Whether you gotta grab some grub in between rushing to films or if you want to Celebrity spot and have money to blow or just have time to kill between whatever you are doing at TIFF and just need to plunk your butt down and enjoy some amazing food. I'm most likely the latter. I'm giving you a variety of choices. Personally, if I had the budget and time, I would be hanging out in the great service, great food, great vibes, and beautiful spaces, but sometimes you just want a slice of pizza to go.
I did a little bit of roaming around on King Street to see what's new around the 3 main theatres for TIFF, the Royal Alexandra theatre, the Princess of Wales, and Roy Thompson Hall. Scotiabank Theatre is also not too far from my pics.
I had to extend the reach of restaurants this year because TIFF has a new Festival Market at the Metro Convention Centre and will also have a Red Carpet activation in Yorkville for the General Public.
I will start off the list with what's NEW this year and then I will add some other places nearby that a lot of Tiffers go to.
I listed the closest Tiff venue to the restaurant in case that's helpful.
NEW THIS YEAR
1. Thairoomgrand -303 King St. W. - It replaced the short-lived Same Same Thai restaurant
I went to their Happy Hour to get a quick bite before going to the TIFF lightbox.
I had the Spring Rolls, hot right out of the fryer, and really flavourful Chicken Satay. I loved the char and the spices.
2. Bar Romy - 295 Adelaide St. W. - this replaces the former Figo restaurant on the corner. This is close to Scotiabank and Tiff Lightbox, and the Princess of Wales. This is by the Ink Entertainment group who have lots of bars and restaurants in the city. They serve Italian food and have a patio. I haven't been yet, but it's at the top of my list of places to check out this year.
3. The Main Exchange - 220 King St. W. - Across from Roy Thompson Hall. There is a back patio, and this one is new this year. Good for casual pub eats.
4. Riley's Fish and Steak - 155 Wellington St. W. - Just behind Roy Thompson Hall
This one opened this past year. It's a very high-end restaurant, so if you want to be where the movers and shakers are, then this is probably the place for you. Or if you have expensive taste in food. This is the second restaurant for the Vancouver-based operation.
I know I took a photo before it opened, but I couldn't find it. If I splurge during TIFF, I will do an update.
5. Liberty Pizza - 247 Queen St. W. - This one is a bit further away, but if you are craving pizza when you are around Scotiabank and feel like going for a walk or jumping on a streetcar, then check it out. I haven't been yet. It's new to this location.
6. HIDDEN GEM! For a quick PIZZA slice tip, go to Quik Mart at Queen and John - 130 John St. They have delicious ready-made pizzas that just need to be warmed up, and they are really good on the way to Scotiabank.
I got this chicken wrap pizza thing. I really liked it a lot.
7. Blessings in Disguise - 150 John Street - This place was just about to open after TIFF last year.
I still haven't had a chance to get there, but it's right across the street from Scotiabank. A Bar & Bistro.
8. Everyside - #100 - 120 Adelaide St. W. - They opened last year. This is also close to Scotiabank Theatre. A restaurant/Bar with a nice variety of food and a Happy Hour, which is always nice. I don't have photos yet.
9. Kajiken - 214 Queen St. W. - this one is nice for me. Its first location in Toronto is around the corner from where I live, so I got to go just after they opened. It's still in its soft opening at the new Queen Street location, but the lineups are already around the block. This comes from a Japanese restaurant in California that was Michelin-recommended. Get the "dry" abura soba noodles. There are a bunch of different choices, and they add new specials all the time. Go on a cold day when you want to warm up and fill your belly. Be prepared for a lineup. I think this Queen St. location will stay popular because the Yonge St. one still has the odd lineup.
10. Japan Taco - 252 Queen St. W. On John Street entrance. This tiny place opened this past year. They were at lots of festivals over the past couple of years. This is one of my fav things around Queen Street. Sometimes I will pop over at lunch. My favourite is the Spicy Salmon. The crunch on these things is unbelievable, and they are made on the spot and so fresh. On the way to Scotiabank.
That's the Top 10.
In No Particular order or Category here are a bunch of other options.
Here are some other places you can keep on your radar. I haven't been yet, so I don't have photos, but this list is for me to remember when I am running around and have to find somewhere to eat.
- Kabanna Bar - 132 John Street - (Scotiabank) I can't remember if this is a new one or one I have been to, but it's around the corner from Scotiabank. It was a Milestone's way back. It's a beautiful space now. Great to go with a group for drinks and a nice dinner.
- Columbus Cafe - 283 Adelaide St. W. - quick coffee and bites (Scotiabank & Princess of Wales)
- Florin - 80 Richmond St. W. (Scotiabank) - Fairly new Italian Restaurant.
- Convivium - 83 Yonge Street- fancy, upscale restaurant, and if you are around Yonge Street on the way to the festival.
- Dineen Coffee- 200 King St. W. - coffee and quick bites, opened last year, at St. Andrew Stn. Limited hours.
- Esquire Restaurant- 566 Queen St. W., a bit further down on Queen. It just opened; good for your Greek Food Fix. (Scotiabank)
- Bar Butcher - 31 Bay Street- they call it elevated comfort. The power deal scene. On the way to a Market Screening.
- Divino - 46 Blue Jays Way- on the way to Metro Convention Centre - Pizzeria and bar.
- Gibbons Irish Pub - 26 Duncan St. - kind of easy to figure out this one. (Royal Alex and Princess of Wales)
- Hello Nori- 70 York St. and 648 King St. W.- Upscale Sushi and rolls- (Metro Convention Centre)
- Mizunara- 235 Adelaide St. W. - Contemporary - (Princess of Wales and Tiff Lightbox)
- Dear Darling- 612 Richmond St. W.- Cocktail bar and kitchen (Scotiabank)
- Vinny - 480 King St. W.- Variety of menu items (Tiff Lightbox)
- Hwaro- 332 Yonge Street- Korean BBQ- On the way downtown
- Petty Cash- 487 Adelaide St. W. - popular bar & kitchen (Scotiabank)
- Cassius - 624 King. St. W. - Italian with a Patio (Tiff lightbox)
- Greta Arcade Bar - 590 King St. W.- Global Street food (Tiff Lightbox)
- Silent H - 461 King St. W.- Modern Mexican - a Drake Fav. (Tiff Lightbox)
- Abrielle - 355 King St. W. - Mediterranean (in the Sutton Place Hotel) (Tiff Lightbox)
- Honeys Chinese on King - 600 King St. W, 3rd Floor- Pan Asian - Chinese Fusion- (TIFF Lightbox)
*****A special mention to PAI - 18 Duncan St. - A celebrity and local favourite. It's always hard to get a table but they have take-out. The owners Jeff and Nuit Regular are amazing.
There are so many restaurants in Toronto, most of them great, a few ok. I'm sure I missed a bunch of hidden gems. It all depends on how far you want to go in the area and your budget and time. If you stumble upon any amazing places that I didn't list, let me know. If you search my blog, you can see past lists. It changes a lot every year.
Let me know if you go to any of these places and if you enjoyed them.
Happy Tiffing!!📽🎞📽🎞📽
All photos are my own. Follow my Starving Foodie, Film Food Stuff, and Linda Matarasso accounts on Instagram for all the up-to-date things during the Festival.
