During TIFF, These 8 Toronto Spots Are Crowded With Celebrities
Red-carpet galas and premieres may be the main attractions at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), but some of the 11-day cinematic celebration’s most memorable moments happen off-screen: at the restaurants, bars and hotels where celebrities eat, drink and unwind.
For locals and visitors alike, TIFF offers a rare chance to stargaze in settings that feel distinctly Toronto. Some prefer the luxury and privacy of hotel lounges where cocktails flow late into the night. Others make appearances at Yorkville’s high-end restaurants, turning patios into makeshift photo-ops. And every year, a few surprises surface.
Ahead of TIFF’s much-hyped 50th edition, we look back at impromptu celebrity encounters and sightings in the unofficial TIFF venues that add a unique sparkle to the festival.
Tilda Swinton @ Abrielle
Abrielle
Photo by Maya Visnyei, courtesy of Abrielle.
Abrielle
Photo by Maya Visnyei, courtesy of Abrielle.
Abrielle
Photo by Maya Visnyei, courtesy of Abrielle.
Abrielle
Photo by Maya Visnyei, courtesy of Abrielle.
Abrielle
Photo by Maya Visnyei, courtesy of Abrielle.
Abrielle
Photo by Maya Visnyei, courtesy of Abrielle.
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During the 2024 festival, this two-year-old Mediterranean-inspired restaurant inside the revived Sutton Place Hotel hosted a “TIFF Flashback” exhibit featuring iconic Hollywood portraits, including shots of Brad Pitt and Hilary Swank.
It was during this time that Executive Chef Andrés Felipe Jaramillo met Tilda Swinton, who was in town for the North American premiere of Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door: “We had one of our busiest nights — a packed Saturday full of energy and excitement,” Jaramillo recalls. “Amid the rush, Tilda Swinton walked past our pass and immediately stopped. Her eyes landed on a special I was preparing that evening: a scallop served in its shell with beurre blanc and caviar.
“She leaned over and asked me, ‘Oh my God, what is that? That looks incredible.’ I explained that it was our special for the night, and she smiled with genuine curiosity. Later, as soon as she sat down at her table, she ordered eight plates of scallops for everyone to share.”
Julianne Moore @ BISHA
BISHA
Photo courtesy of BISHA.
BISHA
Photo courtesy of BISHA.
BISHA
Photo courtesy of BISHA.
BISHA
Photo courtesy of BISHA.
BISHA
Photo courtesy of BISHA.
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Speaking of The Room Next Door, it made headlines when Julianne Moore greeted cheering fans outside the BISHA hotel, where a stylish boutique vibe, combined with dramatic skyline views and a central King West location, have created a TIFF accommodations staple.
“While we never disclose who stays with us (guest privacy is our top priority), last year BISHA had the honour of welcoming a dazzling lineup of celebrities who stopped by the hotel to have their portraits taken at the Deadline Portrait Studio, hosted inside our lavish presidential suite designed by Lenny Kravitz Design,” recalls general Manager Aaron Harrison. “One of the most exciting moments for our team was opening car doors out front, never knowing who might step out until you were suddenly face-to-face with A-list talent and the flash of cameras. We had the pleasure of welcoming icons like Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Julianne Moore, Sydney Sweeney, and many more through our doors.”
Ben Affleck @ ONE Restaurant
ONE Restaurant
Photo courtesy of ONE Restaurant.
ONE Restaurant
Photo courtesy of ONE Restaurant.
ONE Restaurant
Photo courtesy of ONE Restaurant.
ONE Restaurant
Photo courtesy of ONE Restaurant.
ONE Restaurant
Photo courtesy of ONE Restaurant.
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Attached to the upscale Hazelton Hotel, ONE is TIFF’s legendary terrace. Its outdoor seating, facing Yorkville’s bustling sidewalks, offers one of the best chances to glimpse stars arriving for dinner. In past festivals, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, and even Madonna have all been seen enjoying the refined menu. ONE’s reputation makes it a consistent go-to for stars balancing luxury with visibility. The Hazelton’s suites above often house big-name guests, ensuring a steady flow of high-profile arrivals and keeping ONE a focal point of Yorkville’s TIFF dining scene year after year.
Angelina Jolie @ The Writers Room
The Writers Room
Photo courtesy of Park Hyatt Toronto.
The Writers Room
Photo courtesy of Park Hyatt Toronto.
The Writers Room
Photo courtesy of Park Hyatt Toronto.
The Writers Room
Photo courtesy of Park Hyatt Toronto.
