Who hasn’t dreamed of living like a celebrity? From lavish restaurants, to decadent hotels, it’s a fun thought to entertain, even if just in passing. Toronto is a hotbed of celebrity activity for those who come up north, especially during the month of September when TIFF takes over the city. But for those of us who live here year-round, there are plenty of world-class hotspots to visit, that have attracted celebrities and regular citizens alike.
Here, we dive into 13 hotspots to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Toronto that have received a stamp of approval from celebrities.
STK
With a location in Toronto and others in glam cities like London, Ibiza, Las Vegas, and Milan, STK is the steakhouse/lounge combo that’s super popular among celebrities. Cardi B was spotted dining here when she was in Toronto for OVO and Veld Music Festival this past summer.
Patria
You can’t get more Canadian than Ryan Gosling and Justin Trudeau, and that’s exactly what happened at Spanish restaurant, Patria last year. Gosling was present for an after-party celebrating his film First Man, Trudeau was there to support, and the rest, as they say, is history. Swoon-worthy sightings aside, Patria serves up classic Spanish food (think tapas and paella) alongside fresh seafood, and a lengthy cocktail and wine list.
Montecito
Numerous celebrities have darkened the doors of this Californian-inspired Montecito, especially during TIFF. Owned by director Ivan Reitman (of Ghostbusters and Space Jam fame), it’s steps away from the TIFF Bell Lightbox and serves up farm-to-table cuisine. Famous faces like Bill Murray, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Bell, Sandra Bullock, and Robert Downey Jr. have all been spotted here.
Terroni
It wouldn’t be a proper list without mentioning our favourite Duchess who used to live in Toronto! trendy Italian restaurant, Terroni was a known favourite of Meghan Markle, who used to frequent when she lived in the city for seven years filming Suits. She even recommended the Peperoncini Piccanti chili condiment to Vanity Fair.
Byblos
Toronto local Rachel McAdams is reportedly a regular at this fancy, two-story Eastern Meditteranean restaurant. Byblos serves up a variety of dishes and cocktails in a Persian rug draped setting, with a celeb guest list that includes the likes of Matt Damon, Michelle Williams, and Gerard Butler, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segal, all of whom have been spotted here in the past.
Rhum Corner
Actress Samira Wiley took Vanity Fair to this bar on a tour around Toronto, dubbing it “very cool, very chill” and “a real gem!” A low-key affair with an affinity for rum and fun (their rum list is very, very long), Rhum Corner serves up authentic Haitian dishes in a cozy, muraled setting. Wiley’s go-to is the Wray and Ting, a mix of Jamaican rum and grapefruit soda.
Petty Cash
Advertised as your neighbourhood bar, Petty Cash is a casual mix of gastropub food and cocktails consumed around pool tables, topped off with money-themed decor. The King West staple made quite a stir for all the right reasons last Halloween, when Shawn Mendes was spotted making drinks from behind the bar. We’re guessing tips were more than generous that night (even for a place named ‘Petty Cash’.)
Hazelton Hotel
Kate Moss herself was spotted (or papped, rather) here a few years ago, eating a bagel with a glass of wine. (For those who want to recreate the moment, it was a lox bagel and a glass of white.) Located conveniently close to the city’s poshest shops and restaurants, names like Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have stayed here at the world-class luxury Hazelton Hotel.
Bisha Hotel
This boutique luxury hotel in the heart of the Entertainment district is a triple threat—featuring the extremely instagrammable KŌST on the 44th floor, celebrity chef restaurant, Akira Back, on the second, and Parisian pastry cafe, French Made, on the ground floor. Previous guests of the trendy residence include Lenny Kravitz, Margot Robbie, Ellen Paige, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, and Jake Gyllenhaal, just to name a few.
Windsor Arms
With a plush Victorian-style interior, this past-century heritage hotel almost makes you feel as though you’re a celebrity yourself. Stars such as George and Amal Clooney and Eminem have taken advantage of the hotels ‘discreet luxury’ policy. Pro tip: even if you’re not staying in a room, the high tea here is excellent.
