The Toronto International Film Festival is almost here, which means the city is about to transform into one big celebration of movies, celebrities, parties, and, of course, plenty of good food and drinks.
Although there is a lot to know about TIFF 2026, sometimes you just want to know where everything is going down.
We’re talking restaurants serving festival-inspired menus and cocktails to nightlife spots and celebrity hangouts. Keep your eyes peeled for the opportunity to catch a star passing by. You never know who you’ll see!
We’ve rounded up some of the spots worth having on your radar.
TIFF hotspots across the city
Where can I go to eat?
As stated in our last guide, King Street is full of wonderful spots to eat and drink at during TIFF. You can pop by (or make a reservation, which we highly recommend) at one of the local restaurants in the area.
Hey Lucy, Minami, Pai, and Miss Likklemores are delicious eats you have to check out. But if you’re looking for a more TIFF-themed experience, these restaurants are offering star-studded dishes:
- Primadonna: The Main Character, a three-course TIFF menu featuring Spicy Shrimp Vodka Rigatoni, Chicken Cotoletta, Lemon Berry Pavlova and Aperol Spritz Cake, alongside the La Première cocktail.
- Astor Lounge: TIFF-Inspired Afternoon Tea at The St. Regis tradition returns, featuring Egg and Caviar, King Crab, and playful film-inspired sweets including the Popcorn Box.
- Louix Louis: Expect a TIFF take on the iconic King’s Cake: 13 layers of classic red velvet finished with silky vanilla buttercream.
- Shangri-La Toronto: Enjoy a limited-edition TIFF Afternoon Tea inspired by the “timeless tradition of movie-going.” It features Savour the Popcorn-ette, Movie Play Tartare, Tostada Sandwich, and Umami Showstopper, followed by Shangri-La Signature and Peanut Butter & Pretzel Scones, served with Devonshire Cream and Crab Apple & Cider Jam. Sweet finales include Caramel Corn, Maple Bacon Donut, Peanut, Orange Cream, and Churro, paired with premium loose-leaf teas and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or a signature mocktail.
- Chotto Matte: Book a reso for the Golden Ticket Steak & Sushi Experience. It’s a surf-and-turf-inspired eight-dish menu of premium steak and their signature sushi. It’s all accompanied by a complimentary glass of wine.
- Café Boulud: Executive Chef William Kresky has put together a five-course tasting menu for TIFF. It features a dedicated caviar course and Japanese A5 Wagyu as the main event.
Where to drink
You can’t enjoy a mouth-watering meal without a noteworthy cocktail. Thankfully, a number of establishments around the city have whipped up stellar cocktails to enjoy, some of which are probably more appealing to those in a higher tax bracket.
- Bar Romy:
- Popcorn Colada – served in a movie-theatre popcorn bucket.
- Opening Night – tequila, Amaretto, strawberry juice, lemon, black salt;
- Red Carpet – Vodka, Galliano Vanilla, cherry purée, lemon, grapefruit, Cava, foamer, topped with cotton candy.
- Vinny Restaurant & Vinyl Bar
- Life’s a Peach, inspired by the movie theatre favourite Fuzzy Peaches. Composed of whisky, peach liqueur, peach syrup, Aperol, lemon, egg white, and a peach ring.
- Animl Steakhouse & Cocktail Den:
- Midnight Martini, made with peanut butter vodka, cacao, coffee liqueur and Reese’s Peanut Butter Puffs cereal milk, a playful nod to TIFF’s midnight screenings.
- Honey: More Than Chinese:
- The Star Treatment – a perfectly dirty martini served with caviar on the side.
- d|bar:
- $1,000 “Final Cut XO Sazerac” – available just once each evening after 4 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The experience also includes chauffeured transportation to the guest’s next downtown destination in the hotel’s new Rolls-Royce house car (subject to availability), creating a true VIP Festival moment.
- Nobu:
- Red Carpet – Roku Gin infused with hojicha tea is blended with Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, cherry, and lime, then milk-clarified, served over a king cube and garnished with berry fruit leather resembling a miniature red carpet.
- Gladstone House, Cassette:
- Final Cut – a TIFF-inspired cocktail featuring Earl Grey-infused gin, alpine liquor, maraschino, and fresh lime.
- The Broadview Hotel, Archie’s:
- Always LaLisa – made with Cointreau, Malibu Rum, lychee liquor, and grapefruit soda.
