It’s already September, which means TIFF is about to take over Toronto!
Starting this Thursday, the city will once again transform into the ultimate star-studded hub when the 51st Toronto International Film Festival takes over from September 10 to 20, 2026.
Whether you are hunting for an A-lister taking a post-premiere bite or hoping to catch a red-carpet wave, here are some of the best places to eat, drink, and even spot a celebrity during the festival.
Located right in the Entertainment District, BISHA serves as an unofficial headquarters for press junkets, cast parties, and VIP stays, hosting the Deadline Portrait Studio from September 10–13. As part of The House of BISHA, the hotel will welcome a steady stream of movie stars for exclusive portrait sessions, giving fans and passersby plenty of opportunities for celebrity sightings.
The Campari Cinema Center returns to Toronto this TIFF, taking over Cassius on King Street as a major hub for press events, celebrity receptions and exclusive after-parties from September 11–15. For the public, Cassius will also host late-night After Dark Cinema Center parties on September 11 and 12, featuring DJs, dancing and potential celebrity appearances.
The Rogers Red Carpet is transforming Yorkville Avenue into a free, immersive TIFF destination from September 10–13, with live performances from artists including Our Lady Peace, Kid Koala and Jeremie Albino, plus open-air screenings of TIFF films and past People’s Choice Award winners.
One Restaurant at the Hazelton Hotel is the undisputed crown jewel of TIFF celebrity sightings. Tucked away in Yorkville, chef Mark McEwan’s patio and cozy dining room attract Hollywood royalty, film executives, and media elite for late-night cocktails and high-powered lunches.
Located a stone’s throw from the festival frenzy, The Ritz-Carlton is offering curated cinematic cocktails at EPOCH Bar & Kitchen Terrace, lavish wine pairings at TOCA, and red-carpet-ready pampering at Spa myBlend for anyone needing a breather from the party circuit.
From September 10 to 13, King Street West shuts down to vehicle traffic and turns into a massive pedestrian playground for the return of TIFF Festival Street. You don’t need a ticket to soak in the atmosphere, check out live performances, and stand along the public fan zones where stars arrive for premieres.
Directly outside Roy Thomson Hall, David Pecaut Square hosts some of the festival’s largest red-carpet arrivals, as well as three fan zones on David Pecaut Square: the TIFF Fan Zone South, Rogers Fan Zone, and RBC Red Carpet Gallery. Arrive 1.5 to 2 hours before major gala screenings to secure a spot along the fan barricades for autographs and selfies.
Le Germain Hôtel Toronto Mercer is hosting one of the festival’s most exclusive happenings. From September 14 to 17, its restaurant PUNCH will play home to CineDine by Redbreast Whiskey, an ultra-private supper club with cocktail receptions and cast celebrations, including after-parties for films like Bunker with Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem and Hombre al Agua, plus the Creative Coalition Spotlight Awards Dinner with stars including Cole Sprouse, Sting, Antonio Banderas and Forest Whitaker.
Powder Room is Toronto’s newest hidden cocktail lounge and has quickly become a celebrity favourite, with past guests including Nick Jonas, Leon Thomas and Niall Horan. During TIFF, the venue will serve exclusive cocktails and bites, including the Campari-based Rotten Tomatoes and Red Carpet Tater Tots topped with caviar. Liberty Entertainment Group will also be hosting TIFF’s opening night party and VIP afterparty at Powder Room, making the hidden cocktail lounge one of the city’s key celebrity hotspots during the festival.
The Drake has long been a cornerstone of Toronto’s creative scene and a favourite among musicians, artists, designers and tastemakers. A West Queen West institution, the boutique hotel is known as a hub for art, music, food and culture, with 51 individually designed rooms featuring curated artwork, custom details and signature Drake touches, making it a stylish home base for visiting creatives and potential celebrity sightings during TIFF.
Reservoir Lounge is a longtime Toronto live music institution and a great spot to keep in mind during TIFF. Open since 1997, the New York-inspired jazz club has become a beloved destination for live music, drinks and late nights, with a history of supporting homegrown talent like Michael Bublé and Jeff Healey. The venue has also welcomed notable guests including Drake, Prince, Tom Jones and Queen Latifah, making it a potential celebrity-spotting destination during the festival.
Blue Bovine Steak + Sushi House is an official hospitality partner of TIFF 2026 and will host the exclusive Rogers TIFF Gala VIP reception during opening weekend. Located inside Union Station, the upscale restaurant will welcome celebrities, filmmakers and industry insiders for an invitation-only cocktail soirée following the festival’s gala screenings.