119 Corbo
An upscale specialty boutique with only the highest of designer brands and shoes—word on the street is that 119 Corbo was responsible for bringing Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks to Toronto before Sex and the City made them staples in any fashionista’s closet. The boutique also has exclusivity to cutting edge brands like Haider Ackermann and Ann Demeulemeester and also features others like Dries Van Noten and Rick Owens. None other than Kimye themselves stopped by during Kanye’s tour stop in 2016, and apparently Jennifer Hudson and Michelle Fairley (from Game of Thrones) are also fans.
Mjölk
You really can’t get any more aesthetic than this. This homeware store comes recommended by Sarah Rafferty toVogue last year for “beautiful home furnishings.” Featuring pieces by artisans from Scandianvia and Japan, the store is peak minimalism and most definitely celebrity-worthy.
Augustina Boutiques
Another high-end fashion staple in Yorkville, Augustina Boutiques founder Cristina Burgess is known for scouting out up-and-coming and lesser known celebrity-loved brands such was Anita Ko jewelry, Sydney Evan and Temple St. Clair. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Jessica Chastain has been spotted shopping here, as well as Margot Robbie when she was in town filming Suicide Squad.
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Even though Meghan Markle is American, she became an honorary Torontonian thanks to all those years she spent living here and filming Suits. The now-Duchess spent nearly six years living in our glorious city so she obviously discovered some local faves of her own. With the Markle Effect in full force and all eyes on everything she wears over in the United Kingdom, over here in Toronto, there is still major interest in finding Meghan’s former go-to spots. If you’ve always wanted to know where in Toronto Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex used to hang out in, then keep reading to find out.
Here are 7 of Meghan Markle’s favourite Toronto hot spots!
Gee Beauty
Instagram/@amble_studio
Situated in the heart of Rosedale is Gee Beauty and it was one of Meghan’s go-to shopping destinations. Meghan told Elle Canada, that the store is “amazing for all the creature comforts you want—truth be told, I spend so much time in hair and makeup for work that in my off time I indulge with maintenance and relaxation vs. glam.”
Drake General Store
Instagram/@drakegeneralstore
Known for its selection of cute Canadiana gifts and fun essentials is Drake General Store and Meghan was reportedly spotted shopping here during the holiday season for gifts in 2016.
Terroni
Get your Italian food at Terroni just like Meghan Markle did while she was a Toronto resident. Apparently, she was a huge fan of the restaurants red chilies in oil (pepperoncini piccanti). You can purchase the chilies online, but we recommend coming in and enjoying a full meal — then take your beloved hot peppers to-go!
Blackbird Baking Co.
Instagram/@bbirdco
It’s no secret that Meghan loved spending time in Kensington Market while she was living here in TO. One of her go-to spots was Blackbird Baking Co. and we hear her fave was the bakery’s Kensington sourdough loaf that’s made with red fife flour.
Sentaler
If you’ve paid any attention to Meghan’s wardrobe over the last few years, you’ll see that she has an appreciation for a well-made coat. One of Meg’s go-to designers happens to be Toronto-based Sentaler and she’s been spotted rocking the brands pieces many a time. The Duchess even wore a Sentaler coat during her first Christmas at Sandringham.
Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie
Miraj Hammam Spa
We can’t even begin to imagine the stress that Meghan must have been under as her new relationship with Prince Harry blossomed under public scrutiny. Meghan found solace and zen at the Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie that’s inside the Shangri-La Hotel. In a 2014 chat with Glamour, she called it her go-to spot for massages and facials.
Soho House
Instagram/@sohohousetoronto
In a short video shot for Holt Renfrew, Meghan described Toronto’s Soho House as her “working headquarters.” This members-only club is known for its celeb clients and the London location was where Meghan and Harry met for the first time. Back in her pre-Duchess days, Meghan managed to make an incognito appearance at the club’s Halloween party, according to journalist Katie Nicholl in her book, Harry: Life, Loss and Love.
Featured Image: Instagram/@novniel
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