If you find yourself around Toronto’s Entertainment District and want a great meal near the TIFF Lightbox, here are excellent options—whether for lunch, dinner or just a snack.
The following restaurants are all within walking distance of TIFF Lightbox, or just a short stroll away.
Prime window views
Located on the second floor of the TIFF Lightbox itself, Luma Restaurant offers stunning window views along with a refined menu. Even if dinner reservations are full, you can relax in the lounge and order from the bar-bites menu (oysters, sliders, fries).
Mexican street food
La Carnita (the John Street location) fits the bill if you’re looking for an arty spot (eclectic street art, exposed brick, industrial lighting) to enjoy craft cocktails, signature tacos, sweet potato tacos and other twists on Mexican street food. The two-story venue is popular with the after-work crowd.
High above the city
Tucked atop the Ace Hotel, Evangeline Cocktail Bar provides a relaxing atmosphere with shared plates (charcuterie, tostadas, oysters). A great spot for a laid-back evening with city views.
Asian-inspired vegan dishes
Planta, on Queen West, is much loved by vegans citywide for its upbeat vibe, signature Thai lettuce wraps, Singapore noodles and truffle-fried rice. Perhaps less well-known is its Happy Hour, where you can pair creative cocktails with Asian-inspired finger foods.
Tacos and burritos for the time-strapped
Fresh Burrito is perfect for when you’re in a hurry but still want something tasty. Burritos, tacos, bowls, and quesadillas — grab-and-go or dine in.
Late-night noshing
Fox on John, a three-minute walk from TIFF Lightbox, goes beyond standard pub fare: tandoori chicken skewers, truffle honey ricotta and pomegranate crostini. Lively pub ambiance. Open late, making it ideal for post-event meals.
Wear your best black
Vela pays homage to the grand hotel lobby bar in a west-end heritage building. If you’re looking for an indulgent evening, but a little outside the Entertainment District, this is it. Dinner menu highlights: caviar-fried oysters, beef carpaccio, octopus, miso eggplant.
MICHELIN-starred dining
Alo Restaurant, one of 14 MICHELIN Star restaurants in Toronto, offers five-star contemporary French cuisine on the third floor of a refurbished Victorian building on Spadina Street. A tasting menu is available in the adjacent bar. Reservations are recommended.
Let’s split the bill
Little Sister, a Dutch-Indo food bar on Portland Avenue, serves up spicy Indonesian cuisine (lots of shareable dishes), which you can follow up with creative cocktails in their downstairs venue, Bar XXX, billed as a Dutch speakeasy. It’s a great place to unwind.
Take it outside
Cå Phe Rang satisfies diehard festival-goers in two ways: the Vietnamese eatery offers outdoor seating coupled with lighter food options, such as pho and banh mi.
50 years of French food
Le Select Bistro is one year older than TIFF (which turned 50 this year) and has long been a festival mainstay for anyone who enjoys fine French cuisine. Black-and-white posters and time-worn vintage café tables add to the Parisian-inspired decor.
Go with the crowd
Warehouse on Queen West, as the name suggests, is spacious—perfect if you’re dining with a group. Take your pick of spicy wings, tacos, burgers, pasta, fish tacos and perogies.
Budget-friendly Thai food
Salad King, a Toronto institution that originally catered to university students, opened its Queen West location in 2021. It is ideal for quick (and tasty) meals. Unfanciful decor. Unbeatable Thai food. Unpretentious vibe.
Nutritious noodles
If you want something comforting and hearty, Ikkousha Ramen delivers. Their broth-based bowls with protein and noodles are satisfying after a long day.
Mexican meets Mediterranean
Casa Madera, located on the ground floor of 1 Hotel, invites patrons to enjoy delicious Mexican and Mediterranean food while DJs play music alongside local performance artists. Vegan, gluten-free, and non-alcoholic cocktails are also available.
Budget-friendly food court fare
Helena’s Magic Kitchen, in the Village by the Grange food court, serves up hearty European dishes at reasonable prices: meat pies, beet salad, potato pancakes, and spinach-stuffed chicken. If it’s a sunny day, bypass the food court and grab a bench at nearby Grange Park.
Upscale gastropub food
EPOCH Bar + Kitchen Terrace, on the lobby level of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, is a prime spot to mix a little celeb-watching with mid-day nourishment (upscale gastropub fare) in an elegant setting. Alternatively, skip lunch and enjoy their full-on afternoon tea.
Meatless, wheatless and open for breakfast
Vegan restaurant chain Kupfert & Kim has two locations in the Entertainment District. K&K’s all-day breakfast menu runs the gamut from fruit-filled smoothies to breakfast bowls with guacamole, pico de gallo and brown rice. They also sell vegan cookies and treats.
Worth the walk from the Entertainment District
If you’re up for a 15–25 minute walk, two standout options are worth it.
Intimate and relaxed in West Queen West
Edulis, a MICHELIN-starred restaurant tucked away on Niagara Street, is definitely worth the walk. The ever-changing, seasonally inspired menu leans toward seafood, wild mushrooms and vegetables.
Expect a relaxed, intimate vibe at this renovated West Queen West townhouse.
Modern Mexican
Quetzal, which won its first MICHELIN star in 2022, specializes in modern fine-dining Mexican cuisine: ceviche, rack of lamb with black garlic mole negro, and bone marrow with wild Argentinian shrimp.
Quetzal also garnered MICHELIN’s 2023 Exceptional Cocktail Award. You can watch your dinner being cooked over the 20-foot open grill as you sip.
