Where to Eat and Drink During TIFF
Your guide to dinner, drinks and TIFF Double Features.
Lights, camera, appetite! The Toronto International Film Festival is back from Sept 10–20, bringing 11 days of world-class cinema, red carpets, star-studded soirées and plenty of reasons to make a night of it.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite between screenings, settling in for dinner before a premiere, or sipping something late-night, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to eat and drink near the heart of the festival action.
And because every great movie deserves a Double Feature, select O&B restaurants are serving up limited-time martini and snack pairings throughout TIFF. When the credits roll, keep the night going at The Well After Dark, with late-night drinks, bites and DJ sets Thursday through Saturday.
Luma
A key hub of the festival is the iconic TIFF Lightbox, which just so happens to be the home of Luma! Nestled on the second floor, Luma’s dreamy dining room is perfect for a pre-dinner show starring fresh seafood, quality meats, and seasonal vegetables. It also features a warm and cozy lounge that overlooks King Street West. Cocktails and an aerial view of all the TIFF action? Count us in!
Please note: Luma will be walk-in only Sept 10–14. Happy Hour will be paused for the duration of TIFF (Sept 10–20).
Canteen
Located on the street level of TIFF Lightbox, Canteen puts you right in the heart of the festival action with casual, fresh fare and a wrap-around patio overlooking one of the city’s buzziest corners.
Short on time between screenings? From Sept 10–20, Canteen’s Grab & Go menu makes it easy to fuel up with freshly baked pastries, breakfast cups, salads, bowls, sandwiches and wraps. For a sit-down meal, the Show Time Prix Fixe offers two courses for $38 or three courses for $48, perfect before a screening or whenever you need a break from the festival buzz.
Please note: Canteen will be walk-in only Sept 10–14. Happy Hour and Bin Ends will be paused for the duration of TIFF (Sept 10–20).
La Plume
A Southern French-inspired bistro at The Well, La Plume serves coastal French fare in a charming, lively setting just a 13-minute walk from TIFF Lightbox. Stop in for a pre-premiere meal, Happy Hour on the Wellington Street patio or a TIFF-inspired sip and snack. Sticking around after the show? La Plume keeps the night going with The Well After Dark, Thursday through Saturday from 9pm until late.
TIFF Double Feature Martini & Snack Combo| $25
La La Lychee
smirnoff vodka, soho lychee, noa lychee syrup
Mia’s Frites
truffle frites, truffle aïoli, Parmigiano-Reggiano
The Dorset
Neighbouring La Plume at The Well, The Dorset brings British comfort food and seaside flair to downtown Toronto. Stop in for a casual lunch, pre-premiere dinner or Happy Hour, or make a night of it with their TIFF Double Feature. Keep the night going with The Well After Dark at The Dorset, featuring late-night drinks, bites and DJ sets Thursday through Saturday.
TIFF Double Feature Martini & Snack Combo | $30
No Time to Dry
Plymouth English gin, Lillet Blanc, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Tío Pepe, bergamot and citrus bitters
Albacore Tuna Toast
whipped lardo, green olive, lemon pepper, fennel
Aera
Take your TIFF experience to new heights at Aera, perched on the 38th floor of The Well with sweeping views of Toronto’s skyline. Just off Spadina and close to the festival action, settle in for sushi, steaks, creative cocktails and Happy Hour, or make a night of it and stay for the late-night energy with The Well After Dark at Aera from 10pm Thursday through Saturday.
Canoe
If glitz, glamour and red-carpet premieres are on your TIFF agenda, reserve a table at Canoe. Perched 54 floors above the city, the iconic restaurant pairs contemporary Canadian cuisine with sweeping Toronto views.
For TIFF, sip on Risky Business ($24), a playful nod to the iconic film, featuring Grey Goose Le Citron vodka, crème de pêche, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, lemon, orange and cranberry.
The Rabbit Hole
Just east of TIFF’s Festival Street, The Rabbit Hole is a whimsical gastropub serving bold British flavours in the heart of the Financial District. Settle into the dining room or three-level garden terrace for elevated pub fare, Happy Hour and a TIFF Double Feature.
TIFF Double Feature Martini & Snack Combo | $34
One Lychee After Another
Smirnoff vodka, Soho lychee liqueur, lychee, lemon
Calamari
green sauce, spicy aïoli
Jump
Find a moment away from the film frenzy at Jump, a longtime Financial District favourite known for its soaring glass atrium, hidden courtyard patio and bustling wrap-around bar. Settle in for fresh, flavourful fare and spirit-forward cocktails, and Happy Hour before or after the show.
TIFF Double Feature Martini & Snack Combo | $20
Misty Green Martini
classic dirty martini with your choice of vodka or gin, dry vermouth, olive brine
Truffle Popcorn
Grana Padano, thyme
Biff’s Bistro
Bring a little French flair to your TIFF plans at Biff’s Bistro. This downtown favourite serves up classic French bistro fare, cocktails and wine in a warm, lively setting, perfect for a pre-show meal, post-screening stop or a round of Happy Hour.
TIFF Double Feature Martini & Snack Combo | $25
Paul Giamartini
olive-oil-washed Ketel One vodka, Lustau Amontillado sherry, Dolin Dry Vermouth, tomato water
Rösti Potatoes
crispy potato bites, green goddess dressing, Parmigiano-Reggiano
Ceci Bar
Make Ceci Bar part of your TIFF lineup with bold Mexican-inspired flavours, shareable plates and playful cocktails in a lively setting. Settle in for a meal, grab a seat on the patio or take advantage of Happy Hour Tuesday through Saturday.
TIFF Double Feature Martini & Snack Combo | $18
All That She Wants… Is a Smoky Señorita
mezcal, Aperol, crème de cassis, Angostura bitters, pineapple, lime, strawberry, olive brine
Ceci Popcorn
Morita, chipotle, cheesy powder
The Joneses
Head to Yonge and Wellington for The Joneses’ playful take on classic dining, with steaks, seafood, comfort-driven favourites and cocktails served in a stylish, retro-inspired setting. Stop in for lunch or dinner, grab a seat on the patio or take advantage of Happy Hour Monday through Saturday.
TIFF Double Feature Martini & Snack Combo | $20
Vesper 007
Local Spirit Vodka, Local Spirit Gin, Lillet Blanc, lemon twist
Always shaken, never stirred.
Truffle Parm Fries
garlic aïoli
Bridgette Bar
At The Well, our partner restaurant, Bridgette Bar, pairs shareable plates, wood-fired pizzas and creative cocktails with a lively, design-forward setting. Stop in for Matinée Happy Hour from 3–6pm daily, or stay late for The Well After Dark Thursday through Saturday.
TIFF Double Feature Martini & Snack Combo | $20
All About Corinne
vodka, Calvados, jasmine, vanilla, lemon, Pernod
Frites d’Aubergine
green harissa yogurt
Lulu Bar Toronto
For fresh, Pacific-inspired flavours, head to our partner restaurant, Lulu Bar at The Well. Stop in for Honolulu Happy Hour, or keep the night going with The Well After Dark Thursday through Saturday.
TIFF Double Feature Martini & Snack Combo | $24
An Olive Story
Thai basil olive oil-washed gin, vodka, Lillet
Steamed Edamame
toasted sesame, wasabi dressing
However you do TIFF, make great food and drinks part of the lineup. From pre-show dinners and Double Features to post-premiere cocktails and late nights, join us in the heart of the action and make the most of festival season in Toronto.
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