TIFF 2026: Where to Eat, Drink, and Celebrate Festival Season

The Toronto International Film Festival brings the A-list celebrities from near and far. It also brings film lovers to our city and, yes, stargazers too! Hello Hudson Williams, Penélope Cruz, Chris Rock, Lee Min-ho — the list is long! There are many great spots to celebrate and experience TIFF 2026 (while keeping an eye out for a star or two). Here are some of our favourite places to eat, drink, celebrate and inspire film conversations! WHAT'S NEW AND REFRESHED Riley's Steak and Seafood House: 155 Wellington Street West. This lively restaurant (with origins in Vancouver), located within steps to Roy Thomson Hall, offers a splashy dinner service perfect for those who really want to make a night out an event! Seafood towers, seriously amazing cuts of beef, and table-side show stoppers have serious wow factor (and a patio!). It's a scene! Lucie: 100 Yonge Street. Our beloved Chef Michael Angeloni (L'Unita, Splendid, Black Hoof, Amano, and others) recently took over the helm at this Michelin Recommended restaurant. It's modern French cuisine that echoes the warmth and belief that the most important thing you can do for someone is to feed them well. And the proof is here. Dishes are put on a pedestal for good reason. Staff is knowledgeable and caring beyond expectations. Lunch service also returns just in time for TIFF. Go for gold and order the Taglioni Au Homard (Lobster Taglioni pasta) or Le Pithier de Bison (Bison Wellington). Lai Wah Heen : 108 Chestnut Street. Chefs here are already turning heads as they've refreshed the elegant dining rooms. They've also announced an attention-grabbing 'Treasures of Fortune' ($8,888) five-course menu. Centred around Chef Heyden Sin's Supreme Eight-Treasure gourd-shaped goose, this is a meticulously prepared meal that requires three days' advance notice. Yes, it definitely is beyond extravagant and, well, if goose isn't your thing (or within budget) we get it. Instead, head there for their beautifully in-house made dim sum. Lyla: 60 Sudbury Street. Offering contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with Italian and French familiarity but with an Asian influence. Led by Executive Chef Danny Kim (Osteria Giulia, Sammarco, Opus Restaurant) and Sous Chef Seongho Jeon (The Chase, and Sydney's acclaimed Two Hats) in this tucked away Liberty Village neighbourhood. Try the bold Spaghettoni Alla Uni (Hokkaido sea urchin) dish. Keep an eye on who comes out of the private dining room. Bar Romy: 295 Adelaide Street West. A fresh take on your easy going neighbourhood Italian restaurant! Think approachable and welcoming vibe with a menu that is centred around honest Italian cooking. Wood-fired pizzas, delicious pastas, and hand-crafted cocktails too. Expect a great wine list and warm hospitality. Its location around the corner from the TIFF Lightbox and Scotiabank Theatres makes this a super convenient spot. COOL TIFF GEMS & STARS Taberna LX: 1161 Dundas Street West. Quite possibly the best Portuguese restaurant in the city. This Lisbon-inspired restaurant brings modern Portuguese cuisine to Toronto, blending tradition with a contemporary approach. Chef Jonathan Poon offers a refined, yet playful menu with shareables. Expect classic comfort dishes and small plates – there's so much to explore! The restaurant is vibrant with warm hospitality. Perfect patio above street level. Design elements make this spot feel like you're in the pulsating heart of Portugal. TAKJA Korean BBQ: 962 College Street. This elevated Korean restaurant is already a favourite for BBQ lovers seeking higher quality and beautiful cuts of meat. Their Hansang menu fills the table full of food and no one goes home hungry. Their much adored side dishes include seafood, rice, noodles, and banchan. Mushroom Stone Pot Rice is a must! And don't worry about doing your own grilling! They'll do it for you so you won't ruin that wagyu. Save room for the Bingsoo dessert. Trust. Reservations highly recommended. MOTT 32: 188 University Avenue. This multi-award winning restaurant that first launched in Hong Kong offers a modern twist on time honoured Cantonese cuisine with recipes passed down through generations. Famous for their 42-Day Apple Wood Roasted Duck – it's a must-order! Also a great spot for