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The Writers Room Bar atop the Park Hyatt Toronto has reclaimed its status as a discreet TIFF hideaway. In 2024, the venue attracted Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, and Jennifer Aniston, making it one of the most A-list destinations of the festival. Its revamped interior, panoramic skyline views, and hushed elegance create a natural setting for stars to escape the crowds. Journalists, publicists, and VIPs often mingle quietly here, adding to the venue’s reputation as one of TIFF’s most refined celebrity hangouts.
Brad Pitt @ Sotto Sotto
Sotto Sotto
Photo courtesy of Sotto Sotto.
Sotto Sotto
Photo courtesy of Sotto Sotto.
Sotto Sotto
Photo courtesy of Sotto Sotto.
Sotto Sotto
Photo courtesy of Sotto Sotto.
Sotto Sotto
Photo courtesy of Sotto Sotto.
Sotto Sotto
Photo courtesy of Sotto Sotto.
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Few restaurants rival Sotto Sotto’s TIFF legacy. Stars including Johnny Depp, Oprah Winfrey, Brooke Shields, and Drake have dined in its candlelit rooms, making it synonymous with festival glamour. Known for its Roman-inspired menu, the restaurant offers both intimacy and spectacle, with paparazzi often stationed out front. Celebrities love the warmth and familiarity here, turning it into a yearly pilgrimage. Its longstanding reputation makes it one of Toronto’s most beloved celeb dining rooms during TIFF, attracting A-listers for late-night pasta and wine after hectic days on the red carpet.
Zoe Saldaña @ Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
Photo courtesy of the Four Seasons.
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
Photo courtesy of the Four Seasons.
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
Photo courtesy of the Four Seasons.
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Yorkville’s Four Seasons Hotel is TIFF central, with its stylish d|bar drawing Hollywood’s elite year after year. In 2024, the Vanity Fair + Netflix party turned the lounge into a star parade, with Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, Rebel Wilson, and John David Washington among those spotted. The intimate but high-energy space makes it ideal for cocktails, industry meetups, and late-night toasts after gala premieres. Fans know it as one of the most reliable TIFF hotspots for celebrity sightings, combining glamour with a warm and buzzy atmosphere that keeps stars returning each year.
Nicolas Cage @ Soluna
Soluna
Photo courtesy of Soluna.
Soluna
Photo courtesy of Soluna.
Soluna
Photo courtesy of Soluna.
Soluna
Photo courtesy of Soluna.
Soluna
Photo courtesy of Soluna.
Soluna
Photo courtesy of Soluna.
Soluna
Photo courtesy of Soluna.
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Soluna is newer to TIFF’s roster but has already played host to festival partners and multiple premiere parties. Its beach-inspired design, day-to-night concept, and sprawling rooftop keep it buzzing with talent from afternoon interviews through to after-hours celebrations. Past years have seen big-name guests like Jennifer Lawrence and Daniel Craig.
“We’ve had some unforgettable moments inside at Soluna,” says owner Dan Gunam, citing an evening during TIFF when “Nicolas Cage was having fun with our 360 camera.”
Ryan Gosling @ The Fairmont Royal York
The Fairmont Royal York
Photo by Brandon Barre, courtesy of the Fairmont Royal York.
The Fairmont Royal York
Photo by Brandon Barre, courtesy of the Fairmont Royal York.
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One of Toronto’s most iconic hotels, the Fairmont Royal York hosted celebrities long before TIFF became a global powerhouse. During the fest, its grand lobby and discreet suites often double as bases for A-listers seeking both old-world glamour and privacy across the road from Union Station. Over the years, stars like Matt Damon, Rachel McAdams, and Ryan Gosling have been linked to stays here.
No wonder staff have so many stories to share. “TIFF is always one of the most intense times of the year — it tests every ounce of stamina, patience, and coordination we have,” says Fairmont Gold director Alexis Bragagnolo. “But it’s also the most collaborative and fulfilling, especially when you realize the impact you’ve had on someone’s experience. Last year, a few high-profile guests — people premiering their films and juggling nonstop schedules — walked into the Fairmont Gold Lounge and greeted me by name. Amidst everything they had going on, they remembered me. It completely stopped me in my tracks. In that moment, I realized I had become their calm in the middle of the chaos, someone they could rely on, even briefly, to feel grounded and looked after.”
On the eve of her fourth TIFF, director of luxury and entertainment sales Shannon Fleming says “what I love most is the lead-up: making sure every detail is in order, preparing for VIP arrivals, and working side by side with Claudia, my TIFF partner in crime. The energy builds throughout the hotel, and it truly feels like preparing for opening night: every department in sync, every touchpoint perfected, and a buzz that’s impossible to miss.”
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