The Best Places to eat at TIFF17

With the constant change happening in Toronto and all of the restaurants that come and go and even changes to how the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) organizes their festival it has made creating this list change every year.  I am always happy to discover new great places to eat but there are a few places that just become go to places year after year.   This time I will classify my list in a new way adding *New* this year and I will only list places I would eat at from $ - $$$.  Sometimes you don't have time and want something fast and cheap and sometimes you have time to kill between films and are in need of some solid food so I will list my best bets for both.

Starving Foodie's Guide to the BEST EATS at TIFF17

Bell Tiff Lightbox - 350 King Street West

A&W Restaurant - 8 Mercer Street  

You just want some cheap and fast burgers and fries this is your best bet.

Luma or Canteen in the Bell Tiff Lightbox - 350 King St. W.  

Conveniently located in the Lightbox and near the Princess of Wales theatre great when you have time to go far between films.

Montecito - 328 Wellington St. W. 

This place is a hidden Industry secret.  Owned by great filmmaker Ivan Reitman. It’s on the high end but the food is pure quality comfort food.

Calii Love – 367 King St. West

You will probably find me here a lot during Tiff.  I love Poke Bowls for quick and light fare that will keep me running up those Roy Thompson Hall stairs.

Elgin and Winter Carden Theatre - 189 Yonge Street

Richmond Station - 1 Richmond St. West 

Top Chef winner Carl Heinrich makes his signature double beef burgers and their pastry chef is legendary.

The Chase - 10 Temperance Street

The Chase has a fantastic roof-top patio and sister shop Little Fin will be turned into a Planta take-out location soon.

*New - Sud Forno

I fell in love when I walked in the first time.  You can take-out or eat in.  It’s their second location and it’s glorious.  Salads, sandwiches, pizza, hot table items and Italian pastries.  

Carbon Bar - 99 Queen St E.

Need a great drink and some BBQ then this is the place. In the former City TV building the space is open and lush and the food is filling and fantastic.

*New - Saks Food Hall by Pusateri's - 176 Yonge Street

My stop for the best roast beef sandwich by the inch and whatever you crave to go.

Glenn Gould Studio at CBC - 250 Front Street West

Wahlbergers - 46 Blue Jays Way 

Owned by brothers Donny, Mark and Paul Wahlberg.  
Their own Burgers etc

*New – Kellys Landing – 123 Front Street West. 

It opened recently and I have already been there twice, once for a preview and went back for their light and flavourful Tuna Poke, it’s mostly tuna and fresh.

* New - Mascot Brewery – 31 Mercer Street

Rooftop Patio with their own beer and great variety in their Pub style menu. Get the Mascot Burger.

Jackman Hall, AGO - 317 Dundas Street West

Mean Bao - Village by the Grange Food Court  

Cheap, fast Bao's and dumplings

Provo Food Bar - 308 Dundas St. W.

Gourmet Casual dining and the food is really good too.

Frank - 317 Dundas Street West in the AGO

I have had food from the AGO catering at events and it's pretty good.

Scotiabank Theatre - 259 Richmond Street West

* New - Ricarda’s - 134 Peter St.

Mediterranean Restaurant and Bakery.

Carver Eatery - 101 Peter St.  

This place is a tiny hidden gem with the best award winning slow roasted sandwich take-out. 

Thoroughbred 304 Richmond St. W.

A place to chill with some interesting food and a drink.

*New - KIIN (former Khao San Road) - 326 Adelaide St. W.
Chef Nuit took Thai up another level for KIIN.

Princess of Wales Theatre - 300 King Street West

PAI - 18 Duncan St.

Great Thai food.  It's a busy place but it's the real deal.  They have a tiny patio.

Figo - 295 Adelaide St. W.

Close to the Princess of Wales and Lightbox theatres.  Great classic Italian Food and they have a patio too.  
Get the Zucchini Fritti

*New - KIIN (former Khao San Road) - 326 Adelaide St. W.

It will be busy so try and avoid peak times.  
Popular with foodies in the know.

Roy Thompson Hall - 60 Simcoe Street

Ritz Carlton - DEQ - 181 Wellington St.W.

This is where my Entourage team congregates to on long weekend shifts for a break between films or after a film.  Great patio and the Parmesan fries are great.

Elephant & Castle - 212 King St. West

This is where my Entourage team goes when we are hungry because it's comfort food that fills you up and you can get a beer too.  The menu has changed but the food is still great. You can get Jalapeno Mac and Cheese with Chicken or Shrimp.  It's fantastic and the perfect amount.  

Los Colibris /El Cabalito - 220 King St. West

Tacos, they got Tacos and guacamole and Los Colibris has upscale Mexican food.  They have a rooftop patio but be warned the music is really loud.

Ryerson  - 43 Gerrard St. E.

Banh Mi Boys - 399 Yonge Street

Fast, cheap and great.  My fav is the Fried Chicken Banh Mi sandwich.

Salad King -340 Yonge Street

Ryerson students may be everywhere. Always packed. You can eat in communal style or take out. 

Hot Star Fried Chicken – 374 Yonge Street

Very popular with the young Asian crowd.  If you want hand held pounded fried chicken this is the place for you.  They just opened their 2^nd location in North York.