elevated house made dim sum. KIIN: 326 Adelaide Street West. This Thai restaurant is fit for royalty with Chef Nuit Regular's elevated tasting menu. Each bite is a beautiful work of art. Refined and sophisticated for diners who seek something with an element of surprise. The restaurant also offers a TIFF three-course prix fixe meal. Within easy walking distance to TIFF Central. Oroshi Fish Co: 962 College Street. Laneway Entrance. IYKYK about this incredible spot for takeout sushi. Oroshi dry-ages their fish (ikejemi method) in-house to create premium-quality fish products for their sushi and sashimi. They partner with trusted suppliers with sustainability in mind and fresh butcher the fish daily for optimum flavour. Takeout (or order via food delivery apps) only. No sit in but there is a bench just outside the shop. No Vacancy: 74 Ossington Avenue. We can't get enough of this neighbourhood! Already known for its stellar cocktail program ranking number 14 on Canada's Best Bar list, No Vacancy is now making its name as a well respected kitchen as well! Chef Brian Kang (Don Alfonso 1890) brings together Korean flavours and Italian techniques in this exciting new menu. Definitely order the Spaghetti alle Vongole (clam, perilla, anchovy stock, pickled ramp). Blackpink fans may want to celebrate Lisa's upcoming TIFF film here! Pai Northern Thai: Celebrities seem to always be attracted to Chef Nuit Regular's cooking and we know why. Her authentic Thai cuisine and warm hospitality have consistently won over the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Casual and unpretentious. Favourite go-to dishes here at this Michelin-Guide restaurant include her Pad See Ew, Khao Soi, and her Plah Nua (Beef Salad) are incredible. NOBU : 25 Mercer Street. Located just a block south of TIFF Lightbox is this festival season hotspot for celebrity sightings, film parties, dinners, and gatherings. Stop in to celebrate the Festival with a post-screening cocktail. Order up the 'Red Carpet' signature cocktail with its own mini roll-up red carpet. Too cute! TRIED AND ALWAYS TRUE TIFF HOTEL HOTSPOTS Windsor Arms Hotel : 18 St. Thomas Street. The Icons of TIFF cocktails and Afternoon Tea will be a popular one this season! Celebrate where the Film Festival all began (yes, it was first located in the Yorkville area) with this delightful experience as the team here rolls out the red carpet for film lovers! Indulge in savoury and sweet offerings with TIFF inspired creations and nod to cinematic moments. Reservations for sure! Shangri-La Hotel: 188 University Avenue. Step into the Film Festival spotlight here at this hotspot at any time of day. The Lobby Lounge is the place to be for pre-show and post screening TIFF Signature Cocktails and bites. Enjoy their TIFF Afternoon Tea — a timely tradition inspired by movie going. Savoury and sweet offerings with a nod to nostalgic cinema. It's also a great place for star-spotting. Hungry for a more substantial meal? Make your reservations at BOSK. Fairmont Royal York: 100 Front Street West. Toast the Festival season with this hotel's popular spots, including the hidden Library Bar where every cocktail has a story to tell. Take in the bubblies and bites at CLOCKWORK. And be sure to stop by the cinematic lobby installation. The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto: 181 Wellington Street West. This property is high on the list of where to see and be seen, with three dining options on site. LANO café celebrates Northern Italy's cultural heritage with espresso drinks, coffee and quick, leisurely lunches. TOCA is their fine dining room featuring handcrafted Italian cuisine. EPOCH is a favourite for cocktails and delicious bites with indoor and outdoor seating. The St. Regis Toronto: 325 Bay Street. Located on the 31st floor is Louix Louis, with its spectacular view of the city, makes for a sophisticated option pre or post show. Take in Afternoon Tea at the Astor Lounge and don't miss their daily champagne sabre ritual. The Revery : 92 Peter Street. This hotel takes centre stage, where you can enjoy French inspired dining at Deauville Club. Muse Lobby Bar will also add cinematic flair through a sparkling cart and gourmet popcorn for filmgoers. Expect a curated collection of dining experiences and cocktails to celebrate Festival season.