, or a patio downtown, or in the cool comfort of an air conditioned restaurant, nothing says summertime like fish and chips. Here are the city’s top 5 spots:
Best Restaurants for Celebrity Spottings in Toronto

Best Restaurants for Celebrity Spottings

We are so fortunate in Toronto that we don’t have to wait for TIFF to arrive to get a sneak peek of Hollywood elite, supermodels and their ilk. If you want to star-gaze and get up close to celebs, head to these top 5 eateries in the city for VIPs and superstars.
Best Restaurants for Pre-Theatre Dining in Toronto

Best Restaurants for Pre-Theatre Dining

One of the best ways to spend a summer evening is to catch a show. Whether you’re going out to a big theatre production such as Newsies or Kinky Boots, or you’re heading off to hear a performance by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company or Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir, you’re going to want to eat beforehand.
Close menu