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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Let’s face it, Toronto has endless restaurants, patios, and bars. There are so many spots in our city with incredible food options, the best cocktails, and the prettiest views of the city but which ones have the best happy hour deals?
We’ve done the hard work of finding the best spots with the best happy hour deals to hang at in Toronto. Here are our top 10 picks!
Please note: the happy hour specials at these restaurants are subject to change without notice.
Northern Maverick
Instagram/@northernmaverickbrewing
From 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Monday to Friday at Northern Maverick, enjoy a boat load of drink deals like $5 lager, $5 whiskey, dollar per ounce house wine. If you get hungry, the $5 snack menu includes the restaurant’s house made bacon popcorn, buttered fish tacos, vegan curry, and of course, fries!
Petty Cash
Instagram/@pettycashto
Head on over to Petty Cash to enjoy dollar per ounce red and white wine everyday, but wait, that’s not all! During happy hour on Mondays, indulge in $1 wings and $1 beers! Plus, on Friday after work (FAW) starting at 5 p.m., you can also score $5 buffalo chicken sliders and $5 mixed drinks.
Baro
Instagram/@salihainthe6ix
Pablo’s Snack House on the second floor of Baro is the perfect spot for all things happy hour. every single night! From 5 to 7 p.m, get $5 wine, $5 snacks, and $20 pitchers of sangria and margaritas!
Montecito
Instagram/@montecitotoronto
There’s no shortage of tasty eats and drinks at Montecito. You can enjoy half price wines by the glass all day for Wine Wednesday, and from Monday to Friday from 5 p.m to 8 p.m, pair a half priced snack menu item with a half priced glass of the house red or white.
Moxies
Instagram/@moxies_official
Check out any Moxie’s lounge in Toronto from Sunday to Thursday from 3 p.m until 6 p.m and from 9 p.m until close. In the lounge you’ll find $4 fish tacos, $5 single high balls, and $8 2 oz classic cocktails like Moscow Mules, Negronis, and Manhattans.
Mira
Instagram/@mirarestaurant photo by @cheerstohappyhour
One of King West’s finest gems, Mira offers a “Pisco Sour Happy Hour” every weekday from 5 p.m to 6 p.m. Don’t worry if it’s not your jam, Mira also has beer and wine specials everyday too!
Labora
Instagram/@laborarestaurant
Spanish hot spot Labora has its own take on the traditional happy hour with tapas hour from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. Buy any drink whether it’s a $5 vermouth, $7 Estrella, or $25 sangria pitchers and receive a free tapa!
Pizzeria Libretto
Instagram/@pizzalibretto
Head to Pizzeria Libretto at King and Bathurst for “Apertivo Hour” from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. Grab a pizza and/or enjoy $5 wine and mixed drinks alongside $8 buttermilk fried calamari and libretto meatballs.
Hendriks Restaurant and Bar
Instagram/@hendriksrestaurant
Enjoy “happiest hour” at Hendricks from 3 p.m to 6 p.m. and from 9 p.m. until close with specials starting at just $3! Don’t forget to take full advantage of the $5 beers and $3 tacos. Plus, on Thursdays Hendriks offers Buck a Shuck during happy hour with the purchase of a beverage!
Joey’s
Instagram/@joeyrestaurants
Perhaps the best spot in Toronto with the best happy hour specials is Joey’s. With drink specials starting at just $3.50 and food options starting at just $4, there is something for everyone, and it’s all cheap! Visit any location from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close for a deal on sangria, wine, fries, sliders, sushi, and more.
Please note: the happy hour specials at most of these restaurants are subject to change without notice.
Featured Image: Instagram/@laborarestaurant
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