Where to eat, drink and party like a celebrity during TIFF
The return of the Toronto International Film Festival brings a boost to one of the city’s favourite pastimes: star-gazing. Here, 10 celeb-approved spots where you just might score a selfie
Ink Entertainment’s massive mid-century-inspired American restaurant is gearing up to be a celebratory hub for the 11-day festival. Things kick off with a celeb-studded opening party, followed by two more industry bashes. If you can snag a table in between the buyouts, expect a lavish dinner. This is the kind of establishment that fusses over the details, where even the humble baked potato is ready for prime time: a robust spud overflowing with emmental and gruyère, sprinkled with chives and finished with a generous dollop of Beluga caviar. But the real stars are the wood-fired grilled proteins, like a fat-cap-topped wagyu picanha that practically melts in your mouth. And even the pizzas play up the extravagance, with toppings like black truffles. 67 Richmond St. W., daphnetoronto.com
Since the first Nobu opened in 1994, this haute chain—with locations from Miami to Marrakech to Manila—has been a magnet for stars. Co-founded by Robert De Niro, the Japanese-Peruvian restaurant attracts A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Taylor Swift and Bradley Cooper. Within days of its first Canadian outpost opening, both Drake and Kyle Lowry were spotted there, proving that Nobu’s 56th location still shines bright. Toronto’s sleek multi-storey space, designed by Studio Munge, is cinematic perfection, featuring 30-foot black clay columns, a golden backlit bar and dramatic chainmail chandeliers inspired by kimono sleeves. Can’t snag a reservation at the main restaurant? No problem—head to Nobu Bar on the ground floor, where the menu is perfect for grazing: bite-size apps, sushi and mini versions of Nobu’s signature dishes, including the iconic black cod miso. 15 Mercer St., noburestaurants.com
Everyone loves a comeback story, and Aera’s is fit for the silver screen. During the pandemic, Oliver and Bonacini CEO Andrew Oliver hit rock bottom, shedding 125 pounds from stress. But, in true cinematic style, he decided to rewrite the script. The result was Aera, a dazzling 5,000-square-foot aerie perched 38 stories above the city, which ushered in a new era of Toronto dining. A symbol of post-pandemic culinary resurgence, Aera is a beacon of indulgence, dishing out 20th-century classics like oysters Rockefeller, shrimp cocktail and wedge salad alongside a steak program that would make any carnivore swoon. But it’s not just about nostalgia—modern Asian fusion plates like gold-flecked fully loaded maki and chili crisp–seasoned tuna tartare keep things fresh. With its newly opened 4,500-square-foot rooftop patio, Open Aera, this is the ultimate spot for star-gazing. 8 Spadina Ave, aerarestaurant.com
King West is where every weekend pulses with spring-break energy—despite some of the strip’s more, shall we say, mature revellers. Kissa, a maximalist Japanese listening bar, aims to woo those who have aged out of clubbing but are still seduced by nightlife. It’s Studio 54 meets Tokyo after-hours, with wood-panelled walls and mirrored ceilings that dangle disco ball chandeliers. The custom-built vintage sound system spins everything from motown and soul to Sade and Post Malone (who’s already hosted a party here). Nikkei- and izakaya-inspired plates are served alongside album-inspired cocktails, like the Catch a Fire (1973), a smoky mix of mezcal, Aperol and apricot liqueur served with a cinnamon stick stuffed with sage that’s smudged tableside. 619 King St. W., kissatoronto.com
The Ace Hotel’s buzzy, boisterous rooftop bar is nothing like the movie it’s named after (Canada’s earliest recorded feature film). Evangeline is a larger-than-life living room straight out of the ’70s, bookended by behemoth fireplaces and anchored by a patchwork of vibrant rugs. As the sun sets, golden light spills into the west-facing room—a cue for guests to snap the perfect selfie while sipping elegant cocktails, like a martini augmented with yellow Chartreuse and sage. Although drinks are the focus here, the food (overseen by Alo’s Michelin-starred chef Patrick Kriss) is excellent. The portions are petite—like a sweet little scallop crudo served on the halfshell—but deceptive, with big-for-their-size flavours. 51 Camden St., evangelinetoronto.com
Two years ago, this Parkdale pop-up had a Hollywood-calibre glow-up thanks to financing from Hanif Harji. Miss Likklemore’s permanent home on King West feels like an elegant beach house that just happens to have an extraordinary bar, stocked with 100-plus rums from around the world and hosting guests like Jully Black and Winnie Harlow. The menu skews Guyanese and Jamaican, with inspiration from neighbouring islands. The flavours are bold and the presentations impressive. Consider the whole smoked jerk chicken, made using a recipe passed down from chef Lonie Murdock’s grandmother and served with a smouldering bundle of thyme. On Fridays and Saturdays after 9 p.m., DJs spin reggae and R&B, and anyone wanting to dance off their dinner (or red carpet blunders) is welcome to do so. 433 King St. W., misslikklemores.com
Susur Lee, the Iron Chef turned TikTok phenom (six million followers tune in to watch him and his son Jet turn junk food into gourmet meals), is back behind the pass after a year-long hiatus. Lee reopened his eponymous restaurant two blocks north, in the brand new Waterworks Food Hall. The formula remains much the same: the food is still elevated Asian and French fusion, with many of Lee’s classics (char siu duck breast, cheeseburger spring rolls, Singapore slaw) on offer alongside exciting new dishes like lobster-and-shrimp orzo pad thai. There’s now just a bit more pomp to everything. 497 Richmond St. W., leerestaurant.com
There’s no lead star in this kitchen. Instead, it’s helmed by a team of supporting actors, each specializing in a regional cooking style. Most have Michelin-star training—and it shows. Standouts include tandoor-cooked lamb chops served in a smoke-filled cloche as well as the Rani Kachori, an oversized puri filled with mixed sprouts and covered in an eye-poppingly pink yogurt chutney, dotted with microgreens, pomegranate seeds and edible petals. For a side dish, it’s a real scene stealer. 138 Avenue Rd., adrakyorkville.ca
Fans of The Wolf of Wall Street or The Big Short will likely give dinner at this swish steakhouse—located in the former Toronto Stock Exchange—two thumbs up. Taking up two storeys and 9,000 square feet, the opulent space, complete with a ceiling gilded in 24-karat gold, was a roughly $10-million buildout. The pièce de résistance: a backlit, Himalayan salt–lined aging room displaying top cuts of Kobe, Japanese A5 Wagyu and Canadian Prime beef. (The salt is said to accelerate the aging process, yielding ultra-flavourful steaks.) For a Jordan Belfort–calibre splurge, get the $450 deluxe seafood tower: a three-tier display of molluscs (raw oysters, marinated mussels and clams), colossal shrimp, Dungeness and king crab, Atlantic lobster, and top-of-the-line sushi. 130 King St. W., blackandbluesteakhouse.ca
Michelle Yeoh and Simu Liu are big fans of Seng Luong and Jason Jiang, whose Sabai Sabai sister bar dives deep into their own Lao roots. The kitchen here uses chilies and herbs in abundance, creating made-for-sharing plates like nam khao, a salad made with fried and crumbled rice croquettes tossed with preserved pork and lime. Marigolds, the flower used in devotional offerings at Lao temples, festoon the bar. Every night at Lao Lao feels like a celebration, and it’s all thanks to Jiang, who loves throwing epic shindigs and can read the pulse of the room like a professional party host. 5 St. Joseph St., laolaobar.com
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