- Shangri-La Toronto:
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24 Karrot – Don Julio Blanco, Arkavit, Orange Liqueur, Carrot, Blood Orange, Ginger
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The 20th Take – Don Julio Reposado, Orange Liqueur, Cocchi Americano, Chocolate, Blackcurrant Tea, Lemon, Coconut (clarified)
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Caught On Camera – Redbreast 12 Year, mint-infused Bianco Vermouth, Blueberry, lemon, egg white, and Absinthe spray
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The Afterparty – Don Julio Blanco, mezcal, pink peppercorn, Grapefruit Liqueur, Lime, Grapefruit-Luxardo Maraschino Foam
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Feature Film – Redbreast 12 Year, Strawberry Campari, Cocchi Rosa, Coconut-washed
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35 mm – Popcorn-infused Redbreast 12 Year, Gentian liqueur, Sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters
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Unseen Cut – choice of base: Don Julio 1942 or Redbreast 15 Year, honey, Italian aperitif, smoked
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- Flora Lounge, 1 Hotel Toronto:
- 1942 Starlight Paloma, an official TIFF cocktail by Don Julio Tequila. Don Julio 1942, salted grapefruit juice and agave.
- Maxime’s Restaurant:
- The After Party: vodka, blueberry-infused Cointreau, lemon $22
- The Director’s Cut: gin, Lillet Blanc, Cocchi Americano Bianco $23
- Deauville Club:
- Toronto mixologist Cayden Kim will bring his signature approach to Deauville for a special TIFF bar takeover. Featured drinks include:
- Ginza Fashioned: Toki Whiskey, Shiso, Choya Umeshu, Yuzu
- Peachtom: Roku Gin, RinQuinQiun, Icewine, Cherry Tomato, Yuzu Cordial
- Toronto mixologist Cayden Kim will bring his signature approach to Deauville for a special TIFF bar takeover. Featured drinks include:
Where to party/TIFF experiences
Of course, King Street will always be popping – especially during TIFF. There are a number of spots we could recommend, but if you really want to party like a celebrity, these hotspots in the city are worth checking out:
- Aitch — 461 King St. W
- Discreta — 18 Portland St.
- Lavelle — 627 King St. W, 16th Floor
- Mademoiselle — 563 King St. W
- Mister C — 80 Blue Jays Way, inside Bisha Hotel
- Paris Texas — 461 King St. W, Unit A
- Powder Room — 129 Yorkville Ave., 2nd Floor
- Reservoir Lounge — 52 Wellington St. E
- The Drake Hotel — 1150 Queen St. W
- The Hollywood Reporter Green Room presented by Don Julio Tequila at Flora Lounge, 1 Hotel Toronto — 550 Wellington St. W (runs Sept. 11–20, 2026)
- Vinny — 480 King St. W
Where to spot celebrities
The city will be buzzing with celebrities and people who want to see them. Fans will flock to premieres and screenings, hoping to catch even a glimpse of their favourite stars. But if you want to play it cool and prove you’re not like any other fan, you might spot them at some of these spots during TIFF:
- Nobu Restaurant Toronto
- A number of film studio buyouts and premiere parties will be hosted here. In the past, celebrities like Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, Kiernan Shipka, Anderson .Paak, Jacob Elordi, Pharrell Williams and Martha Stewart have been spotted here.
- Don Alfonso 1890
- According to the restaurant, it’s a primary celebrity-spotting destination during TIFF. “With its refined atmosphere, impeccable service, and chef-driven cuisine, it’s the go-to choice for distinguished guests and industry tastemakers,” shares the restaurant.
- CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails
- Great after-hours spot for festival glamour. Sip on an exclusive selection of Moët & Chandon and keep an eye out for some of TIFF’s biggest names passing through the hotel.
- Deadline Portrait Studio at BISHA Hotel Toronto
- BISHA Hotel will once again be the epicenter of TIFF magic. It will host the Deadline Portrait Studio and, like last year, welcome a steady stream of celebrity guests throughout the festival.
- The House of BISHA
- One of last year’s favourites, the hotel will transform into a dazzling hub of celebrity sightings, media moments, and cinematic glamour. Guests and onlookers can enjoy a complimentary pop-up popcorn station while soaking it all in.
- Campari Cinema Center
- The Campari Cinema Center is making its comeback – this time at Cassius on King Street. It will serve as TIFF’s premier hospitality hub.
- It’ll host the Collider press junket by day and THE after-party spot for celebs at night.
- The RBC Red Carpet Gallery
- Located at David Pecaut Square, along the Roy Thomson Hall red carpet, the activation gives Avion Rewards Elite, Premium and Select members prime access to watch stars step out for their Gala premieres. Avion Rewards Elite and Premium members can reserve their spot in advance at https://rbctiff.com/ – registration is first-come, first-served and space is limited. Avion Rewards Select members and the general public can join via a same-day rush line, subject to available capacity.
TIFF is marking 51 years in the industry, and like every year, it’s going to be a memorable one. It’s starting Thursday, Sept. 10, to Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
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Karen Doradea
Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.
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