Toronto’s iconic Fairmont Royal York is embracing TIFF season with a series of cinematic experiences throughout September. From a glamorous gold-accented red carpet at the entrance to Moët & Chandon and shareable bites at CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails, the hotel is designed for soaking up festival buzz and spotting TIFF stars. At REIGN Restaurant, a limited-time $130 prix fixe menu runs September 10–20, featuring decadent dishes inspired by Hollywood.
Unlike the white-glove fine dining options, PAI has earned a reputation as one of TIFF’s most famous “casual” star magnets. Located on Duncan Street just steps from King Street red carpets, Chef Nuit Regular’s Michelin-recommended eatery serves authentic Northern Thai comfort food. Stars regularly drop in for its signature Khao Soi or Pad Gra Prow.
The Four Seasons Yorkville acts as an unofficial command center for A-list talent staying uptown, and here, Luxury knows no bounds. The 5-Star luxury hotel is debuting a jaw-dropping $1,000 Final Cut XO Sazerac cocktail at d|bar, complete with chauffeured house car service. Guests can also indulge in a 5-course tasting menu at Café Boulud, order high-end “tuxedo popcorn” room service, or shop a curated collection of rare vintage designer handbags from Zero Collective.
Tucked away on Portland Street just off King West, Maxime’s offers an intimate setting for TIFF festivities. Its hidden patio is a great place to enjoy a festival-inspired cocktail while potentially spotting celebrities seeking a low-key escape from the spotlight.
Adjacent to University Avenue, Soho House is a private members’ club that hosts many of the festival’s official studio parties and cast dinners. While general entry requires a membership or a guest invitation, standing near Bishops Block offers reliable sightings as stars enter.
A premier destination for studio buyouts and private premiere celebrations, Nobu remains an essential stop on the festival circuit. Located steps from key screening venues, it draws A-listers for signature black cod miso, yellowtail jalapeño, and high-stakes networking dinners.
Just steps from TIFF Lightbox, the Shangri-La Toronto is getting into the festival spirit as an official TIFF hospitality partner. Alongside hosting TIFF’s invitation-only pre-opening cocktail, the hotel is offering a lineup of film-inspired experiences, including private screenings with elevated dining, a TIFF-themed Sunday roast, movie-inspired cocktails, and a nostalgic cinema snack-inspired afternoon tea.
Over at The Broadview Hotel, Archie’s is celebrating TIFF with the Always LaLisa cocktail, made with Cointreau, Malibu Rum, lychee liqueur and grapefruit soda. The restaurant is also serving up a TIFF Burger featuring two all-beef patties, fried onions, Thousand Island sauce and pickles on a Martin’s potato bun.
If you’re looking to fuel up between TIFF festivities, Chotto Matte Toronto is a perfect choice, especially for a destination near screenings at TIFF Lightbox. Whether you’re grabbing the restaurant’s prix-fixe lunch before a matinee or settling in for an à la carte dinner after a premiere, the menu features Japanese-Peruvian favourites ranging from sashimi and ceviche to robata-grilled wagyu steak.
Perched on the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle, this Michelin-starred gem offers breathtaking waterfront views alongside an inventive new cocktail menu inspired by Italian hand gestures, attracting A-list celebrities and international talent looking for exceptional dining.
As an official TIFF hospitality partner, the Park Hyatt Toronto is getting into the festival spirit with a lineup of film-inspired experiences across the hotel. Guests can slip in a 30-minute TIFF Express Treatment between screenings, while Joni and Writers Room will be pouring limited-edition cocktails throughout the festival. From September 10 to 20, Joni will also channel the glamour of old Hollywood with live jazz and swing performances.
Situated inside the Bisha Hotel, home to official portrait studios and festival events, Akira Back serves modern Japanese cuisine with Korean influences. Its proximity to red carpets makes it an easy pitstop for actors grabbing a meal between media rounds.
Steeped in classic Hollywood lore, the Windsor Arms Hotel has hosted legends like Elizabeth Taylor and Harrison Ford. This year, they’re celebrating with The Icons of TIFF, an exclusive afternoon tea and cocktail series running through September 20 featuring drinks and pastries inspired by silver-screen classics like Black Swan and La La Land.
Surrounded by thousands of lush plants and warm wood finishes, 1 Hotel’s Flora Lounge is an eco-luxury sanctuary that will transform into festival central as the home base for The Hollywood Reporter studio. Between grand piano performances, you’ll have a front-row view of stars heading to their next interview.
Gladstone House is getting into the TIFF spirit with a festival-inspired cocktail at Cassette. The Final Cut combines Earl Grey-infused gin, alpine liquor, maraschino and fresh lime for a cinematic twist.
A long-standing TIFF institution, Sotto Sotto has catered to Hollywood royalty for decades. Famous for its traditional Italian pastas and intimate, subterranean-style atmosphere, it provides stars with a cozy, low-profile getaway from the festival noise.
