Chasing celebrities as they filter through town during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is a popular local pastime. But before plunking down a camera-toting keister at just any hotel bar hoping to win the fan photo lottery, some advance research can certainly up the odds of success and Instagram fame.
Idris Elba, Angelina Jolie and Jodie Foster are among the celebs headed to TIFF this year. From Sept. 4 to 14, here are some of the best restaurants and bars to visit for a celebrity-approved TIFF experience — and maybe even a glimpse of your favourite star.
Here is where the best opportunities lie for red carpet shots.
Bisha Hotel is a well-known celebrity hot spot during TIFF, and during normal years where celebrities are guaranteed to attend, this is where many of the events and premiere parties are hosted. Try Mister C, the hotel’s swanky lobby bar, to spot some of your favourite actors – past sightings here include Julianne Moore, Jake Gyllenhaal and Daniel Kaluuya.
American film stars tend to look to the familiar — the Shangri-La Hotel for example. Head to the Lobby Lounge & Bar for their Film Collection cocktail menu, created in partnership with the festival. To mark TIFF’s golden milestone, they’re serving up TIFF 50 Signature Cocktails worth toasting to.
Another is the 1 Hotel in Toronto. With its close proximity to some major TIFF venues, the likelihood of spotting a celebrity being shuttled from the lobby here is high. Located in the hotel, Mexican restaurant Casa Madera is already a major celebrity hot spot, so it might be worth a visit this time of year. Get dressed up, enjoy some fancy cocktails and maybe someone will mistake you for a celebrity!
A popular spot all year round, Minami happens to be in the ideal location for this festival — right across from TIFF Bell Lightbox. Grab a bite to eat here before catching a premiere, and this year you can enjoy some special menu items and a themed cocktail to get you in the mood for cinematic excellence.
And we can’t forget the St. Regis Toronto which, this year, is going big at Louix Louis, the restaurant located on the 31st floor of the hotel. Celebrate the festival’s 50th anniversary with the over-the-top Golden Carving Experience, the decadent 50-layer Golden King’s Cake crowned in gold and sparklers, or the ‘TIFF50’ Caviar and Cocktail pairing — a luxe Macallan Rare Cask Rob Roy served with Ossetra caviar.
Queen West favourite Soluna will guarantee an exciting and celebrity-approved experience. An official hospitality partner since 2022, the venue is hosting a week of rooftop parties, global DJs and themed dinners — with a 4 a.m. extended license to keep the energy high.
Yorkville is still a thing with its unique boutiques, high-end hotels and landmark restaurants such as Sotto Sotto and Sassafraz. But this year, the main event is likely to be Adrak Yorkville – this Indian restaurant is worth a visit. With a team of chefs with Michelin training, you won’t be disappointed dining here even if you don’t get to spot a star or two.
